News Briefs-(3-02-2018)

Container depot operators get recognition

CHITTAGONG, Jan 31: The Inland Container Depots of the country are playing an important role in the national export, import and sea-borne trade. The Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association deserves to be recognised. Finance Minister AMA Muhith made the remarks while handing over the award to Nurul Qayyum Khan, president of the BICDA, the national association of the inland container depots, on the occasion of the World Customs Day, the association said in a statement. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Finance Ministry Dr Abdur Razzak and FBCCI president Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) also spoke on the occasion. Nurul Qayyum Khan said he was happy that the BICDA has been recognised by the World Customs Organisation for its contribution to the national economy by keeping the wheels of sea borne trade running."We are basically the helping hands of the seaports, especially the Chittagong Port because we handle 100 per cent of the containerised export cargo and a lot of containerised import cargo besides storing and shipping the empty containers," he said, adding that they are also contributing to the safe sea-borne trade environment. A total of 18 ICDs in Chittagong handled 795,826 TEUs (twenty feet equivalent unit) of cargo-laden containers last year, while the total number of containers handled was 851,223 in the year. — Our Correspondent

Book on 'Handloom Industry in Bangladesh'

A research book on 'Handloom Industry in Bangladesh' by Shawon Akand was launched in the city on Friday to give the readers a glimpse into the history of handloom industry. Nisar Hossain, dean of fine arts faculty of Dhaka University, unveiled the book at a ceremony on the faculty premises, while Hanzala and his band presented traditional handloom song of Pabna district. This book is a first-ever complete record of the handloom industry, Nisar Hossain said. Deshal, a fashion house, organised the book launching ceremony. Writer and researcher Shawon Akand said he has highlighted social, economic and political life in this subcontinent from the ancient period in this book. "Many people do not know about the ancient history of this industry. So, I have tried to compile the facts and information about the glorious past of this industry in this book," he added. People would be able to know the ins and outs of this industry by reading this book, according to the writer. At the programme, Mani Rahman and his band presented Gambhira song of Chapainawabganj.— FE Report