Business
Winners of Oppo F21 Pro Backlight Sunset Selfie contest announced
Global smart device brand Oppo recently announced the winners of Oppo F21 Pro Backlight Sunset Selfie contest that started a few days ago.
F21 Pro comes with Sony's IMX709 selfie sensor and RGBW technology.
Also Read: Oppo, Google collaborate on Android 13 beta for Find N
During the Backlight Sunset Selfie contest, users were asked to capture a "perfect selfie" in a perfect sunset moment and submit their best selfies on the Oppo Bangladesh Facebook page.
The winners of the contest are Arifa Shobnom, ASM Shahriar Habib and Anika Nawar. They have received prizes, including dynamic headphones Oppo Enco W11 and an F21 Pro t-shirt signed by cricketer Shakib Al Hasan.
Read Oppo launches Eid campaign
Grameenphone observes Green Week 2022
Grameenphone employees observed "Green Week 2022" from May 16-19 to increase environmental awareness.
The focus of the week was to help employees understand how artificial activities influence the planet and its long-term impacts on the environment and to encourage them to adopt an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
Bangladesh, home to 167 million people, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Adverse effects of climate change will have profound repercussions on the economy and development of the country.
Also Read: Hans Martin new Grameenphone chief corporate affairs officer
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said: "It has been estimated that by 2050, one in every seven people in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change. We frequently overlook certain environmental and climate-damaging activities that can significantly hurt our ecosystems and global health if they remain unresolved."
"With the advent of digitalisation, we see more and more electronic devices being released, more energy being consumed, and more data being exchanged. We need to bring more efficiency to these processes and be wary of our energy consumption. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something – together, we can change the world."
"At Grameenphone, we have been coming up with green plans, partnering with some stakeholders to initiate dialogues and pick up activities to generate better environmental awareness in society. Raising awareness, innovation through low carbon technologies to create an inclusive and genuinely comprehensive mitigation scheme and unitedly increasing usage of renewable energy will contribute towards a greener tomorrow," Yasir said.
Read At 25, Grameenphone wants to become digital telco, contribute beyond connectivity
Grameenphone employees observed Green Week through different dedicated actions – using only reusable shopping bags, constantly turning off electronic equipment when not in use to save electricity, reducing meat consumption and food waste, and planting trees.
To encourage employees, a booth was placed at GPHouse, from where employees could get desired saplings throughout the week.
Meat-free day and single-use plastic-free day was also celebrated at the office on May 18 and 19.
Read Internet connectivity on the go: Grameenphone brings new 4G modems, routers.
Coca-Cola supports economic empowerment of marginalised women
Coca-Cola International Beverages Private Limited (IBPL) gave more than 30 sewing machines to the deputy commissioner of Mymensingh for the economic empowerment of marginalised women.
The women from Bhaluka and Trishal lost their jobs during the pandemic.
The district administration along with Mymensingh Youth Training Centre arranged a training programme for these women to make them financially independent and enable them to earn a good livelihood.
Also Read: Coca-Cola Bangladesh releases maiden Sustainability Highlights 2020
As a part of its corporate social responsibilities, Coca-Cola offered help to these women with sewing machines at a programme Monday in Mymensingh.
Coca-Cola IBPL Managing Director Tapas Kumar Mondal said, "We have offered support to the marginal and financially challenged people with various programmes as part of corporate social responsibilities, especially, during the Covid-19 outbreak."
"We have stepped further to accelerate developments of rural women in Bangladesh."
Read Coca-Cola Bangladesh releases maiden Sustainability Highlights 2020
Healthcare payments: Nagad offers discounts of up to Tk2,350
Mobile financial services provider Nagad's customers will get discounts while making payments for health checkup fees at several hospitals, mental health centres and dental care.
They will get a discount of up to Tk2,350 on Nagad payment for special health checkups at United Hospital till May 31.
For routine health checkups of customers or their loved ones, customers can buy a health card of Tk1,000 from Sakib 75 Health Care and get a discount of Tk600 if they make the payment through Nagad. The offer can be availed multiple times till July 15.
Also Read: Zakat can be donated to Islamic organisations through Nagad
Nagad is offering up to a 25 percent discount on certain services at Dhaka City Physiotherapy Hospital. The offer will be valid till 15 July.
Customers at Zaynax Health can get a 20 percent discount on healthcare by making a payment through Nagad, which will be valid through July 15.
They will get up to 50 percent discount on specific dental treatments at Dental Pixel Hospital on Nagad payment till July 15.
Read Eid: Nagad offers up to 35% cashback, discount on shopping
Customers can receive discounts of up to 15 percent and 5 percent while making payments for mental healthcare through Nagad at LifeSpring and Bangladesh Psychiatric. The offers will be valid till December 31 at LifeSpring and August 31 at Bangladesh Psychiatric Care.
BB depreciates taka by Tk 0.40 against US dollars
Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday depreciated taka by Tk0.40 re-fixing Bangladesh currency’s exchange rate against US dollar at Tk 87.90 to stabilize the volatile forex market.
This has been the fourth depreciation of taka against the greenback in past 27 days. Now a US dollar is selling at Tk 87.90 in the inter-bank money exchange.
Different commercial banks are selling cash dollars at five to six taka more. Dollars are being traded at Tk 97 to Tk 98 in the open market or Kerb market outside banks.
Also read: Dollar price decreases in kerb market, after a hefty raise
The BB has sold a total of $5.60 billion to different banks till May 12 of current fiscal year.
In the last FY 2020-21, the BB purchased over $8 billion from different commercial banks to keep the exchange rate of taka with the US dollar stable.
Banks received huge remittances last year, but they (banks) could not spend those due to Covid-induced fall of import demand.
Md. Serajul Islam, executive director and spokesperson of BB told UNB that the dollar price has been re-fixed at Tk 8.90.
Also read: Despite taka depreciating, banks selling dollars at Tk3-4 extra
Rising prices of other commodities, including fuel, in the global market and increased import pressure in the country have put pressure on the forex.
He said Bangladesh Bank is supplying dollars according to the demand of banks considering the market situation.
FBCCI: Tourism must grow enabling Bangladesh to achieve SDGs
The achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030 will be jolted unless a vigorous growth of tourism in the country, said the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Monday.
The FBCCI Standing Committee on Tourism Development (Inbound, Outbound, Domestic & Civil Aviation) stated this at its first meeting at its office here.
“At least 6 goals of the SDGs are directly and the rest are indirectly related to tourism. Therefore, if tourism is not flourished, the achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030 will be hampered,” the apex business association said.
Also read: Any rise in power, gas tariff to be suicidal: FBCCISpeakers at the meeting, meanwhile, said some 109 sectors are directly and 1100 sub-sectors indirectly linked with the tourism industry. Every single tourist creates 10 direct and 35 indirect employment opportunities.“Therefore, tourism should be treated as a priority sector” they demanded.Tour operators urged the government to officially announce the country open for foreign tourists as the government declared for overseas businesspeople.
Read Self-reliance in seed production essential for food security: FBCCIThey also demanded the resumption of the “on-arrival visa” facilities to encourage foreign tourists to come to Bangladesh.During the meeting, businesspeople called for issuing licenses to tour operators, recognizing them as exporters, easing the process of remitting money overseas, bringing tourist destinations under the tourism ministry, and ensuring security.
Speaking at the meeting FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the tourism Industry lacks skilled manpower. The industry may hire experienced managers and other staff from Sri Lanka to deal with the problem.
Also read: FBCCI President urges Canadian companies to invest in Bangladesh’s waste managementRecognizing the government's interest in the tourism sector Vice President MA Momen emphasized securing tourist spots.The coordination between public and private efforts has to be further enhanced, he added.Vice President Md. Amin Helaly called for developing the standard of hospitality services by undertaking skill development programs.
Read FBCCI to boost business with MexicoFBCCI director Syed Moazzem Hossain said the sector must work on compliance, identifying tourism products and country branding as well as rationalizing hotel, motel, and resort fares.FBCCI Director Amzad Hussain informed the meeting that currently, the Tourism sector contributes 3.5 to 4 percent to the GDP. This contribution has to be raised to 10 percent. Therefore, a coordinated course of action has to be formulated and implemented accordingly.The former CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board Akhtaruz Zaman Khan said that the BTB should incorporate FBCCI representation to bring the private sector demand into consideration.
Read Brand Bangladesh in a new way, FBCCI president urges entrepreneursThe Director in Charge of the standing committee M.G.R. Nasir Majumder assured that the FBCCI would continue to provide maximum assistance for the development of the tourism industry.The meeting was presided over by the chairman of the standing committee Taufiq Uddin Ahmed.Co-Chairman and the members of the committee, FBCCI Director Harun Or Rashid, and Secretary-General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were also present at the meeting.
Read Abolish supplementary duty on locally-produced goods: FBCCI president
BB moves to encourage greater flow of remittance to boost forex
Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn the provision of mandatory submission of documents for getting incentive against inward remittance of USD $ 5000 or Tk50, 0000 and upward, in a move to encourage greater inflow of remittance.
Kazi Rafiqul Hassan, general manager, foreign exchange department issued a circular on Monday withdrawing the document submission obligation for an indefinite period.
As a result, the remitters will get a 2.5 per cent instant incentive for any amount of remittance sent in the formal channel, without submitting documents to the foreign exchange houses abroad.
Also read: BB halts foreign trips of its officials, employees
The BB asked all the scheduled banks to execute the decision from May 23 (Monday).
In the current fiscal year Bangladesh so far received $18.62 billion in remittance.
In the last FY 21, Bangladesh received $24.77 billion remittance, so far the record high in a fiscal year.
The sector insiders said the inward remittance flow has decreased as the hundi and other illegal channels became active after withdrawing pandemic-induced travel ban.
The government encourages increased flow of remittance in the legal format as demand for foreign currency has grown due to meet import payments.
Bangladesh is witnessing an increasing import of capital machinery, industrial raw-materials, LPG-fuel oil and commodities swelling the import payments.
Also read: Bangladesh’s forex reserves cross $44 bn thanks to better inflow
Besides, the deferred payment of LCs done during the severe pandemic is scheduled for payment now.
According to the BB over $68 billion worth of LCs opened in the first 9 months of current FY 2021-22.
BYLC Ventures opens applications for 5th cohort
Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) Ventures has launched a new cohort for young entrepreneurs to help them make their mark in the business world.
After completing four cohorts, BYLC Ventures started taking applications for its fifth cohort on May 19.
BYLC Ventures was launched in 2019 to help young founders give shape to their entrepreneurial initiatives.
Also read: BYLC Ventures: Cohort 4 winners announced
The accelerator programme's goals include funding the most promising founders in Bangladesh and supporting their leadership capabilities, business acumen, and business ideas.
The winning teams of BYLC Ventures Cohort 5 will receive seed funding of Tk8 lakh with the option of a further Tk20 lakh in additional investment.
They will also have access to a co-working space, mentoring, and a rigorous accelerator curriculum for six months.
Read: BYLC Career Expo 2022: Learn Leadership Skills, Use Them, and Move Up in Your Career
Twenty startups have received seed funding and training from BYLC Ventures since its inception. They created employment opportunities for over 300 people and generated combined revenue of more than Tk3 crore.
"Young entrepreneurs continue to struggle to find a strong footing and get the right support to take their business forward," says Barisha Rabbe, senior manager at BYLC Ventures.
"We provide the ideal platform for young entrepreneurs. Apart from mentorship and networking support, we help them grow and scale up their ideas into sustainable businesses," he added.
Read BYLC launches Volunteer Awards 2021
Applications for the fifth cohort are open until June 24.
Finance minister directs regulators to boost investment in stock market
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal at a meeting with Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Fazle Kabir and other senior officials of the ministry asked them to work for boosting stock market investment.
He said the economy of Bangladesh stands on a strong base and growth position is very positive, but the unstable situation of the stock market is not acceptable.
Also read: Finance minister directs regulators to boost investment in stock market
Despite the Russia-Ukraine war and Covid-19 pandemic the economic growth of Bangladesh will continue, he said.
Kamal on Sunday gave several directives to the BB and Bangladesh Security and Exchange Commission (BSEC) for immediate implementation to boost the stock market
In order to attract capital in the market, state-owned investment institution ICB has been instructed to keep the bank's investment outside the investment limit or exposure limit of this institution in the capital market.
It has also been decided to double the size of the Tk150-crore funds given to the ICB for small investors, which had expired.
Also read:Finance minister hints at hard decisions due to Russia-Ukraine war
The finance minister asked for increased tenure of the funds along with doubling the funds’ size. The investments will be made from this fund from Monday, the finance ministry sources said.
Finance Secretary Abdur Rauf Talukder and Secretary of Financial Institutions Division Sheikh Mohammad Salim Ullah were also present at the meeting.
Govt working to strengthen BSTI global standard: Minister
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Sunday said the government is implementing a massive plan to establish a modern wel-equipped laboratory to enhance the capacity of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI).
Humayun said there is no alternative to boost the capacity of BSTI like in developed countries to certify Bangladesh goods and products in the global markets.
Also read:ACC to submit report after drive at BSTI
The minister said this while addressing a seminar at BSTI auditorium held on the occasion of World Metrology day.
This year the day is being observed on the theme of ‘Metrology in the digital era’. The BSTI has organized different programmess in Dhaka and its regional offices to mark the day.
Zakia Sultana, secretary of the industries ministry, said that BSTI conducted 1666 ‘mobile court’ operations from May 2021 to April 2022.
Around 2985 cases were filed, resulting in a fine of Tk14.96 crore while the 2019 surveillance team of the entity conducted the drive.
Also read:BSTI for allowing import of downgraded Petrol
The BSTI sealed 27 business establishments, punished 25 people for different tenure for violating rules of BSTI. Besides, the BSTI seized and destroyed different companies’ products worth Tk 10 crore as it was harmful for human bodies.
State minister of the ministry Kamal Ahmed Majumder, senior vice-president Mustafa Azad Chowdhury, Director General of BSTI Dr Md Nazrul Anowar also spoke at the function.