FBCCI
FBCCI signs MoU with Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry
FBCCI recently signed an MoU with Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a view to facilitating mainstream trade and investment between Bangladesh and USA.
The signing ceremony took place at the seminar titled " 25th September: Bangabandhu's Vision and Bangladeshi Immigrant Day" on Sunday in New York, USA.
President of the two chambers Md. Jashim Uddin and Mark Jeff signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
FBCCI president Jashim Uddin urged the US Companies to source other products apart of RMG from Bangladesh’s diverse export basket as The USA remained a friend to Bangladesh’s journey to growth and resiliency.
He said that Bangladesh embarked on a new round of reforms to strengthen and modernize the private sector in a bid to unleash the country's potential to drive industrialization, diversified, and export-led growth.
FBCCI wants testing lab at ports for ease of doing business
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called for setting up testing labs at the ports to ensure the faster delivery of imported goods and products and uninterrupted production.
Products imported through Chattagram port are sent to the capital for testing, which takes weeks or months – delaying the delivery, increasing the cost of business, and disrupting production, FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said Wednesday at a meeting in Dhaka.
Earlier, the members of the FBCCI Standing Committee on Port and Shipping said customs officials are "enthusiastic" to penalise importers for unintentional HS Code mistakes as they receive 15 percent incentives on the fines imposed.
They called for the withdrawal of the incentives and suggested bringing the entire system online to make HS code entry of products easy and accurate.
Also read: Economic zones can turn Bangladesh into global investment destination: FBCCI
FBCCI signs MoU with AUW to award scholarships to 30 students annually
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) will award scholarships to 30 female students per year for higher education giving them an opportunity to study at the Asian University for Women (AUW).
The apex trade body of the country on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AUW.
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and AUW Vice-Chancellor Dr Rubana Huq signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.
The MoU will remain effective for five years initially, said the FBCCI.
Asian University for Women seeks to graduate women who will be skilled and innovative professionals, service-oriented leaders in the businesses and communities in which they will work and live, and promoters of intercultural understanding and sustainable human and economic development in Asia and throughout the world.
The FBCCI came forward to enable underprivileged women with the access to higher study as part of their responsibility to the society, the FBCCI chief said while speaking at the signing ceremony.
This initiative will improve women empowerment and participation in the country’s development process, the President noted.
Read: ILO, FBCCI team up to boost workplace safety, healthcare in 10 sectors
Jashim said other countries maintain an intimate relationship between academia and industry and Bangladesh also needs to enhance the collaboration. “Therefore, FBCCI has established linkages with BUET and North South University.”
AUW Vice-Chancellor Rubana Huq said underprivileged women have to struggle with many hurdles in accessing higher studies.
“Her university aims at inclusiveness to ensure that no women are left behind. Currently 1300 female students from 19 countries are studying in Asian University for Women,” she informed.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu remembered the great contributions of the former President late Annisul Huq to the development of trade and commerce and the construction of different chambers’ infrastructure.
The founder and CEO of Asian University for Women Kamal Ahmed said that no country can move forward leaving half of the population behind.
He also called for ensuring quality education and universal right to higher education.
Among others, FBCCI Vice President Md. Amin Helaly, Salahuddin Alamgir, Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, MA Razzak Khan Raj, Directors and Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were also present at the signing ceremony.
Economic zones can turn Bangladesh into global investment destination: FBCCI
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries President Md Jashim Uddin has called for branding Bangladesh as the most favourable investment destination in Asia by attracting local and global investment in the economic zones.
He made this call at a courtesy meeting with Safwan Sobhan Tasvir, president of Bangladesh Economic Zone Investors Association and Bashundhara Group vice-chair, in the capital Wednesday.
The government is providing the most investment-friendly infrastructure and policy support in Asia for investment in special economic zones, Jashim said.
Read: FBCCI to provide safety equipment to healthcare professionals, essential service workers
He urged the Economic Zone Investors Association to convey these benefits to global entrepreneurs.
Safwan highlighted the current investment status in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar at Mirsarai and other economic zones.
Bangladesh has huge potential in toy manufacturing, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the petrochemical industry, he added.
ILO, FBCCI team up to boost workplace safety, healthcare in 10 sectors
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) signed an agreement Wednesday to enhance workplace safety and healthcare facilities in ten priority economic sectors.
They will conduct several capacity-building and promotional activities at institutional and enterprise levels.
These activities will be supported by ILO's RMG programme funded by Canada and the Netherlands, according to a media statement.
Under the agreement, 15 safety units will be set up in electronic and electrical, chemical, plastic, light engineering, leather, food processing, furniture, printing and packaging, domestic apparel and steel rerolling industries.
Simultaneously, 2,400 safety representatives and 100 safety committees will be developed to improve awareness and capacity on workplace safety and health among employers and workers.
ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said: "We are pleased to join forces with the FBCCI to promote safety culture and practices in priority industries."
"We hope that our collective efforts will help prevent many occupational accidents, injuries and diseases and save countless lives."
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin said: "Ensuring the safety of workers is our utmost priority. We have teamed up with the ILO to invest in strong and functional safety units, safety committees and safety representatives."
"Strengthening workplace safety and health at institutional and enterprise levels will make our factories safer and more productive which will benefit the national economy."
Also read: BIDA, ILO sign deal to streamline one-stop service for investors
Plastic businessmen want harassment-free environment
Plastic sector entrepreneurs demanded a harassment-free business environment in the country caused of the visit of the government agencies.
They made the call at the first meeting of the FBCCI standing committee on Plastic, Rubber, Melamine and PVC Products held at FBCCI head office on Monday, said a media release.
In the meeting, businesses said, government agencies have not been renewing licenses of plastic products manufacturing factories since the fire incidents at Churihatta in the capital. As the factories are losing their legal validity, government organisations impose fines and sometimes even sue cases against the factory owners. Therefore, many small and medium industries have been shut off, the businessmen alleged.
Speaking as the chief guest, FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said, the plastic industry contributes to employment, export earnings and industry decentralization across the country.
Mentioning the prediction of the global recession in 2023, he stressed expanding the export base to deal with the crisis.
Read: FBCCI keen to enhance trade ties with Brazil; two MoUs signed
FBCCI Vice President Md Amin Helaly said that FBCCI is planning to arrange three fairs in Kolkata, Guwahati and Tripura to showcase Bangladeshi products.
He suggested exhibiting the plastic products at those fairs. Bangladeshi plastic products have great demand in seven sisters of India.
The director in-charge of the committee Abu Motaleb said conspiracy is still going on against the plastic sector. The committee will work on solving tax and environmental problems, he informed.
He called for eco-friendly products as well.
Committee Chairman and President of BPGMEA Shamim Ahmed informed that waste management is the biggest challenge for the plastic sector. Bangladesh will be able to utilize the huge potential in this sector if the challenge is properly dealt with.
The BPGMEA President called for considering the deemed earnings as export to this sector.
FBCCI Director Priti Chakraborty urged the government to provide proper policy support in grooming this sector while director Hafez Harun demanded an end to harassment of the small and medium entrepreneurs in the plastic industry in the name of inspection.
Director Mohammed Bazlur Rahman called for working together to overcome the problems in the plastic sector.
Committee co-chairmen Md Shafiqul Islam (Mintu), Md Abul Khair and Nazmul Hossain, FBCCI Adviser Manzur Ahmed and other members of the committee, among others, were present at the meeting.
FBCCI delegation leaves for 2nd North East India Buyer-Seller Meet
A high-level business delegation led by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) left Dhaka to join the 2nd North East India Buyer-Seller Meet in India to boost trade with neighbouring countries.
FBCCI Vice-President Md Amin Helaly is leading the delegation. It will join different events to enhance business and trade in Thailand, Laos, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Read: FBCCI keen to enhance trade ties with Brazil; two MoUs sign
The delegation will attend the inauguration of the Buyer-Seller Meet Thursday. FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin will join it online as a special guest.
The business delegation is also scheduled to have a meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industries.
FBCCI directors Bijoy Kumar Kejriwal, Abu Motaleb, Md Nizam Uddin, Tahmin Ahmed and other sectoral leaders are also part of the team.
FBCCI keen to enhance trade ties with Brazil; two MoUs signe
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is keen to develop broader trade relations with Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America.
As a part of this initiative, the apex trade body of the country has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the Rio de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce; two of the country's most influential trade organizations.
FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin on behalf FBCCI signed the MoUs during the visit to Brazil as entourage of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, said the trade body on Saturday.
The signing between Rio de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry and FBCCI took place in Rio de Janeiro, the second capital of Brazil on July 20 and Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce inked the MoU in Sao Paulo, the port city of the country on July 21.
Also read: FBCCI called for setting up Eswatini High Commission in Dhaka
State Minister Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Brazil Sadia Faizunnesa and President of Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Shahriar Ahmed also witnessed the MoUs signing ceremonies.
Earlier, the FBCCI President has had meetings with Apex Brazil, the country's Trade and Investment Development Agency and the main industry representative organization National Industry Confederation (CNI).
Issues related to bilateral trade and investment potentials, challenges, and the way forward were discussed in the meetings.
The FBCCI President expected the visit will facilitate exchange of delegations in future and bolster bilateral trade relations.
Also read: FBCCI wants power rationing for uninterrupted production
“Bangladesh now needs to explore and expand new markets. Diversification of export baskets has become essential. Therefore, establishing trade ties with Brazil, the 10th largest economy of the world will add new dimensions to Bangladesh’s export earnings, as well as help expand its footstep in other countries of South America”, he added.
FBCCI President mourns death of Deputy Speaker
President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Md. Jashim Uddin has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Deputy Speaker and freedom fighter advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah.
In a condolence message, the FBCCI President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Fazle Rabbi breathed his last on July 22 at 3.55pm (NY Time) at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York while undergoing treatment there. He was 76.
The valiant freedom fighter fought against the Pakistan Army in Sector 11 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
Also read: Hasina mourns Fazle Rabbi's demise
Fazle Rabbi, a lawmaker from Gaibandha-5, is survived by his three daughters. His wife Anwara Rabbi passed away in May 2020.
FBCCI called for setting up Eswatini High Commission in Dhaka
Bangladesh can reach an almost untapped African market worth $1.3 billion by stealing a march on other countries and expanding business ties in Eswatini (former Swaziland). At least that is what then Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry of Eswatini Senator Manqoba Khumalo claimed as he called for strengthening business relations with his country.
Khumalo was leading his country's delegation at a discussion meeting with FBCCI, country's apex trade body.
With its strategic geographic location, Eswatini acts as a gateway to the African continent, the minister added. As the country is a member of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU), establishing business and investment relations with Eswatini would provide favorable market access to regional blocs in Africa, the minister noted.
Highlighting Tax- and Duty-Free facilities and other incentives for foreign investors, Senator Manqoba Khumalo informed that China and India are the two major exporters to Eswatini, while his government would like to see Bangladesh as another important trade and investment partner.
Bangladesh may treat Eswatini as a potential market for exporting readymade garments, agro products, ICT and electronic products in particular. The African country is interested in joint ventures as well.
Eswatini’s funding and Bangladesh’s Technology and Experiences could be applied in pharmaceutical industry, Bio-tech, Contract farming and ICT, Senator Manqoba Khumalo further informed. Although from a country that.
Read: FBCCI wants power rationing for uninterrupted production
Earlier, FBCCI Senior Vice President and Acting President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu proposed, MoU can be inked between FBCCI and the counterpart of Eswatini to bolster bilateral trade and investment. Currently Bangladeshi people have to process visas from Malaysia, therefore, the acting President called for setting up the High Commission in Dhaka. At the same time, Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu suggested arranging B2B meetings, webinars, and exchange of the delegation to take the bilateral trade to a newer height.
Vice President Md. Amin Helaly assured to provide all kinds of support from FBCCI to increase bilateral trade.
Earlier in the meeting, the potentials of electronic products assembling and mutual tourism development were discussed.
Under Secretary of Ministry of Commerce for Industry and Trade Cebile Amanda Nhlabatsi, MSME Director MlulekiSakhile Dlamini, Senior Executive Manager of Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority Dr.Khanyisiie Dlamini, representative from Bangladeshi Business Community in Eswatini Mohammed Asraful Alam Chowdhury, Badruzzaman Chowdhury, Badral Alam Chowdhury were present in the meeting.
Among others, FBCCI Director M G R Nasir Majumder, Hafez Harun, Md. Aslam Serniabath, Md. Naser, Abu Hossain Bhuiyan (Ranu), Mohammad Ali Khokon, Advisor Manzur Ahmed, Brigadier General (Retired) Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah were also present in the meeting.
The meeting was conducted by FBCCI Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque.