business
Remitters will get Tk 107.5 per dollar instead of Tk 108 from Oct 1
Expatriate Bangladeshis will get maximum Tk 107.5 per US dollar instead of Tk 108, for remittance from October 1, 2022.
Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) and Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association (BAFEDA) have set this rate for remittance next month – to stabilize the forex market.
Economists are saying controlling the exchange rate would have negative impact on the current inward remittance flow.
Read: Bangladesh received over $1 billion remittance in Sep 1-15
Economist and Chairman of PRI, Ahsan H Mansur, told UNB that this is not the right decision to attract more remittance when the kerb market rate is over Tk 114 per dollar.
It may encourage sending money through illegal channels, which does not help in resolving the forex crisis, he said.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of CPD, also said that controlling exchange rate is not helpful when market demand for forex is expanding.
Read:Uniform rate: Tk 108/dollar max for remittance, Tk 99/dollar for export income from tomorrow
He said several rates for US dollar will create discrepancies and discourage remittance flow.
The illegal sector will be encouraged while exchange rate difference between banks and kerb market will be widened, Prof. Mustafizur said.
According to the decision of the meeting held on Monday, remitters will get maximum Tk 107.5 per US dollar. Earlier on September 11, ABB and BAFEDA fixed the maximum price of a dollar at Tk 108 for remittance.
Read Explainer: What it means to let taka float
The dollar rate of export income monetization will remain at Tk 99 per dollar as before. In the case of payment of import liabilities and inter-bank transactions, price of dollar will be Tk 1 higher than the average price of a dollar bought from expatriate and export earnings.
At the end of the meeting, BAFEDA Chairman Afzal Karim told the reporters, “There was supposed to be a price review from time to time to keep the dollar market normal.”
“In continuation of this, we have decided the new price. The new price will be effective from October 1,” he said.
Read How to safely send remittance to Bangladesh?
Durga Puja: Nagad offers up to 20% discount on shopping
On the occasion of Durga Puja in 2022, mobile financial services provider Nagad has come up with a cashback or discount of up 20 percent in three categories at over 50 brand outlets.
They will enjoy cashback or discount on Nagad payments in the lifestyle, e-commerce, and restaurant categories, according to a media statement.
Customers may receive up to 20 percent instant cashback in the lifestyle category while shopping from brands such as Baby Shop, Top Ten, Rise, K Kraft, Anjans, Raw Nation, Rang Bangladesh, Bishwa Rang, Sailor, Cat's Eye Limited, and Sara Lifestyle.
Read Mastercard credit card bill payment: Nagad offers up to Tk 400 cashback
They will receive the cashback if they make the payment at selected merchant outlets using Nagad Merchant QR or Nagad Merchant Pay options.
Also, they can enjoy up to 50 percent discount on online shopping while making payment through SSL Gateway. The offer is available at online brands in various categories, including apparel, furniture, and electronics. It will be valid till October 5.
Nagad is also offering up to 20 percent instant cashback on payments at selected sweets and food stores.
Read Durga Puja fervour grips Bangladesh
Besides Durga Puja shopping, customers can enjoy this offer at many restaurants, including Well Food, Classic Sweets, Banglar Sweets, Cake Story, and Banker's Cafe and Restaurant. The cashback or discount offer on Nagad payments will be available till October 30.
USAID Trade Activity publishes Easy Export Series for Bangladeshi agro exporters
The USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity published the Easy Export Series for the Bangladeshi fresh fruit and vegetable, frozen foods, and processed food exporters to understand compliance with international food safety standards.
On Monday, the Trade Activity launched the first of the series, ‘Food safety guidelines for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to Europe’ at the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the capital.
AHM Ahsan, Vice Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau was the Chief Guest of the ceremony where Dr Syed Md Rafiqul Amin, Director, Plant Quarantine Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension, and Professor Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed, Chairman, Department of, Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University were the special guests.
The event was chaired by Mashuk Al Hossain, Deputy Chief of Party, Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity.
According to the Trade Activity officials, the Easy Export Series will be released quarterly, with the first module addressing Bangladesh’s regulatory requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables; the second module will address the EU’s food safety requirements for the import of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The third module will address international food safety requirements for food processors in GCC countries, and the fourth module will tackle the food chain traceability system.
The USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity supports the Government of Bangladesh in bolstering economic growth and food security by improving trade facilitation, enhancing market access, and improving the business-enabling market.
The Activity provides technical assistance, training, institutional strengthening, and other direct support to the Government of Bangladesh and non-governmental partners. It also promotes greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organizations.
Interview Anxiety: How to calm your nerves and avoid stress
Regardless of the level of education and professional knowledge, interviews are stressful experiences for most job seekers. Stressed candidates often discover that they cannot articulate their responses to the interview questions properly despite having extensive knowledge or training. Though advanced preparation can make you confident, some tips can help you overcome interview anxieties.
Reasons behind Severe Interview Anxiety
Humans have ventured their way up from a lowly dull-headed origin to the pinnacle of civilization. But when people strip away their sophisticated technology and trendy clothing, they reveal a fragile, insecure creature that still lies dormant beneath. These creatures are still driven by crude animal instincts that determine how they behave.
When considering stressful circumstances, giving in to those impulses is tempting and allowing them to run the show. A job interview may bring forth the most robust stream of emotions, throwing the most level-headed people off balance.
Read Best Job Searching Websites in Bangladesh
It is the brain's approach to strengthening the body for defense against unexpected occurrences. The adrenaline produced by the nerve raises the body's blood pressure. While preparing for an uncertain event, this might seem like nervousness.
Feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, worry and fear might leave you with the impression that you will botch the whole situation. Knowing the fundamental reasons your nerves take over enables you to regain control and use your nerves as positive and productive energy. The trick to easing your pre-interview anxiety is approaching the interview with a confident attitude.
Practical Interview Anxiety Tips to Deal with the Fear of Interviews
Prepare Yourself for the Worst-Case Scenario
Whatever your scariest fear is, there must be a solution.
Before the interview, silly fears might appear in your mind, such as, "do I have lettuce in your teeth?" To avoid such stress, you can carry a tiny mirror and dental floss in your bag.
Read Considering a Career Change? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
Are you afraid of not having a solid answer to a challenging question? It can happen to anybody. Learn how to conceal your discomfort and reply smartly when you do not know the answer.
By planning, you can be confident that even if the worst-case scenario occurs, you are more than equipped to manage it.
Be More Organized
Studying is pointless if you arrive too late to take the exam. Therefore, one of the most straightforward and efficient strategies to reduce anxiety is to be organized.
Read Perfect Resume: 12 Effective Tips for writing a professional CV
Being organized means doing some necessary actions to ensure that your interview goes successfully. These actions include preparing your suitcase or certificate file, arranging your attire for attaining the interview, knowing your precise route to the interview place, obtaining sufficient sleep the night before, getting up early on the interview day, eating a decent meal, and reaching the place on time.
Rehearse Yourself
Find a place in your home or room, where you won't be disturbed by anybody. Now, conduct an interview with yourself. While rehearsing for the interview, you may come across subjects or questions you can’t remember. In this situation, don’t get anxious, keep notes and study later. Thus, with the cooperation of your physical self, you can get mentally prepared for an interview.
If the area where you practice includes a mirror, then stand in front of it to notice your own expressions. Try to notice your facial expressions carefully in order to identify any expressions that are out of place. Some expressions might give the interviewer the impression that you are not maintaining your composure.
Read Effective tips for hunting jobs during pandemic
Eat Properly
You can hardly provide convincing replies during an interview with an empty stomach. Therefore, make sure you have eaten properly before attaining the interview.
A good meal is a perfect way to kick off a successful interview. It would be wise to choose the healthier options, which are often high in antioxidants known to enhance energy levels. However, some people may indulge in their favorite comfort foods.
All that matters is finding one that works for you. Try to avoid oily and spicy foods. Avoid drinking too much water or beverages before entering the interview room.
Read How to be a Confident English Speaker?
Train Your Mind to Handle Stress
Not all aspects of human nerves are negative. The spike of adrenaline you experience when you are frightened before a job interview might assist you in being aware and engaged throughout the process.
When you feel nervous during or before an interview, you should tell yourself that you are excited rather than telling yourself that you need to calm down. This is because telling yourself that you must calm down only worsens your nerves. Try to channel all that extra adrenaline towards getting you excited and bringing out your passion for the character you're playing.
Watch Your Body Language
You may display more tension than you would want to express during a job interview. Now, how to prevent it?
Read How to ace a Job Interview?
It is essential to ensure that you will be able to finish the interview without unnatural movement. Try to convey an impression of self-assurance and vitality by sitting in a way that is both comfortable and attentive.
During the interview, it is not acceptable to sit in a reclined position, nor should you perch on the edge of your seat. Instead, it would be the most effective if you work toward striking a balance between the two places by maintaining an upright and engaged posture while avoiding the appearance of being flighty.
Conclusion
The people conducting the interview are aware that job seekers stay nervous during the interviews. Still, you need to learn to minimize interview stress. Severe anxieties during the interview can hamper your power of thinking clearly and make you forget many known answers. To avoid such situations, prepare your mind, body, and nerves to handle the stress.
Read Psychometric Tests in Recruitment: How to prepare for it
So far, we have discussed some efficient and practical tips to handle your pre-interview anxiety and stay calm during the interview session. Hope it helps!
Walton says its Smart TV getting great response in Ireland
Bangladesh’s leading multinational electronics brand Walton’s android smart television is apparently getting a great response in Ireland – displayed and sold in one of the largest retail stores, DID Electrical.
It's a milestone towards the market expansion of Walton's business in Europe and also achieving the vision of becoming a top global consumer electronics brand, said a press release.
Syed Al Imran, vice-president of Walton’s Global Business Division (GBD) and also in-charge of the Europe market, said, “This year, Walton TV expanded its brand business to some European countries including Ireland.”
Walton delivered the first shipment of its 32, 43 and 55-inch android Smart TV to Ireland in April last. Ireland’s renowned consumer electronics appliance company, Sommer Limited, is marketing the Walton brand television, he added.
Read: Walton expands TV business in Georgia
Walton TV’s Chief Business Officer (CBO) Engineer Mostafa Nahid Hossain said the market expansion of TV exports to Ireland is a milestone towards achieving Walton's ‘Go Global 2030’ vision.
Geographically, Ireland is a promising market. Great Britain is its neighbouring country. Walton TV export to Ireland has created the opportunities to expand its brand business to market of Great Britain, he said
Walton is now exporting 'Made in Bangladesh' labelled TVs to more than 35 countries through its hundreds of global business partners. The European market holds almost 95 percent of the total exports of Walton TV.
Bangladesh business delegation to explore trade, investment opportunities in Türkiye
An 86-member business delegation from Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) will leave for Istanbul, Türkiye on Tuesday on a four-day visit.
DCCI President Rizwan Rahman will be leading the business delegation.
The purpose of the visit will be to explore a new scope of business and investment cooperation especially in the diverse manufacturing, general trading and service sectors with a view to identify potential business partners for joint venture investment, attract FDI from Türkiye to Bangladesh and vice versa.
Bangladesh and Türkiye have been maintaining a friendly diplomatic and economic relation since ages, said the chamber body on Monday ahead of the visit.
The long standing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye reached a “new height” with increasing trade and investment cooperation in diverse areas.
To steer this friendly economic relation, the DCCI is leading the business delegation to Istanbul, Türkiye.
During this business trip, the delegation will have several interactive business meetings with one of the largest Chambers in the world, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK).
Moreover, there will be Türkiye-Bangladesh Business Forum, business to business (B2B) match-makings, industry visits and meetings with the Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet MUS. Members of the DCCI business delegation will also visit a few Industrial Zones of Turkey.
Bdjobs’ technical job fair in Dhaka tomorrow; 60 companies to offer jobs
Bdjobs.com has organized a technical job fair to recruit more than 5,000 workers for 60 leading companies of the country.
The job fair will be held at the PSC Convention Hall in Mirpur on Tuesday from 9 am-5 pm, said Prakash Roy Chowdhury, director of bdjobs.com.
Thirty-thousand different technical professionals and certificate or diploma holders have already registered online to apply for jobs at the fair, said a press release.
This job fair is for those who have been working as Nurse, Health Technologists, Chef, Waiter, Electrician, Plumber, Mechanic, Technician, Graphic Designing, Driver, Carpenter and other technical professions.
Read: Job Circular: 15 job opportunities in Walton
BdJobs.com organised such fair aiming to establishing an easy connection between skilled technical workers and the companies.
Executive Chairman (Secretary) of National Skills Development Authority, Nasrin Afroz will inaugurate the job fair as chief guest. Md Ali Akbar Khan, Chairman, Bangladesh Technical Education Board and Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) of a2i, Nahid Sultana Mallik will be present in the inauguration session as special guest.
A2i in collaboration with BRAC Skill Development Institute, have assisted bdjobs.com to organize the technical job fair.
BdJobs organises technical job fairs in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet every year.
Bangladesh's RMG bracing for next phase of growth: BGMEA
Bangladesh's apparel industry is increasingly focusing on product diversification, innovation, technology upgradation and skill development to enhance its capabilities and competitiveness in the global market in the coming days, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice-President Shahidullah Azim said.
He was speaking at a 16th senior basic intelligence course 2022 event organised by the National Security Intelligence Training Institute in Dhaka Sunday.
The readymade garments (RMG) industry is focusing on diversifying products, especially man-made fibre-based products as part of its strategy of shifting from volume to value and quantity to quality, the BGMEA vice-president said.
"Globally the share of cotton textile and clothing consumption is 25 percent only, but 75 percent of Bangladesh's RMG product is concentrated on cotton. This means we have tremendous opportunities in this segment."
MoU signed between BCCCI, CEAB
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) for forging closer working cooperation for enhancing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The MoU was signed at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, Purbachal, Dhaka on Saturday, said a media release on Sunday.
The MoU stipulated to remain valid initially for one year, was initialed by Al Mamun Mridha, acting General of BCCCI and Han Jingchao, Vice President of CEAB on behalf of their respective organizations.
State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming and Mahbub Uz Zaman, former Bangladesh Ambassador to China, BCCCI President Gazi Golum Murtoza CEAB President Ke Changlian were present in the MoU signing ceremony.
The areas of cooperation would include enhancing communication and cooperation between the two organizations, devote themselves to build the much expected Sonar Bangla (Golden Bangladesh) at the earliest time, and promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China, development, to build a trade relationship that extends businesses and facilitating business in addition to promoting cultural exchange, friendship and commerce between each member enterprises, to form a Joint Task Force (JTF) and incorporate a joint forum to be able to exchange views and ideas, to address the existing and potential trade disputes occurred among enterprises, to carry out regular dialogue at committee member levels.
Read: BCCCI-ERF Award launched
Besides, exchanging views on Visa Processing, Bank Risk Management, Establishment of Chinese Bank in Bangladesh, Free Trade Zone, Legal Consulting, Dispute Settlement, Investor Promotion, Publicity, Member Management and other affairs etc.
The other key areas of cooperation include enhancing communication with the related Departments of Bangladesh Government, Chinese Embassy to Bangladesh, and other Government bodies, enhancing the interaction with other domestic and foreign Chambers of commerce/Associations/Organizations and Trade bodies, ensure the management and supervision of the members of the two organizations to understand, abide and be bound by the related laws and regulations, inviting each other to attend related forums, events and activities etc.
Without reforms, Bangladesh’s GDP could fall below 4% by 2035: World Bank study
World Bank, in a study, has found three obstacles to Bangladesh’s economic reform. Without massive reforms, Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) could fall below 4 percent by 2035, it said.
The three obstacles are declining trade competitiveness, a weak and vulnerable financial sector, and unbalanced and inadequate urbanization. If these three obstacles can be addressed, the development will get a boost and growth will be more sustainable, the study noted.
According to the World Bank report, Bangladesh has been one of the top 10 fastest-growing countries in the world for several decades. But there is no reason to be complacent. Economic boom is never a permanent trend, the report said.
Also read: Bangladesh’s GDP likely to grow by 6.6% in FY 2023: ADB
Growth in fast-developing countries is always at high risk. Few countries have sustained high growth for long periods. Only one-third of the countries in the top 10 continued to experience high growth over the next decade, the report said.
World Bank has made some recommendations to sustain economic growth. For example, to maintain growth in exports, products should be diversified.
Apart from this, Bangladesh’s tariff rate is higher than other countries, due to which the trade capacity is decreasing.
Also read: Commit 2% of GDP to climate finance each year: civil society organisations
Regarding the banking sector, World Bank said, it will play an important role in future economic development. Although the financial sector has improved in the last four decades, it is still not sufficient, the report said.
On the other hand, urbanization is essential for Bangladesh’s next development stage. Attention should be paid to balanced urbanization, the report said.
Ahsan H. Mansur, Executive Director of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh and a former IMF official said, “I fully agree with what the World Bank has said. Our first-generation reform is done. The second and third-generation reforms were to take place. But we have not yet initiated the second-generation reforms.”
Read Do more to support micro, small, medium-sized enterprises: UN
Bangladesh is gradually falling behind other countries, including Vietnam. “With the current policies, we cannot take per capita income to $12,000. We have no alternative to human resource development.” He added.