The end of an era

Mr. ABM Musa is no more. He breathed his last on Wednesday (April 09, 2014) at the Labaid Hospital in the city. His death has not come as a bolt from the blue. As the news of his death was...

Who is to ensure safe housing for citizens?

It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the country that none really wakes up from slumber unless a man-made disaster collapses a building or a factory, killing hundreds. Those who are involved in approving construction plans...

Tackling the menace of gold smuggling

Judging by the avalanche of gold flowing into the country, the euphemism 'Sonar Bangla' seems to be crystallising into reality! Every other day the media carries news of big hauls of gold bars and coins intercepted by the law-enforcement agencies...

Jewellery shops thrive on smuggled gold

There are about 20/22 thousand jewellery shops in Bangladesh. Daily sale in these shops is estimated at Tk 200 million. Surprisingly, no gold is imported through letter of credit. Expatriate Bangladeshis can bring 200 grams of gold each while returning...

Don’t get confused with recent remarks: PM

Apparently referring to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman’s recent remarks against Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people not be confused with the motivated remarks of those who never wanted Bangladesh’s independence. “Those who...

Security of state-owned banks

We have observed that money of a state-owned commercial bank was siphoned off through burglary on two occasions. It would not have happened if the authorities concerned had taken precautionary measures in advance to ensure safety measures of vault room/strong...

New taxi cabs in the citys

The city-dwellers are waiting for the taxi cab services. Media reports say a fleet of 500 brand-new taxis are going to hit Dhaka city streets on the Bangla New Year. We look at it as a New Year gift. Not...

Argentina hit by strike over inflation

A nationwide strike has paralysed Argentina's economy, shutting down air, train and bus traffic while also closing businesses, public schools and ports. That has interrupted all non-emergency hospital attention, left garbage in emptied streets and complicated many other aspects of...

LC payment should be on time

It is indeed a praiseworthy decision of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) that the commercial banks will be fined if they fail to make payment to the foreign parties against their letters of credit (LCs). How can a businessman pay his...

Writer protests against editing of his copy

I am really disappointed to see the article published on April 09 under the caption: Irrefutable facts. You have distorted my article and I disowned the article published by your newspaper. It is simply dishonest (sic) to say that you...

NOTE:

NOTE: The footnote of the aforementioned article, published in the FE on April 09, 2014, did clearly mention that it was an edited version of the writer’s original one. The editing was done in keeping with the norms and standards...

Human rights disclosures and RMG sector

The readymade garment sector (RMG) has been the backbone of the country's economy for a considerable period of time. The garment manufacturers in Bangladesh have time and again proved their entrepreneurial capabilities and innovative management skills. Consequently, the sector has...

Ensuring economic security

Threats to economic security of Bangladesh emanate from both internal and external sources. Internal insecurity comes mainly from massive poverty and while the external one originates mainly from the process of globalisation. Substantial dependence on external assistance and smuggling also...

Man and myth collide as Modi eyes final ascent to power

Narendra Modi spent his childhood in a modest three-room dwelling made of mud and brick nestled in a narrow, crowded lane in the western Indian town of Vadnagar. The tea stall his father ran with the help of his sons...

Pakistan opposition to challenge new anti-terror law in court

Pakistani opposition parties are planning to challenge a sweeping new anti-terror law in court, politicians said this werek, because they fear it will legalize human rights violations. The Protection of Pakistan Bill was passed late on Monday amid protests from...

Govt finalises progress report on Action Plan next week

The government will finalise the progress report on 'Bangladesh Action Plan 2013' on April 13 before sending it to the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) by 15th of the current month in a bid to regain a suspended trade facility...

IDRA comes to life as Shefaque takes the helm again

The office of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has come to life after the reappointment of M Shefaque Ahmed as its chairman. He joined work on Wednesday. The insurance regulator's top post has remained vacant almost four months....

3rd National SME Fair gets huge response

Entrepreneurs at the 3rd National SME Fair got a tremendous response from visitors with 150 per cent rise in their sales and nearly 100 per cent in spot orders, according to a press release.    Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Foundation...

BJA for recognition of raw jute as an agri-product

Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA) wants recognition of raw jute as an agri-product so that it gets the facilities as are being enjoyed by other such exportable products. The association has already placed its five-point proposal to the Federation of Bangladesh...

News Briefs

Agrani Bank gets new GM Md Harmuz Mia has recently been promoted to the post of general manager (GM) of Agrani Bank Limited and joined its Mymensingh Circle. Prior to the position, he was the deputy general manager of the...

Kaiser Ali made DMD of Hotel Agrabad

CHITTAGONG, Apr 9: Director (Human Resources & Administ-ration) of Hotel Agrabad ASM Kaiser Ali has been promoted to the post of deputy managing director of the hotel, said a statement. Since taking charge of the HR & Admin, he had...

News Briefs

Wal-Mart to add 50 more stores in India NEW DELHI, Apr 9: Wal-Mart, which operates as a wholesaler in India, on Friday announced its plans to add 50 stores to its network of 20 outlets over the next four-five years,...

Photo: World Bank lead Economist Dr Zahid Hussain

Photo: ONE Bank Limited

Photo: Prime Bank Limited

Mozena lauds installation of solar irrigation pump in Bangladesh

Lauding the installation of solar irrigation pump in Bangladesh's remote areas, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena expressed his government's interest to provide support to the environment-friendly technology, an official said. Mr Mozena was visiting the solar irrigation pump...

China plans world\\\'s largest duty-free shop

BOAO, Hainan, Apr 9 (Xinhua): South China's tourist island province of Hainan is to build the world's largest duty free shop (DFS), said provincial authorities Wednesday. Hainan plans to relocate an existing DFS downtown in the resort city of Sanya,...

BBS workshop on national statistical warehouse held in city

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) held the stakeholders' consultation workshop on "National Statistical Data Warehouse and Centre" on the BBS premises in the city Wednesday. SDWH is defined as a central data store for managing all available data of interest,...

Bank of Korea to hold rates

SEOUL, Apr 9 (Reuters): South Korea's central bank governor, Lee Ju-yeol, makes his monetary policy debut on Thursday, widely expected to hold rates at 2.5 per cent for an 11th successive month. Governor Lee, a career technocrat, succeeded Kim Choong-soo...