MoU
Banglalink, Teletalk sign MoU on infrastructure sharing
Banglalink and Teletalk have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to share their respective telecom infrastructures.
Erik Aas, chief executive officer of Banglalink, and Md Shahab Uddin, managing director of Teletalk, signed the agreement in the capital.
Under the agreement, the operators will explore and assess scopes and technical feasibility of sharing their telecom infrastructures and facilities in compliance with the infrastructure sharing guidelines, tower sharing guidelines and all other relevant laws and regulations.
Read:No data charge for e-transactions on Upay app for Banglalink customers
At the signing ceremony, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said: "Telecom operators need to come up with new collaborative approaches to ensure more enhanced service quality for customers. This kind of initiative has the potentiality to overhaul and advance the industry in the long run."
Erik said: "Banglalink will always seek opportunities to partner with other telecom stakeholders to strengthen the industry's infrastructure, which can lead to a better quality of services and improved cost-efficiency. I would like to thank Teletalk for coming forward in this regard and expect to see this joint initiative bringing positive results in many areas."
Shahab said, "We are delighted to sign this MoU with Banglalink today. It is opening an opportunity for us to maximise the use of our infrastructures collaboratively."
IBBL, National Hospital sign MoU
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) and National Hospital, Chattogram signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on corporate facilities recently at the IBBL Chattogram Zone Office.
Under this agreement, IBBL officials, their family members, Debit and Khidmah Credit cardholders will get discounts from National Hospital.
JQM Habibullah, deputy managing director of IBBL, and Dr Mohammad Yousuf, managing director of National Hospital, signed the agreement.
Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO of the bank, was present.
Md Nayer Azam, deputy managing director, Mohammed Shabbir, senior executive vice-president; Md Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, Meah Md Barkat Ullah, Mohammad Yakub Ali and Miftah Uddin, executive vice-presidents of IBBL, were also there.
Dhaka, Ankara sign deal on security cooperation, counterterrorism
Bangladesh and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security cooperation, counterterrorism and tackling drug trafficking.
The deal was inked during Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's Bangladesh visit Saturday, his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said.
"We talked about training, intelligence sharing, and ways to fight cybercrime. Also, following the signing of the agreement, the Turkish interior minister said they would extend their cooperation with us," he added.
IBBL, Max Hospital sign MoU
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) and Max Hospital Chattogram recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on corporate facilities in the port city.
JQM Habibullah, deputy managing director of IBBL, and Ranjan Prashad Das Gupta, general manager of Max Hospital, signed the agreement.
Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and CEO of the bank, Md Nayer Azam, deputy managing director, Mohammed Shabbir, senior executive vice-president; executive vice-presidents Md Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, Meah Md Barkat Ullah, Mohammad Yakub Ali and Miftah Uddin were also present.
Read: Increased capacity of Ctg Port to cut cost of doing business: FBCCI
Under the agreement, IBBL officials, their family members, and Debit and Khidmah Credit cardholders will enjoy discounts from Max Hospital.
MoU signed with KL to send Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to send Bangladeshi workers to Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed signed the MoU in the city on behalf of their respective sides around 11 am (local time) in Kuala Lumpur.
READ: MoU signed to establish ‘Sheikh Mujib-Bangladesh Room’ at FAO HQ
With the MoU, an opportunity to establish an ideal structure in the recruitment, employment and repatriation process of workers has been created as well as ensuring the rights and dignity of the workers.
Under the MoU, the recruitment agency will bear all costs of Bangladeshi workers, including the recruitment process, accommodation, employment, and sending workers to Malaysia.
Employers can hire Malaysian recruiting agents at their own cost.
Besides, employers will have to bear the immigration fees, visa fees, medical expenses, insurance expenses and quarantine expenses of the workers.
Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Dr Ahmed Munirus Salehin, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md Golam Sarwar, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Md Shahidul Alam and high officials of the two countries were present on the occasion.
Earlier on December 11, Imran Ahmed said Malaysia will reopen its job market to Bangladeshis by the year-end.
READ: BRAC Bank, BFDS ink MoU to ease banking services for freelancers
According to Imran Ahmed, the job market will be reopened for Bangladeshi workers in several sectors -- tree plantation, gardening, agriculture, production, mining, construction and domestic service.
Malaysia is one of the most popular destinations for Bangladeshi workers. As many as 1,057,056 Bangladeshis have found jobs in Malaysia between 1976 and 2019, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).
Manpower export to Malaysia has remained suspended since 2018.
BRAC Bank, BFDS ink MoU to ease banking services for freelancers
BRAC Bank and Bangladesh Freelancer Development Society (BFDS) have partnered to ensure easy and smooth banking services for the freelancers of the country.
BRAC Bank and BFDS, the forum that facilitates works and ventures of the freelancer community, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), a collaboration that reflects strong commitment of the two organizations to the promising freelancing industry, according to a press release.
Read:Brac Bank scraps transaction pacts with 10 virtual shops
The partnership followed BRAC Bank’s launch of the country’s first ever Freelancer Account a week earlier aiming at widening the opportunities for the professionals of the promising gig economy.
Dr. Tanjiba Rahman, Chairman; Jashim Uddin Joy, Senior Vice Chairman; Mahfuzur Rahman, General Secretary of BFDS; and Md. Mahiul Islam, Head of Retail Banking, BRAC Bank, signed the MoU at the bank’s Head Office in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, Sarah Anam, Head of Deposits & NFB, BRAC Bank, and senior officials of the two organizations were also present, along with officials from Visa, the global leader in digital payments.
At the signing ceremony, Selim R. F. Hussain, Managing Director and CEO, BRAC Bank, handed over the first batch of Freelancer Matrix Visa Debit Cards to freelancers who are members of BFDS.
Read: Brac to empower women at the grassroots
“We believe in the talent and potential the freelancers possess and the promise the freelancing industry holds. That’s why we have partnered with BFDS so that the freelancers can avail banking services easily without any hassle and turn their passion into successful venture,” Selim R. F. Hussain said.
He said that this was an important partnership for them as they want to play an active role in making Bangladesh a global hub for freelancing and contribute significantly to boost foreign exchange earnings.
“We will continue to explore new ways to cater to the evolving needs of the freelancers,” he continued.
Earlier on November 30, BRAC Bank launched ERQ account solution styled ‘BRAC Bank Freelancer Matrix Account’. It provides big convenience for receiving foreign currency income and smooth day-to-day transaction as well.
The proposition came as much delight to more than 650,000 freelancing professionals who would enjoy hassle-free banking experience.
They now get an international Visa debit card that is widely accepted, for BRAC Bank Freelancer Matrix account which allow them to seamlessly receive their remittance earnings in US Dollar and easily convert it into local currency (BDT) with a linked transactional account.
They will be able to conduct cross border eCommerce, POS & ATM transactions for business purposes such as cloud based solutions, domain hosting etc. This account comes bundled with exclusive benefits of the Visa International Debit Card.
Crucial MoU on UN's operational engagement in Bhasan Char signed
Bangladesh and the United Nations (UN) signed a formal document Saturday, ending a long wait for a much-sought UN engagement at Bhasan Char on the humanitarian front to support the Rohingyas there.
Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohsin and Bangladesh Representative of UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, Johannes van der Klaauw signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the secretariat.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr M Enamur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony as the chief guest. Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman on Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Capt AB Tajul Islam joined as special guest.
He said around 80,000 Rohingyas will be relocated to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar camps within the next three months.
READ: MoU on UN's operational engagement in Bhasan Char Saturday
Enamur said they have finally taken a right decision and it will be very easier for humanitarian agencies to provide services following today's MoU signing.
The signing of the MoU demonstrates the UN's support to the government's massive investment there to ensure better living for the Rohingyas, officials said.
The MoU – signed by UNHCR on behalf of UN agencies working on the Rohingya response in Bangladesh – establishes a common protection and policy framework for the Rohingya humanitarian response on the island.
The MoU is a further expression of the government and people of Bangladesh’s generosity and support towards the Rohingya population until they can return safely and sustainably to Myanmar.
It is also a reconfirmation of the UN’s commitment to continue supporting Bangladesh in leading the humanitarian programme for almost 1.1 million Rohingya refugees in the country, said the UNHCR.
The agreement relating to Bhasan Char allows close cooperation between the government and the UN on services and activities to the benefit of the increasing numbers of Rohingya refugees living on the island, according to the UN refugee agency.
EgyptAir, ALO Dhaka Aviation sign MoU to operate Dhaka-Cairo-Dhaka flights
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between EgyptAir and ALO Dhaka Aviation Ltd in Cairo to operate two scheduled Dhaka-Cairo flights every week, starting November 2021.
Although the state-owned flag carrier of Egypt is now operating at 65% of its capacity, it agreed to start Cairo-Dhaka-Cairo direct flights to boost the country's vital tourism sector.
Read NOVOAIR to operate six flights daily to Cox’s Bazar
However, this will provide a cheaper option for Bangladeshi passengers and cargoes destined for Europe and North America, being an alternative to Dubai and Istanbul.
"Our expatriates and businesspersons are expected to get benefitted as well," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday.
Read Bangladesh imposes restrictions on passenger flights from 11 countries
Model Piyasha and Mou placed on 3-day remand
A Dhaka court on Monday placed models Faria Mahabub Piyasha and Mariam Akter Mou on 3-day remand each for questioning over a large amount of liquor, Yaba and lead found at their residences.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Asheque Imam passed the order after police produced the accused before the court and prayed for a 10-day remand in separate cases filed with Mohammadpur and Baridhara police stations under Narcotics control act.
READ: Helena Jahangir placed on three-day remand
Detective Branch (DB) of the police arrested model and presenter Faria Mahabub Piyasa from her house in Baridhara and another model Mariam Akter Mau from Mohammadpur on early hours Sunday.
Police said they seized foreign alcohol, shisha and yaba and other narcotic substances from their residences during the raid.
READ: Rupganj fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, sons among 8 put on remand
Summit signs MoU with Commonwealth LNG to help supply fuel to Bangladesh
Summit Oil and Shipping Co. Ltd. (“SOSCL”), the private sector importer and supplier of fuel oil to Bangladesh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Commonwealth LNG to collaborate in the supply of LNG to Asia, including Bangladesh.
The SOSCL is part of the Summit Group, Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure conglomerate.
According to Summit Group, the signing ceremony took place at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C. in the presence of Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Energy Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Also read: Bangladesh signs MoU with Malaysia on LNG supply
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury underscored the importance of ensuring access to energy sources to support the economic development related activities in Bangladesh.
He welcomed the signing of the MOU between SOSCL and Commonwealth LNG as an important step towards further expanding the existing energy cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.
The scope of the MOU includes SOSCL potentially contracting for 1 million tonnes per year (MTPA) of LNG offtake, for a term of up to 20 years, from Commonwealth’s 8.4 MTPA facility currently under development in Cameron, Louisiana.
Also read: Cabinet committee approves 4 proposals, including LNG import
SOSCL’s associated companies within Summit Group have approximately 3 GW of gas-to-power electricity in operation or development within the Indian subcontinent, and operate a 500 mmcf/d Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) and LNG terminal under Summit LNG Terminal Co (Pvt) Ltd (“SLNG”) in Moheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar.
“We’re proud of what this step means towards securing this major source of clean energy for the growing economy of Bangladesh,” said Farid Khan, Vice Chairman of Summit Group.
“We look forward to having Commonwealth LNG as a partner that can deliver U.S.-sourced LNG, providing diversification of supply for Bangladesh and the pricing stability associated with Henry Hub”, he added.
From Commonwealth LNG’s perspective, President and CEO Paul Varello said the MOU is evidence of just how aligned the parties are in achieving their shared objectives.
“Commonwealth’s focus on producing the lowest-cost liquefaction in the U.S. remains important in a highly competitive global market,” said Varello.
“This becomes even more critical for a rapidly emerging economy such as Bangladesh where the need for additional energy is critical for sustaining its economic growth. Summit has recognized that need and Commonwealth LNG looks forward to partnering in these efforts,” he said.
Commonwealth is implementing an accelerated construction schedule that will allow the project to be built in three years using a predominantly modular approach with major components being fabricated offsite, said the Summit Group.