The chiefs of the three armed forces on Monday told the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry at its meeting that despite provocation by any quarter they would not support extra-constitutional steps. Quoting the three chiefs of the services, Idris Ali, chairman of the committee told the media, that they (three chiefs) were oath-bound
bangladesh
14-party alliance announces fresh programmes to resist anarchy
The ruling 14-party alliance on Monday announced fresh programmes in a bid to what they said ‘resist the anarchy of the communal and anti-liberation forces’. The programme includes holding of rally from May 2 to May 4 across the country. Briefing the media after the 14-party meeting, Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim said,
Journos observe token hunger strike
Journalists observed a token hunger strike on Monday demanding the release of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman. They observed the token hunger strike from 10 am to 2:30 pm on the National Press Club premises. Ruhul Amin Gazi, president of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), said that they will continue
Nation greets Bangla 1420 in style and colour
The nation on Sunday celebrated “Pahela Baishakh,” the first day of the Bengali New Year 1420 with fanfare and festivity in style and a traditional colorful way. The grand celebration kicked off as the first sunrise of 1420 became visible on the eastern horizon, welcoming the New Year with especially chosen seasonal song – “Eso ... Read more
Karnaphuli dredging, bank protection scheme to be completed by June
The project of the dredging and bank protection of the Karnaphuli river, undertaken by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), will be completed by June this year. This was disclosed by the CPA through a statement by project director Khademul Basher. The much-talked-about project, named ‘Capital dredging and bank protection with jetty
Dr Yunus to receive US Congressional Award Wednesday
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, will receive the US Congressional Gold Medal award on Wednesday. Prof Yunus is already in the USA to attend the historic award-giving ceremony to be held in Washington, an official at the Yunus Centre told UNB on Monday.
Migrant Workers Act approved
The Cabinet on Monday approved a new law titled “Oversees employment and Migrant Workers Act 2013” allowing seven years of jail and a fine of Tk one lakh for cheating and forging passport in the name of sending workers abroad. The approval was given in its regular meeting, held at the secretariat with Prime Minister ... Read more
Polls to 5 city corps ‘before Ramadan
Elections to five city corporations, including the newly-formed Gazipur one, are likely to be held before Ramadan, election commissioner Javed Ali said on Monday. “We may complete elections to the five city corporations at a time before Ramadan,” he said while talking to reporters at his Election Commission (EC) office. The Ramadan is expected to begin ... Read more
Restore political stability for economic growth: WB
Breaking out of low investment trap biggest immediate challenge, it says The World Bank on Saturday said Bangladesh must restore political stability for the sake of its economic growth. The recent political violence is hampering the country’s investment opportunity and development prospects, said officials of
So close yet so far for Bangladeshi women
The Bangladesh national women’s cricket team squandered a great opportunity to claim a morale-boosting win against their Indian counterparts after going down by 58 runs in the third and final one-day international in Ahmedabad on Friday. The Bangladeshi women bundled their experienced opponents
Pvt sector credit growth slumps below 14pc
Economists, businessmen say low growth ominous sign for economy The credit growth in the private sector declined to below 14 per cent in February on year-on-year basis for the first time since the financial year 2009-10 due mainly to the recent political unrest, said economists, businessmen and bankers. They said that such low credit growth ... Read more
Prolonged unrest is weighing on ecomonic growth: Moody’s
The ongoing political unrest and violent general strikes are weighing on Bangladesh’s economic growth by heightening the vulnerability and threatening to derail reform progress, said Moody’s in its latest credit outlook. The US-based credit rating agency in the report released on Thursday said the GDP growth of the country would fall to 5.9 per cent ... Read more
Govt eyes to cut joblessness by half, poverty by 2/3rds by 2030
The government targets to cut unemployment and underemployment by 50 per cent and the poverty headcount by two-thirds by 2030 under a draft post-2015 development agenda. The Planning Commission has already framed a draft of the country’s post-2015 development agenda which the United Nations may adopt after
RMG makers allege banks floating rules
Garment manufacturers on Thursday alleged that the commercial banks continued to stop granting them fresh loans if there were substandard classified loans against their names violating central bank order. They also alleged that a number of banks
United Power first to go under revised rules
United Power Generation and Distribution Company, a private power enterprise, on Thursday announced that it would go public under the ‘Book-Building Method’ for the first time after the controversial method was amended following the 2010-2011 stock market crash. The company is scheduled to hold a road-show for institutional
Barisal petrol pumps run without DoE approval
None of the petrol pumps in the Barisal region has licence and clearance certificate from the Department of Environment. The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners’ Association, Barisal unit and the DoE divisional office sources have acknowledged it.
NBR may miss revenue target for unrest, strikes
The National Board of Revenue may miss the revenue collection target of Tk 1,12,259 crore set for the current 2012-2013 financial year mainly due to frequent strikes and overall political unrest in the country, officials apprehended. Every hartal is taking heavy toll on revenue collection
Telcos could use surplus funds for 3G payments
Clarifies BTRC The mobile phone companies would be allowed to use own surplus funds for paying the licence fee, spectrum acquisition fee and roll-out expense for obtaining 3G licence, the telecom regulator has recently clarified the operators. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission
Only one from a family to get fund
Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday said that only one entrepreneur from a family would be eligible for getting financial assistance from Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund of the central bank for implementing agro-based and food processing projects. In a circular issued on the day, the central bank
Modhumati Bank gets final nod from BB
Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday gave final approval to the proposed Modhumati Bank for getting its licence. ‘The BB gave the approval at its board meeting after hearing the business plans presented by the proposed bank,’ a BB official who attended