TCB head visits Khatunganj

TCB head visits Khatunganj

CHITTAGONG, Aug 28: Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) AKM Iqbal today visited the Khatunganj commodity wholesale market in the port city to enquire about the unusual price hike in onion in the local market. The price of onion has shot up from Tk 50 to Tk 85 per kilogram recently in the kitchen markets of Dhaka, Chittagong and other parts of the country. The TCB chief visited the Khatunganj wholesale market at around 11.30 am, enquired about the causes of price spike in onion and met leaders of Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association at its office.  As he wanted to learn the cause of onion price hik,e the general secretary of the Association Syed Sagir Ahmed said there is no importer of onion at Khatunganj. Those who are dealing in the commodity are commission agents. The onion is imported from India through four land ports including Benapole, Hilli and Pomra. The price of onion is fixed by the traders at those land port points, he said. "We sell those onions to the small traders with only 30 paisa profit per kilogram (KG)," he said adding that the production of onion in the country should be raised.   He said fuel price has come down drastically in the international market but it has no impact on the local market. The trucks are charging higher fares, while they also have to pay at least Tk 2,000 per truck to the police on route for carrying the onion from the land ports to Khatunganj.  "The truck fares and extortion by police on the highways should be checked strictly. Only then the price of onion will come down by Tk. 7/- to 8/- per KG in the local market," he said. He noted the banks do not want to cooperate with the businesses. "They hesitate to give loan to the businesses and farmers. So the people get discouraged doing business," he said.

    — Our Correspondent

Honda opens service centre in city

To provide more advanced and quality services to its customers, Honda on Tuesday inaugurated a 3S centre in the city's Karwan Bazar. The services include sales, service and spare parts. Honda has appointed Wings BD Limited as its head dealer in Dhaka. Yoichi Mizutani, Managing Director of Bangladesh Honda Private Limited, officially inaugurated the Honda 3S centre. Among others, Chairman of Wings BD Limited Humayun Kabir and Managing Director Mostafizur Rashid Bhuiyan and other senior officials were present. Before the inauguration ceremony, a brief press conference was held, where Mizutani discussed on the motorcycle market of Bangladesh, the users, and the quality. He said Honda has taken various initiatives to develop Bangladesh's growing motorcycle industry.  Honda has introduced the 3S centre for its users to have an easy access to many of its services. Honda motorcycle plans to introduce more 3S centres in Dhaka to serve its customers. Like in many other countries, Honda has established itself as the No. 1 brand among motorcycle enthusiasts of Bangladesh.

    — Statement