daily news flash, 19th november, 2017 news flash, 19th november, 2017 3 tarasima apparels won the...

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Daily News Flash, 19 th November, 2017 1 DSEX 28.20 Gold (Ounce) $1294.40 Dollar 81.15 (Buy) 81.15 (Sell) CSCX 70.40 Oil (Barrel) $56.68 Euro 95.68 (Buy) 95.70 (Sell) HSBC HONOURS EXPORT HEROES .................................................................................................................... 2 SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD .............................................................................................. 4 SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES .................................................................... 4 BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA .................................................................................................................. 5 FARM LENDING RISES 17.67PC ......................................................................................................................... 6 RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS .............................................................................. 7 DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8,000CR ................................................................. 7 STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS ............................................................ 8 INFLATION FALLS TO 6.04PC IN OCT ................................................................................................................. 8 FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY ........................................................................................... 9 GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG, RAJSHAHI ................................................................................... 10 BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES: BIBM STUDY .............................................................. 10 FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS ..................................................................................................... 11 NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY ............................................................................................. 12 EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 ......................................................................................... 13 TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY .................................................................................................. 13 $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED ............................................................................. 13 LOCAL COS, MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS' STAKE ............................................... 14 PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED ................................................................. 15 RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY .......................................................................................... 16 STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK .................................................................................... 16 IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE ........................................................ 17 VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES ........................................................................................ 18 EXPORTS UP 7.0PC IN JULY-OCTOBER ............................................................................................................ 19 GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT ....................................................................................... 20 MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU' BANKING CHANNEL: BIBM REPORT ...................... 21 DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 8.0 BILLION MARK ............................................................................................ 22 FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE .......................................................... 23 TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE ....................................................................................................... 24 MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS ............................................. 24 ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME ............................................... 25 BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR: REPORT ........................................ 27 VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES .................................................................................................. 28 GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY ................................................................................... 29

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Page 1: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

1

DSEX 2820 Gold (Ounce) $129440 Dollar 8115 (Buy) 8115 (Sell) CSCX 7040 Oil (Barrel) $5668 Euro 9568 (Buy) 9570 (Sell)

HSBC HONOURS EXPORT HEROES 2

SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD 4

SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES 4

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA 5

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC 6

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS 7

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR 7

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS 8

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT 8

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY 9

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI 10

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY 10

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS 11

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY 12

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 13

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY 13

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED 13

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE 14

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED 15

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY 16

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK 16

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE 17

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES 18

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER 19

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT 20

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT 21

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK 22

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE 23

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE 24

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS 24

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME 25

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT 27

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES 28

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY 29

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

2

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 29

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV 30

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS 31

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS 32

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT 33

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS 34

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH 35

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM 35

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 37

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE 37

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG 37

বড় 38

৬৭ ব ড় 39

২ ব 40

১০০ ব ব 41

ব ব ড় ব 41

ব ব 42

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ 43

ব 43

ব ব 44

ব ব ব ড় 45

ব 46

ব ব ব ব mdash 46

ব ব ব ব 47

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে 48

HSBC HONOURS EXPORT HEROES HSBC Bangladesh has recognised five local exporters for their leadership in brightening the countrys image and contributing to the nations sustainable growth The winners of the 7th HSBC Export Excellence Awards are Square Fashions Tarasima Apparels Envoy Textiles Seamark (BD) and Classical Handmade Products Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed handed over the trophies to the companies owners at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel in the capital on Friday Square Fashions an enterprise of Square Group won the Exporter of the Year trophy in the readymade garment company category for annual export turnover of more than $100 million The company which began production in 2001 ships to 25 globally acclaimed brands and 75 countries Tapan Chowdhury managing director of Square Group received the award

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

3

Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million Established in 2007 Tarasima Apparels is now a LEED certified platinum category green manufacturing operation exporting woven garments to about 40 countries It is preferred by a number of global apparel brands due to its commitment to environment and worker friendly work-station The award was received by Mishal Ali deputy managing director of Bitopi Group the owning company of Tarasima Apparels Envoy Textiles became the exporter of the year in the supply chain and backward linkage apparel category of annual export turnover of $10 million or more Set up in 2005 Envoy Textiles is a manufacturer of high-quality denim and exports to 21 countries including the US the EU Turkey Australia China India Sri Lanka and Vietnam Kutubuddin Ahmed chairman of Envoy Group accepted the trophy Seamark (BD) was awarded in the traditional and emerging sectors with annual export turnover of more than $10 million The company started its journey in 2002 and now ships seafood items to the UK and other European markets Its parent company Seamark which opened its doors in 1976 is one of Europes leading processors exporters and distributors of frozen food Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark accepted the award Classical Handmade Products Bangladesh won the exporter of the year award in the small and medium enterprises category with annual export turnover of up to $10 million Located at Nilphamari Classic Handmade manufactures handmade home deacutecor products from recycled textile waste It employs 2000 people and supplies to renowned global brands The firm is now exporting to 33 countries including Germany Spain Sweden and the US Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam managing director of the company who received the award started the venture with investment of Tk 54 lakh Now his annual turnover stands at $35 million Speaking as the chief guest Tofail Ahmed congratulated the winners He said out of the worlds top 10 green companies seven are in Bangladesh In the coming days we will see more and more factories being transformed into green factories ldquoAfter the collapse of Rana Plaza building our factory owners have learned their lessons and renovated their factories The government has also given tax benefitsrdquo He thanked HSBC for financing four power projects as well as the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 project Alison Blake British high commissioner to Bangladesh said she is overwhelmed by the amount of talent energy and commitment of the award-winners in boosting exports and building a brighter and more prosperous future for Bangladesh She lauded Bangladeshs industrial sector particularly the garment factories for employing women ldquoYou are giving an economic role a voice and a platform to womenrdquo she added Francois de Maricourt chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh said ldquoOur entrepreneurs have been at the forefront in fuelling the steady economic growth of Bangladesh At HSBC we are honoured to recognise and encourage these individuals for perseverance and hard workrdquo Bangladeshs exporters are promoting the countrys brand on the global stage ldquoI would like to thank Bangladeshs entrepreneurs for your perseverance and hard work and for taking the label of Made-in-Bangladesh worldwiderdquo Mahbub ur Rahman deputy CEO of HSBC Bangladesh said exporters have been playing a vital role in the economic prosperity of Bangladesh ldquoOur entrepreneurs have built a world-class supply chain and made the Bangladesh brand internationalrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

4

In his reaction Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark said the export of seafood can be increased significantly as international buyers like the products imported from Bangladesh ldquoOur products are consumed by billionairesrdquo he added Miran Ali managing director of Bitopi Group said companies can cut water consumption by 30 percent by embracing green production practices Classic Handmades Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam said he is glad to bring jobs to people of the northern district Some 87 percent of his workers are women The jury board picked up the winners from 102 nominations submitted this year Launched in 2010 the award takes into consideration the companies corporate social responsibility practices regulatory compliance sustainable business practices commitment and contribution to local economy The Daily Star the Prothom Alo Bangladesh Brand Forum and KPMG are the strategic partners of the awards HSBC Bangladesh helps ship products to over 100 countries each year More than 10 percent of Bangladeshs global trade is channelled through the bank Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesshsbc-honours-export-heroes-1493209

SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD Global and local experts yesterday discussed the potential of retail business in the country at Bangladesh Retail Congress at Le Meridien hotel in Dhaka Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the second edition of the event with the theme ldquoRedefining Retail in Bangladeshrdquo Damodar Mall CEO for grocery retail at Reliance Retail Ltd and the author of Supermarketwala Philippines franchise guru Armando O Bartolome president of GMB Management Services Global Inc Arijit Chakraborti partner of PwC and Shabri Prabhakar head of international business at Coffee Day Global Ltd presented keynote papers on their respective fields Three panel discussions on the future of retail for Bangladesh and technology and skills development in retail were held where 18 local industry stakeholders took part The local experts included Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar of the Institute of Business Administration under Dhaka University Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Ltd Prof Mohammad Abdul Momen director of Pride Group Reaz Uddin Al-Mamoon managing director of Epyllion Group Syed Nasim Manzur managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd and Tamara Hasan Abed senior director of Brac Enterprises Two local case studies were presented by Hatil Complex Ltd and Daraaz Bangladesh Ltd Earlier Shariful Islam founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum delivered the welcome address Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Sabbir Hasan Nasir executive director of ACI Logistics Ltd (Shwapno) and Rasheed Mymunul Islam deputy managing director of Monno Group of Industries also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssecond-bangladesh-retail-congress-held-1493161

SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES Sonia Bashir Kabir has recently been appointed as managing director of Microsoft for Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan and Laos Sonia will lead Microsofts business in developing and driving strategies for all product lines services and support offerings in the four countries the company said in a statement yesterday She will work closely with partners and local governments to help accelerate the digital transformation across the four markets by bringing people data and processes together the company said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

5

She will work to reinvent business values provide personalised experience to customers and transform education in the fourth industrial revolution ldquoDigital transformation in emerging markets is an important priority for companies governments and Microsoft alikerdquo said Michelle Simmons general manager for Southeast Asia new markets at Microsoft These countries have the potential to leapfrog and embrace the fourth industrial revolution which can significantly enhance their economic development Simmons said ldquoI am confident that Sonias experience in both Asia and the US will contribute to the digital transformation of these marketsrdquo she said Sonia said ldquoI am honoured to be entrusted with the multi-country role and am excited to be part of the digital transformation journey of these countriesrdquo ldquoWe will work towards enabling every person and organisation to have the opportunity to take advantage of the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edgerdquo Sonia is a governing council member of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssonia-bashir-kabir-lead-microsoft-four-countries-1493200

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA Policies framed with the support of evidence and credible data benefit the economy and the society as a whole economists said yesterday They also said decisions taken on populist notions and prescriptions from donors may not bring desired results The views were shared at the launch of a bookmdashEvidence based policy making in Bangladeshmdashpenned by Sadiq Ahmed vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh The book highlights the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking If policies are formulated in the framework of informed decision making they are more likely to work than those that are purely politically motivated with insufficient evidence or analysis Ahmed said at the event ldquoIn our experience we have found that government has limited analytical capacityrdquo he said adding that the government addressed the issue in recent years by partnering with think-tanks Some efforts are also underway to develop in-house evidence-based policymaking capacity in key line ministries in coordination with the cabinet division ldquoThese are very good effortsrdquo Ahmed said But elaborate policy models using rigorous quantitative methods are unlikely to work in developing countries like Bangladesh owing to insufficient data limited analytical capabilities severe time-constraint and short attention span of policymakers ldquoProper communication with top policymakers is crucial for successfully conveying the main focus of the proposed policy decisionrdquo Evidence needs to be broad-based and easy to understand and conceptualised in the context of Bangladesh and its development challenges Organised in nine chapters the 182-page book sees Ahmed making use of case studies to discuss the regulatory framework for private investment He later dealt with issues such as ICT revolution financial inclusion Bangladeshs ldquoLook East policyrdquo tax structure modernisation poverty and income distribution urbanisation and reforms on public enterprises Citing his experience as a former finance adviser to a caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said he looked for studies on tax holidays in Bangladesh but did not find any ldquoEvidence-based policies and the capacity to implement those are importantrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 2: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

2

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 29

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV 30

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS 31

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS 32

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT 33

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS 34

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH 35

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM 35

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 37

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE 37

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG 37

বড় 38

৬৭ ব ড় 39

২ ব 40

১০০ ব ব 41

ব ব ড় ব 41

ব ব 42

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ 43

ব 43

ব ব 44

ব ব ব ড় 45

ব 46

ব ব ব ব mdash 46

ব ব ব ব 47

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে 48

HSBC HONOURS EXPORT HEROES HSBC Bangladesh has recognised five local exporters for their leadership in brightening the countrys image and contributing to the nations sustainable growth The winners of the 7th HSBC Export Excellence Awards are Square Fashions Tarasima Apparels Envoy Textiles Seamark (BD) and Classical Handmade Products Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed handed over the trophies to the companies owners at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel in the capital on Friday Square Fashions an enterprise of Square Group won the Exporter of the Year trophy in the readymade garment company category for annual export turnover of more than $100 million The company which began production in 2001 ships to 25 globally acclaimed brands and 75 countries Tapan Chowdhury managing director of Square Group received the award

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

3

Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million Established in 2007 Tarasima Apparels is now a LEED certified platinum category green manufacturing operation exporting woven garments to about 40 countries It is preferred by a number of global apparel brands due to its commitment to environment and worker friendly work-station The award was received by Mishal Ali deputy managing director of Bitopi Group the owning company of Tarasima Apparels Envoy Textiles became the exporter of the year in the supply chain and backward linkage apparel category of annual export turnover of $10 million or more Set up in 2005 Envoy Textiles is a manufacturer of high-quality denim and exports to 21 countries including the US the EU Turkey Australia China India Sri Lanka and Vietnam Kutubuddin Ahmed chairman of Envoy Group accepted the trophy Seamark (BD) was awarded in the traditional and emerging sectors with annual export turnover of more than $10 million The company started its journey in 2002 and now ships seafood items to the UK and other European markets Its parent company Seamark which opened its doors in 1976 is one of Europes leading processors exporters and distributors of frozen food Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark accepted the award Classical Handmade Products Bangladesh won the exporter of the year award in the small and medium enterprises category with annual export turnover of up to $10 million Located at Nilphamari Classic Handmade manufactures handmade home deacutecor products from recycled textile waste It employs 2000 people and supplies to renowned global brands The firm is now exporting to 33 countries including Germany Spain Sweden and the US Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam managing director of the company who received the award started the venture with investment of Tk 54 lakh Now his annual turnover stands at $35 million Speaking as the chief guest Tofail Ahmed congratulated the winners He said out of the worlds top 10 green companies seven are in Bangladesh In the coming days we will see more and more factories being transformed into green factories ldquoAfter the collapse of Rana Plaza building our factory owners have learned their lessons and renovated their factories The government has also given tax benefitsrdquo He thanked HSBC for financing four power projects as well as the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 project Alison Blake British high commissioner to Bangladesh said she is overwhelmed by the amount of talent energy and commitment of the award-winners in boosting exports and building a brighter and more prosperous future for Bangladesh She lauded Bangladeshs industrial sector particularly the garment factories for employing women ldquoYou are giving an economic role a voice and a platform to womenrdquo she added Francois de Maricourt chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh said ldquoOur entrepreneurs have been at the forefront in fuelling the steady economic growth of Bangladesh At HSBC we are honoured to recognise and encourage these individuals for perseverance and hard workrdquo Bangladeshs exporters are promoting the countrys brand on the global stage ldquoI would like to thank Bangladeshs entrepreneurs for your perseverance and hard work and for taking the label of Made-in-Bangladesh worldwiderdquo Mahbub ur Rahman deputy CEO of HSBC Bangladesh said exporters have been playing a vital role in the economic prosperity of Bangladesh ldquoOur entrepreneurs have built a world-class supply chain and made the Bangladesh brand internationalrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

4

In his reaction Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark said the export of seafood can be increased significantly as international buyers like the products imported from Bangladesh ldquoOur products are consumed by billionairesrdquo he added Miran Ali managing director of Bitopi Group said companies can cut water consumption by 30 percent by embracing green production practices Classic Handmades Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam said he is glad to bring jobs to people of the northern district Some 87 percent of his workers are women The jury board picked up the winners from 102 nominations submitted this year Launched in 2010 the award takes into consideration the companies corporate social responsibility practices regulatory compliance sustainable business practices commitment and contribution to local economy The Daily Star the Prothom Alo Bangladesh Brand Forum and KPMG are the strategic partners of the awards HSBC Bangladesh helps ship products to over 100 countries each year More than 10 percent of Bangladeshs global trade is channelled through the bank Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesshsbc-honours-export-heroes-1493209

SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD Global and local experts yesterday discussed the potential of retail business in the country at Bangladesh Retail Congress at Le Meridien hotel in Dhaka Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the second edition of the event with the theme ldquoRedefining Retail in Bangladeshrdquo Damodar Mall CEO for grocery retail at Reliance Retail Ltd and the author of Supermarketwala Philippines franchise guru Armando O Bartolome president of GMB Management Services Global Inc Arijit Chakraborti partner of PwC and Shabri Prabhakar head of international business at Coffee Day Global Ltd presented keynote papers on their respective fields Three panel discussions on the future of retail for Bangladesh and technology and skills development in retail were held where 18 local industry stakeholders took part The local experts included Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar of the Institute of Business Administration under Dhaka University Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Ltd Prof Mohammad Abdul Momen director of Pride Group Reaz Uddin Al-Mamoon managing director of Epyllion Group Syed Nasim Manzur managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd and Tamara Hasan Abed senior director of Brac Enterprises Two local case studies were presented by Hatil Complex Ltd and Daraaz Bangladesh Ltd Earlier Shariful Islam founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum delivered the welcome address Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Sabbir Hasan Nasir executive director of ACI Logistics Ltd (Shwapno) and Rasheed Mymunul Islam deputy managing director of Monno Group of Industries also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssecond-bangladesh-retail-congress-held-1493161

SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES Sonia Bashir Kabir has recently been appointed as managing director of Microsoft for Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan and Laos Sonia will lead Microsofts business in developing and driving strategies for all product lines services and support offerings in the four countries the company said in a statement yesterday She will work closely with partners and local governments to help accelerate the digital transformation across the four markets by bringing people data and processes together the company said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

5

She will work to reinvent business values provide personalised experience to customers and transform education in the fourth industrial revolution ldquoDigital transformation in emerging markets is an important priority for companies governments and Microsoft alikerdquo said Michelle Simmons general manager for Southeast Asia new markets at Microsoft These countries have the potential to leapfrog and embrace the fourth industrial revolution which can significantly enhance their economic development Simmons said ldquoI am confident that Sonias experience in both Asia and the US will contribute to the digital transformation of these marketsrdquo she said Sonia said ldquoI am honoured to be entrusted with the multi-country role and am excited to be part of the digital transformation journey of these countriesrdquo ldquoWe will work towards enabling every person and organisation to have the opportunity to take advantage of the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edgerdquo Sonia is a governing council member of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssonia-bashir-kabir-lead-microsoft-four-countries-1493200

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA Policies framed with the support of evidence and credible data benefit the economy and the society as a whole economists said yesterday They also said decisions taken on populist notions and prescriptions from donors may not bring desired results The views were shared at the launch of a bookmdashEvidence based policy making in Bangladeshmdashpenned by Sadiq Ahmed vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh The book highlights the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking If policies are formulated in the framework of informed decision making they are more likely to work than those that are purely politically motivated with insufficient evidence or analysis Ahmed said at the event ldquoIn our experience we have found that government has limited analytical capacityrdquo he said adding that the government addressed the issue in recent years by partnering with think-tanks Some efforts are also underway to develop in-house evidence-based policymaking capacity in key line ministries in coordination with the cabinet division ldquoThese are very good effortsrdquo Ahmed said But elaborate policy models using rigorous quantitative methods are unlikely to work in developing countries like Bangladesh owing to insufficient data limited analytical capabilities severe time-constraint and short attention span of policymakers ldquoProper communication with top policymakers is crucial for successfully conveying the main focus of the proposed policy decisionrdquo Evidence needs to be broad-based and easy to understand and conceptualised in the context of Bangladesh and its development challenges Organised in nine chapters the 182-page book sees Ahmed making use of case studies to discuss the regulatory framework for private investment He later dealt with issues such as ICT revolution financial inclusion Bangladeshs ldquoLook East policyrdquo tax structure modernisation poverty and income distribution urbanisation and reforms on public enterprises Citing his experience as a former finance adviser to a caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said he looked for studies on tax holidays in Bangladesh but did not find any ldquoEvidence-based policies and the capacity to implement those are importantrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 3: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

3

Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million Established in 2007 Tarasima Apparels is now a LEED certified platinum category green manufacturing operation exporting woven garments to about 40 countries It is preferred by a number of global apparel brands due to its commitment to environment and worker friendly work-station The award was received by Mishal Ali deputy managing director of Bitopi Group the owning company of Tarasima Apparels Envoy Textiles became the exporter of the year in the supply chain and backward linkage apparel category of annual export turnover of $10 million or more Set up in 2005 Envoy Textiles is a manufacturer of high-quality denim and exports to 21 countries including the US the EU Turkey Australia China India Sri Lanka and Vietnam Kutubuddin Ahmed chairman of Envoy Group accepted the trophy Seamark (BD) was awarded in the traditional and emerging sectors with annual export turnover of more than $10 million The company started its journey in 2002 and now ships seafood items to the UK and other European markets Its parent company Seamark which opened its doors in 1976 is one of Europes leading processors exporters and distributors of frozen food Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark accepted the award Classical Handmade Products Bangladesh won the exporter of the year award in the small and medium enterprises category with annual export turnover of up to $10 million Located at Nilphamari Classic Handmade manufactures handmade home deacutecor products from recycled textile waste It employs 2000 people and supplies to renowned global brands The firm is now exporting to 33 countries including Germany Spain Sweden and the US Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam managing director of the company who received the award started the venture with investment of Tk 54 lakh Now his annual turnover stands at $35 million Speaking as the chief guest Tofail Ahmed congratulated the winners He said out of the worlds top 10 green companies seven are in Bangladesh In the coming days we will see more and more factories being transformed into green factories ldquoAfter the collapse of Rana Plaza building our factory owners have learned their lessons and renovated their factories The government has also given tax benefitsrdquo He thanked HSBC for financing four power projects as well as the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 project Alison Blake British high commissioner to Bangladesh said she is overwhelmed by the amount of talent energy and commitment of the award-winners in boosting exports and building a brighter and more prosperous future for Bangladesh She lauded Bangladeshs industrial sector particularly the garment factories for employing women ldquoYou are giving an economic role a voice and a platform to womenrdquo she added Francois de Maricourt chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh said ldquoOur entrepreneurs have been at the forefront in fuelling the steady economic growth of Bangladesh At HSBC we are honoured to recognise and encourage these individuals for perseverance and hard workrdquo Bangladeshs exporters are promoting the countrys brand on the global stage ldquoI would like to thank Bangladeshs entrepreneurs for your perseverance and hard work and for taking the label of Made-in-Bangladesh worldwiderdquo Mahbub ur Rahman deputy CEO of HSBC Bangladesh said exporters have been playing a vital role in the economic prosperity of Bangladesh ldquoOur entrepreneurs have built a world-class supply chain and made the Bangladesh brand internationalrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

4

In his reaction Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark said the export of seafood can be increased significantly as international buyers like the products imported from Bangladesh ldquoOur products are consumed by billionairesrdquo he added Miran Ali managing director of Bitopi Group said companies can cut water consumption by 30 percent by embracing green production practices Classic Handmades Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam said he is glad to bring jobs to people of the northern district Some 87 percent of his workers are women The jury board picked up the winners from 102 nominations submitted this year Launched in 2010 the award takes into consideration the companies corporate social responsibility practices regulatory compliance sustainable business practices commitment and contribution to local economy The Daily Star the Prothom Alo Bangladesh Brand Forum and KPMG are the strategic partners of the awards HSBC Bangladesh helps ship products to over 100 countries each year More than 10 percent of Bangladeshs global trade is channelled through the bank Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesshsbc-honours-export-heroes-1493209

SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD Global and local experts yesterday discussed the potential of retail business in the country at Bangladesh Retail Congress at Le Meridien hotel in Dhaka Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the second edition of the event with the theme ldquoRedefining Retail in Bangladeshrdquo Damodar Mall CEO for grocery retail at Reliance Retail Ltd and the author of Supermarketwala Philippines franchise guru Armando O Bartolome president of GMB Management Services Global Inc Arijit Chakraborti partner of PwC and Shabri Prabhakar head of international business at Coffee Day Global Ltd presented keynote papers on their respective fields Three panel discussions on the future of retail for Bangladesh and technology and skills development in retail were held where 18 local industry stakeholders took part The local experts included Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar of the Institute of Business Administration under Dhaka University Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Ltd Prof Mohammad Abdul Momen director of Pride Group Reaz Uddin Al-Mamoon managing director of Epyllion Group Syed Nasim Manzur managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd and Tamara Hasan Abed senior director of Brac Enterprises Two local case studies were presented by Hatil Complex Ltd and Daraaz Bangladesh Ltd Earlier Shariful Islam founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum delivered the welcome address Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Sabbir Hasan Nasir executive director of ACI Logistics Ltd (Shwapno) and Rasheed Mymunul Islam deputy managing director of Monno Group of Industries also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssecond-bangladesh-retail-congress-held-1493161

SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES Sonia Bashir Kabir has recently been appointed as managing director of Microsoft for Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan and Laos Sonia will lead Microsofts business in developing and driving strategies for all product lines services and support offerings in the four countries the company said in a statement yesterday She will work closely with partners and local governments to help accelerate the digital transformation across the four markets by bringing people data and processes together the company said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

5

She will work to reinvent business values provide personalised experience to customers and transform education in the fourth industrial revolution ldquoDigital transformation in emerging markets is an important priority for companies governments and Microsoft alikerdquo said Michelle Simmons general manager for Southeast Asia new markets at Microsoft These countries have the potential to leapfrog and embrace the fourth industrial revolution which can significantly enhance their economic development Simmons said ldquoI am confident that Sonias experience in both Asia and the US will contribute to the digital transformation of these marketsrdquo she said Sonia said ldquoI am honoured to be entrusted with the multi-country role and am excited to be part of the digital transformation journey of these countriesrdquo ldquoWe will work towards enabling every person and organisation to have the opportunity to take advantage of the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edgerdquo Sonia is a governing council member of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssonia-bashir-kabir-lead-microsoft-four-countries-1493200

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA Policies framed with the support of evidence and credible data benefit the economy and the society as a whole economists said yesterday They also said decisions taken on populist notions and prescriptions from donors may not bring desired results The views were shared at the launch of a bookmdashEvidence based policy making in Bangladeshmdashpenned by Sadiq Ahmed vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh The book highlights the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking If policies are formulated in the framework of informed decision making they are more likely to work than those that are purely politically motivated with insufficient evidence or analysis Ahmed said at the event ldquoIn our experience we have found that government has limited analytical capacityrdquo he said adding that the government addressed the issue in recent years by partnering with think-tanks Some efforts are also underway to develop in-house evidence-based policymaking capacity in key line ministries in coordination with the cabinet division ldquoThese are very good effortsrdquo Ahmed said But elaborate policy models using rigorous quantitative methods are unlikely to work in developing countries like Bangladesh owing to insufficient data limited analytical capabilities severe time-constraint and short attention span of policymakers ldquoProper communication with top policymakers is crucial for successfully conveying the main focus of the proposed policy decisionrdquo Evidence needs to be broad-based and easy to understand and conceptualised in the context of Bangladesh and its development challenges Organised in nine chapters the 182-page book sees Ahmed making use of case studies to discuss the regulatory framework for private investment He later dealt with issues such as ICT revolution financial inclusion Bangladeshs ldquoLook East policyrdquo tax structure modernisation poverty and income distribution urbanisation and reforms on public enterprises Citing his experience as a former finance adviser to a caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said he looked for studies on tax holidays in Bangladesh but did not find any ldquoEvidence-based policies and the capacity to implement those are importantrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

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20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 4: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

4

In his reaction Iqbal Ahmed founder of Seamark said the export of seafood can be increased significantly as international buyers like the products imported from Bangladesh ldquoOur products are consumed by billionairesrdquo he added Miran Ali managing director of Bitopi Group said companies can cut water consumption by 30 percent by embracing green production practices Classic Handmades Md Touhid Bin Abdus Salam said he is glad to bring jobs to people of the northern district Some 87 percent of his workers are women The jury board picked up the winners from 102 nominations submitted this year Launched in 2010 the award takes into consideration the companies corporate social responsibility practices regulatory compliance sustainable business practices commitment and contribution to local economy The Daily Star the Prothom Alo Bangladesh Brand Forum and KPMG are the strategic partners of the awards HSBC Bangladesh helps ship products to over 100 countries each year More than 10 percent of Bangladeshs global trade is channelled through the bank Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesshsbc-honours-export-heroes-1493209

SECOND BANGLADESH RETAIL CONGRESS HELD Global and local experts yesterday discussed the potential of retail business in the country at Bangladesh Retail Congress at Le Meridien hotel in Dhaka Bangladesh Brand Forum organised the second edition of the event with the theme ldquoRedefining Retail in Bangladeshrdquo Damodar Mall CEO for grocery retail at Reliance Retail Ltd and the author of Supermarketwala Philippines franchise guru Armando O Bartolome president of GMB Management Services Global Inc Arijit Chakraborti partner of PwC and Shabri Prabhakar head of international business at Coffee Day Global Ltd presented keynote papers on their respective fields Three panel discussions on the future of retail for Bangladesh and technology and skills development in retail were held where 18 local industry stakeholders took part The local experts included Prof Syed Ferhat Anwar of the Institute of Business Administration under Dhaka University Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Ltd Prof Mohammad Abdul Momen director of Pride Group Reaz Uddin Al-Mamoon managing director of Epyllion Group Syed Nasim Manzur managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd and Tamara Hasan Abed senior director of Brac Enterprises Two local case studies were presented by Hatil Complex Ltd and Daraaz Bangladesh Ltd Earlier Shariful Islam founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum delivered the welcome address Kazi Jamil Islam managing director of Express Leather Products Sabbir Hasan Nasir executive director of ACI Logistics Ltd (Shwapno) and Rasheed Mymunul Islam deputy managing director of Monno Group of Industries also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssecond-bangladesh-retail-congress-held-1493161

SONIA BASHIR KABIR TO LEAD MICROSOFT IN FOUR COUNTRIES Sonia Bashir Kabir has recently been appointed as managing director of Microsoft for Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan and Laos Sonia will lead Microsofts business in developing and driving strategies for all product lines services and support offerings in the four countries the company said in a statement yesterday She will work closely with partners and local governments to help accelerate the digital transformation across the four markets by bringing people data and processes together the company said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

5

She will work to reinvent business values provide personalised experience to customers and transform education in the fourth industrial revolution ldquoDigital transformation in emerging markets is an important priority for companies governments and Microsoft alikerdquo said Michelle Simmons general manager for Southeast Asia new markets at Microsoft These countries have the potential to leapfrog and embrace the fourth industrial revolution which can significantly enhance their economic development Simmons said ldquoI am confident that Sonias experience in both Asia and the US will contribute to the digital transformation of these marketsrdquo she said Sonia said ldquoI am honoured to be entrusted with the multi-country role and am excited to be part of the digital transformation journey of these countriesrdquo ldquoWe will work towards enabling every person and organisation to have the opportunity to take advantage of the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edgerdquo Sonia is a governing council member of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssonia-bashir-kabir-lead-microsoft-four-countries-1493200

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA Policies framed with the support of evidence and credible data benefit the economy and the society as a whole economists said yesterday They also said decisions taken on populist notions and prescriptions from donors may not bring desired results The views were shared at the launch of a bookmdashEvidence based policy making in Bangladeshmdashpenned by Sadiq Ahmed vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh The book highlights the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking If policies are formulated in the framework of informed decision making they are more likely to work than those that are purely politically motivated with insufficient evidence or analysis Ahmed said at the event ldquoIn our experience we have found that government has limited analytical capacityrdquo he said adding that the government addressed the issue in recent years by partnering with think-tanks Some efforts are also underway to develop in-house evidence-based policymaking capacity in key line ministries in coordination with the cabinet division ldquoThese are very good effortsrdquo Ahmed said But elaborate policy models using rigorous quantitative methods are unlikely to work in developing countries like Bangladesh owing to insufficient data limited analytical capabilities severe time-constraint and short attention span of policymakers ldquoProper communication with top policymakers is crucial for successfully conveying the main focus of the proposed policy decisionrdquo Evidence needs to be broad-based and easy to understand and conceptualised in the context of Bangladesh and its development challenges Organised in nine chapters the 182-page book sees Ahmed making use of case studies to discuss the regulatory framework for private investment He later dealt with issues such as ICT revolution financial inclusion Bangladeshs ldquoLook East policyrdquo tax structure modernisation poverty and income distribution urbanisation and reforms on public enterprises Citing his experience as a former finance adviser to a caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said he looked for studies on tax holidays in Bangladesh but did not find any ldquoEvidence-based policies and the capacity to implement those are importantrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

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23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 5: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

5

She will work to reinvent business values provide personalised experience to customers and transform education in the fourth industrial revolution ldquoDigital transformation in emerging markets is an important priority for companies governments and Microsoft alikerdquo said Michelle Simmons general manager for Southeast Asia new markets at Microsoft These countries have the potential to leapfrog and embrace the fourth industrial revolution which can significantly enhance their economic development Simmons said ldquoI am confident that Sonias experience in both Asia and the US will contribute to the digital transformation of these marketsrdquo she said Sonia said ldquoI am honoured to be entrusted with the multi-country role and am excited to be part of the digital transformation journey of these countriesrdquo ldquoWe will work towards enabling every person and organisation to have the opportunity to take advantage of the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edgerdquo Sonia is a governing council member of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesssonia-bashir-kabir-lead-microsoft-four-countries-1493200

BASE POLICIES ON CREDIBLE DATA Policies framed with the support of evidence and credible data benefit the economy and the society as a whole economists said yesterday They also said decisions taken on populist notions and prescriptions from donors may not bring desired results The views were shared at the launch of a bookmdashEvidence based policy making in Bangladeshmdashpenned by Sadiq Ahmed vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh The book highlights the importance of research and evidence-based policymaking If policies are formulated in the framework of informed decision making they are more likely to work than those that are purely politically motivated with insufficient evidence or analysis Ahmed said at the event ldquoIn our experience we have found that government has limited analytical capacityrdquo he said adding that the government addressed the issue in recent years by partnering with think-tanks Some efforts are also underway to develop in-house evidence-based policymaking capacity in key line ministries in coordination with the cabinet division ldquoThese are very good effortsrdquo Ahmed said But elaborate policy models using rigorous quantitative methods are unlikely to work in developing countries like Bangladesh owing to insufficient data limited analytical capabilities severe time-constraint and short attention span of policymakers ldquoProper communication with top policymakers is crucial for successfully conveying the main focus of the proposed policy decisionrdquo Evidence needs to be broad-based and easy to understand and conceptualised in the context of Bangladesh and its development challenges Organised in nine chapters the 182-page book sees Ahmed making use of case studies to discuss the regulatory framework for private investment He later dealt with issues such as ICT revolution financial inclusion Bangladeshs ldquoLook East policyrdquo tax structure modernisation poverty and income distribution urbanisation and reforms on public enterprises Citing his experience as a former finance adviser to a caretaker government AB Mirza Azizul Islam said he looked for studies on tax holidays in Bangladesh but did not find any ldquoEvidence-based policies and the capacity to implement those are importantrdquo he added

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

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23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 6: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

6

Zakir Ahmed Khan former secretary to the finance ministry said the tax ombudsman office was established without a clear idea ldquoThe book is diagnostic as well as prescriptiverdquo he said Mustafa K Mujeri executive director of the Institute of Microfinance said policymaking in Bangladesh was not always based on evidence ldquoPolicymakers need to understand the importance of evidencerdquo he added When policies are based on populist notions or anecdotes they are at best inadequate and at worst lead to more harm than good and potentially cause long-term damage to the economy and society said PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar Selim Raihan professor of economics at the University of Dhaka said there are problems with the quality and consistency of data Citing the governments implementation plan for VAT law 2012 and businesses opposition to the law Wahiduddin Mahmud a noted economist said it appeared that both the National Board of Revenue and the businesses were ldquoshadow boxingrdquo None had information on the number of VAT-eligible entities he said adding that the economic survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics could be instrumental in collecting turnover data ldquoNot enough was done to explain how VAT worksrdquo said Mashiur Rahman prime ministers economic affairs adviser He also said the export data used by the Export Promotion Bureau the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR are not uniform ldquoOf them BBs data is the most reliablerdquo Subsequently he suggested building up the capacities of agencies such as the Planning Commission and the BBS for reliable data gathering Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbase-policies-credible-data-1493191

FARM LENDING RISES 1767PC Lending to the agriculture sector rose 1767 percent year-on-year to Tk 620476 crore in the first four months of 2017-18 thanks to banks keenness to channel more funds to farms official figures showed In July-October eight state-owned commercial and specialised banks -- Sonali Janata Agrani Rupali BASIC BDBL Bangladesh Krishi and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank -- together lent Tk 2383 crore in agriculture loans The amount is 2485 percent of their combined annual farm loan lending target of Tk 9590 crore Private and foreign banks together provided Tk 3821 crore in agriculture loans during the period The sum is more than a third of their total yearly agriculture lending goal Bangladesh Bank officials said banks sitting on surplus liquidity have showed increased interest in disbursing agriculture credit amid a sluggish trend in the industrial sector credit growth Loans going to industries registered 1351 percent growth in 2016-17 compared to 2077 percent in the previous year according to data from the BB The tepid growth came despite a sharp decline in interest rates on lending In fact the growth of the industrial loan disbursement fell to a five-year low in the last fiscal year The central bank has also beefed up its monitoring of farm loan disbursement with an aim to make financing available for the farmers in the flood-affected areas Recently banks have been asked to give a boost to farm lending in the 17 flood-hit districts The BB has asked banks which have presence in the flood-affected areas to reschedule the defaulted farm loans and suspend the loan instalments scheduled to be paid by farmers These gave a fillip to farm loan disbursement in the July-October period Banks opportunity to invest in treasury bills and bonds has also been squeezed as the government is not borrowing much from the banking sector Now they can invest a limited amount of funds in government securities Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarm-lending-rises-1767pc-1493185

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

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20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 7: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

7

RANGPUR BUSINESSES DEMAND LOW-COST BANK LOANS The entrepreneurs in greater Rangpur yesterday demanded low-cost bank loans for small and medium enterprises in the region They also called for providing the entrepreneurs with gas and power connections at cheap rates to help establish agro-based industry and garment business in the least developed part of Bangladesh They spoke at a discussion organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the auditorium of the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Initiatives should be taken to create new entrepreneurs and increase the per capita income to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals said Kazi Hasan Ahmed divisional commissioner of Rangpur The FBCCI will set the plan of action according to the recommendations of the entrepreneurs from all over the country said Sheikh Fazle Fahim acting president of the apex trade body The FBCCI will also sit with the authorities concerned to ensure low-cost loans for the entrepreneurs he said The programme was also attended by women and young entrepreneurs along with the presidents of different chambers of commerce in Rangpur Dinajpur Panchagarh Thakurgaon Gaibandha Kurigram Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat The leaders of the Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber and the Rangpur Women Chamber also joined the programme Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessrangpur-businesses-demand-low-cost-bank-loans-1493179

DEAL SIGNED TO BUILD JHILMIL HOUSING PROJECT AT TK 8000CR The government is set to develop the much-talked Jhilmil residential park for Tk 8000 crore under a public-private partnership arrangement said the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) in a statement yesterday Under the scheme 85 high-rise buildings will be constructed Of them 60 buildings will be 20-storied and the rest 25-storied Located at Keraniganj the Jhilmil residential scheme is one of the much-publicised projects of the government to be developed on about 160 acres of land Some 13832 apartments will be built under the project which will also include mosque gymnasium community centres and other civic amenities the statement quoted Rajuk Chairman Md Abdur Rahman as saying He said the housing project will complete in four years with construction starting from January 2018 ldquoWe will offer flats at Tk 4500 per square feet and if you wish you can start buying flats in the Jhilmil project from now onwardsrdquo said Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain at the contract signing ceremony to develop the residential area The project is aimed at reducing the growing pressure for residential spaces in Dhaka by building houses on the outskirts of the capital The flats will be sold among the lower and middle income segments at easy instalments Rajuk called for proposal for the residential project in January this year The work order was given to the consortium in October according to the statement The agreement was signed between the Rajuk and a tri-nation consortium comprising BNG Global Holdings SDN BHD Jianxi Construction Engineering and Multiplex Holdings Rajuk Chairman Rahman and BNG Global Holdings CEO Sharifah Sabrina signed the deal at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 8: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

8

Dhaka Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid were also present Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessdeal-signed-build-jhilmil-housing-project-tk-8000cr-1492456

STANCHART HOLDS WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh on Tuesday organised a daylong workshop to enlighten senior bankers on global financial crime risks The workshop ldquoCorrespondent banking academy on financial crime compliancerdquo was held at the Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka the bank said in a statement yesterday Over 160 senior bankers including chief executive officers heads of compliance and senior members of international divisions trade operations and information technology divisions of local banks attended the event Delivering the welcome remarks Naser Ezaz Bijoy CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh said anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance is one of the most important areas of correspondent banking today ldquoAs the leading international bank in Bangladesh we remain committed to disseminating the best global practices in managing financial crime compliance and anti-money laundering risks across the banking sectorrdquo he said Muhit Rahman managing director and head of financial institution of Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh conducted a panel discussion with Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank as the chief guest Kamal Hossain joint director of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit explained the national institutional framework for managing anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance in Bangladesh Heidi Toribio global head of banks amp broker dealers Standard Chartered Bank and Jodie Arthur head of financial crime compliance for Asean amp South Asia gave presentations Standard Chartered Bank has been organising this programme in collaboration with local banks and regulators since 2015 to share insights on the topic Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbankingstanchart-holds-workshop-global-financial-crime-risks-1492453

INFLATION FALLS TO 604PC IN OCT Inflation came down slightly to 604 percent in October riding on the decline in food prices official figures showed Last month general inflation decreased 8 basis points from Septembers 612 percent according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) which released the data yesterday Food inflation fell 25 basis points to 762 percent last month after reaching a 38-month high of 787 percent in September Prices of all varieties of rice a key determinant of overall inflation as it accounts for 23 percent of the commodity basket in the consumer price index went down In recent months rice prices rose to record highs reflecting the dwindling supplies following flood-induced losses to the main boro crop coupled with reduced production and imports in 2016 About 20 lakh tonnes of boro crop were damaged this year according to the food ministry In September coarse rice price in Dhaka city was Tk 5254 a kg in contrast to Tk 3462 a year earlier Similarly price of fine rice in September was Tk 6246 to Tk 6630 which was Tk 5390 to Tk 55 a year earlierRice prices dropped about Tk 2 a kg for all varieties of the staple in October

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 9: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

9

Prices of pulses and sugar declined Wheat and milk prices remained unchangedPrices of local onion rose Tk 27 a kg in a month reaching Tk 7924 in October while prices of dry chillies went up to Tk 22859 a kg Egg prices fell Among vegetables prices of brinjal papaya and okra decreased and potato prices remained unchanged at Tk 20 a kg In August 2014 food inflation was 767 percent and gradually decreased to below 4 percent But from January last year it started to creep up to more than 6 percent crossing the 7 percent mark in May this year It remained above 7 percent in the following five months except June Non-food inflation went up by 17 basis points to 361 percent in October from 344 percent a month ago according to the BBS data Inflation in rural areas also decreased to 614 percent from 621 percent a month ago while in urban areas it went down to 586 percent in October from 595 percent Food inflation in both rural and urban areas declined Inflation decelerated to 544 percent in the last fiscal year aided by prudent monetary management and weak aggregate demand The government has set the inflation target at 55 percent for fiscal 2017-18 Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessinflation-falls-604pc-oct-1492441

FARMERS BANK SPIRALS TOWARDS INSOLVENCY Trouble-hit Farmers Bank has twice failed to honour a cheque worth Tk 3544 crore presented by Bangladesh Telecommuni-cations Company Ltd in what can be described as the latest episode in the four-year old banks spiral towards insolvency The development comes after Bangladesh Bank last month in a report to the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry said the bank does not have the capacity to pay back funds to depositors and other banks This prompted the state-owned telecom company to pull out all its funds from the bank said a senior executive of BTCL Accordingly the banks Gulshan branch gave a pay order that BTCL deposited in its account with Sonali Bank on Tuesday The pay order bounced back due to Farmers Bank having insufficient funds Sonali again presented the cheque on Wednesday only for it to bounce back for the second time according to Mallik Abdullah Al Mamun manager of Sonalis Sheraton branch Contacted Prodip Ranjan Roy general manager of BTCL acknowledged that their cheque has bounced back twice Given the acute financial crisis Farmers Bank is mired in BTCL is now worried that it will not be able to get its money back Mamun said BTCL has written to the manager of Farmers Gulshan branch to immediately take steps to release the funds It has also forwarded the letter to the BB governor ldquoFarmers Bank has sought time from BTCL to give back the depositrdquo said a BTCL official AKM Shameem managing director of Farmers Bank declined to comment on the matter Farmers Bank has failed to maintain the statutory liquidity ratio and cash reserve ratio as stated in the Banking Company Act as a result of which it has incurred penalty of Tk 18 crore so far It also could not pay back the amount borrowed from call money market The bank owes Tk 124 crore in the call money market and the amount is being rolled over since January according to data from the BB In a desperate bid to attract funds the bank is now offering up to 12 percent interest for deposit -- the highest in the market As of September the banks weighted average interest rate on deposits is 879 percent in contrast to the industry average of 49 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

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Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 10: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

10

The high interest rates have pushed up the banks cost of funds which in turn has sent its lending rate spiralling up to about 14 percent in contrast to the industry average of 945 percent As of August the banks total deposits amounted to Tk 5170 crore and loan portfolio Tk 4854 crore The banks advance-deposit ratio has been above 85 percent for several months which goes against central bank rule Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfarmers-bank-spirals-towards-insolvency-1492444

GOVT TO BUILD LEATHER ESTATES IN CTG RAJSHAHI Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to help flourish the sector She also expressed the hope to bag $ 5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 Weve already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and weve more plans Well set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions Well take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only rather it should be spread across the country she said The prime minister was inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS)-2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital through a videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh All the people youve come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamism in the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry she said The commerce ministry and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is Think Ahead Think Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at the ICAB as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam also spoke The pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessgovt-build-leather-estates-ctg-rajshahi-1492432

BANK OFFICIALS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN 67PC CASES BIBM STUDY A survey has found that bank officials are directly involved in 67 percent of forgeries in online banking Some 40 percent of such forgeries are jointly committed by bank officials and IT firms while 18 percent involve only bank officials it said Bankers in collusion with IT firms commit the fraudulence putting online banking at risk said a research -- based on over 50 fruaudulence incidents -- conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM)

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 11: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

11

BIBM released the research paper involving the survey at a workshop ldquoAlternative Delivery Chanel Opportu-nities and Challenge of the New Banking Environmentrdquo at its auditorium in the city yesterday Mahbubur Rahman a BIBM assistant professor presented the paper while Toufic Ahmad Choudhury BIBM director general chaired the session Online banking reduced banks operation costs said Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank He said only 2 lakh employees were operating thousands of bank branches across the country and had online banking not been introduced over 10 lakh people would have been needed to operate the same number of banks He termed the alternate banking system good but added that abuse of the channel would bring diseaster for the sector Banks will have to be aware of the abuse of technology to avert fraud and forgeries he opined BIBM Supernumerary Professor Helal Ahmed Chowdhury emphasised technological skill development of bankers Bangladesh Bank should expand the facility for the opening of Tk 10 accounts for the financial inclusion of more people he said Md Arfan Ali president and managing director of Bank Asia said the banking sector would face a serious crisis in the coming days if banks were not prepared to face techonological challenges Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessbank-officials-directly-involved-67pc-cases-bibm-study-1492429

FRINGE SECTORS HAVE HUGE PROSPECTS The local light engineering parts makers can supply 40 of the 900 components needed for assembling a motorcycle meaning the sector has ample growth opportunities The demand for the remaining spare parts for the growing sector is met through imports said Ashraf Ibn Noor vice-president of Bangladesh Engineering Industries Owners Association On the other hand the local light engineering sector can supply 70 percent of the spare parts to the local and export-oriented bicycle industry as the sector has grown a lot over the years he said Currently Bangladesh mainly needs to import chains and gears for assembling the bicycles meant for domestic and export purposes Four or five bicycle exporters use the local spare parts to shorten the lead-time Similarly if the government provides proper policy the local manufacturers can also supply the power tillers which are imported to meet the demand Noor was speaking at a seminar on sectoral diversification organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at the capitals Sonargaon hotel ldquoThese are two simple examples of spare parts sector of the countryrdquo Noor said adding that Bangladesh has scope to grab more of the market share in the $6 trillion global spare parts market if the government can formulate a comprehensive policy for the sector Md Jashim Uddin president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association echoed the same Each person consumes seven kilogrammes of plastic in a year which is one of the lowest in the world according to Jashim In contrast the per person plastic consumption in the US is 100kgs and in Singapore 130kgs Many non-compliant plastic goods manufacturing units mainly in the citys Lalbagh area are struggling to survive due to the government policy of just jute bags for rice packing ldquoThe plastic goods sector is on the verge of destruction only to save the jute industryrdquo Jashim said However the plastic goods makers are now trying to revive the sector by supplying plastic bags for sand packing

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

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Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 12: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

12

Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury vice-president of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association said in the absence of adequate facility for processing of potato 29 lakh tonnes of tubers will become surplus this year The countrys annual demand for potato is 80 lakh tonnes but last year the growers produced more than 110 lakh tonnes he said The country could export only 45000 tonnes of potato so far ldquoWe are concerned that nearly 20 lakh tonnes of potato will remain unusedrdquo he added Shahriar Mollah a member of the National Board of Revenue said the government cannot give tariff and non-tariff facilities to businessmen for a long time While chairing the meeting Kazi M Aminul Islam executive chairman of BIDA said he will introduce a one-stop service centre from March next year on a trial basis and on pilot basis from June or July next year Primarily the one-stop service centre will provide facilities involving eight vital areas such as that for registration of companies and issuance of work permits for foreign workers Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessfringe-sectors-have-huge-prospects-1492423

NBR FOR PROPER USE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started tracking use of taxpayers money so that people get more and better services said its chief yesterday ldquoWe are communicating with ministries and agencies in this regard We want to make people aware that tax receipt increases when services for taxpayers riserdquo said NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman at a meeting with editors of the print and electronic media yesterday The NBR organised the event at Officers Club Dhaka to exchange views following the countrywide income tax fair from November 1 to 7 The tax collector gave Income Tax ID cards to taxpayers for submission of tax returns for the fiscal year 2016-17 at the fair It also honoured top taxpayers and 84 families with a ldquoKar Bahadurrdquo or ldquoTax Iconrdquo title Prime Ministers Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the income tax fair has become an annual festival He said ensuring the same hassle-free and taxpayer friendly environment of tax fairs at field offices would encourage people Introduction of Tax Card for top taxpayers is also inspiring he said ldquoOnce owning a mobile phone was a prestigious matter Now getting Tax Card has become an issue of prestigerdquo he said AHM Moazzem Hossain editor of The Financial Express said the number of actual taxpayers was much higher than that in the NBRs data ldquoThere are some who are deemed taxpayersrdquo he said mentioning bank depositors and saving instrument investors who are paying tax at source ldquoInvestors of the savings certificates are paying tax but they are not in the tax netrdquo He suggested gearing up efforts to plug transfer mispricing to thwart capital flight through under- and over-invoicing Shykh Seraj director and head of news of Channel i suggested holding the tax fair in a wider space in Dhaka Matiur Rahman Chowdhury editor of the daily Manab Zamin said despite tax fairs being regularly held people were still wary of tax and taxmen Paying tax will turn into a social movement once such fear goes away he said The NBR said it would hold a Tax Week starting on November 24 in all field offices to enable taxpayers to submit returns within the November 30 deadline this year Among others Tasmima Hossain acting editor of the daily Ittefaq and Dewan Hanif Mahmud editor of Bangla business daily Bonik Barta also spoke Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessnbr-proper-use-taxpayers-money-1492420

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 13: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

13

EXPO TO PROMOTE GREEN TECH BEGINS NOV 25 State-owned Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) will hold a three-day exposition this month to promote green technology for sustainable development The company announced this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to inaugurate the expo at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on November 25 ldquoWe have taken the initiative to promote the use of green and energy efficient technologies for sustainable developmentrdquo said SM Formanul Islam chief executive officer of BIFFL He said suppliers of green and sustainable technologies would get an opportunity to showcase their innovative business solutions before target customers The convention will also provide a platform for participants to share their experiences on best global practices and provide recommendations for policymakers he said There will also be a national seminar on the issue participated by experts development partners bankers regulators and users Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinessexpo-promote-green-tech-begins-nov-25-1492402

TOURISM FAIR PULLS CROWD IN PORT CITY The ninth edition of an international tourism fair US-Bangla Airlines Chittagong Travel Mart-2017 began at the Peninsula Chittagong in the port city yesterday About 20 organisations including airlines tour operators hotels resorts and amusement parks are showcasing their products and services at the three-day event AJM Nasir Uddin mayor of Chittagong City Corporation inaugurated the fair as the chief guest The Bangladesh Monitor a travel publication organised the show with US-Bangla Airlines as the title sponsor Nasir said Chittagong was the land of beauty with huge prospects of tourism but the expected developments in the sector were yet to come due to a lack of planning Only when the private sector comes forward with the assistance of the government will all barriers to boosting tourism be removed he added Entry is free at the fair open from 1030am to 800pm Source httpwwwthedailystarnetbusinesstourism-fair-pulls-crowd-port-city-1492414

$240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CREATED Bangladesh Bank (BB) has created a US$ 240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at low interest Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fund said a BB senior official Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) can provide maximum 90 percent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Taka 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan will be three years and that for a long-term loan will be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas The central bank will take four percent interest from the banks and FIs But BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 percent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 percent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 14: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

14

Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfill some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwdaily-suncompost269450240m-fund-for-SME-sector-development-created

LOCAL COS MNCS SEE MODERATE RISE IN FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS STAKE The quantity of stakes held by foreign shareholders in some listed local and multinational companies rose moderately during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 IDLC Finance Olympic Industries Square Pharmaceuticals British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) ACME Laboratories City Bank BRAC Bank Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation and Beximco Pharmaceuticals witnessed rise of foreign stakes during the period According to information of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) the quantity of foreign stakes in Singer Bangladesh was 308 per cent as of December 31 2016 The quantity rose to 832 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders marginally rose during this period The general shareholders held 1909 per cent shares as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 2028 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes in Olympic Industries was 3907 per cent as of June 30 2016 The quantity rose to 4234 per cent by October 31 2017 The quantity of stakes held by general shareholders rose to 1594 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1279 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Grameenphone rose to 347 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity was 240 per cent as December 31 2016 The stakes held by general shareholders declined to 208 per cent as of October 2017 from 241 per cent as of December 31 2016 By October 31 2017 the foreigners stake in IDLC Finance rose to 1135 per cent which was 1133 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 425 per cent as of December 31 2016 The general shareholders stakes marginally rose to 1522 per cent during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 Foreign investors stake in British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) rose marginally during December 2016 to October 31 2017 The foreign stakeholders held 1441 per cent shares at BATBC as of December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 1533 per cent as of September 30 2017 and 1538 per cent as of October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank however marginally declined during December 31 2016 to October 31 2017 The quantity of foreign stakes at BRAC Bank was 4215 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 4143 per cent as of October 31 2017 Foreign stakes at City Bank stood at 610 per cent by December 2016 and the quantity rose to 1616 per cent as of October 31 2017 During this period the quantity of stakes held by general shareholders declined As of December 31 the general shareholders held 4517 per cent which declined to 3520 per cent as of October 31 2017 The foreign stakes at Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation rose to 4070 per cent as October 31 2017 from 3395 per cent as of December 31 2017 During this period the stakes of general shareholders declined to 383 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 589 per cent as of December 31 2016 The foreign stakes at Beximco Pharmaceuticals was 3633 per cent on December 31 2016 and the quantity rose to 4157 per cent as October 31 2017 On the other hand the stakes of general shares declined during this period General shareholders held 2281 per cent as of December 31 2016 and the quantity declined to 1886 per cent by October 31 2017

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 15: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

15

The foreign stakes at Square Pharmaceuticals rose to 1915 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1539 per cent as of December 31 2016 The stakes held by general stakes moderately rose during the period The general shareholders stake rose to 3608 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 1875 per cent as of December 31 2016 Foreign shareholders held 048 per cent shares at ACME Laboratories by December 31 2016 and it rose to 357 per cent by October 31 2017 On the other hand during this period the general shareholders stakes declined to 2925 per cent as of October 31 2017 from 3410 per cent as of December 31 2017 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdstock-corporatelocal-cos-mncs-see-moderate-rise-in-foreign-shareholders-stake-1511018018

PROSPECTS OF MEDICINES EXPORTS TO IRAQ GETTING DIMMED Exports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to Iraq are getting delayed due to a lack of progress in talks despite interests shown by the Arab country Earlier the Iraqi ministry of health had expressed its interests to import pharmaceuticals and hire medical professionals from Bangladesh to rebuild its shattered medical sector officials said The Bangladesh embassy in Baghdad in a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on February 28 2017 cited the Iraqi governments interests to import pharmaceuticals and enhance cooperation with the countrys health sector There are immense potentials for exporting locally-produced medicines to Iraq and expand cooperation in the health sector There are scopes for sending Bangladeshi medical professionals as well to the war- ravaged Arab country The Iraqi government has also provided a list of importable pharmaceuticals products to Bangladesh and expressed willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the health sector A senior trade official said that the ministry of health and family planning the ministry of commerce and the ministry of foreign affairs are dealing with exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq He however admitted that there is little progress in this respect He said that a government delegation from Iraq was supposed to visit the country but it deferred the visit A leader of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) told the FE that they will sit with the ministries concerned soon for exporting pharmaceutical products to Iraq Pharmaceutical is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country The total size of the pharmaceutical market of Bangladesh is estimated to be around Tk 30000 million with an annual growth rate of about 10 per cent There are almost over 01 million skilled personnel including pharmacists doctors biologists microbiologists chemists engineers and businessmen are involved in the sector The domestic medicine market size of Bangladesh is more than Tk 120 billion The country is producing 98 per cent of total demand for pharmaceuticals Bangladesh is also exporting medicines to 127 countries in the world As a least-developed country (LDC) Bangladesh has got the added advantage as it can make generic medicines without complying with the patent regulations until 2033 The export income of around Tk 40 billion a year has increased in recent years by penetrating regulated markets such as the United States and European countries The country has the potential to export medicines worth US$10 billion to the US market alone if the government provides better policy support and incentives according to sector-insiders

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

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23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 16: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

16

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdtrade-marketprospects-of-medicines-exports-to-iraq-getting-dimmed-1511019948

RMG WORKERS STAGE ROWDY PROTEST IN CITY Hundreds of garment workers blocked road and vandalised vehicles in citys Mirpur area on Friday demanding immediate payment of their arrears reports UNB Workers of Trust Trousers Ltd vandalised at least 10-15 vehicles in Mirpur area during their demonstrations starting at 900am followed by chase and counter-chase with bus workers halting traffic on roads from Mipur-12 to Mirpur- 10 Agitating workers said they had been protesting for last three days inside their workplace to realise their demands The workers started demonstration when they found their factory closed on Friday morning Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone of DMP Kamal Hossian said after assurance by local MP Elias Uddin Mollah to meet their demands the protesting workers withdrew road blockade after four hours Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagermg-workers-stage-rowdy-protest-in-city-1510940548

STOCKS EXTEND WINNING STREAK FOR THIRD WEEK Stocks extended the winning streak for the third week in a row as enthusiastic investors keep their appetite for large-cap issues amid optimism Market-insiders said the positive momentum in large-cap issues especially from telecoms food and allied pharmaceuticals and banking sectors helped the Dhaka bourse to close at record high on Thursday the last weekday of this week The market extended the gaining spell riding on heavyweight telecoms and banking-sector issues which affected the index largely said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm The telecoms sector surged more than 602 per cent as shares of GrameenPhone the lone listed mobile phone company with the largest market-cap jumped 60 per cent this week It settled at Tk 48630 in the last session The banking sector posted a 093 per cent return as 18 banks out of 30 listed banks closed higher Three sessions out of five trading days of the week ended higher with a combined gain of 11213 points while the remaining two sessions lost 2360 points Week on week DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) which replaced the DGEN nearly five years back gained 8853 points or 143 per cent to finish at 6282 the highest since the DSEX was launched on January 27 2013 As disclosures of quarterly earnings of several companies met the investors expectations investors kept buying fresh stocks to rebalance their portfolios commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its weekly market analysis The stockbroker noted that positive movement of large-cap stocks has been the driving force behind the rise of index throughout the week The DS30 index also followed suit to finish at historical high of 2279 points after gaining 3554 points or 158 per cent The DSE also launched the DS30 index on January 27 2013 with a base point of 146030 The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) rose 3416 points or 255 per cent to settle at 1375 points The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index CSCX closing 152 points or 131 per cent higher at 11769 The bullish sentiment was reflected in the turnover activities as the total turnover of the week reached Tk 4685 billion on the DSE up from Tk 3591 billion in the previous week

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17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 17: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

17

The block trade contributed 710 per cent to the total weekly turnover with stocks like Shahjalal Islami Bank Eastern Cables Olympic Industries ACI and Square Pharma dominating the block trade board The turnover averaged Tk 936 billion a day -- over 36 per cent higher than the previous weeks average of Tk 718 billion The banking sector kept its dominance on the turnover chart capturing 40 per cent of the weeks total transactions followed by engineering sector (12 per cent) and pharmaceuticals sector (10 per cent) International Leasing Securities a stockbroker said Investors increased concentration on the telecoms pharmaceuticals and engineering sector stocks helped the Dhaka bourse add 885 points in this week and hit its all-time high The stockbroker noted that some other investors were reshuffling their portfolios from IT textile and general insurance sectors after observing the year-end corporate declarations and first quarter earnings disclosures Among the major sectors telecommunications posted the highest gain of 60 per cent followed by food amp allied (507 per cent) pharmaceuticals (319 per cent) and banking sector (091 per cent) Out of 337 issues traded 185 closed lower 135 ended higher and 17 issues remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor in this week The market capitalisation of the DSE rose 180 per cent to reach all-time high of Tk 4255 billion at the closing session of the week up from Tk 4179 billion on the opening day of the week Brac Bank topped the weeks turnover chart with 1614 million shares totalling Tk 176 billion changing hands closely followed by City Bank (Tk 165 billion) Dhaka Bank (Tk 153 billion) GrameenPhone (Tk 150 billion) and AB Bank (Tk 149 billion) Eastern Cables was the weeks best performer booking a gain of 1928 per cent while Eastern Lubricants was the weeks biggest loser shedding 1886 per cent Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatestocks-extend-winning-streak-for-third-week-1510935563

IDB GIVES $14M TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide US$ 14 million to Bangladesh for establishing an international research centre for herbal medicine in Dhaka The Jeddah-based multilateral development lender sanctioned the loan during the recently concluded meeting of IDBs Board of Executive Directors concerned officials in Dhaka told the FE this week The loan amount will form the bulk portion of a US$ 16 million scheme under which a herbal research centre will be established at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) in Mirpur Apart from IDB financing BUHS itself will channel US$ 2 million for the scheme sources informed In addition the Ministry of Science and Technology has already provided Tk 2 million as seed money for the scheme The markup (interest rate) of the IDB loan will be 15 per cent The grace period of the loan will be 7 years while the repayment period will be 25 years Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Mohammad Shamsul Alam told FE The IDB financing will be used among other things for procuring laboratory equipment scientific and technical training manual and guideline development as well as surveys and relevant material development The IDB move comes at a time when globally herbal medicine is growing in popularity as a medication option According to World Health Organisation 80 per cent of the populations in developing countries rely on herbal medicine for their primary healthcare

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Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

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19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

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20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

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25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

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26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 18: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

18

Global sales of botanicals are over US$ 120 billion annually and are projected to reach US$ 3 trillion by the year 2020 Sixty per cent of modern drugs incorporate or are derived from natural products Herbal medicine has also been a popular medication option for the people in Bangladesh for thousands of years Despite growing advent of modern pharmaceuticals it remains the primary healthcare option for 75 percent people of the country The local market for herbal medicine is estimated to worth more than Tk 10 billion according to industry insiders However herbal medicine products remain largely unregulated both locally and globally as medicinal agents and combination from toxic heavy metals pesticides microbes and insects and adulteration with synthetic chemicals are an important safety issues It has been felt for long that there should be an appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the development of a national and international programme for the regulation and registration of herbal medicines said Professor Liaquat Ali Vice-Chancellor of BUHS As such the planned institution will study herbal medicine and other natural products for their safety efficacy quality control and standardization he said adding that it will also provide scientific and technical support to herbal product manufacturers for evaluating their products Pointing to the growing overseas market for herbal products Proessor Ali observed that there is a huge untapped export potential for herbal products for Bangladesh Countries like China and India have already made significant progress in tapping this global market he said adding With effective standardisation and quality control Bangladesh can also find its niche in terms of herbal export The idea of establishing a multidisciplinary research centre for natural product was first mooted during the tenth Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants Spices and other Natural Products held in Dhaka back in 2000 The proposal was further discussed during various international meetings on herbal medicine during the subsequent years Later in January 2004 during an international conference supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry it was agreed that an International Centre for Natural Products Research (ICNPR) will be established most likely in Bangladesh Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketidb-gives-14m-to-set-up-research-centre-for-herbal-medicine-1510935270

VEGETABLES SHIPMENT SLUMPS ON HIGH PRICES The export of vegetables has marked a sharp fall in the wake of spiralling prices of the agricultural produce on the local market said market-insiders The export volume slumped by 37 per cent to $90 million in the September-October period of the current fiscal year (FY 18) compared with $13 million in the same period of the last year according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) However the total export of vegetables in the first four months (July-October) of FY 18 reached $268 million In the local market the prices of vegetables ranged between Tk 60 (pointed gourd) to Tk 200 (coriander leaf) ($ 074 to $243) a kg compared to the price range from Tk 40 to Tk 120 in the corresponding period of last year according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) The DAM data showed that vegetables prices hit the record high in October following two spells of flooding

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 19: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

19

Shipments of vegetables to Europe have marked a gradual decline in the last few months as high prices of vegetables in the domestic market have discouraged traders from exporting the produce said Shariful Islam Sourav proprietor of Sohan Enterprise Green pumpkin of Bogra costs Tk 82-Tk 86 (above US$10) a kg at Shyambazar in Dhaka as freight and other charges are too high -- Tk 190-Tk 200 ($23-$ 24) a kg he said So the price of one kilogram of vegetable is not less than $33 but buyers are offering us $30 to $32 he added Most of the exporters could hardly make profits even after having a 20 per cent cash incentive he said However many traders have been continuing exports even after incurring losses so that they do not lose regular buyers he said Zahurul Islam proprietor of Islam Enterprise told the FE that skyrocketing prices of vegetables higher freight charges and self-imposed restrictions by the plant quarantine wing (PQW) of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have been hampering vegetable exports to EU countries He said Bangladeshi exporters are paying freight charges more than 50 per cent higher compared to that of India Thailand and other countries The government should minimise shipment charges to boost exports he added Mohammad Mansur general secretary of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables amp Allied Products Exporters Association said pumpkin and eddo of Bogra bottle gourd of Sonargaon clocasia stem of Comilla have a high demand in the EU Cucumber bitter gourd bean jute leaf drumstick radish and other vegetables are being exported to ME countries he said If such uptrend in prices continues for the next few months it would be tough for exporters to meet the target of vegetable export -- $81 million -- in the current financial year Vegetables exports had witnessed a decline in the FY 17 to $ 80 million compared to $104 million in FY 16 The country fetched a record $ 148 million in FY 14 through exports of vegetables according to EPB Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublictrade-marketvegetables-shipment-slumps-on-high-prices-1510935234

EXPORTS UP 70PC IN JULY-OCTOBER Countrys export earnings grew by 703 per cent to US$1150 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2017-18) according to official data released Thursday The earnings were $1079 billion in the same period (July-October) last FY In October 2017 the exports grew by 642 per cent to $284 billion the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed The overall exports in the first four months slightly (074 per cent) fell short of the periods target In October however the exports were 628 per cent higher than the months strategic target Readymade garment shipments fetched $943 billion marking 699 per cent growth during the period as compared to $882 billion in the same period of last FY The woven items registered 385 per cent growth in earnings to $445 billion than that of $428 billion in the same period of FY 2016-17 The earnings from knitwear export during the period grew by 995 per cent to $498 billion from $453 billion in the corresponding period of last FY Jute and jute goods exports rose by 1646 per cent to $34501 million from $29626 million in the same period of FY17 The earnings from agriculture products grew by 2022 per cent during the period while home textiles by 2037 per cent

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 20: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

20

The earnings from leather and leather products however fell marginally by 002 per cent to $42844 million during the period than that of $42851 million in the same period last FY The export earnings from frozen food and live fish grew by 1541 per cent to $22691 million from $19661 million of the corresponding period of last fiscal Mahmud Hasan Khan vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the exports in the first four months of the current fiscal year fell short of the expected growth mainly because of failure in maintaining the lead time and short supply of gas and electricity Terming the knitwears growth satisfactory he said woven items manufacturers have been struggling to cope with the new challenge as buyers were reducing the volume of orders due to failure in meeting the lead time Without efficient port and strong backward linkage industry especially for the woven sub-sector it will be difficult for the sub-sector to bounce back he feared He pointed out that maximum of the woven fabric requirements were being met through imports But it was taking too much time to clear the imported fabrics and additional charges as a result at the Chittagong seaport that was facing unbearable congestion The government should provide necessary policy support to the exporters to establish strong backward linkage industry for the woven sub-sector he added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pageexports-up-70pc-in-july-october-1510248870

GAS CRISIS HURTING OUTPUT IN INDUSTRIAL BELT Factories in the countrys Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt have been facing acute gas crisis over the past few months following diversion of gas to upstream power plants The crisis has deteriorated further this week albeit some improvements for a few days last week said local industrialists and businessmen According to them if the ongoing gas crisis persists they may be forced to shut down their factories Officials of the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) however blamed the Petrobangla for the gas crunch Sources concerned say the industrial belt of Tongi-Gazipur is suffering badly for about four to five months from low pressure of gas coupled with poor electricity voltage -- often resulting in huge volume of industrial wastages and reduction of production efficiency According to the industry insiders a factory in the industrial belt requires 04 PSI (production per square inch) as optimum gas pressure but the pressure at times comes down to as low as 01 PSI these days -- especially during the daytime Gas pressure in the area becomes normal around 10pm11pm and stays for not more than 08 hours until 6am7am an entrepreneur of the industrial belt informed Asked an official of Titas said they are at present getting nearly 250 million cubic meters (MCM) less in recent weeks against their current demand of 1800 MCM gas in Titas franchise The downstream Titas franchise area covers greater Dhaka region which includes Gazipur alongside some other adjoining districts and greater Mymensingh he said A Petrobangla source however cited gas supply on priority basis to a number of upstream projects including power plants as reason behind supply shortage When asked Managing Director of Akij Group Sk Bashir Uddin termed the situation really worrisome According to him two of Akij Group companies situated in the area -- Akij Printing amp Packages Limited and Dhaka Tobacco Industries -- jointly contributed nearly Tk 35 billion (3500 crore) to the national exchequer in the 2016-17 fiscal year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 21: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

21

But were very much worried about our industrial output this year as production disruption following the twin crises involving gas supply and power supply Both will eventually disrupt our retail business in every phase he quipped This often results in a high rate of industrial wastage and reduction of production efficiency he added Bangladesh Auto Re-rolling Steel Mills amp Association Chairman Manwar Hossain who is also Anwar Group Managing Director echoed the same concern Factories in the industrial belt are now operating at one-third of their capacity which may lead to labour unrest and default of huge sum of bank loans he said Such disruption of production he cautions may even cause sudden shutdown of factories According to him none of the victims in that case will be the wilful defaulters -- they will be the victims of circumstances The businessman who has a steel factory called Anwar Ispat Limited in the industrial belt called for immediate introduction of ECM (electronically controlled meters) to check unabated gas engineering in the area which he deems to be yet another reason for gas supply crunch Titas officials according to him are encouraging co-generation scheme to help address the severe gas crisis But he said co-generation will require stable and smooth gas supply Government should ensure at least 10-15 years of smooth gas supply to encourage co-generation as what he said any industrial investment requires 20 years of payback period TGTDCL Deputy Managing Director Engineer Abdul Wahab Talukdar who is also the Project Director of Sripur-Joydevpur Transmission Pipeline Project said We cannot do anything to address the crisis if there is a lack of adequate gas supply Mentioning that all factories in the industrial belt are like my babies he unequivocally said Titas is not at fault He also admitted that priority-based power plants gas supply being the reason behind the current spell of gas crunch We have already started introducing electronic volumetric corrector (EVC) to stop illegal gas use in the area he said Factories he added should go for co-generation scheme for protecting their own interest Co-generation means utilising and absorbing heat generated from gas generators which Mr Wahab said will save energy A section of the businessmen however called for stopping fertiliser production and distributing the same among people at a subsidised price after importing it to facilitate smooth supply of gas to other industries Even if the government stops fertiliser production and opts for importing it for distribution at a subsidised rate there will only be an insignificant loss compared to the overall losses now being incurred said an industrialist who has more than one factory in the industrial belt Local sources said illegal and unapproved gas connections in various industries in and around the zone are also affecting gas supply badly among other reasons Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicfirst-pagegas-crisis-hurting-output-in-industrial-belt-1510249018

MOBILE BANKING AFFECTS REMITTANCE INFLOW THRU BANKING CHANNEL BIBM REPORT Inflow of remittance through banking channel is falling as sending money home by migrant workers through informal channel like mobile banking is getting popular for quick delivery of money according to a research report of BIBM reports BSS Hundi syndicate members are using mobile financial services such as bkash Rocket M cash and U Cash to control inflow of remittance A section of migrant workers choosing this informal channel for

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 22: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

22

quick delivery of money to their relatives in the country said the report released at a workshop in the city Thursday Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIMB) organised the workshop Increasing remittance flow through banking channel Bangladesh perspective at its auditorium in Mirpur Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank S K Sur Chowdhury attended it as the chief guest while BIBM director general Towfique Ahmed Choudhury presided over it A 6-member team led by Dr Shah Md Ahsan Habib presented the research report at the workshop The report said flow of remittances has witnessed a fall worldwide but in Bangladesh inward remittances has marked a significant fall due mainly to hundi syndicate who are using informal channels It said migrant workers use informal channels such as hundi to send home money for some reasons such as location of bank branches delay delivery of money lack of client friendly behavior of bank bankers various documents weekly holidays and illegal migration S K Sur Chowdhury said inward remittances has witnessed a slow growth over the last few years but in the last month it witnessed a 35 per cent growth and the central bank has been working to keep this flow stable There is no reason to deny that a big portion of remittances is coming into the country through illegal channels It is not possible to bring hundi under the control completely but it has to be checked in different ways and the central bank is looking for ways in this regard Chowdhury added Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpubliclast-pagemobile-banking-affects-remittance-inflow-thru-banking-channel-bibm-report-1510249391

DSE TURNOVER CROSSES TK 80 BILLION MARK The daily turnover on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) exceeded the Tk 80 billion mark on Thursday as investors took fresh exposure to the banking sector Turnover a crucial indicator of the market reached Tk 870 billion on the countrys premier bourse jumping 14 per cent from the previous days transaction of Tk 765 billion It was the biggest single-day transaction since October 11 when the turnover totalled a record Tk 1092 billion Along with rising turnover DSEX the prime index of the Dhaka bourse continued to keep its gaining momentum closing 3449 points higher at 6193 points DSEX which replaced the DGEN in nearly five years back added more than 121 points or 20 per cent in the past four consecutive sessions The two other indices -- the DS30 index and the DSE Shariah Index (DSES) -- also followed suit to end at 2244 and 1341 points after gaining 1422 points and 443 points respectively Brokers said the market maintained the bullish trend for the four straight sessions as the enthusiastic investors chased the banking sector stocks The market continued the bullish trend for the four consecutive sessions as the enthusiastic investors were active for the banking food and engineering sector stocks commented EBL Securities a stockbroker in its regular market analysis It noted that the core index remained positive throughout the session as optimistic investors kept buying sector-wise stocks while some rebalanced their portfolios Meanwhile share price of newly listed Oimex Electrode continued to decline for the three consecutive sessions after unusual hike during its debut trading on Monday The companys share price fell 763 per cent to close at Tk 9810 on Thursday after jumping more than tenfold during the debut trading which experts termed unusual Block trade contributed Tk 241 million to the days total turnover with stocks like BATBC Square Pharmaceuticals Singer Bangladesh and Beximco Pharma dominating the block trade board

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 23: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

23

Among the major sectors pharmaceuticals posted the highest gain of 122 per cent followed by banking sector (083 per cent) food amp allied (067 per cent) engineering (033 per cent) financial institutions (003 per cent) and power (003 per cent) Only telecommunication sector faced a 045 per cent correction A total number of 0140 million trades were executed in the days trading session with trading volume totalling 23171 million securities The total market capitalisation of the DSE stood at Tk 4179 billion against Tk 4168 billion in the previous session Losers however took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 325 issues traded 140 closed lower 130 closed higher and 55 remained unchanged on the DSE trading floor City Bank dominated the turnover chart for the second day in a row with 1035 million shares changing hands closely followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank and Keya Cosmetics Reckitt Benckiser was also the days best performer posting a gain of 624 per cent while Qasem Drycells was the days biggest loser shedding 1235 per cent The port city bourse Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher with its Selective Categories Index -- CSCX --gaining more than 62 points to close at 11618 Losers beat gainers as 113 issues closed lower 97 closed higher and 37 remained unchanged on the CSE The port city bourse traded 1604 million shares and mutual fund units generating a turnover of Tk 483 million Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporatedse-turnover-crosses-tk-80-billion-mark-1510245247

FOREIGN INVESTMENT HIKE INFO DRIVES MODERATE GAINS ON DSE The Dhaka bourse Thursday closed the session posting a moderate rise in the broad index and turnover amid mixed performance displayed by major sectors On the day most of the major sectors declined but the turnover crossed Tk 80 billion-mark after two sessions on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) mainly because of investors increased participation in the banking sector According to a market review of International Leasing Securities positive momentum in some big-cap stocks especially from bank food and engineering sectors helped the bourse to close in green The market started the session with a positive note and the DSE broad index DSEX witnessed little ups and downs before closing higher According to AT Capital Partners the market remained sideways till the midsession The DSEX rose again in the second half of the session and closed at 61936 up by 345 points The shariah based index DSES and blue chip index DS30 also rose marginally The turnover stood at above Tk 870 billion which was 1370 per cent higher than the turnover of the previous session The confident drive was initiated by the investors buying spree riding on the news of doubling net foreign investment in stocks year-on-year in the first ten months of 2017 said the International Leasing SecuritiesAmong the gaining sectors bank advanced 08 per cent and engineering 03 per cent Of the losing sectors pharmaceuticals amp chemicals declined 11 per cent telecommunication 05 per cent and textiles 09 per cent The banking sector grabbed 384 per cent of the market turnover at the premier bourse DSECity Bank topped the turnover chart with a value of Tk 553 million followed by Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance BRAC Bank and Keya CosmeticsReckitt Benckiser (Bd) limited topped the gainers chart with a rise of 624 per cent to close at Tk 18456 while Quasem Drycells was the worst loser after declining 1235 per cent to close at Tk 8230

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 24: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

24

Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateforeign-investment-hike-info-drives-moderate-gains-on-dse-1510245365

TEN COS GRAB 32PC TURNOVER ON DSE The banking sector continued to dominate the transaction chart of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) accounting for 39 per cent of the total turnover on Thursday Four banks made their way to the top 10 turnover chart with City Bank leading the chart for the second day in a row Brokers said the investors chased the banking sector issues as more than 63 per cent of listed banks showed positive earnings in the third quarter (July-September period) Meanwhile top 10 traded companies including four banks grabbed more than 32 per cent of turnover on the Dhaka bourse The total turnover on the premier bourse reached Tk 870 billion up 14 per cent from the previous days Tk 765 billion The most active shares in terms of value included City Bank Dhaka Bank LankaBangla Finance Brac Bank Keya Cosmetics Square Pharmaceuticals Beximco Pharmaceuticals IFAD Autos Exim Bank and IDLC Finance According to statistics available with the DSE about 1035 million shares of City Bank were traded generating a turnover of Tk 553 million or 635 per cent of the total transactions The companys share price hovered between Tk 5240 and Tk 5440 before closing at Tk 5390 advancing 228 per cent over the previous session Dhaka Bank came in next with shares of Tk 395 million changing hands contributing 454 per cent to the total turnover The banks share price closed 347 per cent higher at Tk 2380 LankaBangla notched the third spot with shares of Tk 266 million changing hands making up 305 per cent of the total turnover Its share price ended 063 per cent higher at Tk 6430 Brac Bank emerged the fourth with shares of Tk 257 million changing hands grabbing 295 per cent of the total turnover The banks share price settled 123 per cent higher at Tk 107 Keya Cosmetics featured a turnover of Tk 247 million or 284 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed 201 per cent higher at Tk 1520 The turnover of Square Pharma was Tk 241 million or 276 per cent of the total transaction Its share price ended 612 per cent down at Tk 27890 Beximco Pharma featured a turnover of Tk 211 million or 242 per cent of the total turnover Its share price advanced 428 per cent to close at Tk 10960 The turnover of IFAD was Tk 208 million accounting for 238 per cent of the total turnover Its share price closed at Tk 14070 gaining 195 per cent Exim Bank featured a turnover of Tk 196 million or 225 per cent of the total transaction The banks share price inched up 055 per cent to close at Tk 1830 IDLC also made its way to the top ten turnover chart with shares of Tk 188 million changing hands Its share price closed 223 per cent higher at Tk 9150 Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdpublicstock-corporateten-cos-grab-32pc-turnover-on-dse-1510245290

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS STILL REMAIN UNRESOLVED IN MANY RMG UNITS Major life-threatening safety concerns still remain outstanding in many garment factories inspected by the western retailers platform -- Accord -- although 80 per cent of identified safety flaws have so far been fixed

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 25: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

25

In its quarterly progress update till October 01 the Accord said inadequate fire detection and alarm systems still remain outstanding in some 946 garment factories out of 1378 units where the findings have been identified While most factories have submitted fire alarm and fire detection design drawings to the Accord and are in the process of ordering and installing the systems full installation including final verification of testing and commissioning has been completed at 313 per cent of the factories said the report published on November 17 Lockable or collapsible gates have been identified in some 1393 factories while 72 units are yet to remove evasion hazards during an emergency its findings showed The report said 948 per cent of the factories have removed lockable andor collapsible gates It means workers have more chance of escaping the factory buildings in an emergency It also showed that 243 out of 1333 garment factories are yet to install egress lighting Only 70 per cent or 120 garment factories out of 1699 have so far completed all the initially identified safety flaws prescribed by the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) It said 665 factories have completed 90 per cent or more than remediation work When asked Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Md Siddiqur Rahman said he is yet to see the Accord report Regarding the progress he claimed that the rest of the work would be completed within the Accords tenure till June 2018 On the other hand the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety announced that 85 per cent of required remediation has been completed while 234 units out of 700 inspected garment factories have completed the entire CAP The Alliance suspended business relations with 162 factories and the Accord with more than 85 units over their failure to comply with safety requirements Alliance executive director Jim Moriarty at a press conference held last week said the platform will end its activities by mid of next year The Accord on the other hand got six-month conditional extension with the name Transitional Accord if a national regulatory body is not capable enough of taking charge of the existing Accord So far 49 of Accords existing signatory brands and retailers out of more than 200 including HampM Hugo Boss CampA Primark Inditex and Target signed the 2018 Accord covering a total of 1200 garment factories Source httptodaythefinancialexpresscombdlast-pagemajor-safety-concerns-still-remain-unresolved-in-many-rmg-units-1511024724

ECONOMISTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING FOR BETTER OUTCOME Experts and economists on Saturday suggested that the government should adopt an evidence-based policymaking process for making sound and effective economic decisions getting better outcomes from those as well as avoiding any unnecessary damaging effect of the decisions on the economy At a book launching ceremony they also said that quality and timely data were also required for achieving better outcomes from policy decisions The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the programme for the launching of the book titled lsquoEvidence Based Policy Making in Bangladeshrsquo written by its vice-chairman Sadiq Ahmed at its conference room at Banani in Dhaka Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said that evidence should be analytical and credible The outcomes will not be better without quality and credible data he said adding that there were discrepancies in different labour force surveys and household income and expenditure surveys of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics import-export data of Bangladesh Bank National Board of Revenue and Export Promotion Bureau Evidence or data got in advance helps in formulating policy as well as its implementation he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

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30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 26: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

26

Citing example of opposite stances taken by the NBR and the countryrsquos business community over the new VAT law scheduled to come into force in 2019 he said that both the sides have been arguing in favour and against the law without providing any data Prime ministerrsquos economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman said that information was needed for evidence-based policymaking He said that the agencies should reconcile data if there was any gap He also emphasised improving institutional capacity and increasing knowledge of public officials in implementing policies Public-Private Partnership Office takes long time to give a decision while Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has no power to implement its decision regarding investment promotion he said Former adviser to an interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the government should progressively move towards evidence-based policymaking so that policy decisions could be sound and effective Capacity of policymakers and bureaucrats should also be there to implement the policy he said The government allows tax holiday for the private sector but there is no study available on impact of the tax benefits on the sector he said It is also not clear how many policymakers are interested to formulate policy based on evidence along with availability of quality data he added PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that when policymaking was based on populist notions or anecdotes policies were at best inadequate and at worst could result in more harm than good and potentially could cause long-term damage to the economy and the society Policies are better when formulated on the basis of good data and sound research he said adding lsquosuch approach serves the government and the private sector and the society better than policies not backed by evidence and researchrsquo The private sector should also need to come up with evidences providing data and information on how the sector is growing and what types of problems it is facing he said Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development executive director Mustafa K Mujeri said that evidence-based policymaking brought better outcomes Policymakers need to understand the value of evidence as it can help avoid unnecessary harms of economic decisions he said Evidence-based policymaking prioritises rigorous research findings data analytics and evaluation of new innovations above anecdotes assumptions and notions Former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the government should develop in-house capacity of its agencies for adopting evidence-based policymaking South Asian Network on Economic Modeling executive director Selim Raihan said that quality of data was a serious problem in the country for preparing evidences for policymakers Researchers need quality and credible data so that policymakers can be convinced that the evidences are credible and accurate and not prepared based on assumptions he said Former Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology urban and regional planning professor Sarwar Jahan emphasised scientific research-based evidence for taking economic decisions The government is building flyovers in the country to remove traffic jams based on some casual observations that lack of roads creates traffic jam he said adding that such casual observation would not work Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28653economists-for-evidence-based-policymaking-for-better-outcome

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 27: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

27

BANGLADESH E-COMMERCE SECTOR TO GROW TO TK 900CR THIS YEAR REPORT Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce sector is expected to grow 70 per cent in 2017 as the rollout of 3G internet 3-4 years back led to rapid adoption of online shopping reports India-based Economic Times The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is estimated to be $110-115 million ( around Tk 900 crore ) this year growing from $65-70 million in 2016 said the report referring to RedSeer Consulting The e-commerce size is still is a mere 07 per cent of the countryrsquos total retail market Rocket internet-backed online marketplace Daraz Foxconn-backed e-retailer Pickaboo Bagdoom and Chaldal are among the leading startups in the country Internet penetration to 40 per cent of Bangladeshrsquos 165-million population has bolstered the growth of local e-commerce F-commerce (merchants conducting online business through facebook pages) and e-grocery startups The size of Bangladeshrsquos e-grocery market is much smaller at $4-5 million or about 003 per cent of the countryrsquos overall grocery market Even so analysts are predicting that Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market will surge to $20 billion by 2020 according to Goldman Sachs Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market is lsquonascent but growingmdash similar to what India was probably seven years ago Itrsquos a good time for e-commerce players to be enteringrsquo said Shalini Prakash venture partner at 500 Startups which has invested in more than 50 companies in India since 2011 Daraz founded in 2014 dominates Bangladeshrsquos e-commerce market selling electronics mobile phones large appliances and apparel The company is growing at double-digit percentages every month supplying to customers in neighbouring markets of Pakistan Sri Lanka Nepal and Myanmar The opportunity in Bangladesh prompted Delhi-based digital marketing company MoMagic Technologies to launch Pickaboo last year lsquoThe Bangladesh e-commerce market is close to five years behind the Indian ecommerce market and is around 10-12 per cent of the size of the Indian e-commerce marketrsquo said Arun Gupta chief executive of MoMagic Pickaboo which clocks monthly revenues of $600000 mostly sells electronics on its controlled marketplace and has plans to add leather accessories shortly said the ET report lsquoWhen Flipkart was launched they started selling books firstmdash a category where what you see on the marketplace and what you receive is the same In todayrsquos world electronics fall under this category with the probability of difference being lowrsquo said Gupta adding that Pickaboo has a 20 per cent share of Bangladeshrsquos ecommerce market International Finance Corporation the private sector lending and investment arm of the World Bank has been tracking Bangladeshrsquos entrepreneurial ecosystem the past year and is bullish about the market In its shortlisted 43 startups which they are actively monitoring Chaldal tops the list as a potential investee company Chaldal delivers groceries using a network of small warehouses spread across Dhaka lsquoWe launched Chaldal because we felt that there was a need to offer more variety of groceries to our customers and save time for the growing middle classrsquo said CEO Alim Chaldal competes with Direct Fresh and Meena Click the online extension of Bangladeshrsquos 15-year-old supermarket chain Meena Bazaar Specialising in groceries and personal care products Meena Click was launched three years ago The company which handles 4000-4500 orders a month in Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong said it has doubled its business over the past year Another aspect about this nascent e-commerce market is that of the total online spending by customers which is estimated to be about $50 million 40 per cent of the transactions are through 15000 small merchants selling through their Facebook pages

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 28: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

28

lsquoBangladeshrsquos e-commerce ecosystem instead of developing around one or two big players has several smaller merchants who sell onlinersquo said Ruchira Shukla regional lead South Asia venture capital at IFC Bangladesh also has the advantage of a large and homogenous population of 165 million Because of this lsquoonce the business model is figured out it can be scaled across several cities and the entrepreneur doesnrsquot have to worry about differences in language or culturersquo Shukla said The market is fraught with several other challenges too lsquoLogistics and the transportation system are still challenges in Bangladeshrsquo said a spokesperson for Daraz which said it has the largest delivery network in the country with its own fleet operating in 20 cities lsquoAlso the stagnant traffic hampers fast delivery of productsrsquo The Chaldal team rented out a small grocery for two hours to click pictures of all the items it stocked to build their online catalogue Another big challenge lies in how to turn around the market despite a shortage of capital This has forced some companies to resort to capital-efficiency to survive lsquoPart of the capital-efficiency comes from us having very little capital available in the ecosystemmdash we have had to innovate significantly beyond the practices in the Indian marketrsquo said Alim who took inspiration from Big Basketrsquos warehouse to start their own in Dhaka Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28655bangladesh-e-commerce-sector-to-grow-to-tk-900cr-this-year-report

VSPS TO GET 2-YR EXTENSION TO LICENCES Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to extend the validity period for the licences of voice over internet protocol service providers (VSPs) by two years against the backdrop of falling incoming international phone calls through the legal channel Besides lobbying government high ups by the countryrsquos VSPs for the extension was another reason that prompted the BTRC to extend the licencesrsquo validity period a senior BTRC official told New Age on Wednesday He said that the decision was made at the latest commission meeting presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Mahmood The BTRC official however said that the VSPs would have to clear their entire dues including licence fees to get the extension In January 2013 the BTRC introduced the VoIP service providing licence and issued the licence to 844 operators for a period of five years that will end in January 2018 The BTRC awarded 38 new VSP licences later BTRC officials said that a good number of licences were given under political consideration and many licensees did not have enough technical facility to run the business Issuing such a huge number of licences created problem for the market competition and the VSPs started losing their business As a result almost 90 per cent of the VSPs failed to clear their annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 and 2017-18 Apart from the saturated market condition falling inward international calls through the legal channel and increasing OTT-based phone calls were the other reasons for the VSPsrsquo failure to clear annual licence fees According to BTRC statistics the incoming international call termination declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 The statistics also showed the incoming international calls were 67 crore minutes a day and 64 crore minutes a day respectively in January and July this year The VSPs are also in a fear of a sharp decline in their revenues for the same reason

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 29: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

29

Meanwhile the Bangladesh Association of VoIP Service Providers has recently issued a letter to the BTRC seeking scopes for paying the dues in phases for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for waiving annual licence fees for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 The BTRC however has decided to ask the VSPs to pay their dues along with VAT and late fees for the fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18 within November 30 this year while the rest of the dues for the fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 within January 31 2018 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28656vsps-to-get-2-yr-extension-to-licences

GOVT TO SIGN $260M LOAN DEAL WITH ADB TODAY The government will sign a US$260 million agreement with the Asian Development Bank today for sustaining and increasing its investments in infrastructures particularly financing public-private partnership projects as well as renewable energy interventions Economic Relations Division secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam and ADB country director for Bangladesh Resident Mission Manmohan Parkash will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at the NEC-II Conference Room at the ERD in the cityrsquos Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area lsquoLike in the past the ADB fund will provide for long-term debt financing and catalysing private sector participation through the implementing agency Infrastructure Development Company Limited which substantially contributed to economic growth in the countryrsquo an ERD official told BSS After successful implementation of earlier phases the project titled lsquoThird Public Private Infrastructure Development Facility-Tranche 1rsquo will serve to catalyse commercial financing for PPP projects thereby reducing the pressure of direct financing on the public budget The objective of the project is to help provide the rural population and small to medium enterprises with clean and affordable electricity either through grid-connected or off-grid energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions Solar Home Systems will not be financed under PPIDF 3 given the market saturation and availability of funding from partner donors A key design element of the PPIDF3 is the introduction of the Multitranche Financing Facility Financial Intermediary lending modality The MFF-FI modality is particularly well suited for FI interventions which provide long-term funding to PPP infrastructure projects These PPP interventions are typically developed in a phased manner based on project implementation requirements The MFF modality allows the borrower IDCOL to onlend financing for subprojects based on readiness criteria including finalisation of risk-sharing arrangements readiness of engineering procurement and construction and phased release of equity The disbursement to a subproject can take place through multiple tranches with time-slicing given the typical characteristic of staggering of payments and thereby providing IDCOL the flexibility to plan cost-effective disbursements of subprojects Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28657govt-to-sign-260m-loan-deal-with-adb-today

1557 LAKH SIM CARDS DEACTIVATED IN FY17 Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards on charge of illegal voice-over-internet-protocol call termination by the telecom regulator and mobile network operators declined by 2582 per cent or 542156 SIM cards in the fiscal year 2016-17 compared with that in the previous fiscal year In the 2015-16 fiscal year 2099 lakh SIM cards were deactivated by Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission and MNOs while the figure dropped to 1557 lakh in the fiscal year 2016-17 showed a BTRC data A senior BTRC official said that the SIM cards which were engaged in wrongdoing were detected through three processes

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 30: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

30

The SIM cards were detected through joint operations of the BTRC along with law enforcing agencies SIM Box Detection System established at the BTRC in collaboration with all mobile phone operators and self-regulation process of the mobile phone operators that allows them to detect and deactivate SIM cards used in illegal call termination he said It was found that SIM cards of Teletalk the state-owned mobile phone operator were used most for illegal VoIP call termination As per the BTRC report Teletalkrsquos 517 lakh SIM cards were detected and deactivated in FY17 on charge of illegal VoIP call termination while the figure was 1203 lakh in the previous fiscal year In FY17 Teletalkrsquos 24590 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 212393 through SIM Box Detection System and 280017 through Taletalkrsquos self-regulation process Incidences of deactivation of SIM cards of Airtel which has already been merged with Robi on the ground were the second highest mdash 370 lakh In FY17 Airtelrsquos 4616 SIM cards were deactivated based on BTRCrsquos operation 3130 through SIM Box Detection System and 362688 through the operatorrsquos self-regulation process Grameenphone the countryrsquos leading mobile operator was the third on the list as its 331 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through the processes on the ground GPrsquos 1275 SIM cards were detected and deactivated based on joint operation of BTRC and law enforcing authorities 2145 through SIM Box Detection System and 328 lakh through its self-regulation process The countryrsquos second largest mobile phone operator in terms of subscribers Robi was the fourth on the list with its 313 lakh SIM cards deactivated in FY17 on the ground of illegal VoIP call termination Robirsquos 1333 SIM cards were deactivated through BTRCrsquos joint drives while 3284 and 309 lakh SIM cards were deactivated through SIM Box Detection System and the operatorrsquos self-regulation process respectively Banglalinkrsquos 24777 SIM cards and out-of-operation Citycellrsquos 27 SIM cards were deactivated in FY17 on the same ground Although the commission in 2013 allowed 882 entities to run VoIP service legally against the backdrop of falling incoming international call through the legal channel the illegal VoIP service is yet to be stopped Incoming international calls through the legal channel has been on the decline for last few years According to the latest BTRC statistics incoming international call termination through the legal channel declined to 61 crore minutes a day in August this year from 8 crore minutes a day in January 2016 Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle285761557-lakh-sim-cards-deactivated-in-fy17

BB CREATES $240M FUND FOR SME SECTOR DEV Bangladesh Bank has created a $240 million refinancing fund for providing loans to small and medium enterprises at low interest lsquoAsian Development Bank will contribute $200 million while the government will provide the rest $40 million to the fundrsquo said a BB senior official on Friday Under the refinance scheme banks and financial institutions can provide maximum 90 per cent of the total project cost and borrower will have to bear the rest of the cost said a BB recent circular The borrowers will get maximum Tk 3 crore in loans the circular added The BB circular also said the highest tenure of a mid-term loan would be three years and that for a long-term loan would be five years The refinancing scheme will be applicable for the projects outside Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 31: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

31

The central bank will take four per cent interest from the banks and FIs But the BB has directed the banks to give loans to the male borrowers on the basis of market rate of interest From the fund 15 per cent will be reserved for women entrepreneurs and the highest interest rate for them will be 10 per cent Of the total fund two thirds will be fixed for cottage micro and small industries and the rest of the amount will be for medium industries For getting the refinance facility for giving loans under the SME category the banks will have to fulfil some criteria One of those is that the bank will have practical prior experience about SME financing In the long-term national rating scale they must have BBB- rating Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28579bb-creates-240m-fund-for-sme-sector-dev

BANKERS INVOLVED IN 67PC OF FRAUDS

Bankers have been found involved directly or indirectly in 67 per cent of frauds in IT-based banking transactions showed a study conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management The study which analysed 50 cases of frauds taken place in banks was released in a BIBM workshop on lsquoAlternative Delivery Channel Opportunities and Challenges of the New Banking Environmentrsquo held in Dhaka on Thursday It found that general bankers along with banksrsquo IT professionals and vendors were involved in 67 per cent of the financial frauds committed lsquodirectly or indirectlyrsquo in banks Other people involved in financial frauds at banks are IT professionals who are alone involved in 11 per cent of cases vendor or service providers alone in 7 per cent and unauthorised users or customers are involved in the rest 15 per cent of cases Banking experts at the workshop said that as banks were going digital and being technology dependent banks needed less number of employees but were prone to higher risk of fraudsters Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and BIBM executive committee chairman Abu Hena Mohd Razee Hassan BIBM director general Toufic Ahmad Choudhury senior bank officials of different banks the research team and faculty members of BIBM were present at the workshop While presenting the research paper BIBM associate professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam said technology-based banking frauds involving ATM and plastic cards were highest standing at 43 per cent of the total IT-based frauds

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 32: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

32

Other banking fraud compositions include mobile banking with 25 per cent automated cheque processing system and electronic fund transfer 15 per cent internet banking 12 per cent banking application software 3 per cent and SWIFT (a global secured money transfer channel) or others 2 per cent Razee Hassan said the banking industry was being able to operate with less number of employees as they were going digital but this was also bringing the threat of technological fraudulences He said that with online services the banks were being able to carry out smooth operation with two lakh employees only instead of 10 lakh employees Blaming Hundi through mobile financial services for decreasing remittance through the banking channel he asked bankers to use technology with caution and said that the BB was working to check the transactions through all the illegal channels Bank Asia president and managing director Md Arfan Ali said the banking sector would face huge number of problems in the coming days if the banks were not ready to tackle technological challenges NCC Bank senior vice-president Muhammad H Kafi said through their ATM booths across the country banks should give utility services along with other services apart from money transaction as many other IT-based technologies were emerging Citing examples of global technological innovation in the financial sector and cashless society he added that the countryrsquos banks should come with home-grown systems so that in case of emergencies the banks could solve the problems easily instead of waiting for the arrival of foreign experts BIBM professor and former Pubali Bank chief executive officer Helal Ahmed Chowdhury said with the increased use of technology in banks bankers should be technologically able and IT professionals should also be equally expert in banking Otherwise there will be a crisis and possibility of fraudulence in the banking sector would rise he added After open discussions and panel comments BB financial inclusion department general manager Md Abul Bashar said the BB gave permission to 18 banks of the country to carry out agent banking operation and they are permitted to provide all sorts of services except foreign currency transaction The number of agents increased to 710026 in 2016 from 561189 in 2015 and banks need to be careful so that agents are not involved in fraudulent activities he said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28545bankers-involved-in-67pc-of-frauds

BTRC DRAFT POLICY SETS 4G SPEED AT 20 MBPS Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has drafted a set of standards for quality of service for the mobile network operators asking them to ensure minimum 20 Mbps (megabyte per second) downlink speed once 4G service is launched in the country Although the BTRC is yet to issue licences to the mobile network operators for 4G the fourth generation of broadband mobile network technology the telecom regulator drafted the standards which would be mandatory for the MNOs The draft standards titled 4GLTE Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecom Operators said that the operators which would be awarded 4G licences must have to ensure 20 Mbps download speed for data throughput Besides the mobile phone operators would have to maintain 5 Mbps uplink speed for data throughput Once the standards for 4G service are finalised mobile phone operators will have to follow the standards in running the service in entire 4G service area and sub-service area as well The BTRC will check the speed through drive test on random basis for any zoneareasub-service areanode

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 33: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

33

In case of any complaint regarding the QoS issues the commission may conduct audit or drive test by itself or by any other agency assigned by the commission The telecom regulator published the draft QoS standards for the 4G service on its web site seeking opinion from stakeholders experts researchers and any other interested parties within October 21 The draft QoS standards also said that the average monthly CSFB call setup ration must have to be greater than or equal to 97 per cent while the monthly CSFB call setup time must have to be a less than or equal to 8 seconds Although the 4G licence awarding guidelines are yet to be finalised all the private operators are getting prepared to lunch the service officials of the mobile phone operators said They also said Grameenphone Robi and Banglalink had already started selling 4G-enabled SIM cards as part of their preparation to launch the service Earlier this year government senior officials had said that the 4G service licence would be awarded within November this year and the service would be launched within December this year The guidelines for awarding 4G licence however is yet to be finalised meaning that it would not be possible to launch the service within this year In August 2017 the BTRC issued a set of QoS standards for the MNOs for providing 2G and 3G services Under the standards the mobile phone operators were asked to ensure minimum 512 Kbps (kilobyte per second) downlink speed of internet under 3G covered areas It also asked the mobile phone operators to increase the speed to 768 Kbps downlink speed after one year of the BTRC directive Initially the operators were asked to ensure a minimum 50 Kbps uploading speed and to raise the speed to 70 Kbps after one year for 3G service operation Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28546btrc-draft-policy-sets-4g-speed-at-20-mbps

INVESTMENT-GDP RATIO HITS 30PC ON PUBLIC INVESTMENT The share of investment in gross domestic product for the first time exceeded 30 per cent benchmark in the last fiscal year 2016-2017 mainly riding on rising public investment The growth of private investment the main driver of the economy in the GDP remained meager in the year Experts and economists expressed doubts over the quality of the increased share of investment in GDP in the year as the rise occurred mainly based on public investment while private investment growth remained almost stagnant According to the final GDP data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics overall investment-GDP ratio rose by 086 percentage points to 3051 per cent in FY 2017 from that of 2965 per cent a year ago The share of public investment in GDP increased by 075 percentage points and stood at 741 per cent in the year which was 666 per cent in FY 2016 On the other hand the share of private investment rose by merely 011 percentage points to 2310 per cent from 2299 per cent the data released on Thursday showed Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal revealed the details of the GDP at a press conference held at National Economic Council auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka According to the final data Bangladeshrsquos economy grew at 728 per cent the highest growth rate in the history of the country up from the provisional projection at 724 per cent in the last year Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 297 per cent 1022 per cent and 669 per cent respectively In previous FY16 Agriculture industry and services sectors grew by 279 per cent 1109 per cent and 625 per cent respectively The size of the GDP stood at US$ 250 billion in the year

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 34: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

34

Economist and former caretaker governmentrsquos finance adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said the increased investment-GDP ratio was not consistent with the ongoing stagnation in private sector investment scenario He told New Age that the share of investment in the GDP increased mainly due to rise in public investment mainly in the annual development programme he said adding that rising public investment brings fewer results if the growth in private investment remains sluggish On the other hand public investment is capital intensive and time-consuming he added He also said that the calculated GDP growth was not consistent with the major economic indicators He said that economic indicators including private sector investment private sector credit growth export growth remittance inflows and raw materials import growth in the last fiscal year were not supportive of the calculated growth World Bank lead economist Zahid Hussain told New Age that there were some inconsistencies in calculation of investment-GDP ratio The government estimates the public investment calculating the expenditure of the allocation in the ADP without considering the quality of expenditure he said adding that the expenditure in June the last month of the fiscal year alone usually jumps by 20-25 per cent On the other hand according to the BBS public investment rose by 075 percentage points in FY 2017 while ADP implementation dropped by 3 per cent in the year compared with that of previous year he said At the briefing Kamal attributed the stable political situation and increased investment-GDP ratio to the achievement of 728 per cent GDP growth He said that over 30 per cent investment-GDP ratio was a safe zone for economic development but growth in private investment at higher rate was needed for sustainable and speedy GDP growth The government will create a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment he said adding that Germany Malaysia and Austria will invest US$ 92 billion in different development projects including power and housing in the country Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28547investment-gdp-ratio-hits-30pc-on-public-investment

GP SAYS IT KEEPS lsquoRELEVANTrsquo PROVISIONS Grameenphone on Thursday said the company kept lsquorelevantrsquo provisions in its books in full compliance with all international and local accounting standards In a statement GP chief executive officer Michael Foley also said that they required lawful resolution over the validity of the claims of the large taxpayers unit (value-added tax) of the National Board of Revenue for disputed outstanding taxes worth Tk 201527 crore The mobile operator issued the statement following media reports based on a letter in which the LTU (VAT) requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to take legal measures so that Grameenphone keeps provisions in its accounts against the outstanding taxes The LTU claimed that GP had not maintained provisions for the amounts in its accounts against eight disputes which are remained pending at courts The disputes related to SIM replacement tax VAT on rent for space VAT and supplementary duty on SIM cards and unlawfully taken rebate have remained pending at different courts lsquoBut the amounts are material and we require lawful resolution on the validity of the claims under dispute as we have a deep responsibility to safeguard the interest of our shareholdersrsquo Foley said He however did not make it clear whether the company had kept provisions against the LTU-claimed amounts GP paid Tk 30040 crore in taxes and fees to the government exchequer over the last five years and the disputed amounts are 67 per cent of its total contribution in the years he said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 35: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

35

lsquoWhile the cases are pending before the different judicial forums we continue to work with the NBR to resolve these issuesrsquo he said lsquoThe court of law is the proper forum to resolve these differences and we commit to comply with the final resolutionrsquo he added Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28549gp-says-it-keeps-relevant-provisions

JV OF IFAD AUTOS GULF OIL TO SET UP LUBRICANT MANUFACTURING PLANT IN BrsquoDESH IFAD Autos Ltd has joined hands with Gulf Oil Bangladesh a subsidiary of global oil company Gulf Oil International Group to set up a lubricant manufacturing plant in Bangladesh The two companies mdash IFAD Autos and Gulf Oil Bangladesh mdash on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to run a joint venture company with the aim of becoming one of the top market players in the next four years Frank Rutten vice-president of Gulf Oil international and Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu chairman of IFAD Autos signed the MoU at an event held at the Westin Hotel in the capital Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the programme as chief guest while deputy British high commissioner David Asly was present as special guest lsquoOur joint venture with IFAD Autos Ltd is a strategic move in Bangladesh as globally we seek to increase our presence in the key emerging marketsrsquo Frank said Bangladesh has massive opportunity and Gulf is here to grow he said Tofail invited more UK companies to make investment in Bangladesh Taskeen Ahmed managing director of IFAD Autos said that the partnership with Gulf Oil would help IFAD to meet its ambitious growth plans Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28543jv-of-ifad-autos-gulf-oil-to-set-up-lubricant-manufacturing-plant-in-bdesh

TWO NEW LEATHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO BE SET UP IN CTG RAJSHAHI PM Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced to establish two more leather industrial estates in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions for further flourishing the leather sector lsquoWe will set up two new leather industry estates mdash one in Chittagong division and other in Rajshahi division mdash for further promoting the countrys leather sector establishing such a zone only in Dhaka is not right it will have to spread all over Bangladeshrsquo she said Sheikh Hasina also said the government has made a decision to keep the issue of continuing 15 per cent cash incentive for the next five years under active consideration on a priority basis The move was taken to boost local and foreign investment in the leather sector and make it sustainable she said The prime minister said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show 2017 at International Convention Centre Bashundhara in the capital this morning Sheikh Hasina opened the three-day show at the ICCB through videoconferencing from Ganabhaban The prime minister urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshs leather sector for further strengthening the countrys economy lsquoI call upon the foreign investors and buyers for investing in a larger volume in Bangladeshs leather sector and sourcing more in leather goods for further strengthening the countrys economyrsquo she said The ministry of commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is lsquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrsquo

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 36: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

36

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function at ICCB as the special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB president M Saiful Islam spoke The pre-recorded speeches of industries minister Amir Hossain Amu state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function PMs private sector development adviser Salman F Rahman and press secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while director general (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function at Ganabhaban Ministers parliament members diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshs leather sector was made at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show The prime minister expressed her hope to attain $5 billion export earnings from the leather leathergoods and footwear sector out of the estimated overall export earning of $60 billion as per the Vision 2021 In this connection she sought expansion of business of local and foreign entrepreneurs engaged in leather and leathergoods sector to achieve the goal Stressing the need for bringing diversification in leather goods to increase export Sheikh Hasina said the entrepreneurs would have to develop the products and find out new export markets lsquoI think our products will have to be international standardrsquo she said and assured of providing necessary help from the government in this regard Elaborating various steps of her government for expansion of the export markets of the leather and footwear products Sheikh Hasina said the ministry of commerce is actively working to formulate and implement annual action plan in this regard lsquoSteps have also been taken to set up a testing and calibrating centre to maintain international quality and standard of leather goods and footwear productsrsquo she said The prime minister said such initiatives would play a very significant role for the development and diversification of exportable products as well as expansion of the export markets Putting emphasis on imparting training to the workers of the leather industry Sheikh Hasina urged the entrepreneurs engaged in the leather industry to make arrangement for training of the workers involved in cattle slaughtering and preserving of hide lsquoThe workers will have to be provided with proper knives and machetes so that they could properly slaughter cattle if we could use modern technology we could prepare Bangladeshs cattle hide as a valuable one this awareness is yet to be built among usrsquo she said lsquoAnd huge amount of hide could not be used properly due to lack of awareness and I hope that entrepreneurs concerned will be aware and take necessary steps in this regardrsquo she said In this regard she assured them of providing necessary assistance from the government The prime minister said her government has been giving more incentives in the leather industry considering its huge potential as the sector is very much labour intensive industry having opportunities of employment while it would also be a sustainable sector as almost all raw materials are locally available Sheikh Hasina said her government is providing tax rebate 100 per cent Export Performance License 10 per cent cash assistance for exporting finished leather goods from the leather industry park and 15 per cent cash incentive in the case of exporting leather goods and footwear products As a result she said renowned international brands are now producing leather goods in joint venture with many of the local entrepreneurs and they are also sourcing Bangladeshi products to meet the demand in the world markets she said

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 37: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

37

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh earned nearly 123 billion US dollars from the leather sector exporting various products in last 2016-2017 fiscal year that was only 1618 million dollars on leather and 18000 dollars on export of footwear in 1972-73 fiscal The prime minister said an environment-friendly leather industrial estate has been set up in Savar for flourishing the leather sector and saving the Buriganga She said most of the tannery industries in Hazaribagh were relocated in Savar Steps are being taken so that mills and factories could be built in surrounding areas in Savar Leather Industrial Estate she said Source httpwwwnewagebdnetarticle28471two-new-leather-industrial-estates-to-be-set-up-in-ctg-rajshahi-pm

BACKPACK BRINGS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS TO BANGLADESH FROM NOV 24 Backpack a peer to peer marketplace that delivers products from the US to Bangladesh is offering Black Friday deals to Bangladeshi shoppers from November 24 You can get these Black Friday deals from the US through backpackbangcom Black Friday is a global shopping event where shoppers get huge discounts on all kinds of products From cell phones to shoes everything gets a discount Black Friday is the first business day after Thanksgiving a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November This yearrsquos Black Friday happens to be on November 24 According to the National Retail Federation in 2016 US shoppers spent $6558 billion during Black Friday Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171118backpack-brings-black-friday-deals-bangladesh-nov-24

BEPZA REQUESTS CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST MORE Bangladesh Export Processing Zones (BEPZA) authorities have requested Chinese entrepreneurs to invest more in the EPZs of Bangladesh Maj Gen Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan executive chairman of BEPZA made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with a 20-member delegation of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) at BEPZA Executive office in Dhaka The delegates of the largest national light industrial organisation in China led by its Vice President Zhang Jie have expressed their keen interest to invest in the EPZs of Bangladesh during the meeting BEPZA executive chairman said the EPZs of Bangladesh are very investment friendly But due to the scarcity of land it is not possible to accommodate large-scale investments at the EPZ located in Dhaka and Chittagong regions He urged the delegates of CCCLA to invest in Uttara Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs He mentioned that these three EPZs are ideal to set up light industrial products like ornaments houseware camping item bags luggage wigs and stationery products Habibur also said currently 94 Chinese enterprises are operating their activities in Bangladeshi EPZs and have invested around $816m This opened employment opportunity for over 110000 are working Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116bepza-requests-chinese-entrepreneurs-invest

PM 2 MORE LEATHER ESTATES IN RAJSHAHI CHITTAGONG Two more leather industrial estates will be set up in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions to flourish the countryrsquos leather sector Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 38: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

38

She hoped to bag $5 billion export earnings from the leather leather goods and footwear sector out of the total export earnings of $60 billion keeping in line with Vision 2021 ldquoWe have already set up an environment-friendly leather industrial estate in Savar and we have more plans We will set up two new leather industrial estates in Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions We will take necessary steps in this regard The leather industry should not be Dhaka-centric only it should be spread across the countryrdquo she said The prime minister inaugurated the three-day Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leathergoods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2017 at the International Convention Centre Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka via videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban on Thursday morning She also urged the foreign investors and buyers to invest more in Bangladeshrsquos leather sector and source more leather products from Bangladesh ldquo[To] all the people who have come from abroad I welcome you to Bangladesh and I hope this show will help boost our export and bring new dynamics to the sector This event is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our products capacity compliance and practice in the leather goods and footwear industry in the international buyer brands and potential investorsrdquo she said The prime minister wished the BLLISS 2017 a grand success The Ministry of Commerce and the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) jointly organised the event to attract more investment in the leather sector The theme of the show is ldquoThink Ahead Think Bangladeshrdquo Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present at the function as a special guest while eminent entrepreneur Syed Manzur Elahi and LFMEAB President M Saiful Islam spoke at the event Pre-recorded speeches of Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and acting FBCCI president Sheikh Fazle Fahim were played at the function The PMrsquos Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman and Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present at Ganabhaban among others while Director General (admin) of the PMO Kabir Bin Anwar moderated the function Ministers MPs diplomats dignitaries and the leaders of different trade bodies were also present at the ICCB An audio-video presentation on the past present and the future of Bangladeshrsquos leather sector was projected at the function Leaders of industrial sector world famous brands and international buyers from 15 countries including China India Vietnam and Thailand are participating in the show Source httpwwwdhakatribunecombusiness20171116pm-2-leather-estates-rajshahi-chittagong

বড় ২২ এ

ও ও এ

(এ এ এ এ ) এ এ

( ) এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 39: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

39

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও এ

এ এ -

ও এ

এ এ

ও এ

lsquo ও এ rsquo

rsquo এ এ এ

এ ও ৬০

২০১৩ ৭-৮ এ এ

এ ও

ও এ এ

এ ও এ এ

২০১৬-১৭ ও ১২৩ ৬

১০০ ১৩

এ এ এ এ ২০-২৫ ১০০

ও ৩০ ২০২১ এ ৫০০

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367531 - - - -

৬৭ ব ড় এ এ ও

৬৭

( এ ) এ এ এ

এ lsquo ও rsquo এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ৪০

ও ১৮ এ ৯ ও

৫০ এ

এ এ ( ) ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 40: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

40

Source httpwwwprothom-alocomeconomyarticle1367281৬৭- - - - - -

২ ব এ

এ ও ও

এ এ

এ ও এ ও ২০২১

( ) এ ও ২০০৭

২০২১ ও ২০ এ

এ ও ২৫ এ

ঋ ও এ ও এ

এ এ ও

ও এ ও - ও এ

এ ও

এ ও

ও - এ

১৪ ২০১৪ ও ৫০

এ ৭৫ এ ৮০ এ এ ২২

এ ২০১৪ ৪৩ ২০ এ ৯১ ৫২

এ ৭৫ এ ৬০

এ ১৬

২০১৪ ২৫ ৪০ এ

২০

২০০৭ এ ও ২০১৪ ৩৫ ৪০

৬৫ ৭০ - এ ও ৩০০

২০০ ও ও এ

এ ৩০ এ

ও এ ও এ

এ এ

এ এ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ৬০

২০২১ এ

ও - (ও - )

এ এ ও

ও এ এ ও

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113519 - -২- - -

-

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 41: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

41

১০০ ব ব ও এ এ

এ ও এ ও ও

২০১৬ ২৫৩ ও এ ও ও ২০১৭

১৯০ ও ও এ ও ও এ এ

এ এ ১০০ ও

ও ( এ )

এ এ

২০২০ এ

১২ ৯৬০ ( ৮০ ) এ ঋ এ এ ১০

ঋ এ ও ২ ঋ

- ও

এ ও ঋ ১ এ

এ ও এ

ঋ ৬৫ এ

১৩ এ ও

এ এ ৪ ৫ ও

ও ৩ ৫ ৩ ৮ ও ও এ ১০

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-taka-ana-paiarticle17113518১০০- ও - - - - - -

ব ব ড় ব ও এ

( ) ও ও

ও এ

ও ও এ এ

ও এ (এ এ এ এ )

২০২১ এ

এ ও এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 42: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

42

এ এ

এ এ

ও এ ও এ

ও ৭ ৮ ২৪

ও এ ও

৩৫ ও ২৫ ও ২৫

এ - এ ও

এ ১৫

ও ও ও এ

ও ১১ ৭

Source httpwwwsamakalcomtodays-print-editiontp-industry-tradearticle17113159 - - - -

ব ব এ ও ( এ ) ও এ এ

এ ১৩ ও

এ এ এ

এ এ ২০১৩ এ

ও ৫ ৩০

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ও এ এ

১৪ ৪৪ ও এ এ ১৩ ২৪

এ এ এ ও

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

১০ এ ও ৫

৯০ এ এ এ

এ এ

২০১৫-১৬ ১৮ ও এ এ এ

এ ২০১৫-১৬ এ এ

২৩ ৬৯

এ ও

২০১৬-১৭ এ এ ২০৮

২৩৭ ( এ ) ৬ ৯১

৭ ৭২

এ ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ) এ এ এ ১ ৭০

এ ১ ৬৭ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ৩৬

৬৩

এ ১১৪ এ ১৩৪ ও ১০৮

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138680 - - - - -- -এ এ -

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 43: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

43

ব ঋ ব ড় ৫ ২০১৪ ৩০ ঋ ৭ ও ২৮

(এ ) এ ২৮

ঋ ১২

ঋ ৫

এ ও এ ( ও ) ও ও

( ওএ) এ ( )

ও এ

এ এ ও ও

ও ২০১৩ ও ২০১৪ ও

২০১৪ ২৮ ও ৩০

ঋ ২৬ ৫৩৭ এ ঋ ৩ ৯৩১ ও

ঋ ১৪ ৮১ এ ৩ ৫২৯ ঋ

এ ঋ ৭ ৪৬০

এ - ঋ ঋ

৪৩ ৫০০ এ ৮ ২০০ ও ঋ ১৯

ঋ এ ঋ ৪

২৬৯ ৯৬৭ এ

ঋ ৫

ও ২৯ এ এ

এ ও

এ ঋ

ও ঋ

ঋ ও ও এ

২ ৪১৭ এ ২ ৪২৮ এ

১০

ও ২০১৩ ও ৯৫৫

২০১৪ ৩৮১ ২০১৫ ৪৮০

ও ২৬০

এ ও ৪৯৭

ও ঋ ও

৮২ এ ১

এ ২০১৩ ( ও ) ৩০ ২০১৬

৫ ২২ এ এ ও ( ওএ) ৩৩ এ

২০১৩ ওএ ১ ৪২

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138719 -এ - - --ঋ - -৫- - -

ব এ এ

১৮

এ ( ) ২০১৫ এ (

) এ এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

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এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 44: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

44

ও এ

এ এ

ও ও

এ এ ২০১৫ এ এ এ

এ এ ও

৩০ ২০১৬-১৭ এ ২৫৯ ৬৫

২৬০ ৪৭ এ এ ১৫৯ ১৬৮

এ এ ১২৩ এ ও ১৫ এ ও ও

২১ ৭৩

২০১৬-১৭ ৭০ ৫১

এ ৬১ ৩৯ ও

২৯ ৯০ এ ৩০ ১৫ ২০১৬-১৭

৯ ৫০

এ এ ও এ

এ এ এ ও

এ এ ১১ (এ এ )

৩০ এ এ ৩০০ ৮ ৩০ ৫৩১ ২৩১

৯৩ ৪১ ৩২২ ৬৮ ১৪ ৮৯ ২০৯

৩০ ২০১৭ ১৫ এ

এ এ - ২০ ৭৮ ২২

৫৪ এ ৩ ৩ ২০১৬ ৩০ এ ৩ ৩৬

১৫

এ ( - ) ৬৯ এ এ এ

এ ৭৮ ৩০ এ এ এ ৩৪ ৩১

২০১৬ ৩০ ১৫ এ ৬৯ ৫০

এ এ এ ৮৩ ও ৫৩ ৫০ ও

২০০৯ এ এ এ

ও ও

১৫০ ও ৬৮ ৫২ ৮০ ১৪৬ ৭২

৬ ৮৫ ২৮ ৫৯২ - ৪২ ৪৯ ২২ ২৭

ও ৩৫ ২৪

এ এ ও এ - ( ) ১৬ ৪১

২৪ ৮৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138574 - - - -এ -

ব ব ও ৩০ ২০১৭ ও

এ ( এ ) ১ ৯৫

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 45: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

45

ও ও

৪২ ঋ ও

এ ও

৩০ ও এ ১ ৯৫ ও

৩ ১৩ ৩০ (এ এ এ ) ১২ ৪

এ ও

এ ২৭ (এ এ ) এ

ও ও এ

ও ঋ এ ও ও

ও ঋ ( ) ঋ

এ ও ঋ এ ও ও এ

২০১৫ এ

২০১৬ ঋ ২৪৯

এ এ ৪২ ২২

ঋ ও

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138570 - - - - -ও

ব ব ব ড় ২০১৬ ( - ) ৬৭২ এ

২৩ ৬৯৫ এ

( এ )

৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৫৮

ও ও ৩ ও ৯ -

১৮

এ ও

এ ৩ ৩৫ ৬৯৫

৪৪ এ ২২ ৫৩ ও ১

২৩ ৩০ ৩৯৬ ৬৩

এ ৩৯৫ ৪০

১৮ ৪৬ -

৭৭ ৫৭ এ ৬৫ ৪৮ -

এ ৫৭ ৭১ এ ৪৭ ৮৭ ৩০

(এ এ এ ) ৩০৬ ১৯ এ ২৫৪ ১১

২৩০

এ ৭

এ - ( ) ১৭ ৪২ এ এ ২২ ৮ এ

৩৯ ২৯ এ এ ৯০

এ ২০১৬

এ ও - ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 46: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

46

এ ও এ

৩১ ২০১৬ ৩৩০ এ ৭৬

২৪ ২০১৫ ৬০ ৮০

এ ( এ ) ১ ১৮০ এ এ ১

২৪৮ ও ১ ১০৫

১৯৮৫ ২০ ও ১৩ ৬৮

৩৪১ ৯৮ - ৭০ ১৭ ৮

১ ৮১ ও ১০ ৩৯

ও ( ) ১৫ ৪৭

১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138476 - - - - - -

ব এ ( এ ) এ ১০ এ

এ ও এ ৭ ৭৪

৪১ ৮০ ৩৮ এ এ

৬০ ৮০ ও ৩৪ ৫০

৩০ ২০১৭ ১০

( এ ) ১ ৮৯ ১

৮০ ২০১৬ ও ১০ এ ২০১৪ ১০

ও এ ২১ ১১

(এ এ ) ২৩

এ ( - ) এ ৬৭ এ ৫৯

৭২ এ ৯৫ ৩০ এ

(এ এ এ ) ২২ ৮৭

২০১৩ এ ১০০ ৯৯ ৯ ৯০

৭২ ৮৬ ৩৫ ৩ এ - ৩৯ ১৫

১ ৪২ ও ২৪ ৪

এ এ ও এ ( ) ২৩

২২ ১৫ ৬

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-17138475 - - - -এ

ব ব ব ব mdash এ

এ এ এ

-৮

এ এ এ এ

এ ও

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 47: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

47

এ ও

ও ও

ও ও এ ও

ও এ এ ও ও ও

ও ও

এ এ ও

-৮ ও

এ এ এ এ

ও এ এ এ

এ এ

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-19138682 - - - - - --mdash

ব ব ব ব - ও

- এ - ও

- ১১

- এ ৭ এ -

৪০-৫০ ৩ - ৭০ এ

১১ ১১ ২০২০ - ২

২০০৯ -

- এ mdash ও

এ ও

ও এ এ ও -

এ ও - এ

ও -

ও এ

ও এ

- এ এ এ

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

কযরফা

Source httpwwwsharebazarnewscomarchives90841

Page 48: Daily News Flash, 19th November, 2017 News Flash, 19th November, 2017 3 Tarasima Apparels won the award in the readymade garment category for annual export turnover of up to $100 million

Daily News Flash 19th November 2017

48

ও - এ mdash

- ও এ

- ( - ) ৬২৫ ও ও

এ - ও এ

- - ও এ

ও ও ও

- এ ( ) এ

( ) এ

- এ mdash

- ও এ ও -

এ -

Source httpbonikbartanetbanglanews2017-11-18138609- - - -এ -

ডিডিডিনড দেডে না ইউনাইডেি এয়ার েযেসাা সচল করডে ডিডসমবডর চডি করডে জজফাজারয তাজরকাবকত ভরভণ ও অফকা খারতয ককামপাজন ইউনাইরেড এয়াযওরয়জ জরজভরেড ৩০জন ২০১৬ ভাপত অথথফছরযয জনয ককান পরকায

জডজবরডনড কঘালণা করযজন ককামপাজনয ফযফা চর কযরত আরযক ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নট কবঞচায চজকত আগাভী জডরমবয জকিংফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ

জদরকই চজকত কযা রফ

ককামপাজনটিয ফযফসথানা জযচারক কযারেন তাজবরর আরভদ কচৌধযী কয়াযফাজাযজনউজ ডেকভরক এ তথয জনজিত করযরছন

জতজন ফররন ফষপজতফারযয বায় ২০১৫-২০১৬ ভাপত ফছরযয জডজবরডনড িংকরানত লথদ বা রয়রছ ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ না থাকায় আভযা

জডজবরডনড না কদওয়ায জদধানত জনরয়জছ তরফ কযকডথ কডে এফিং এজজএরভয তাজযখ চড়ানত কযা য়জন আভারদয তজফর িংগররয জনয আররাজচত

ফছরযয জনযীকষা জাফ চড়ানত কযা রয়রছ মা জডএই এফিং জফএইজ-কক াঠারনা রয়রছ জডরমবরযয ভরধয ৩০ জন ২০১৭ ভাপত ফছরযয জনযীকষা

জাফ অনরভাদন কযা রফ আভারদয ফযফারক এজগরয় জনরত পরজতরফদনগররা চড়ানত অনরভাদন কযা রে

জতজন আরযা ফররন দীঘথজদন ধরয আভারদয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ ফনধ যরয়রছ তাই জফভানগররাও অচর অফসথায় যরয়রছ কামথকরভ চর যাখরত

পররয়াজনীয় অরথথয জনয আভযা জফজবনন পরজতষঠারন ধযনা জদরয়জছ জকনত আানর পর াওয়া মায়জন ফথরল ৩০ জন ২০১৬ ভাপত জাফ ফছরযয

জনযীজকষত ফাজলথক পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রয়রছ ২০১৬-২০১৭ জাফ ফছরযয জনযীজকষত পরজতরফদন অনরভাদন রর আইজজফ কথরক অথথ িংগররয

কামথকরভ শর কযা রফ জকনত এরতা ভয় মথনত অরকষা না করয একটি এয়ায রাইনস ককামপাজনয রে জরয়নটরবঞচারয ফযফাজয়ক কামথকরভ নযায়

শর কযায জনয চজকত কযা রফ গত ফষপজতফায লথদ বায় এ জনরয় আররাচনা রয়রছ এখরনা চড়ানত জদধানত য়জন আগাভী জডরমবরযয করল

অথফা জানয়াজযয পরথভ জদরক ককামপাজনটিয রে চজকত সবাকষয রফ মথা ভরয় এ জফলরয় আভযা জফজনরয়াগকাযী এফিং িংজিষট কযগররেযরদয অফজত

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