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9th ATR 72–600 added to US-Bangla Airlines fleet
US-Bangla Airlines, one of the largest private airlines in Bangladesh, added one more ATR 72–600 aircraft to its fleet on Sunday .
With the new addition the number of US-Bangla Airlines aircraft now stood at 20, said a press release.
Shanta Securities launches share trading App 'Shanta EasyTrade'
Shanta Securities Limited, one of the leading brokerage houses in the stock market, launched the trading app, 'Shanta EasyTrade' on Sunday.Using this application empowers both existing and new investors with the ability to conveniently monitor market conditions, compare options, and execute trades from anywhere, at any time, said Quazi Assaduzzaman, Chief Executive Officer of Shanta Securities Limited.Harnessing over a year of meticulous development, Shanta Securities Ltd has created a robust platform that caters to the evolving needs of stock market participants, he said.
Steps required to increase incomes, minimize inequality: Dr FarashuddinWith Shanta EasyTrade, users can effortlessly navigate the complexities of the stock market, ensuring a seamless and rewarding trading experience, he said.Shanta EasyTrade is optimistic to set a new standard in online trading in Bangladesh. The app can be downloaded from both Google Play Store and App Store.
All BRTA fee payments now hassle-free through NagadShanta Securities is operating share trading with a large number of clients in the Dhaka Stock Exchange since 2014.
Steps required to increase incomes, minimize inequality: Dr Farashuddin
Former governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin on Saturday said steps should be taken to increase people's earning capacity while minimizing inequality and poverty.
He emphasized inclusive economic activities for sustainable development and reducing the country's inequality level.
READ: Companies that have not paid dividends yet will be penalised: BSEC Chairman
Dr Farashuddin said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting titled ‘Indomitable Bangladesh in Development Progress’ organized by the Education Research and Development Forum, Bangladesh (ERDFB) at the National Press Club on Saturday.
He said, employment will be increased by increasing industrialization, then the incomes of people will go up.
“I have seen in my research that if the GDP growth is 10 percent, and if the population growth is 1 percent, then the national income doubles every 7 years,” Dr Farashuddin said.
READ: BB extends small digital loans fund to Tk 500 crore, considering growing demand
Speakers of the program also said Bangladesh will be the 29th economy in the world by 2030 and 23rd by 2050. And in 2026, Bangladesh will debut as a middle-income country, and in 2041 as a developed country.
Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) member and president of ERDFB Professor Dr. Md Sajjad Hossain presided over the program. Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Jessore University of Science and Technology Professor Dr Anowar Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Rangamati Science and Technology University Selina Hossain, among others, spoke in the function.
All BRTA fee payments now hassle-free through Nagad
All fees for the services provided by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) can now be paid in the comfort of people’s homes through Nagad, a leading mobile financial service in Bangladesh.
A recent agreement in this connection signed between Nagad and Computer Network Systems Limited, a digital payment service provider of BRTA, has paved the way for customers to easily pay all types of fees against services, such as motor vehicle registration, issuance and renewal driving license, transfer of ownership, digital registration certificate, issuance and renewal of motor vehicles fitness, tax token and route permit, says a press release on Saturday.
They no longer have to physically visit banks or BRTA-designated locations for the service fee payments.
Read: Dhaka’s Mahbub Haider wins Nagad’s BMW car
Customers will get an E-receipt in Nagad payment system as soon as they pay fees of BRTA services through Nagad payment gateway. Showing it, they can collect the original receipts from banks or BRTA-designated locations at their convenient time without facing any hassle of standing in long queues.
To pay BRTA services fees using Nagad, a customer needs to log in to the BRTA service portal and select respective services from the menu bar on the left. Then, he or she will put in their NID number and date of birth. After that, they will choose their desired service name and go to the payment confirmation window that will give a view of all the information inserted for checking. Then, they need to select the Nagad payment gateway and enter a Nagad account number in the gateway. The payment will be completed with one-time password (OTP) and Nagad PIN.
Read: Nagad now has 8 crore customers
A customer has to pay a 1.5 percent convenience charge for paying BRTA fees through Nagad, which must be paid at the time of processing the payment. Any problems with respect to availing BRTA services through Nagad will be resolved within seven working days. Besides, customers can dial BRTA hotline number 16107 or 09610 990 998 from Sunday to Thursday: 9am to 4pm.
Md Shihab Uddin Chowdhury, chief commercial officer of Nagad Ltd., said, “Our customers no longer have to wait for hours in long queues for paying fees for BRTA services. Now, such payments using Nagad will save working hours, eventually helping our country take another step towards a cashless society.”
Read: Nagad dangles ‘Ek Takar’ offer on GP mobile recharge
Currently, customers can easily pay electricity, gas, water and other utility bills through Nagad. Besides, salaries of various educational institutions, insurance premiums, loan instalments, credit card bills, etc. can be paid by the MFS carrier.
US-Bangla to add 9th ATR 72–600 aircraft to its fleet
US-Bangla Airlines, one of the largest private airlines in Bangladesh, is going to add its ninth ATR 72-600 aircraft to its fleet.
The aircraft is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday (23 July) at 4pm, said a press release on Saturday.
Read: US-Bangla Airlines celebrates its 9th founding anniversary
With the addition of the new ATR 72-600, the US-Bangla fleet will increase to a total of 20 aircraft, reads the release.
The new aircraft has 72 seats and it will be used to operate flights on various domestic routes and Kolkata.
Read: US-Bangla to start Dhaka-Delhi direct flights from July end
It is scheduled to be officially received by senior officials of US-Bangla Airlines at the airport.
US-Bangla Airlines currently operates regular flights on all domestic routes as well as international routes to Kolkata, Chennai, Male, Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Guangzhou.
Read: US-Bangla secures 5th position in ‘Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023’
Besides, there are plans to add six wide-body aircraft to the US-Bangla fleet this year.
Huawei celebrates its 25 years’ journey in Bangladesh
Huawei, a Chinese multinational technology corporation, celebrated its 25 years of journey in Bangladesh.
Planning Minister MA Mannan, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and President of Huawei South Asia Region Pan Junfeng attended the grand celebration.
Read: Teletalk signs deal with Huawei to strengthen nationwide network
Ambassador Yao said over the past 25 years, Huawei has witnessed and participated in the leapfrog development of the information and communications sector in Bangladesh.
Read: Huawei introduces innovative solutions of IntelligentCore at MWC Shanghai 2023
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.
"With the joint efforts of both sides, China and Bangladesh have achieved positive results in the field of information and communications. China is a true friend of Bangladesh and the ultimate realization of "Smart Bangladesh", as part of Vision 2041, couldn't be achieved without China. China is very willing to participate in it," the ambassador added.
Read more: Huawei organizes workshop for local PV solution installers
Bajus fixes gold price to over Tk 1 lakh per bhori
The Gold Jewellers became costlier and marked its price at Tk1,00,777 per bhori for the first time in the country.
Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (Bajus) on Thursday announced the price hike, said a press release.
The price of good quality 22 carat gold has been increased by Tk2, 333 per bhori.
This price is the highest ever in the country.
The press release was signed by MA Hannan Azad, Chairman of Bajus Price Determination and Price Monitoring Standing Committee on Thursday.
According to the notification, the price of acidic gold has increased in the local market. Considering the overall situation, Bajus has fixed the new price of gold. It will be implemented from Friday (July 21).
The price of 21 carat solid gold is Tk96228, 18 carat is Tk82464 and the traditional gold price is Tk68701. The price of gold has been increased but the price of silver has been kept unchanged.
Earlier on June 7, Bajus fixed the price of gold which was effective from June 8.
According to that price till Thursday top quality or 22 carat gold was being sold at Tk98, 444 per bhori. The price of 21 carat solid gold was Tk93, 954 and 18 carat was Tk80, 540 and the traditional gold price was Tk67, 126.
Companies that have not paid dividends yet will be penalised: BSEC Chairman
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat-ul-Islam said the listed companies that have not deposited the portion of the undistributed dividend to the Capital Market Stabilisation Fund (CMSF), will be penalised soon after the audit report.
He said the regulator will not allow investors' assets to remain in others' possession.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Risk Management Framework of CMSF' organised by the Capital Market Stabilisation Fund (CMSF) authority in the capital on Thursday.
Read: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is on the rise in developing countries: IFAD
CMSF Chairman and former Chief Secretary to Prime Minister Najibur Rahman presided over the event.
Professor Shibli said that Tk225 crore has already been invested in the stock market from the CMSF.
In the first year, the profit from this fund was Tk11 crore and expect more to come this year, he said.
Those who come here to invest will pay Tk2 crore, we will also give Tk2 crore, the BSEC Chairman said.
Read: AIBL organizes business performance meeting
Professor Shibli said, “We are trying to create a stable market from all sides.”
He expressed hope that when the trading of government bonds starts in the capital market, the transaction will increase from Tk1000 crore to much more.
He said, “There is a confidence crisis in the market. From there, we are working to get back the confidence of the investors. Hopefully, we will get success in our efforts soon. Because in our work, I will take advice from you, that is, the people related to the market, which work to do first.”
The former governor of Bangladesh Bank Mohammad Farasuddin said the capital market needs to be strengthened by releasing banks from long-term liabilities.
President of FBCCI Jasim Uddin said that the capital market is progressing and could have done better.
“Our investors invest without understanding; many consider it as a fixed deposit. It is never expected. It will be difficult to get funds from this market if it goes to big business,” he said.
Dhaka’s Mahbub Haider wins Nagad’s BMW car
Pahlowan Mahbub Haider, a resident from Dhaka, finally won the BMW car in the mega payment campaign of mobile financial service organization ‘Nagad’ after securing the top position with 4, 73, 027 votes cast by its customers across the country.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar finally announced the name of the lucky winner Mahbub Haider at a grand event in a five-star hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Minister Jabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Nagad Limited Tanvir A Mishuk and film star Ananta Jalil handed over the vehicle’s key to Mahbub Haider.
In the final stage of the campaign, Nagad got the top 10 out of the 71 shortlisted people through voting.
Sylvia Yaseen from Chattogram secured the second position with 4, 11,813 votes. Saidur Rahaman Sohel from Cox’s Bazar grabbed the third position with 3, 34,099 votes.
In terms of votes, other people in the top-10 list included Md Nasim from Bhola, Abu Sayed Bin Shovon from Cumilla, Sanzida Yasmin Mili from Jashore, Sajjad Ahammad from Noakhali, Nehrin Nosin from Rangpur, Md Wasim Akram from Chapainawabganj and Md Masum Mridha from Barishal.
Read: Nagad now has 8 crore customers
A total of 45, 39,055 votes were cast during the campaign.
Winner Mahbub Haider expressed his feelings by saying, “I would consider myself an ambassador of bad luck. But today, I’m speechless and cannot believe my eyes that I have won a BMW car. I might be able to give my reactions tomorrow when I become normal,”
Congratulating the winner, Minister Mustafa as the chief guest said, “From the very beginning, Nagad has been doing one after another wonders. Giving this BMW car as a gift under a payment campaign is the latest one.”
Talking about such a massive arrangement, Tanvir A Mishuk said, “The BMW campaign is not just a campaign; rather it is a big initiative to help the country move towards a Smart Bangladesh.”
“I believe such a payment campaign will play a significant role in establishing a cashless society in Bangladesh,” he added.
Read: Nagad offers smart payment option at cattle markets
Cricketers Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim congratulated the BMW winner and other participants in separate video messages.
The mega payment campaign, which started in the last week of March and ended on 30 June, has earned a massive response from people across the country. Over the last three months, Nagad’s transactions, mainly in the form of merchant payments and mobile recharge, have reached a record high, riding on this mega BMW campaign.
Through random selection in phases using “Bangla AI”, 71 people out of crores were shortlisted at the end of the campaign. Later, Nagad customers across the country caste vote for their favourite candidates for the BMW car by logging into their Nagad accounts.
Earlier, as part of the campaign, a show titled “Ke Jitbe BMW?” (Who will win BMW?) was telecast on more than one TV channels, with the participation of popular celebrities and social media influencers as guests.
In the final episode, Bangladesh Cricket team’s star cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim was present as the special guest.
Read more: Nagad dangles ‘Ek Takar’ offer on GP mobile recharge
To finalise the list of candidates for the BMW car, in keeping with Mushfiqur’s ODI fifties, 44 people from 37 districts were initially picked using “Bangla AI”. Later, the number was raised to 71 as Mushfiqur suggested that at least one person from each district be included in the final list.
Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement must continue to avert human catastrophe: Business leaders
Bangladesh’s business leaders on Wednesday said they strongly support withdrawal of sanctions and Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) agreement must continue to avert human catastrophe.
“The businesses strongly support withdrawal of sanctions and allow payments, insurance and shipping of Russia's own agricultural exports to ensure extension of BSGI agreement for further terms as it is a vital lifeline for global food security,” they said in a joint press statement.
The Bangladesh businesses are “concerned” about the disruption of smooth supply of wheat to feed millions of people around the world due to Russia’s decision to axe the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) from 17 July.
Russia pulls out of Black Sea grain deal at time of growing hunger
The discontinuation of BSGI will not only cause man-made human catastrophe but also fail to contain the already sky-rocketed global inflation, said the business leaders.
Under BSGI 32 million metric tons of foodstuffs were exported from three Ukrainian ports to 45 countries across three continents – with the proportion of wheat exported through the Black Sea to least developed economies remaining largely unchanged from pre-war levels.
What is Black Sea Grain Initiative and why does it matter
Crucially, the World Food Programme humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen will be totally disrupted and lead to starvation of millions people, especially children.
Zelenskyy hails Ukraine's soldiers from a symbolic Black Sea island to mark 500 days of war
Continued facilitation of Ukrainian and Russian exports of food and fertilizers thus remains crucial to global food security, said the business leaders.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) President Md Jashim Uddin, International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB) President Mahbubur Rahman, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Md Sameer Sattar, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Md Saiful Islam, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Mahbubul Alam and Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) President Naser Ezaz Bijoy.
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