Oil giants plan to go nuclear in Middle East

Total and Eni, two of Europe's biggest oil and gas companies, each plan to bring nuclear power to countries in the Middle East in what would be a controversial shift in an industry that is finding itself squeezed out of...

Unlocking the mysteries of force

On a par with the advancement of human knowledge about the structure of matter, the technological civilisation made great strides. And when one talks about structure, the concept of force automatically comes in. For how is it possible to conceive...

Ambani acrimony builds over Reliance and MTN

THE conflict between India's billionaire Ambani brothers over a proposed tie-up between mobile operators Reliance Communications and South Africa's MTN deepened early this month amid growing indications the feud could scupper the deal.Representatives of Reliance Communications, India's second-largest mobile operator...

Govt extends time again for release of bond for export-oriented industries

The government has extended time up to September 30 next for the release of indemnity bond offered to the export-oriented industries on promise of exporting goods.The government has offered the indemnity bond facility to 100 per cent export-oriented garment industries...

Zimbabwe: Liberation hero turns dictator

FEDERATION of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in South East Africa, 1953-63, comprised the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia and the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The capital was Salisbury (now Harare) in Southern Rhodesia. The federation, also called...

The wrong tools to tackle rising inflation

I remember a popular sticker in Germany during the 1970s, designed to ridicule the opponents of atomic energy. It read: "Nuclear power? No thanks! We get electricity from our power sockets."Our current debate on inflation sometimes reminds me of this...

IMF set to end offshore 'stigma'

THE distinction between "offshore" and "onshore" financial centres has been dropped by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in a victory for more than 40 small countries that complained they had been unfairly stigmatised in the fight against financial crime.The IMF...

Red tape impedes PDB pre-paid metering system in Ctg

CHITTAGONG, July 17: Bureaucratic procrastination is hampering implementation of pre-paid metering system of Power Development Board (PDB) in Chittagong aimed at reducing system loss of power and enhancing revenue income.According to PDB sources, Tk 7.50 billion was allocated for the...

corporatewatch

EGM on August 29An extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) will be held on August 29, 2008 at 9:00am to amend memorandum and articles of association of the bank regarding increase of the authorised capital of...

A passage through India

It is 1am and Ashok Alange prays for a safe trip, lighting incense sticks before the miniature statue of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh that he keeps fixed to his truck's dashboard.In terms of distance, the 540-kilometre drive is relatively...

Accepting facts and bracing for the hard days

The finance adviser the other day while refuting some economists' claim that the rate of pauperization has increased during the last two years has, however, admitted that the country's poverty alleviation efforts have received a severe jolt as a result...

IPO Diary

Nature of BusinessBankingSubscription OpenJuly 20, 2008Subscription CloseJuly 24, 2008For Non Resident Bangladeshi(s)July 20, 2008 to August 02, 2008Offer Price (Tk.)100.00Face Value (Tk.)100.00Market lot (Share)50Sponsors Portion (Share)11,500,000Public Offer (Share)11,500,000Total Issued Shares23,000,000Total Paid up Capital (after IPO)2,300,000,000Reason for IPO:To strengthen the capital...

Transport planning for competitiveness

Remaining successful in business or winning more market shares, essentially involves reducing the costs of doing business. The economy of a country should aim to become more and more competitive to flourish internally and especially to promote its external trade....

US labour group doubts local claim over child labour in shrimp plants

The US-labour group chief in her recent visit to Bangladesh expressed doubt over a claim on elimination of child labour in the shrimp processing plants of the country.Ellie Kiel Larson, executive director of the American labour group -- Solidarity Center...

DU budget more focused on entertainment

The allocation for entertainment in different departments of Dhaka University (DU) has been increased by more than 122 per cent in the budget for the fiscal 2008-09 compared to the previous year leaving some important sections like medical and educational...

Proposal on

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has planned to place a proposal to the government for setting up a 'Fish Bank' aimed at development of the country's fishermen.'Establishment of a Fish Bank will certainly reduce dependence of fishermen on local moneylenders...

Reputation made into capital: Branding and CSR go hand in hand for sustainable business development

Great brands meet or exceed consumer expectations. This has always been true. But as the marketplace has gotten more sophisticated and competitive, marketers have realised that what motivates people to buy products is far more complex today. It is not...

Flow of bank credit to private sector in May up

Credit growth to the private sector recorded a 25 per cent rise in May last over that of the same period of the previous year, officials said."The credit increased during the period mainly to real sectors and used for financing...

Managers see advantages of going global

FOR Sue Lin Heng, there was one criterion that really stood out when she was looking for an executive MBA programme, the qualification for working managers. It was its location.A native of Singapore, Ms Heng, 31, had already lived on...

Power shortage frustrates investments

ECONOMIC growth is the best assurance -- notwithstanding variables like how much the growth is pro-poor or if distributive justice is attained --for a continuous process of job creation, lifting up living standards and alleviating poverty. This growth in turn...

Left to live through horrors of price rise

No one knows for sure what is the current rate of inflation, which, led by rising food and oil prices, is posing a serious threat to the economic gains achieved in recent years and the survival of a vast majority...

The business case for more sustainability

There is a green revolution under way in business. After years of scepticism, big companies are starting to see the need for change. They are acting to cut waste, cut carbon emissions, find sources of renewable energy and develop sustainable...

NBR to sit with businesses July 21 on ECR installation

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has decided to bring some flexibility in implementation of its order on mandatory installation of electronic cash register (ECR) in 10 services sector.The NBR order is scheduled to come into effect from January 1,...

Defusing the demographic time device

Thomas Robert Malthus some two centuries back made a very practical, though gloomy, prognostication about the fate of human race. He concluded that population increases more than the means of increasing subsistence does. So it would become at a point...

Prawn culture in Teesta irrigation canal in Nilphamari begins

NILPHAMARI, July 15: District Fisheries Office of Nilphamari has undertaken a comprehensive project to cultivate lobster in Teesta irrigation canal in Nilphamari. Sources said the district fisheries office recently released 2000 fry into the canal water between the canal's Chanderhat...

news digest

Hezbollah prisoner swapJERUSALEM, Jul 15: An Israeli government spokesman says the Cabinet has overwhelming approved a prisoner swap with Hezbollah.The hotly debated deal would release a convicted Lebanese child-killer and four Hezbollah guerrillas in exchange for two missing Israeli soldiers...

New ideas must catch a customer's mood

TEN years ago, Clayton Christensen's book, The Innovator's Dilemma, was a bestseller. Christensen showed how innovation could become a form of trap. Companies invest large amounts of time and money in innovation but then lack the ability to make their...

Financial troubles seen as deepening

THE nation is broke. This perhaps succinctly describe the current economic woes of America, the largest and most vibrant economy of the world. Peter Peterson, commerce secretary under Richard Nixon is planning to spend $1.0 billion of his own money...

VGF cards for urban poor to be launched

The government is contemplating introducing Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) card for the urban poor, reeling under soaring prices of essentials, ahead of the Ramadan month.The price monitoring committee in a meeting recently asked the food and disaster management ministry to...

Freedom to be enlightened

THE only scheduled bank operating in Bangladesh which can boast about the architectural beauty and functional facilities of its own training institute is undoubtedly Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) whose sprawling training institute covers acres of prime land in Mirpur of...