Arthur’s dream is to go around the world. The world is earth, so in October 2013, he grabs his backpack, his shoes and starts travelling down the coasts of each continent. He already explored Europe, from top to bottom, but that is just not enough.

Once officially graduated as a landscape designer, a long trip is planned, for an indefinite time: going around the world, by feet.

Arthur’s cousin and friends respectively Maeva, Zulfiya, Michael & Peggy told that, he  does not want to take planes: it’s too much pollution. He wants to travel by meeting people; meeting the inhabitants of the countries he crosses. He often hitchhikes, from the old Volvo cars to trucks full of cattle fodder; he rides Indian rickshaws, mopeds, and horses, but also donkeys, whom he is fond of.

His feet carry him anywhere he desires; he climbs, hikes, wanders and keeps us updated every month thanks to a digital travel diary.

Every month, for the past three years, he sends an email, always beginning with “#” followed by the name of the country/countries he has crossed. These regular emails are read and expected by his friends, his family and his travel companions, whom Arthur has met and befriended during his incredible journey.

These emails are all the more precious, as Arthur has never owned a mobile phone. These emails are our link with him, a link that has become so important.

Most of the time, he sleeps at the locals’ homes and shares a meal with them, a few laughs, and also works with them if needs be.

Friends and family meet him somewhere along his trip, adapting to his way of life, then leave and let him continue as nothing can stop him. Well, he has been planning and looking forward to his road trip for so long…

Arthur has this “joie de vivre”, he is a force of nature, always positive and hungry for new discoveries. He is also stubborn – but you need to be in order to stick to such an ambitious plan! He is a very organized traveller; he knows where he is coming from and where is he headed.

His travel diary is always by his side, with notes, information on the populations, geographies, landscapes he sees.

And so he travels along European coasts, and then African, and finally reaches Asia, without ever being on a plane!

In December 2016, after 3 years of travels already, he is in India with his sister and his brother to celebrate Christmas, and heads towards Bangladesh.

From January 13rd to 21st, he is in Chittagong, in the south of Bangladesh, to try and find a boat that would take him to Malaysia where he is supposed to meet a friend. But, as far as we know, he couldn’t find anyone able to embark him so he considers crossing Myanmar again.

On January 22nd, he is in Khulan, west Bangladesh – we have a picture of him with 2 Bengali friends, and arrives in Dhaka on 26th January where he sends his last email we could recover. He explains that he is looking for a way to reach Malaysia, probably by the road, by crossing India, Myanmar and Thailand.

The day after, on the 27th, he calls a friend, telling her he will go back to Chittagong first as he needs to meet someone.

After that, nothing, but fear.

His friends and family members have done done so far:

• Any possible administrative task has been done: missing reports, requests to embassies and local authorities of every country he considered crossing (embassies and police forces of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia)
• To this day, there is no record of him crossing a border after Bangladesh,
• As per embassies, they would have been warned if he were to be imprisoned or hospitalized ; however we can still consider these leads…
• A poster has been widely circulated, translated into English, Bengali, Thai, Burmese and Hindi,
• Many networks have been alerted and are spreading the word: The red Cross, Le Routard, Travel with a Mission and many other NGOs and expat communities,
• Local media,, especially in Bangladesh, have been contacted
• A Facebook page, an email address [email protected] and a twitter account

@arthurmissing have been created. Facebook works especially well (240000 visitors within a week), lots of support messages, requests for more details to help…

• A Facebook targeting of the possible cities he has crossed, along with university networks, etc, have been implemented
• Collaboration with Orange and Facebook in order to find other emails with details regarding his itinerary or other (soon, we will try to localize his tablet)
• A specialist lawyer has been approached to accelerate administrative processes and investigations from France,
• Hundreds of people are rallied to help, on site and across the globe, some of them not even knowing Arthur
• A core of 5 people are managing, centralizing, circulating and sharing the tasks.

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Rakib Hossain ::

The unemployment situation poses a precarious picture & largely explains the frustration & restlessness in the society. Self-employment and creating employment opportunity for the youth is a great challenge. Social business can mitigate the problem slightly. By investing in a social business venture or company create more employment opportunity. The objective of the venture or business is purely to achieve one or more social objective through operation of the venture more specifically reduction of poverty and creating employment opportunity but traditionally In capitalist economy, profit maximizing of shareholder is the mail goal of business operation

With the goal of achieving social welfare introduced another kind of business that recognize the multidimensional nature of human being.  The business is social business, According to Muhammad Yunus A social business is designed and operated as  a business enterprise, with product, services, customer, markets , expenses, and revenue. It is a no loss, no dividend, self-sustaining company that sells goods or services and payback investments to its owner but whose primary purpose is to serve society and improve the lot of the poor. The investors/owners can recoup the money invested but cannot take any dividend beyond that point.

Exclusive profit maximizing motives of capitalistic economy has been largely responsible for creating poverty. Poverty reduces with the augmentation in employment. To address the issue apparently introduced corporate social responsibility (CSR) in traditional capitalism business in order to enable it to protect the interest of the poor people. Even a business company which adopts CSR approach does not pay enough attention to CSR related activities because its prime goals is to maximize profits for its shareholders. As a results, the impact of CSR on poverty alleviation proven insignificants. Since The poverty is the most important case among several cause of increasing unemployment.

The alleviate poverty by creating new employment opportunity introduced another kind of business called social business. Entrepreneurs will set up social businesses not to achieve a limited personal gain but to pursue specific goals. Employment greatly depends on investment. Investment is the most vital factor for economic growth and development. Employment creates earning capacity and ensures workers entitlement on goods and services. According to the development thinkers it may work as a revolutionary tools in creating employment opportunity for youth through more and more investment in social business.

Author : Rakib Hossain; Monitoring and Evaluation officer, Help the needy charitable trust Bangladesh.

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The expectations are quite high as the brand new series would be an all complete one, star studded with the big shots( big emitter nations) as usual and of course with the yet to come to the limelight actors ( light carbon footed nations). This time around the scripting is coming in a whole new dimension as each actor nation would have to come up with their most convenient and possible scripting that would fit the parts and roles allotted to each. While each actor nation already has an assumed role each based on their respective capacity and capability as portrayed overtime from previous roles played. However there exists the differentiating factor which distinguishes the well famous actor nations, well known for their relative high contribution to the global greenhouse gases concentration and of course the upcoming star nations, that are right on the climb , up the ladder of joining the big emitter nations.

One good thing about this new series is that all would have an equal chance of starring all at once and no one would be left out regardless of status or accolades acclaimed overtime. So the scripting has begun and the movie location is been set while all necessary preparation is put in motion to ensure a ground breaking success at the premiere of this brand new series in the save the world seasons.

The producers and the major stakeholders are really working in earnest to ensure a big success this time around as prior episodes had never recorded so much success and that was the reason for coming up with the individual scripting strategy which is well anticipated to ensure a predefined content that would reflect an all-inclusive approach for a comprehensive and well highlighted outcome. The anxious public who are also earnestly awaiting the release of this blockbuster are trying so hard to keep up with the scripting of the actor nations they idolize such that it conforms to the expectations with regards to the global view.

While the stage is getting set for the premiere of this much anticipated show and while every major stakeholder is busy with their scripting, a possible scenario of outcome is being postulated based on outcomes of prior engagements, the similitude of past attempts and agitation for the successful outcome which would fuel a possible captivating sequel in a dimension of progressive achievement. Would the INDC NOT END UP AS AN UNDERACHIEVING STRATEGY just like every other episode in save the World Series?

There are actually a number of questions to be asked here as regards the scripts already submitted and those that are yet to be submitted and the consideration is an all-inclusive one that concerns both the big actor nations and the upcoming actor nations. Are the scripts the best representation of their capacities in accordance to their pedigrees? Would there really be a balance of roles such that a platform of equity is set for a tangible outcome and again would there be the feasibility of the various localized scripts been drafted by the participating actor nations taking a ground of influence in their respective nations prior to and even after the premiering of the new block buster.

It is of course one step to let out the call, prepare the scripts, groom the cast, set the stage and it’s another step to ensuring the new episode live up to the expectations and become a positive influence on the public in such a way that subsequent request for a remake would be impossible as all that would be needed to be achieved had been achieved and the only possible sequel would be in another dimension of dynamism of innovations.

Bamidele F.Oni :: Executive Director of Green Impact International

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NGO News Report ::

This negative concept of development in which only money counts occurs in the name of economic growth. The focus on corporate economics is destructive of human values, health, natural resources, nature, and the environment.

Professor Anu Muhammad explained the above in a publication ceremony of the economics book Beyond Apologies written by Ms. Debra Efroymson, Regional Director of HealthBridge. The book focuses on defining and achieving an economics of wellbeing.
Professor Anu Muhammad said that people naturally understand the importance of education and health.

Everyone wants their children to receive a good education and to save their relatives by health treatment. They sell their assets for their children’s education or for healthcare. While people buy education and health care, or destroy rivers or forests, it may help with growth of GDP, but people and the environment are harmed.

A power station in the Sundarbans is good for GDP but is destructive of a vital natural resource.
Debra Efroymson discussed the ways in which economists make economics a difficult subject in order to prevent non-economists from having a say in major decisions. Those working for health, the environment, education, and for the poor need to have a grasp of economics in order to challenge those who say that economic growth must precede concern for people and nature.

She said that by learning about economics, people can achieve vastly more in terms of supporting health, education, and the environment.

Saifuddin Ahmed said that economics is not a difficult subject. Economics is part of daily life. He explained that the Institute of Wellbeing plans a series of videos and seminars on the subject of economics in order to share the ideas in Beyond Apologies with a wider audience.

He also said that there is a plan to translate the book or at least parts of it into Bengali for the mass people of Bangladesh to be able to access the ideas and information.
In this publication ceremony, Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of the Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust presided. Environmentalist Abu Naser Khan, Chairman of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), women organizer Farida Akhter, Executive Director of UBINIG (Development for Alternative Policy Research), Professor Dr. M R Kabir, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Asia Pacific University, ex-secretaries of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Professor A K M Abul Kalam and Professor Khandaker M Anser Hossain, Professor M Akhter Mahmud, current general secretary of BIP, Architect Salma A Shafi, Trasarur of Center for Urban Studies (CUS), Mohidul Haq Khan, EC member of BAPA and Nasima Akhter Joly, Secretary of National Girl Child Advocacy Forum were present.

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NGO News Desk ::

However, he received many other prestigious awards/scholarships including ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2006’ and BATA also received award ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2001’ by World Health Organization (WHO). BATA also considered as model civil society movement against tobacco throughout the world and it is documented joint publication by the The World Bank and Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC). The story titiled “Building Momentum for Tobacco Control: The Case of Bangladesh” and book titled Tobacco Control Policy: Strategies, Successes & Setbacks.

Saifuddin Ahmed is involved couple of research on tobacco control perspective. His research articles and abstracts were published peer reviewed journal and various international conferences publication. One of most repued research on tobacco control, “Hungry for Tobacco: An analysis of the economic impact of tobacco consumption on the poor in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2001; it is an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and others in tobacco control. To consider this research, World Health Organization (WHO) selected theme (tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle) for World No Tobacco Day 2004. His another joint research “Gainfully Employed? an inquiry into Bidi-dependent livelihood in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2011.

Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed is representating civil society to the various conferences and events on global tobacco control since 1998. He attended 5 of Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT), held every 3 years from 2001 to 2013 (from 6th to 10th) and 5 of World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) held every 3 years from 2000 to 2012 (11th to 15th). He represented to the Inter-governmental Negotiating Body (INB) and Conference of the Party (COP) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, he also attended couple of World Health Assembly (WHA), World Lung Conference (WLC) and World Cancer Congress (WCC) with his presentations.

It needs to mention that, due to delay of visa process, Saifuddin Ahmed is not able to joint award reciving event at Abu Dhabi. On-be-half of Saifuddin Ahmed, Ms. Debra Efromson, the international advisor of BATA recived this award from Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society and Ms. Sally Cowal, Senior Vice President Global Program, American Cancer Society. Dr. Piyush Gupta, CEO and Neha Tripathi Director of Cancer Aid Society India were present.

Due to his professional carrer on last 18 years on global tobacco control, he travelled more than 40 countries including Australia, Brazil, Bhutan, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hongkong, Hangery, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laus, Kenia, Mayanmar, Maldwip, Malayeshia, Mexico, Nedarland, Norway, Philipine, South Africa, South Korea, SriLanka, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Uruguye, UAE, UK and USA.

Bio of Saifuddin Ahmed

Saifuddin Ahmed is Founder and Executive Director of the Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust since 1998. He is playing role as coordinator Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) since it’s established in 1999 to successfully fight against BATs John Player Gold Leaf promotional campaign Voyage of Discovery.

BATA actively involved as civil society on developing process of the WHO FCTC and founding member of FCA. BATA also considered as model civil society movement against tobacco throughout the world and it is documented joint publication by The World Bank and Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC).

The story titled “Building Momentum for Tobacco Control: The Case of Bangladesh” and book titled Tobacco Control Policy: Strategies, Successes & Setbacks. BATA is strong civil society movement and has a network of over 700 local organizations throughout Bangladesh working together on tobacco control issue.

BATA was awarded on ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2001’ by the WHO. As activist, Saifuddin Ahmed also received ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2006’ by the WHO. BATA is celebrating it’s founding day (9 October) as National No Tobacco Day since 2011 declared by BATA coordinator in a 12th year anniversary program.

Saifuddin Ahmed is involved with many research and his research articles and abstracts is published peer reviewed journal and various international conference publication. He is co-author of reputed research, “Hungry for Tobacco: An analysis of the economic impact of tobacco consumption on the poor in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2001. Based on this research, WHO selected theme (tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle) for World No Tobacco Day 2004.

He is also co-author of “Gainfully Employed?: an inquiry into Bidi-dependent livelihood in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2011. He is author/co-author of about 15 publications and editor/co-editor of other 20 publications on tobacco control.

Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed represented civil society to the various conferences and events on global tobacco control since 1998. He attended six (5th to 10th) Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT) from 1998 to 2013 and five (11th to 15th) World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) from 2000 to 2012. He missed 16th WCTOH due to visa problem. He also represented each of Inter-governmental Negotiating Body (INB) and Conference of the Party (COP) of the FCTC.

He attended couple of World Health Assembly (WHA), World Lung Conference (WLC) and World Cancer Congress (WCC). He also attended many other local, regional, continental and global meeting, conferences on tobacco control invited guest.

He travelled more than 40 countries from Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, North and South America continent to attend various international conference and events.

Saifuddin Ahmed also served as member of WHO Ad-hoc Study Group on Alternative Crops and Law Drafting Committee on Tobacco Control Law under Ministry of Health of the Government of Bangladesh. He is also serving member of National Task forces for Tobacco Control Law implementation and life member of Bangladeshi Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), national civil society platform on environmental perspective.

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NGO News Report ::

The Press conference titled “Decentralization of approval and monitoring system of the vessels and skilled drivers are enough to protect launch accidents ” was organized by Akash, Arpan, Udayan Bangladesh, Safe water way movement , DOCAP, PULS Bangladesh, SOMAJ, CDP, Safe water way implementation alliance and COAST Trust.

Aminur Rasul babul of Safe water way movement moderated the press conference while Md. Mujibul Haque Munir of the Safe water way implementation alliance presents the keynotes. The other speakers were Rezaul karim Chowdhury of EquityBD and Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation.

In his keynote presentation Mujibul Haque Munir said, the recent incident of launch capsize is a structural killing, not a mere accident. The two vessels collided in clear day light while the river was also very calm. It was nothing but carelessness, stubbornness and unaccepted behaviour of the drivers. We have learnt that the MV Mustafa was running with a faulty and expired design. He said, immediately after every accident investigation committees are formed but we have got merely any result from those committees. So far about 500 such committees have been formed but only three reports was published. Many committees have not even submitted their report. Scenario of the recommendations came from these committees are also frustrating. There almost no action against respective govt official and launch owners found guilty.

Mr. Aminur Rasul Babul said, 38.57% dead passengers were male. Lives of the other members of the families without a male are beyond any description, specially in this patriarchal society a family. Who will take responsibilities of the harms and difficulties of these families? Launches smaller than 160 feet must not be allowed to carry passengers in important routs.

Rezual Karim Choudhury said , Corrupted officials have centralized the approval and monitoring systems of the vessels only to ensure their bribed income. Appropriate actions against launch owners have not been taken. A fund is running on in the name of passengers’ welfare collecting fund from general passengers. We must know where this fund is being utilized.

Some recommendations are placed in the press conference for consideration: (1) Bring the faulty launch builders and their designers under law and order and ensure punishment for the negligence of duties as it causes huge deaths; (2) Stop the unfit vessels immediately, ensure experienced drivers and seize the faulty and risky launches and hand over to concerned agencies; (3) Decentralize the designing, approval systems and the monitoring down to District and Upazila level; (4) Deploy enough police force to the Marine Magistrate Court; (5) Establish law for providing compensation to the families of died and wounded by the launch capsize; (6) Enforce registering every passengers before a launch start for; (7) Deploy additional inspectors and police in the jetties during Eid and Puja festivals and stormy seasons; and (8) Ensure highest coordination among all agencies involved in the waterways.

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NGO News Report ::

Lima Islam
Lima Islam is a Financial Service professional at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) Austin Texas, at her present capacity; she is engaged in the different business development programs at UFCU. Prior to Joining UFCU, Lima worked at Capital One & Apple in a different capacity. She graduated from University of Texas (UT) at Austin in Economics with Business Foundation. She completed her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh from Holy Cross School and College.

Lima is involved in various social, cultural, voluntary and charity activities with BAGA. She also volunteered for other non-profit organization like Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes, and American Cancer Society etc. Lima is also involved with Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International. Among her hobbies, she enjoys teaching Indian dance to Second generations’ Bangladeshi kids in Austin for various community programs. Every year Lima choreographed dances for different BAGA events, many of her students grown up and teaching other kids and performing their own dance today. Lima lives in Austin with her husband Dr. Saiful Islam Niton and their son Niraf.

Dr. Rabiul Islam
Rabiul Islam is a Technical Management professional at TSMC where he led efforts in power reduction schemes, power management and process-design co-optimization for various micro-processor chips. Rabiul has twelve U.S and international patents by him and over forty-five technical papers in refereed Journals and Conferences. Rabiul received his Ph. D. and Master degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He served as a lecturer in the department of Electrical Engineering of BUET.

During his spare times, Rabiul pursues his passion for filming and photography. He is the US representative of the satellite television channel NTV based in Bangladesh. Besides NTV, Rabiul served as BOD for BAGA several times including one time as Vice Chair. Rabiul dedicated good amount of his spare time to make BAGA Pohela Boisakh successful every year by writing, directing Drama for our community. Rabiul Lives with his wife Shaylee and their daughter Rafya and their son Sabiq.

Sultan Ahmed
Sultan Ahmed has an illustrious career in technology and community services. He is a Senior Software Architect and developer at Pragma Systems in Austin. His Fortress SSH client software is used worldwide and is highly praised by the likes of Cisco, US DoD and HSBC bank. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with B.A. in Computer Science and was a Wien Scholar. In 1980 he stood first in HSC in Dhaka Board and was 6th in SSC from the same board. Prior to Pragma, he worked at Vignette and Tandem Computers in Austin and several other software companies in Boston high-tech area.

He is very supportive and active of the community he lives in and has been instrumental in helping BAGA for picnics, event planning, web site development for many years. He also volunteered to lead new web site development of Bangladesh embassy in Washington D.C. and built a nice site for them at no cost. Sultan served in BAGA two terms including Ad-hoc committee. He is an avid photographer and made many people, families and our BAGA community very pleased with taking great photos and then editing and posting them. Sultan lives in Austin with his wife Putul and two daughters Sarika and Tanisha

Please join us in congratulating Lima Islam, Rabiul Islam & Sultan Ahmed for their outstanding achievement and contribution and dedication to BAGA. BAGA will present the award to them in its annual celebration of “Bengali New Year Festival 2015” on Saturday April 18, 2015 at Fiesta Gardens.

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On January1, 2015, in a town hall meeting, M. Nurul Islam, MetLife’s Regional Senior Vice President and Head of South Asia, officially announced the change in brand name effective January 1, 2015, to the company’s senior officials and other associates.

1. Nurul Islam said in his speech, “To be a truly world class company in the insurance industry, we strive to distinguish our company by aligning it with a distinct brand identity that is recognizable around the world. This rebranding initiative in Bangladesh is aimed at bringing the company under the single ‘MetLife’ brand name and strengthens our bond with a world class organization with a global footprint and financial expertise, and ensures our promise in delivering insurance products that supports and meets the needs of Bangladeshi consumers across all their life stages.”

He also added, “One of MetLife’s strategic cornerstones is focused on driving toward a global brand and customer centricity, and our rebrand is an important step towards achieving that global vision to be One MetLife.”

With nearly 150 years of experience, MetLife is a leading innovator and recognized leader in protection, planning and savings solutions around the world. It’s name is recognized and trusted by over 100 million customers worldwide and over 90 of top 100 FORTUNE 500® companies in the United States.  MetLife has the experience, global resources and vision to provide financial certainties for an uncertain world.

The rebranding will not result in any change to services, policies or commitments made to customers and business partners. The key objective is to continue providing market-leading services and solutions that will help bringfinancial securityto MetLife’s customers in Bangladesh and help them to pursue more from life.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com

About MetLife Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a key operation within the MetLife Asia Region and has a long history tracing back to 1952. Today, it is the largest life insurance company and a major employer in the country with over 15,000 Field Force and Employees.

For more information, please visit www.metlife.com.bd

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NGO News Report ::

Christmas is the most important day on the Christian calendar and celebrated with great enthusiasm, joy and cheer worldwide. For the orphan children at the Home of Hope orphanage and school in the Gazipur district it was no different – fun, games, entertainment, and good nourishing food for all.

“It was a delightful day for the children,” said anti corporal punishment crusader Sir Frank Peters. “Indoors there was special drama play enacted by the children with lots of song and dance and the participation of all present. Then outside there was an assortment of games in the playing fields in which Pastor Gilbert Baroi awarded prizes. Prize receiver or not, all the children were winners of a great time.

“To get to the play area you had to swim through a sea of young smiling well-wishers, most of whom only came up to my knees”, joked Sir Frank.

“Larry and Sharon Smith and Pastor Gilbert Baroi deserve a around of loud applause for their efforts to bring joy and cheer to the children.”

Sir Frank was accompanied to the orphanage by Ali Akbar, Moriam Ali and Rajowl Karim-Peters who co-ordinate free entertainment for children in Haydarabad.

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The Update reveals that the rate of growth in gross domestic product (GDP) may fall short of the target of 7.3 percent in FY 2014-15 due mainly to increasing savings-investment gap, unsatisfactory collection of revenue vis-à-vis target, declining rate of growth in agriculture and manufacture, disarrays in external balance, infrastructural underdevelopments, institutional weaknesses and political uncertainties.

Considering the historical trend of the rate of growth in GDP and assuming the same business scenario, the Unnayan Onneshan projects that the rate of growth in FY 2014-15 is likely to fall below the target of 7.3 percent set in the annual budget, thereby remaining under seven percent for the next fiscal year against the target of a rate of growth of eight percent in FY 2016-17. Stagnant investment together with low rate of ADP implementation and shortfall of revenue is impeding the expected rate of growth in GDP. Besides, large trade deficit, underdeveloped infrastructure and crisis in banking sector have been exerting adverse effect on the economy causing the rate of growth to decelerate.

Ambitious fiscal targets, both from income and expenditure sides, set for FY 2013-14, did not materialise at the end of the fiscal year, although the government has been struggling to boost up its revenue earning. Several issues like narrow tax base, concentrated tax sources and tax evasion as well as tax avoidance are causing the collection of revenue to fall below the target. The current status of revenue collection, however, implies that the target that was set in annual budget might be not achieved at the end of FY 2014-15. The allocation of Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been continuously increasing over the last twenty years, whereas implementation has been consistently falling far short of targets.

External sector is undergoing an unsatisfactory performance due mainly to recent decrease in the surplus in current account, which may threaten to exert pressure on country’s balance of payments. In the first quarter of FY 2014-15, the economy experienced deficit in current account balance due to increase in import, decrease in export and foreign aid disbursement, although an increase in portfolio investment keeps the overall balance positive.

Country’s banking sector being characterised by high rate of interest, excess liquidity and declining growth in disbursement of credit to private sector, intermediating lower investment, coupled with poor risk management, fraudulence, driven by captured governance and lax oversight, resulting in lower profitability to the shareholders is caught in trap. Besides this backdrop, questions are being raised concerning the far- sighted deregulation of the financial sector.

Finally, poor energy infrastructure and underdevelopment in road and transportation system are directly related to below the target performance of the economy and cause the rate of growth to slow down. Large amount of investment and good governance are, however, needed in order to improve the infrastructure to ensure sustainable path of economic growth.

2. GROWTH, SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT

 The Growth Scenario

The target of rate of growth has been being set over seven percent in recent years, whereas the actual has been sticking to around six percent. The slow rate of growth in GDP can however be ascribed to mainly three issues – stagnant private investment, shortfall in revenue collection and low implementation of ADP along with lack of infrastructural developments.

The GDP is growing at a decelerating rate. In FY 2011-12, the rate of growth in GDP was 6.52 percent where it became 6.01 and 6.12 percent in FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14 implying a decrease by 0.4 percentage point from FY 2011-12 to FY 2013-

14. 14. During these periods, the targeted rates of growth, however, were 7 percent, 2 percent and 7.3 percent respectively. So the difference between the actual and target is quite clear. Taking the account of the trends of growth from FY 2005-06, the rate of growth is projected to be 6.16 percent and 6.23 percent in FY 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.

Figure 1: Actual Growth in GDP and Projection

Source:Ministry of finance,2014

Not only in the budget but also in the MTTF for 2015-17, projection of rate of growth diverges from real situation. A great mismatch exists between the projection and actual rate of growth by MTMF which has been revised five times during the regime of current government.

Table 1: Projection of MTMF and actual rate of growth

Source: Ministry of Finance,2014

In FY 2013-14, the actual growth in GDP was 6.12 percent against the MTMF target of 7 percent. In FY 2012-13 the target was 7 percent where the actual rate of growth was 6.03 percent implying 1.17 percentage point gap between the actual and the target. In the sixth fiscal year of the present government (FY 2014-15), the MTMF targeted rate of growth in GDP is 7.3 percent (one percentage point higher than the previous fiscal year) and 7.6 percent in FY 2015-16. Considering the current performance of the major indicators of the economy, projection shows that the government could not achieve its growth target in current fiscal year.

Figure 2: Comparison of real GDP growth projected by MTMF and UO

Source: Author’s calculation

• Savings and Investment

In an economy, savings and investment provide the most important economic link between the past, the present, and the future (Mukharji and Chowdhury, 2013). An adequate rate of national savings is essential to achieving higher investment and consequently higher economic growth. Of late, the rate of growth in GDP has been constrained as investment especially the private investment has not been increasing at a satisfactory rate.

2.2.1 Savings-Investment Gap

The rate of savings and investment to the GDP has remained sluggish over the years and the gap between savings and investment has assumed an increasing trend lately, suggesting that the government’s macroeconomic strategies fall short of converting the savings into investment. In Bangladesh, the gap between savings and investment prevails for a long time. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, the national savings were 30.53 percent and 30.54 percent respectively, whereas the investments were

28.39 percent and 28.69 percent of the  GDP respectively, representing 2.14 and 1.85 percentage point gaps between savings and investment. The private investment has been declining since FY 2011-12, although the public investment has been increasing. High interest rate, lack of available supply of electricity and gas, and political uncertainty in the country are causing the private investment to decline. In 2011-12, the private investment was 22.50 percent of GDP which reached

21.75 percent and 21.39 percent in 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively.

Along the trend of savings and investment since FY 2007-08, the national savings might be 31.04 percent and 31.53 percent of the nominal GDP in FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 respectively and total investment might be 29.15 and 29.60 percent of the nominal GDP in 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 respectively. The savings-investment gap has increased sharply compared to the 2010-11 and it will continue further, if the existing policies prevail in future. The saving –investment gap might reach 1.89 percent and 1.92 percent of the nominal GDP in FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 respectively.

Figure 3: Savings- Investment gap

Source: Bangladesh Bank and Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh, 2014

3. REVENUE- EXPENDITURE BALANCE

The gap between expenditure and revenue has been increasing on a year-to-year basis. The revenue collection does not live up to the expectation. As a result, the government cannot finance all of the expenditures and has to borrow from both external and domestic sources to finance the expenditure, causing non- development expenditure to increase and thus development expenditure to decrease.

• Revenue Balance

From the historical trend, it is seen that the target and actual collection of revenue do not match. Revenue scenario is generally reflected by the tax–GDP ratio, tax base, and the success or failure of the revenue collection. Lower revenue collection-induced failure at achieving the targets of revenue collection therefore shrinks the ability of the government to channel adequate resources to expand productive capacity and to allocate sufficiently for social sector and infrastructure.

• Tax GDP ratio

Tax–GDP ratio of a country shows the financial capability of the government to finance its expenditure. Low tax–GDP ratio implies stringent financial constraint for the government which shrunken the capital expenditure. The tax-GDP ratio is very low with about 10 percent of the GDP in Bangladesh, but keeps improving at a slow pace. Low per capita income, corruption and inefficiency in tax management system keep the tax collection low and unsatisfactory. To increase the contribution of tax in GDP the collection of tax must be accelerated through proper management in tax collection and tax policy reform. In FY 2013-14, the tax was 9.6 percent of GDP where the target was set to 11 percent in MTTF; 1.4 percentage point less than the target. In current fiscal year, the target for Tax-GDP ratio is 11.6 percent. Taking account of the annual rate of growth in tax-GDP ratio from FY 2005-06 to FY 2013-14, it is projected that the Tax-GDP ratio might be 9.94 percent and 10.27 percent in FY 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.

Figure 4: Tax-GDP ratio (actual and target)

Source: Ministry of Finance, 2014

But the status of Tax-GDP ratio is the worst among the SAARC countries except Afganistan. Both Tax-GDP ratio and revenue- GDP ratio are the lowest in Bangladesh among the seven SAARC countries. Even Nepal and Srilanka have higher tax- GDP ratio of 13.9 percent and 12 percent respectively in 2013. The tax-GDP ratio in India and Pakistan were 10.7 and 10.1 percent, where tax-GDP ratio was 9.7 percent in Bangladesh in 2013.

Figure 5: Comparison with other countries

Source: World Development Indicator,2013

 Narrow tax base

The prevalence of narrow tax base is hindering the development of a strong revenue base in the country. Tax evasion and avoidance, High cost in collecting tax, mismanagement in tax system and lack of incentive to pay tax are narrowing the tax net.According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), only less than 1% people pay income tax. Income tax is the largest source of direct tax. But the contribution of income tax in total tax is not satisfactory. With the population of 15.58 crore, the total number of the holders of Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) is only 17 lakh (1.09 percent of total population), of which only 8.55 lakh (0.54 percent of the total population) submitted their tax returns in November 2014. The number of eligible tax payers is 69 lakh whose monthly income ranges from Tk. 20000 to Tk. 35000+. This statistics implies that only 4.43 percent of total population has taxable income, although they are not paying tax.

• Revenue collection

In the July-October period of the FY 2014-15 the total revenue collection is Tk. Tk.38005.81 crore where the target is Tk.149720 crore, that is 25 percent of the target is collected. In 2013-14 and 2012-13, 96 percent and 97 percent of the target was collected respectively. In FY 2013-14, the target of revenue collection was Tk. 130178 crore and the actual collection was Tk. 125125.47 crore – a shortfall of Tk. 5052.3 crore. In FY 2012-13, the target was set to 116824 core, where the actual collection was 113271.31 crore – a shortfall of 3552.3 crore. In FY 2013-14, the shortfall in revenue collection than the target increased by 42.22 percent.

From these historical trends, in the current fiscal year the target of revenue collection might not be achieved.

Figure 6: Target and actual collection of revenue

Source: Bangladesh Bank, 2014

Several issues have gained importance in recent times. The first concern is the prevalence of narrow tax net, which acts as a hindrance to having a stronger revenue base in the country. The second important concern includes the issue of tax burden and tax incidence. Although the government is putting emphasis on direct tax i.e. income tax, the revenue collection of the country largely depends on the indirect taxes i.e. VAT. Thirdly, in FY 2012-13, both NBR and non-NBR taxes have failed to satisfy the target of revenue collection with total shortage of Tk. 3552.7 million.

Income tax has been determined on five slabs progressively with income level. But when the collection of VAT is considered with direct tax, the higher burden of tax on marginalized group seems apparent. Moreover, certain types of taxes such as the inheritance tax are absent in Bangladesh which could be supportive to enhance the tax base.

In addition, capital flight is also responsible for the low revenue income in Bangladesh. The amount of money flown out of Bangladesh through illicit means tripled in 2012 to stand at USD 1.78 billion (stand fourth in South Asia), riding mainly on trade misinvoicing. The figure was USD 593 million the year before. Use of hundi, misinvoicing in export and import, illegal money through tax evasion are the facets of capital flight. This unaccounted transfer of money is a big blow for the economy as it means lost investments and revenue income for  the government.

NBR and non-NBR Tax

Total revenue is collected either from tax or from nontax sources. In total revenue, tax revenue moved 80.9 percent to 83.09 percent between FY 2007-08 and FY 2013-14. Of the total tax revenue, nearly 95-96 percent is collected by the NBR. In FY 2013-14, NBR collected Tk. 16657.18 crore which is 10.46 percent higher than that of previous year. The amount of tax from non –NBR sources was TK. 4612.64 core which is 11.75 percent higher than that of the previous year. During the July- October period of FY 2014-15, NBR collected Tk. 38005 crore (25 percent of the target) which is 14.24 percent higher than that of the same period of the previous fiscal year.

In FY 2014-15, actual revenue collection is Tk. 38005.81 crore (till October, 2014), which is only 25.38 percent of the target of Tk. 149720 crore for the whole year. Among the main sources of revenue in FY 2014-15, NBR revenue from income tax, VAT, and custom duties is targeted at Tk. 56086 crore, Tk.55013 crore and Tk. 15874 crore respectively, whereas actual revenue collected till October, 2014 is Tk. 11678.51 crore (21 percent), Tk. 14938.82 (27.16 percent) crore and Tk. 4608.47 (29.08 percent) crore respectively.

Table 2: Target, Actual and Projection

Source:Bangladesh Bank,2014

3.2 Expenditure and Deficit

The gap between total expenditure and total revenue is getting bigger over the years due to low collection of revenue, causing fiscal deficit-induced macroeconomic underperformance and higher non-development expenditure. The overall budget deficit for FY 2014-15 is estimated at Tk. 67552 crore that represents 5 percent of GDP. The revised deficit in FY 2013-14 was Tk. 59551 crore (5 percent of GDP), which was Tk. 55,032 crore (4.6 percent of GDP) in the proposed budget. Since the revenue collection target of the government seems to be ambitious, the government may be forced to cut the expenditure level in FY 2014-15 to keep the budget deficit within the target. The three fiscal targets related to revenue earning, revenue expenditure and budget deficit thus has not been achieved and the government had to revise these by a significant margin.

Figure 7: Budget Deficit

Source:Budget in Brief,2014

3.2.1 Component of expenditure: development and non- development

Both development and non development expenditure are increasing in terms of absolute amount, but the rate of growth in non-development expenditure is higher than that of development expenditure. The rate of growth in non- development expenditure has increased to 20.39 percent in FY 2013-14 from 10.56 percent in FY 2012-13, the rate of growth in development expenditure has decreased to 8.33 percent in FY 2013-14 from 31.73 percent in FY 2012-13. The non development expenditure is much higher than the development expenditure. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, the non development budget were 12.1 percent and 13.2 percent of total GDP, where the ADP was only 4.7 percent and 5.1 percent respectively during the same time periods. In FY 2014-15, the allocation for the non development expenditure and ADP expenditure is 12.7 percent and only 6.3 percent of the total GDP respectively. Increasing allocation for non-development expenditure due to financing the deficit does not allow the government to allocate adequately for development expenditure resulting in barrier to the expansion of productive capacity in the economy.

Figure 8: The rate of growth in development and non development expenditure	Figure 9: Ratio of ADP and non development expenditure

Source: Ministry of Finance, 2014

• Deficit financing instrument: Debt

The mismatch between the revenue and expenditure is fulfilled by borrowing both from domestic and external sources. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July-October’14), the deficit financing increased by three times than the same time period of the previous year. In July – October period of FY2014-15, the deficit financing is Tk.12060.15 crore where it was Tk.4476 core in July-September of FY2013-14. The borrowing from domestic sources has increased more than that from external sources. In the July –September period of FY2014-15, financing from external sources is Tk.1140.51 crore and from domestic sources is Tk.10919.64 crore. Among the domestic sources, borrowing from the banking system does not increase much, whereas the borrowing from the non banking sources has increased drastically specially from selling the NSD certificates. Government plans to collect Tk. 9056 crore through NSD certificate in FY 2014-15, but in first five

months of this fiscal year, NSD certificates with the value of Tk. 9677 crore have been sold which is 206.31 percent higher than that of same time period of the previous year and Tk. 621 crore higher than the target.

Figure 10: Sale of NSD certificate

Source: Bangladesh bank, 2014

• Per capita debt burden

In FY 2013-14, the per capita debt burden was Tk. 12968 and per capita external debt was USD149.2. Projection says that the per capita domestic debt will be Tk.15969.42 and Tk. 18970.5 in FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 respectively and the per capita external debt might be USD 153 and USD 158 during the same periods of time.

Figure 11: Per capita external debt

Source: Bangladesh Bank,2014

• Cost of debt: Principal and interest

Every year government has to pay a huge amount of principal and interest. Interest payment is the largest portion of non- development expenditure. In 2014-15, 12.4 percent of total budget expenditure is allocated to pay the interest of domestic and external debt, whereas the allocation was 12.5 percent in 2013-14. During the same time (FY 2014-15), the allocations for education, health and housing were 13.1 percent, 4.4 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

Table 3: Budgetary allocation on different sector (In percent)

Source: Budget in Brief, 2014-15, 2013-14 and 2012-13

4. ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (ADP)

Every year, the government sets a highly ambitious ADP target which is unrealistic in view of low implementation capacity. ADP allocation has been increasing continuously over the last twenty years (except FY 2008-09), but implementation has been consistently falling short of target, causing the economy to undergo decelerations in recent years. Moreover, it is observed that the rate of increase in ADP implementation has been decreasing. In FY 2012-13, 96 percent of total ADP was spent, whereas it stood at 94 percent in FY 2013-14, implying 2 percentage points decrease in ADP implementation. Allocation for ADP in the current fiscal year (FY 2014-15) is Tk. 80315 crore, 33.85 percent higher than that of the revised ADP of the last fiscal year (FY 2013-14). ADP implementation in October 2014 was Tk. 11250.82 crore (13%) which is 8.52 percent higher than that of the corresponding month of FY 2013-14. ADP implementation up to October of the current fiscal was higher than in any of the last five fiscal years.

Among the ministries/divisions, ministry of primary and mass education implemented highest amount of ADP allocation (23percent) and ministry of housing and public works implemented the lowest (4 percent). Furthermore, the average implementation as percentage of revised ADP was 91.12 percent during FY 2009-10 – FY 2012-13, whereas it was 90.23 percent during FY 2000-01 – FY 2005-06. In 2013-14, 94 percent of total ADP was implemented. An estimate based on past data reveals that total implementation as percentage of proposed ADP might reach 94.27 percent by the end of FY 2013-14.

Table 4: ADP Implementation

Source: Internal Monitoring Division, Ministry of Planning,2014

5. EXTERNAL BALANCE

A deceleration in the growth of export earnings coupled with declining growth in the export of readymade garments has been observed of late signaling a state of economic exigencies. External sector is undergoing this unsatisfactory performance due mainly to recent decrease in the surplus in current account, which may threaten to exert pressure on country’s balance of payments. In the first quarter of FY 2014-15, the economy experienced deficit in current account balance due to increase in import and decrease in export, deficit in service account and decrease in foreign aid disbursement. On the other hand, an increase in portfolio investment, however, keeps the overall balance positive.

5.1 Trade Balance

Between July and September of the current fiscal year, trade deficit was USD 1128 million which is more than that of the same period of the previous fiscal year. Trade deficit in the first quarter of FY 2014-15 has increased by 17.97 percent because the export earning has decreased by USD 71 million, whereas import payment has increased by USD 1199 million during this period. Export earnings decreased slightly by 0.97 percent during July-October, 2014 (First quarter of FY 2014- 2015). Political turmoil and sluggishness in the industrial production discourage the retailer for importing intermediate goods from this country. Import payments during July- September of 2014 increased by 5.41 percent and stood at USD

10338.20 million against USD 9808.00 million of July- September of 2013. Fresh opening of import LCs during July- September, 2014 increased by 10.92 percent compared to the previous fiscal year and stood at USD 9796.09 million.

• Balance in service

A large imbalance in service sector is prevailing for a long time which remains unnoticeable. The components of service sector are intangible which are travel, transportation, commercial services and government services (pocshman and Pelletier, 1999). In FY 2013-14, the gap between the credit and debit was USD 4189 million which was USD 3162 million in FY 2012-13 implying 32.42 percent increases in gap. In the July–September period of FY2014-15, the deficit in service has increased to USD 1333 million which was USD 880 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year. The increasing deficit in service explicates that the economy is not only lagging behind in terms of trade but also in terms of service, which is worsening the balance of payment. Based on the previous it can, however, be projected that the deficit in service account may rise to USD 4959 million in FY 2014-15.

Figure 12: Deficit in service account

Source: Bangladesh Bank, 2014

• Capital machinery import

Imports of capital machinery increased by 124.82 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year despite the unsatisfactory investment climate. During July–September of the current fiscal year, USD 691.36 million worth of settlement of letters of credit for capital machinery took place, implying

124.82 percent year-on-year increase, whereas it was about USD 566.54 million in FY 2013-14. The import of capital machineries reached USD 2005 million in FY 2011-12 and then came down to USD 1835 million in FY 2012-13 and stood USD 1392 million during July – January of FY 2013-14. A decline in import of capital machinery implies the lack of entrepreneurship and productive capacity expansion, which together with current unemployment of large productive capacities in manufacturing sector may cause the rate of growth in GDP to decelerate in the current fiscal year.

Remittance

Setting aside the role of remittances in terms of beefing up the foreign exchange reserves and enhancing the ability to import, remittances received from overseas also play a vital role in strengthening consumption of the rural people. In the last fiscal year, the rate of growth in flow of remittance become negative (-1.6percent) for the first time within last ten years, but during July-November of FY 2014-15, remittances went up by 11.54 percent and stood at USD 6204.52 million compared to the same period of the previous year.

The inflow of remittance shows a sluggish increasing rate from FY 2009-10 because of the crisis in Middle Eastern countries and reduction in the demand for labour of Bangladesh from Malaysia, Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore. In 2003, Saudi Arabia was the largest market for exporting manpower where 64 percent people of total migrants went to and the number decreases to 4 percent in 2013. In 2003, 15 percent, 10 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent of total migrants destined to UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Singapore, whereas the percentage stood at 4 percent, zero percent, 7 percent and 18 percent respectively in 2013. Export of manpower abroad has fallen in especially those traditional markets like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and UAE due to lack of proper diplomatic strategies, violation of rules and regulation by the manpower export agencies, illegal entries and increase in illegal activities by Bangladeshies in those countries.

Figure 13: Countrywise manpower in2003	Figure 14: countrywise manpower in 2013

Source: Ministry of Finance, 2014

• Overall balance

In the July –October period of the current fiscal year, the overall balance of payment has been decreased from USD1649 million toUSD1246 million compared to the same period of the previous FY 2013-14; 32.34 percent decrease in Overall balance. This large decrease is because of increase deficit in trade balance and current account balance.

The current account balance has stood at USD -1261 million in FY 2014-15(July-October)from USD 793 million in FY 2013- 14(July-October) that is the balance decreased by 59.02 percent. Meanwhile, the total import declined by 11.36 percent

and stood at USD 2770 million in July of FY 2014-15 compared to USD 3125 million in the corresponding month of the FY 2013-14.

On the other hand, the financial account increased to USD 2885 million from USD 30 million, represents a 95.17 percent increase which keep the overall balance positive. Financial account increases owing to slight increase in FDI, large increase in portfolio and other investment. In July-october’15, FDI increases by 5.64 percent, Portfolio investment increased by 100 percent and other investment(Medium and long term loans etc.) in financial account balance increased by 253.32 percent compared to the same time period of the previous fiscal year.

Source: Bangladesh Bank, 2014

6. Infrastructure

Poor energy infrastructure together with underdeveloped road and transportation system does not provide the investors with necessary incentives and opportunities to invest in the economy, thereby exerting adverse impact on country’s economic growth.

• Power and energy

By ensuring the food security, alleviating poverty and propelling rate of growth in GDP, power and energy guarantees the inclusive and sustainable development in a country. In developing countries like Bangladesh, low rate of growth in GDP (around five to six percent) is associated with

poor  physical  infrastructure  facilities  such  as  shortage  of power and energy supplies.

About 62  percent  people have the  access to electricity in current year that is 38 percent which indicates 59.204 million people have no access to electricity. Up to April 2012, the 53 percent of total population got the electricity where it was 49 percent and 47 percent in 2011 and 2010 respectively. The per capita consumption of electricity is increasing but low compared to other countries; even if lower than Bhutan or Srilanka. The per capita consumption of electricity was 217 kwh in Bangladesh, whereas the per capita consumption in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan was 529.1 kwh, 368.38 kwh,

431.44 kwh, and 1619.48 kwh respectively.

Figure 16: The per capita consumption of electricity compared to other countries

Source: CIA World Fact Book, 2013

The real demand for electricity could not be met due to the shortage of available generation capacity. A good number of generation units have become very old and have been operating at a much-reduced capacity. As a result, their reliability and productivity are also poor. Beside this, due to the shortage of gas supply, some power plants are unable to utilise their usual generation capacity. Therefore, there is an increase in the load-shedding over the years. The average maximum demand for electricity was 3970 MW in 2007 which increased to 4833 MW in 2011 (May, 2011) with an average increasing rate of 216 MW per annum. In May 2014 the peak demand increases to 7050 MW which was 6700 MW in 2013.

This increased demand over generation has resulted in increased load shedding (Figure 2). Additionally, the average load shedding increased to 656 MW in 2011 (May, 2011) with an average increasing rate of 35 MW per year starting from 2007. In May 2013, the load shedding increased to 932 MW which has decreased to 670 MW in May 2014. The demand for electricity has been increased with a rate of 5.43 percent per year whereas; the generation of electricity has been increased with a rate of 5.37 percent per year between 2007 and 2011.

Figure 17: Projected demand, supply and loadshedding in electricity.

Source: Bangladesh Power Development Board, 2014

Transport is an important component of economic activity in all countries but especially so in those that are developing. The potential for enhancing economic and social development through improvements in the transport sector are very large indeed.(Mahmood et.al,). Unfortunately, no such vision for transport development exists in Bangladesh. The current disturbing trends in transport development indicate the need for policy directions to make such development environmentally and otherwise sustainable and to create a transport system that can meet the growing demand for transport services which is resulting from increasing economic liberation and external orientation of the economy.

The transport system consists of road , railways and inland waterways. Roads and highways are the most widly used .There is 21454 km road ways in the country among which 17 percent is national ,20 percent is local road and 63 percent is district roads. But the condition of theses road is not good. According to the road transport and highways division’s latest road roughness survey, about 11 per cent of the 21,589.65 km roads and highways under its jurisdiction were in ‘bad to very bad’ category, about 30 per cent were in ‘poor’ category and about 58 per cent were in ‘good to fair’ category. 30 per cent of the highways, 35 per cent of regional highways and around 50 per cent of zila roads were in poor or bad condition.

Bangladesh, as a riverine country with 24,000 km waterways, has a navigable network varying from 5968 km during the monsoon to 3865 km during the dry season. Its inland water transport (IWT) continues to be an important mode of transport not only in the inland movement  of freight and passengers but also in the transportation of import and export items through the ports of Chittagong and Mongla. The high degree of penetration of the IWT network provides access to about 25% of the rural household in Bangladesh.

Table 5:Road and transport system in Bangladesh

Source:Ministry of Finance,2014;The New Age,2014;World Bank,2013.

Generally, the development in road and transport need large investment because compared to the other sectors, the infrastructure sector is more capital centric. The proposed allocation in this sector stood at Tk. 24464 crore which represent the 9.5 percent of the total budget expenditure. These are higher than the allocation in the budget of FY 2012-

13 and FY2013-14 by Tk. 11967 crore and Tk. 3840 crore, respectively. Special allocation for the Padma multipurpose Bridge is Tk. 6,852 crore included in infrastructure. In terms of budgetary allocation, although the infrastructure sector has seen one of the highest increases in recent times, the effectiveness of this amount, however, would depend on how the money is capitalised. If the money is used to build new roads, railways, etc, the possibility of a greater fiscal multiplier would be created. Moreover, one flaw in the government’s infrastructure development plan is its reliance the PPP initiative, which has already failed to produce real results.

INSTITUTIONAL BALANCE 1Banking sector

Country’s banking sector has been caught in trap and is characterised by high rate of interest, excess liquidity and declining growth in disbursement of credit to private sector, intermediating lower investment, coupled with poor risk management, fraudulence, driven by captured governance and lax oversight, resulting in lower profitability to the shareholders and institutional weakness in the economy. Besides this backdrop, questions are being raised concerning the far-sighted deregulation of the financial sector.

6.1.1 Risk Management

Risk management is measured by Return on asset(ROA), Return on equity(Roe) and non performing loan.ROA indicates the productivity of the assets i.e. how much income is earned from per unit of assets. According to Basel-II accord, ROA should be more than 1 percent. On the other hand, ROE is another important measure of earning and profitability determination which indicates net income after tax to total equity. In 2013, overall ROA in the banking sector was 0.90 percent whereas it was 0.60 percent in 2012. At the end of FY 2013-14 the performance of banking sector deteriorates. In  June of FY 2013-14, the ROA decreased from 0.9 percent to0 .6 percent and ROE decreased from 11.1 percent to 8.4 percent. If these trends continue, overall ROA in the banking sector might be

0.82 percent in 2014. Insignificant profit during this period has occurred due to the worst ratio of ROA scenario in SCBs and DFIs. The position of foreign commercial banks (FCBs) was strong enough over the whole period. The DFIs’ situation is not found better due to the operating loss incurred by Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB).

Figure 19: Return on equity and Return on asset in the banking sector

Source: Bangladesh Bank,2014

Overall net non performing loan (NPL) increased to 3.9 percent in June 2014 from 3.4 percent in March 2014. At end of March 2014, Net NPL ratios for SCBs and SBs increased from 4.7 percent and 24.2 percent respectively at the end of March 2014 to 7.4 percent and 26.4 percent respectively at the end of June 2014.

Excess of liquidity of the banking sector has been increasing over the months mainly due to a noticeably low level of demand for credits  by the private sector. Another reason behind the slow growth of credit is the rigid attitude in giving loans due to a number of scams occurred as well as mismatch between credit and deposit growth. At the end of September 2014, total liquid assets stood at Tk. 226926.43 crore(required liquidity was 73819.04 crore) compared to Tk. 214676.09 crore (required liquidity was Tk. 71278.22 crore) at the end of the June ,2014 which was 174171.33 crore at the end of June 2013.

Scrap in loan

Embezzlement of Hall-mark, Bismillah Group and BASIC bank etc. has become talk of the country in recent times. This loan scrap is alarming for our banking as well as the financial sector (see appendix).

7.1.2 Interest rate spread

To keep the inflation rate low, Bangladesh Bank has been promoted contractionary monetary policy for last three or four years. As a result, the interest rate spread is too high to encourage the investors to borrow. High lending rate depresses the investment by raising the cost of investment. For long time interest rate is too high. According to Taylor rule In Bangladesh the interest rate should be around 9 to 10 percent where  the    interest  rate(lending)  is  set  above  13  percent

.(UO,2014) According to the “Taylor Rule” equation, the policy interest rate should be 9.13 percent (calculated through taking into account government’s GDP projection of 7.3 percent and inflation projection of 7 percent), while it remained nearly

12.60 percent on average during the period of July-October of FY2014-15.

Figure 20: Interest rate spread

Figure: Major Economic Trends, Bangladesh Bank, 2014

REAL SECTOR

As the revenue collection by the government has been falling short of target, resources cannot be channeled adequately to the agriculture sector, which cause the rate of growth in agriculture to decline in recent periods. Along the agriculture sector, the manufacturing sector also assumes a decreasing rate of growth due mainly to increased gap between savings and investment and decreased priv

Agriculture Sector

The contribution of agriculture in GDP is decreasing every year. On the other hand the overall rate of growth in agriculture is also declining .Recent declining trend of growth in agriculture can be attributed to a number of reasons. First, the post-green  revolution  period has not experienced any breakthrough as regards technological advancement in the country on the one hand, and the poor and marginal farmers who comprise the majority of total farm population cannot afford the high cost of using high input technologies in agriculture on the other. Second, despite higher cropping intensity, the declining trend in the availability of arable land causes the growth in agricultural sector to fall. Third, though the budget allocation in agriculture is increasing, the large portion of this allocation goes for meeting non-development expenditure every year leaving a meager amount for development spending, thus constraining development in the sector. For instance, 85 percent of total agriculture-related budget was allocated for meeting non-development expenditure in FY2009-10, 84 percent in FY2010-11 and 85 percent in FY2011-12. Therefore, in order to raise productivity and profitability, reduce instability, and increase efficiency in resource use, increase of the allocation on the development side is important(UO,2014).

The amount of subsidy to the agriculture sector proposed at Tk. 9000 crore for FY 2014-15, which is Tk. 3000 crore lower than the revised budget for FY 2012-13. This subsidy cut would hurt the agricultural production. Finally, agriculture sector lacks specific proposals in the budget for FY 2013-14 about how to speed up the slow rate of ADP implementation, which is a long characteristic of this sector.

Industry Sector

In contrast to agriculture sector, the Industrial and Economic Services sector has received Tk. 2976 crore in the budget of FY 2014-15. This equals a decrease of Tk. 139crore from the revised budget of the preceding fiscal year. However, like the agriculture sector, the challenge for the industry remains whether this allocated amount would be able to sustain the industrial growth, especially when the sector is burdened with multiple problems. In particular, the requirement of investment is huge to shift the industrial growth to a more sustainable one. Like the other sectors, the slow rate of ADP implementation is a problem for the industrial sector as well. Actually, status of implementation of the ADP in industry sector is one of the worst.

The Quantum Index of Production (QIP) which is used for measuring the production performance of the manufacturing industries shows that for medium to large scale industries, the QIP increased to 228.43 in 2000-01 from 141.80 in 1992-93, whereas the index stood at 157.89 and then reached 205.45 in FY2010-11 and FY 2013-14 respectively. Recent trend of QIP shows that QIP for medium to large scale is increasing at a decreasing rate. In 2010-11 the rate of growth in QIP was 16.95 percent, which decreased to 10.79 in FY 2011-12 percent and slightly increased to 11.59 in 2012-13 percent, but in FY 2013-14 drastically decreased to 5.26 percent. Political unrest, lack of adequate energy and power, insufficient source of fund can be held responsible behind the decelerating rate of growth in QIP for medium to large scale manufacturing in recent years.

Figure 21: The quantum index of manufacturing industries (Medium to large scale industries

Source: Ministry of Finance, 2014

Additionally, The rate of growth in the industrial term loan has been experiencing an irregular movement with negative rate of growth since July- September, 2013. Adequate capital is needed for industrialisation of a country. Loan is one of the most important factors of capital formation, mainly for developing country like Bangladesh.

The disbursement of industrial term loan stood at Tk. 12809crore in the first quarter of the current FY 2014-15, which is the highest among the last five quarters, whereas it was Tk. 8880.9crore in the first quarter of the previous FY 2011-14. In the first quarter of the current FY 2014-15, disbursement of the industrial term loan increased by Tk. 2929 crore compared to the first quarter of the previous FY 2013-14. The rate of growth of the disbursement of the industrial term loan stood negative at 26.81 percent in the third quarter of the FY 2013-14, but had a positive rate of growth of 23.47 percent in the last quarter. If the trend remains as usual, the disbursement might increase at the end of the current fiscal year. The condition of the recovery of the industrial term loan has been improved by insignificant amount since the January- March quarter of the previous FY 2013-14.

Figure 22: Industrial term loan

Source: Bangladesh Bank, 2014

9. Poverty and Unemployment

With a rate of growth of 3.88 percent from 1995 to 2010, the size of the total labour force increased to 57.1 million in 2010, implying the availability of once-in-a-lifetime demographic dividend, though the lack of employment opportunities may cause the country not to capitalise on the advantage. Along the exigency of unemployment, continuation of recent decelerated decline in the incidence of poverty may witness a large number of people living below the poverty line in the near future, given the current rate of population growth in the country.

Poverty

Despite considerable thrust on poverty alleviation in all plan documents since the independence of Bangladesh, a significant number of people are still living below the poverty line. The rate of unemployment in the country, particularly youth unemployment is rising at a significant rate. The proportion of poor in the population declined considerably between 2000 and 2010. The incidence of poverty decreased from 49.8 percent in 2000 to 40 percent in 2005 and then further to 31.5 percent in 2010 (UO, 2014).Recently world bank estimated that the current poverty rate is 25.6 percent (The Daily Prothom- Alo, 2014). That is the poverty is decreasing at a decelerating rate.From 2000 to 2005 the poverty decreased by 9.8 percentage point where from 2005 to 2010 the poverty rate decreased by 8.5 percentage point .

Unemployment

With a rate of growth of 3.88 percent (from 1995-96 to 2010), the number of total civilian labour force in 2010 increased to

57.1 million. In 1995-96, total civilian labour force was 36.1 million out of which 30.7 million was male and only 5.4 million was female. Out of total civilian labour force, 40.2 million was male and rest 16.9 million was female. A total of 34.8 million were employed and 1.4 million were unemployed in 1995-96, which increased to 54.5 million and 2.6 million respectively in 2010 (BBS, 2011).

When underemployment is taken into account in assessing the status of the labor force in Bangladesh, the perception of the labor market significantly changes. The information on hours worked shows that a total of 10.99 million (which is about

20.31 percent of the employed labor of 54.1 million) were underemployed in 2010. This shows an extremely high level in the number of the people who work less than 35 hours per week.

Also the information shows high  incidence of underemployment in rural areas and among the female labor force (Saleh, 2014).

10. CONCLUSIONS

Based on the five months’ performance of the economy in the current fiscal year it can be said the major targets of the government described in MTTF and national budget remain unfulfilled. The policy adjustment to augment economic growth should promote through major changes in economic policies. The policy planning should be formulated keeping medium to long-term time horizon in mind, rather than on ad-hoc basis.

An expedient seven-point policy measure is, however, recommended for addressing the current and rising economic challenges. The seven-point policy measure comprises improved international diplomacy, employment enhancement strategies, higher revenue collection through expanding tax base, institutional reform in financial sector, increased private investment through incentivising investors, narrowing interest rate spread through effective harmonisation of macroeconomic policies, and development of a functional social security system.

Facets of Decelerated Growth and the Way Forward

Source: Adapted from Titumir and Rana (2014)

The aggregate demand has to be boosted up through the harmonisation of public and private investment. The policy of addressing structural issues rather than cyclical constraints could work better here. The fiscal policy needs to take a radical shift in the composition of the fiscal deficit from consumption to addressing supply-side bottlenecks through public investment in infrastructure. The increased public infrastructure investment will result in fiscal multipliers and crowd in private investment, unlike the current public consumption based fiscal deficit, which has been crowding out private investment demand. Output and employment gains may progressively move upward as private spending will not be crowded out, either by the upward pressure on interest rates arising from government credit demands or by the fears of eventual monetary accommodation and heightened inflation expectations which may accompany persistent deficits.

There is no alternative to increased revenue mobilisation to improve the fiscal balance of the country. First, the thrust of the tax reforms has to shift from the ad hocism to a structural one, comprising the principles of instituting progressive tax structure, avoidance of tax evasion and strengthening institutional capacity. For growth to continue the economy requires increased public expenditure in physical and socio- economic infrastructure. This is particularly required to have a structural shift from agriculture to industry and to service. Moreover, there is a need for an active fiscal policy with subsidies diverted towards the productive capacity and capability enhancing sectors.

Like the fiscal policy, the monetary policy of the country has to be harmonised to ensure a high investment ratio. Even if the central bank is assured that monetary pressure is causing the prices to go up, the central bank has to demonstrate its prudence by not resorting to across the board contraction of money supply rather choose a differential system to maintain the level of investment.

The exchange rate of the country has to be managed in such a way that exchange rate pass-through is kept at a minimal level and any sudden and unexpected ups and downs in the trade balance can be checked. In addition, the country has a few products for a few countries. An effective export diversification policy has therefore to be implemented through assisted monetary and fiscal measures. If expedient, prudent, context specific and creative policies are pursued, the economy would march forward and the country may soon graduate out of its least development status.

Reference

Mujeri K. Mustafa & Chowdhury T. Tahreen, 2014. Savings and Investment Estimates in Bangladesh: Some Issues and Perspectives in the Context of an Open Economy, June 2013.Dhaka: Bangladesh        Institute                      of                              Development        Studies.     Available                     at: https://bids.org.bd/publication/DPaper/Dicussion_Paper_02.pdf

Bangladesh Bank. 2014, Major Economic Indicators. November, 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh Bank. 2014, Monthly Economic Trend, November 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh Bank. 2013, Selected indicators, December 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bank.

Ministry of Finance (MoF). 2014, Bangladesh Economic Review, 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh.

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014,Long On Realities, Short On Targets, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No.6, June 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/reports/Budget/Budget_FY_2014-15/Budget_FY_2014-15.pdf

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014, Banking Sector Caught in Trap, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No. 7, July 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/reports/meu/MEU_July_2014/MEU_July_2014.pdf

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014,Monetary Policy Statement (July-December, 2014): A Rapid Assessment, Bangladesh      Economic   Update       Volume           5,             No.8,       August                       2014.             Dhaka:       Unnayan Onneshan.Availableat:https://www.unnayan.org/reports/meu/MEU_August_2014/MEU_MPS_Au gust_2014.pdf

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014,External Sector: Current Trends, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No.10, September 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/index.php/publications/all-publications/recent-articles

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014,Debt and Deficit: Recent Trends, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No.11, October 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/reports/meu/Meu_October_2014/MEU_October_2014.pdf

Unnayan Onneshan. 2014,Energy Security: Recent Trends and Challenges, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No.12, November 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/reports/meu/MEU_Nov_2014/MEU_Nov_2014.pdf

Unnayan  Onneshan.  2012,Half  Yearly  Assessment  of  Economy  of  Bangladesh,  Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 3, No.12, December 2014. Dhaka: Unnayan Onneshan. Available at: https://www.unnayan.org/index.php/publications/all-publications/recent-articles/86-half-yearly- assessment-of-the-economy-of-bangladesh

Unnayan Onneshan. 2013, Declining Growth: Mismathes in Fiscal and Monetary Management,Half Yearly Assessment of the Economy in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economic Update Volume 5, No.11, October                          2014.                     Dhaka:                         Unnayan         Onneshan.         Available               at: https://www.unnayan.org/reports/meu/December%202013/Halfyearly%20assessment_Dec%2020 13.pdf

Prothom-alo,       2014.     Countries       Poverty      is    now     at    25.6%,      July28,2014.                         Available                    at: https://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/51338/Country-s-poverty-rate-now-25.6%25

The      Financial       Express,       2014.     Infrastructure        and     governance       deficit           Available       at: https://www.thefinancialexpress- bd.com/old/index.php?ref=MjBfMDRfMjJfMTNfMV82XzE2NzEyMA

Appendix

Table: Scrap in loan

Source: The Daily star, April, September and July 2013,The New age,2012 The Daily Prothom-alo,July,2014

Bangladesh Economic Update is a monthly publication of the Economic Policy Unit of Unnayan Onneshan, a multidisciplinary research organisation based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The report has been prepared by Nabila Nasrin. The Update has been copy edited by Abid Feroz Khan.

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The rights-holders with whom AAB has walked the miles include women and men at the grassroots, indigenous peoples, Dalits, persons with disabilities, sex workers and their children, children living in socially excluded and geographically remote areas, industrial workers, smallholders and woman farmers, fisher folks, acid survivors, people affected by disasters in urban and rural areas, underprivileged youth, irregular migrants etc.

Throughout 30 years, AAB predominantly invested in leadership and democracy at the grassroots using Reflection-Action process as the tool for empowerment and mobilisation of people helping build their own agency envisioned towards exploring rights-based alternatives.

In this process of intervention, AAB continued to create state-community interface not only by addressing micro-level challenges resulted from macro-level policy prescriptions but also offering credible alternatives capitalising on people’s options and preferences in the field of education, health,
food right, women rights including the rights of the marginalised communities and governance in the larger scale. The
development endeavours put in place for the promotion of people’s alternatives and grassroots models helped advance the political influence in the following Policy processes:

1. incorporaion of rights of persons with disability in UNCRPD, and Disability Rights Law 2013
2. introducion and the promoion of the use of sign language in the naional media
3. inclusion of ‘river ambulance’ as a grassroots model in the Naional Health Policy 2011
4. tackling inclement weather condiion using ‘flexible school calendar’ in the haor areas
5. replicaion of ‘midday meal’ in 78 schools in 4 districts as a 2011 pilot for policy provision
6. ariculaion of people’s needs and prioriies in the Disaster Management Act 2011
7. formulaion of the Domesic Violence (Resistance and Protecion) Act 2010
8. inclusion of the Urdu-speaking communiies in the Ciizenship Amendment Act 2009
9. protecion of the fisher-folk’s rights including livelihood supports during fishing ban

Despite many achievements in the life of the marginalised and excluded people, the country has gone through phenomenal changes paricularly in the wake of neo-liberal development intervenions. This market-led approach has substanially affected the development landscape making the already exising heterogeneity of development trends much more complex in terms of vision, approach and strategy.

The worsening dominaion of the market has dispossessed rural, marginalised communiies from producive, common-property resources trading away people’s livelihoods. Rampant privaisaion of social sectors such as health, educaion has categorically reduced common people’s access. The potenial of the RMG sector as the main driver of the economy has fallen to ethical responsibility blurred by rigged rule and double standards in the global value chain. This has put decent employment and workers’ protecion into controversy.

Development is now at a crossroads – one way leading to the market-based approach, and the other to an enabling, people-centred development. Unfortunately, this juncture limits people from making choices for their individual and collecive development.

The trilogue, armed with this hindsight, intends to generate discourse involving Government representaives, civil society and the business community, to explore the possibility of (re)creaing or extending policy space and to chart out people’s journey for the years to come – in tackling the challenges above and realising AcionAid’s envisioned goal: further human rights for all and defeat poverty.

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The GIDRM has been designed as a network, bringing together multiple stakeholders from developing, emerging and industrialised nations working in public administrations, academia, civil society and the private sector. For the initial pilot phase, GIDRM is being implemented in eight countries including Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia. In Bangladesh the project aims at promoting fire safety, by providing training aids and sharing skills and knowledge. A mission from the Fire Brigade of the City of Bonn visited Bangladesh in last October. It was followed by a similar mission from Bangladesh in November which included a study tour on fire safety in the industry and risk management in Germany.

Stressing the importance of this timely initiative, the Ambassador recalled the tragic accidents of Tazreen Fashions and Rana Plaza and underscored the necessity of an effective disaster management mechanism in Bangladesh with strong and capable actors across different segments of the society. He was hopeful that the knowledge sharing component of the initiative would quickly benefit Bangladesh’s disaster response capacity. “This country has a long history of brave response to disasters. The experience is there. However, Germany may be able to help when it comes to planning, methodology, logistics and the use of state of the art equipment in order to reduce casualties in the future”, Conze concluded.

The program was also attended by officials from Bangladesh Fire and Civil Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. The Director General of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, Brigadier Ali Ahmed Khan said that Fire Service and Civil Defense is the first responder organization for any kind of disaster in Bangladesh, and as such responsible for adequate response time. Professional skills of the highest standards were of the essence for fire fighters in Bangladesh whose capabilities were being closely watched in the wake of recent tragedies. He welcomed GIZ’s initiatives to facilitate training for fire fighters and expressed his appreciation for Germany’s support.

The outgoing Country Director of GIZ, Olaf Handloegten, has been named Head of GIDRM, based in Berlin. At his last press conference in Dhaka before leaving the country, Olaf Handloegten said that “Germany has learned that disasters can only be tackled effectively if we combine our efforts and link professional full-time government services with the strengths of professionally trained volunteers from the communities. This is one key prerequisite to strengthen the resilience of a nation. GIZ is pleased to see the German and Bangladeshi Fire Services work hand in hand towards a better response preparedness.”

The Fire Safety Mission returning from training in Germany included participants from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs.

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The research organisation’s half-yearly assessment of the economy, coinciding with the end of the calendar year and the completion of the tenure of the present government, also states that the growth in GDP may fall below the decadal average of six percent due to fiscal and monetary management trap, functioned by lack of policy farsightedness and political contestations.

The Unnayan Onneshan anticipates that the real rate of growth in GDP in FY 2013-14 might decline to 5.65 percent against the government’s revised target of 7.2 percent, though the budgetary target was 7.5 per cent. In FY 2010-11, the GDP growth rate was 6.71 percent, which declined to 6.23 percent in FY 2011-12, and further fell to 6.03 percent in FY 2012-13.

“The major reasons of failing to achieve the targeted level of growth of the current fiscal year are the increased gap between savings-investment, mismatch between investment demand and growth of credit to the private sector, poor rate of ADP implementation, failure to achieve the targeted level of revenue, reduction in public spending in physical infrastructure and social sectors. These have been accompanied with political contestations,” explains the think-tank.

The Unnayan Onneshan observes that several policy-induced macroeconomic challenges have severely restricted the maintenance of upward mobility of rate of growth in the recent fiscal years and the continuation of progress in different social sectors.

“The measures proposed in the budget, coupled with a contractionary monetary policy and orthodox exchange-rate management agreed as part of a three-year programme between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have led to slide in the rate of growth,” explains the leading thin-tank.

The Unnayan Onneshan points out that the lower collection of revenue is likely to reduce public investment, especially in infrastructure and social sectors, causing economic growth to decline. “To finance this increase in revenue expenditure, the government may have to go for further borrowing and thus trapping the country in a vicious circle of spiraling debt and deficit,” it adds.

Simultaneously, the think-tank says that fall in revenue collection also means that the government has to increase its borrowing from both domestic and foreign sources and the former may crowd out private investment.

The organisation observes that the narrow tax base along with structural weakness and the wide opportunities of evading and avoiding tax have added difficulties to collection of revenue in the present fiscal year.

During the first five months, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has collected revenue of Tk. 40,956 crore against the target of Tk 46,924.68 crore, a short of the target by Tk. 5,970 crore and 88.59 per cent of its target.

In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, supplementary and excise duty on import have witnessed negative rate of growth at 5.66 percent and 24.03 percent respectively against the corresponding period of the last year. A lower rate of growth of 4.52 percent and 16.63 percent has been observed in custom duty and value added tax (VAT) against the same period of the previous year.

The research organisation projects that at the current rate of revenue realisation, the gap between targeted and actualised revenue may increase to TK 8.18 billion, which is likely to reduce public expenditure in real and social sectors.

Public expenditure has already been suffering from either lower allocation or lower rate of growth. During first quarter, total implementation of the ADP has stood at Tk. 227.25 billion, which in actual amount is Tk. 0.68 billion less than the amount of the previous fiscal year. The allocation in the agriculture sector has decreased by Tk. 23.71 billion from the revised budget for FY 2012-13.

Referring to the linkage between expansion of credit and growth in investment, the Unnayan Onneshan notes that the decline in the rate of growth in credit will drag down investment and consequentially slide down the GDP. The rate of growth of credit disbursement to the private sector in July to September, 2013-14 over July to September, 2012-13 is 10.18 percent, representing a 5.32 percentage point gap as the target in the monetary policy statement (MPS) was set at 15.5 percent.

The disbursement of industrial term loan stood at Tk. 8880.79 crore in the first quarter of the current year, which is the lowest among the last five quarters. The disbursement of the agricultural credit stood negative at 5.4 percent in October of 2013, compared to the positive growth rate of 143.2 percent in September of 2013.

In the first quarter of the FY 2013-14, export and import increased by 21.24 and 10.49 percent respectively compared to the same period of the previous FY 2012-13.

Besides the large scale scams, the risk management in the banking system has weakened, observes the Unnayan Onneshan. The overall return on assets (ROA) that measures the efficiency of the management in generation of earning to assets stood at 0.60 percent in 2012 compared to 1.3 percent in 2011.

The inflation stood at 7.15 percent in November 2013 on a point-to-point basis considering FY 2005-06 as the base year against 6.55 percent in November 2012, adversely impacting on the poor and the marginalised.

The Unnayan Onneshan also points out that the reduction in poverty has slowed down as poverty reduced by 8.9 percentage points during 2000-2005 while during the successive five years (2005-2010) the total decline was 8.5 percentage points.

The organisation recommends for adjustment of monetary policy with fiscal policy since reductionist policies only cut down investment demand, creates unemployment and in turn hampers growth. It also proposes structural reforms in tax structure, strengthening institutional capacity in the areas of net, burden, avoidance and evasion of taxes in the backdrop of rising pressure on revenue collection.

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The think tank also observes that the decade-long policy of liberalisation in the sector has failed to lessen the rate of interest, its spread between deposit and lending, and promote financial inclusion while the weak surveillance system has led to a number of problems, including scams and increased defaults of loans.

As regards risk-management, the sector is plagued with severe structural rigidities, highlighted by indicators such as non-performing loans (NPL), low returns on asset and equity and the situation has continued to deteriorate.

Pointing on the linkage between expansion of credit and growth in investment, the Unnayan Onneshan notes that decline in the rate of growth in credit will drag down investment and consequentially slide down the expansion of the gross domestic product (GDP). The achievement of government-targeted 7.2 percent rate of growth in GDP for FY 2013-14 requires rate of investment to rise at 32.0 percent of GDP.

Referring to the public and private sector credit, the research organisation states that domestic credits recorded a lesser increase of 11.52 percent at the end of September 2013 against the increase of 17.72 percent in corresponding period of the last year.

The rate of growth of credit disbursement to the private sector in July to September, 2013 -14 over July to September, 2012-13 is 10.18 percent, representing a 5.32 percentage point gap as the target in the monetary policy statement (MPS) was set at 15.5 percent.

The research organisation points out that the disbursement of industrial term loan stood at Tk. 8880.79 crore in the first quarter of the current FY 2013-14, which is the lowest among the last five quarters. If the trend remains as usual, the disbursement might decline to Tk. 8657.887 crore in the second quarter of the current FY 2013-14 with a negative growth rate of 2.51 percent.

The disbursement of the agricultural credit stood negative at 5.4 percent in October 2013, compared to the positive growth rate of 143.2 percent in September, 2013. At the current rate, agricultural credit disbursement might decline to Tk. 1007.36 crore in November, 2013, says the Unnayan Onneshan.

Besides the large scale scams, the risk management has weakened, observes the Unnayan Onneshan. For example, the non-performing loans have increased to 3.91 percentage point in 2012 from 6.12 in 2011. The overall return on assets (ROA) that measures the efficiency of the management in generation of earning to assets stood at 0.60 percent in 2012 compared to 1.3 percent in 2011. If these trends continue, overall ROA in the banking sector might decrease to 0.55 percent in 2013.

The return on equity (ROE), the amount of net income returned as a percentage of shareholders equity, reduced by 6.5 percentage points to reach at 7.8 percent in 2012, from 14.3 percent in 2011.

Referring to the financial inclusion, the Unnayan Onneshan states that branches in rural areas decreased to 57.20 percent in December 2012 from 57.94 in February 2008 and the share of branches in urban areas increased to 42.80 percent from 42.06 percent during the same period. The foreign banks have not yet established any branch in rural areas as of December 2012.

The Unnayan Onneshan recommends for improvement in supervision and regulatory capacity of the central bank and streamlining of enforcement of prudential guidelines.

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Here it is not like the fanfare in MC Hong Kong in 2005 where there were more than 1000 registered NGO (non government organization) observers and here it is only 650. While the former DG Pascal Lamy left with frustration, the present DG Roberto Azevedo is trying to give a good start and already he expressed his intention to have a successful completion of Doha Development Round. But there are some major contentious issues between the developing and developed countries that seem the members have to pass through hard times and the question arises, is the WTO Bali Ministerial able to deliver?

A major contentious issue is the food security vs. peace clause.  India passed a law and is going to lunch a huge public food distribution system for the millions of poor people. US and other developed countries have already opposed it blaming that it will distort the market as it is fallen in amber box subsidy. Lot of US food and grain exporter groups are lobbying to stop India to give such subsidy. Most of the developed countries already supporting US position, ironically Pakistan too being a developing country.  On the other hand 33 countries, mostly developing countries has already supported Indian position and urged for food security issue in WTO agreement. But to make a compromise formula, WTO DG tables a peace clause i.e. not to discuss the issue at least for the next four years. Most of the developing countries are taking position on the ‘Food Security’ should not be considered as a trade distorting issue. It should be considered rather as a green box subsidy.  They, therefore, demand a permanent solution instead of considering this temporary formula of peace clause.

The other contentious issue is the trade facilitation (TF) agreement. In fact, it is the demand from the developed countries that the countries need to modernize the custom and other related infrastructure to facilitate more import and export. But this is not a priority issue for the developing countries especially least developed countries (LDC) as they have the development issue in priority for investment. LDC has already demanded that they can only accept it if they get financial assistance.

LDC Ministers have had a meeting yesterday where they have reaffirmed their common position, which they might declare on 4^th December in the conference venue.  They have reiterated there demand on (i) duty free quota free access for their goods, (ii) preferential rules of origin, (iii) withdrawal of cotton subsidy in the developed countries, (iv) no obligation to trade facilitation binding if there is no financial assistance, and assurance for special and differential treatment. And there is also a renewed demand for the TRIPs (trade related intellectual property rights’) waiver and trade for aid or technical assistance.

There are favorable conditions for LDC issues but it might be caught up between the row of food security and peace clause issue.

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The key objectives of the coordination unit is to collect and analyse information from all stakeholders to report the needs, services provided and current status of all victims. The unit will also act as a point of contact for the Rana Plaza building collapse victims to receive information on their rights, and services available.

The unit consists of a coordinator, data analyst, social worker and liaison officer.

At an information sharing session on the 14^th of September 2013, NSDC secretariat members along with stakeholders in Bangladesh’s garment industry developed strategies to strengthen the rehabilitation and reintegration of garment factory workers and their families affected by the Rana Plaza building collapse. This coordination cell establishment in the Savar area is a step towards the more vigorous implementation of the action plan strategies.

Under the leadership of NSDC secretariat a coordination committee was formed comprising representatives[1] from international organizations, NGOs, trade unions and industry associations. This coordination committee meets on a regular interval to follow up progress on the on-going activities. To take this initiative forward NSDCSecretariat is now coordinating the activities proposed in the action plan through the establishment of thisunit.

Magnus Schmid, Program Coordinator of PSES, GIZ commented, “The Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards (PSES), a joint project of the governments of Bangladesh and Germany, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, have been engaged in the on-going development of an action plan for rehabilitation of the victims and NSDC is supporting the initiative by coordinating the activities proposed in the action plan through the establishment of this unit. The German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) made funds available to support the workers suffering from temporary and permanent injuries and rehabilitation is one of the areas through which PSES is disseminating this fund. This coordination unit will serve as a useful tool to synchronise all efforts under one umbrella.”

Mohammad Faizur Rahman, Joint Secretary, MoLE, said, “The Government of Bangladesh is always positive to support rehabilitation of the Rana Plaza victims and survivors and we believe there is need for an effective coordination. This tragedy has shown the resilience of the people in Bangladesh and we are grateful to the rescue teams for their tremendous efforts and the media representatives for the courageous coverage and dissemination of information.”

“The Coordination Cell is an important step among others that ILO is supporting with EU and internal financing to respond to the needs of Rana Plaza survivors. ILO is pleased to participate with other stakeholders in making the coordination unit a success”, said Arthur Earl Shears, Chief Technical Advisor, International Labour Organisation (ILO).

“Following the collapse of Rana Plaza building, lists of victims have been compiled by manyorganisations.However, stakeholders have raised concerns that the victims are disproportionately receiving support. Under these circumstances, the NSDC secretariat in consultation with ILO country Office Dhaka, has decided to step forward and assume responsibility for the coordination, in collaboration with all stakeholders”, said Mr.Jiban Kumar Chowdhury, CEO of NSDC.

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The talks come as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report showed that it is possible to avoid the worst climate impacts, but only if “substantial and sustained” action starts now. Countries have been challenged to act by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon who asked them to bring “bold pledges” to his Climate Leadership Summit in September next year. The single biggest thing countries can do at Warsaw is to commit to do so.

A pall, nevertheless, hangs over the talks, as the Polish Government has made a series of ham-fisted efforts to allow the fossil fuel lobby to have more influence over the UN meeting and to block European efforts to increase climate action.

What: You are invited to join a telephone briefing by Climate Action Network experts who will outline civil society’s expectations for the year’s major UN climate negotiations and detail the current state of play in international climate policy.

When: 10am CET, Tuesday, November 5th, 2013.

Who:

Stephan Singer, global energy policy director, WWF.
Wendel Trio, director, Climate Action Network Europe
Harjeet Singh, International Coordinator – Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Adaptation, ActionAid

How to Join: Dial the toll-free number for your country listed below, and when requested enter the Conference Room Number: 1231732. If your country is not listed, please email [email protected] to make arrangements to join. If the time zone does not suit, please also get in touch to arrange a one-on-one briefing.

Toll Free Numbers:

Argentina
+54 (0) 8002661376

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For more information or for one-on-one interviews with the NGO experts, please contact Climate Action Network International’s communications coordinator Ria Voorhaar on  +49 (0) 157 317 35568  or [email protected].

Climate Action Network (CAN) is a global network of over 850 NGOs working to promote government and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.

Can Warsaw Deliver Climate Action: Policy Experts Detail Expectations for COP19

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The post Can Warsaw Deliver Climate Action: Policy Experts Detail Expectations for COP19 appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

The post During COP19 in Warsaw, major companies to showcase contributions and commitments towards climate action, 19 and 20 November appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

The terms of trade, the value of exports relative to that of imports, reached at 70.1 percent in FY 2011-12 from 70.8 percent in FY 2010-11 and the leading think-tank projects further weakening in the upcoming years to reach at 69.2 percent, 68 percent, 66.7 percent and 65.5 percent in FY 2012-13, FY 2013-14, FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 respectively, if radical actions are not taken.

Explaining that the terms of trade are influenced by a number of factors, the research organization says that the deterioration means that the gap between country’s dependency on export of low- value products and import of high-value products are increasing, disfavouring the rise of export prices comparative to import prices.

Referring to the dominance of seven low-value labour intensive export items of the country, the research organisation also states that although exports of woven garments, jute goods increased slightly in FY 2012-13 compared to the previous FY 2011-12, the exports of frozen food, knitwear, raw jute, chemical products, engineering and electric goods, and tea witnessed a decline compared to FY 2011-12.

Of the main five import items, excepting food grains, the remaining four – crude petroleum, raw cotton, capital machinery and iron, steel and other base metals – are, on the other hand, comparatively high-value industrial goods, adds the report.

Urging for a structural shift and transcending from the current practice of government taking policies on an adhoc basis, the Unnayan Onneshan suggests to opt for coordinated monetary and fiscal policies by way of fiscal incentives, subsidies and tax breaks to embark upon technological catching up and manufacturing high value-added products to stave off further deterioration of terms of trade.

The research organisation also points out that trade openness is increasing while terms of trade is decreasing which casts doubt over the efficacies of trade liberalisation. In FY 2012-13, the trade openness index reached at the highest level of 49.9 since FY 2001-02.

Observing that the economy has been experiencing a negative balance of trade over the years, the Unnayan Onneshan reasons out a greater fall in import than that in export behind this decline in trade deficit. Trade deficit declined to USD. Trade deficit declined to USD 7010 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 9310 million in FY 2011-12. If the recent business scenario remains as usual, trade deficit might decline to USD 2494.33 million in 2013-14 and to USD 2667.71 million in 2015-16.

The Unnayan Onneshan notes that the surplus of current account has risen due to increase in remittances and fall in import payments. The country recorded a surplus of USD 2525 million in FY 2012-13 against USD 447 million deficits in FY 2011-12 as import payment decreased to USD 34083.6 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 35516.3 million in FY 2011-12, witnessing a negative growth of 4.03 percent.

The think-tank, however, observes that surplus achieved through reducing import of raw materials and capital machinery for its industrial sector may not be considered a blessing and this surplus has also appreciated the national currency, leading to loss in export competitiveness.  The import of raw materials and capital machinery declined to USD 6408 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 11268 million in FY 2011-12, making a negative growth of 43.13 percent. The Taka has appreciated by 0.01 percent at the end of August, 2013 compared to July, 2013.

The portfolio investment and foreign direct investment (FDI) witnessed a negative rate of growth. The portfolio investment stood at USD 110 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 198 million in FY 2011-12, observing a negative rate of growth of 44 percent. The net FDI experienced a negative rate of growth of 24.6 percent in FY 2012-13, from a positive rate of growth of 28.4 percent in FY 2011-12.  The net FDI decreased to USD 750 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 995 million in FY 2011-13.

The Unnayan Onneshan also notes that net foreign inflow increased to USD 1887 million in FY 2012-13, from USD 1169 million in FY 2011-12. Furthermore, in July of FY 2012-13, the total foreign aid was USD 209.99 million and principal payment was USD 53.17 million for which net foreign aid was positive as USD 156.82 million. The net flow of foreign aid stood at USD -41.84 million in July, 2013 compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The post Balance of Trade: Bangladesh Economic Update appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

BCDJC president Nayeemul Islam Khan informed that the Award will recognise one Reporter & one Photojournalist from print media, one Reporter from electronic media including the related Camera Person/s for their outstanding contribution through investigative reporting/photograph published between January 1st and December 31st of 2012.
The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, 26 October 2013 at 10.30am at the Conference Lounge of National Press Club, Topkhana Road, Dhaka.
The Honorable Information Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and the Honorable State Minister of Housing & Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan as Special Guest. Eminent journalists along with other distinguished members of civil society will also attend the event.

The post UNESCO Bangladesh Journalism Award giving ceremony appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

The research organisation in its book titled “Measuring Multidimensionality: State of Poverty in Bangladesh 2013” launched in connection with the “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” says that poverty reduced by 9.8 percentage points during the five years of 2000-2005 while during the successive five years (2005-2010) the total decline was 8.5 percentage points.

The depth of poverty or poverty gap, a measure of the average income gap of the poor in relation to a certain threshold, and severity of poverty or squared poverty gap, a measure sensitive to the income distribution among the poor — have also witnessed a slower rate of reduction in last few years. The rate of fall in depth of poverty was 5.94 percent between 2000 and 2005 and was 5.56 percent between 2005 and 2010. Likewise, the severity of poverty was 7.39 percent between 2000 and 2005 and was 6.21 percent between 2005 and 2010.

The Unnayan Onneshan for the first time in the country has employed major approaches of measurement of poverty such as monetary, capability, participatory and social exclusion to comprehend the dynamics of poverty in the country. The think-tank has also identified some important problems associated with the different approaches of measuring poverty such as estimation, selection and targeting biases.

Considering capability approach, broadly measured by human development index (HDI), the research finds that the HDI value has increased from 0.453 in 2010 to 0.515 in 2012 with annual rate of 4.56 percent. “On the other hand, the inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) increased to 0.374 in 2012 from 0.331 in 2010 with a rate of 4.33 percent per annum. This lower rate of increase in IHDI over HDI indicates that inequality has a greater impact on poverty reduction since under the perfect equality condition, the HDI and the IHDI are equal,” observes the study.

The reduction rate of hunger (3.67 percent per annum) is slower than the rate of reduction in extreme poverty (4.87 percent per annum) during the period of 2000 – 2010. The number of hungry people as a percentage of extreme poor has increased over the years, adds the research.

Pointing out that the gender inequality has decreased at decreasing rate of 1.66 percent annually over the period of 2005 to 2012, the Unnayan Onneshan states that the value of Gender Inequality Index in 2012 suggests that Bangladesh is yet far from equality because of deprivation of women in equal access to education, health care and decision-making.

Observing that the participation of people in economic activities has been increasing over the years, the Unnayan Onneshan, however, detects that the rate of reduction of poverty is not matching the similar pace in Bangladesh. “The participation of population in income generating activities increased from 39.0 million in 1999-2000 to 54.1 million in 2010 with an annual rate of increase of 3.87 percent whereas the rate of poverty declined from 49.8 percent to 31.5 percent with the decrease rate of 3.67 percent per year during the same period,” adds the research.

Observing that the country is still experiencing social exclusion on the basis of ethnicity, descent, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, and region, the Unnayan Onneshan finds that the rate of poverty among the widowed, divorced and separated people has decreased at a lowered rate from 59.7 percent in 1995-96 to 33.9 percent in 2010 with an annual rate of 2.88 percent.

The incidence of poverty among zero landowners reduced from 58.2 percent in 1995-96 to 35.4 percent in 2010 with an annual rate of 2.61 percent. The incidence of poverty among uneducated household head has reduced from 67.0 percent in 1995-96 to 42.8 percent in 2010 with an annual rate of 3.2 percent whereas the incidence of poverty at national level has reduced to 25.1 percent in 2010 from 48.0 percent in 1995-96 with an annual rate of 2.4 percent.

Referring to the slower rate of reduction in poverty, the Unnayan Onneshan reasons the challenges like unemployment, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change, decreasing agriculture land etc.

The Unnayan Onneshan has underscored that current anti-poverty strategies have not been able to comprehend poverty as a process interlinks to, and emanates from, the functioning of society.  It also points out that the central framework seems to promote dominant neoliberal policies which have questionable effects on people’s lives and the institutions have failed to address the power imbalances that exist between different classes.

The Unnayan Onneshan proposes a set of indicators based on new five fundamental principles of rights, equality, justice, sustainability and partnership for development through historic responsibility for a zero-poverty post 2015 development framework.

The post Measuring Multidimensionality: State of Poverty in Bangladesh 2013 appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

Climate policy and global climate negotiations rely on a robust scientific foundation to produce
sound results. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides policymakers with
regular assessments of climate science and its potential impacts, as well as assessments of the
possiblities for mitigating climate change. The estimation of emissions and removals of greenhouse
gases is one important basis for climate mitigation and the IPCC provides de facto international
standards for such estimation, through highly technical work.
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are required to
prepare their national annual inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and removals according to
guidelines established by the IPCC. The IPCC has produced greenhouse gas inventory guidelines
since the mid-1990s, most recently updated in 2006.
One important source of greenhouse gas emissions and removals is land use, land use change and
forestry (LULUCF). This includes the impact of deforestation, but also emissions from wetlands and
peat bogs. In response to an invitation by the UNFCCC, the IPCC’s Task Force on National
Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI), is developing supplementary guidance on wetlands. The Parties
to the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC have also asked the IPCC to review and update its guidance
on greenhouse gas emissions and removals from LULUCF.
The Wetlands Supplement and KP Supplement are being considered for formal adoption and
acceptance at the 37th Session of the IPCC in Batumi.
The TFI was established by the IPCC at its 14th Session (October 1998), to oversee the IPCC
National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme (IPCC-NGGIP). This programme had been
undertaken since 1991 by WGI in close collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 1999, the
Technical Support Unit set up at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan
took over this programme in accordance with a decision taken by the IPCC at its 14th Session. The
TFI Technical Support Unit is hosted by the Government of Japan.

The post Press conference following the Thirty-Seventh Session of the IPCC in Batumi, Georgia appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

The growth in manufacturing was 9.34 percent in FY 2012-13 which was lower than those of 9.37 and 9.45 percent of FY 2011-12 and FY 2010-11 respectively.

The Unnayan Onneshan predicts that if the business as usual situation lingers the growth of manufacturing might further decelerate to 9.22 and 9.11 percent in FY 2013-14.  “If the current trend continues, share of industry in GDP in 2013-14 might decline to 32.28 from 31.33 of 2012-13,” it adds.

The research organisation reasons that indicators of industrial performance such as industrial index, disbursement of term loan, opening and settlements of letter of credits (LCs), investment demand suggest sliding down.

The research organisation points out that decline in export receipts compared to import has led to a decrease in manufacturing trade surplus by 26.27 percent. Between FY 2011-12 and FY 2012-13, manufactured export earnings declined by 63 percent, while the import payment decreased by 46 percent. As a consequence, international trade surplus reduced to USD 10147 million in FY 2012-13 from USD 13758 million in FY 2011-12.

The growth rate of industrial term loan in the last quarter of FY 2012-13 was 4.49 percent which was the least positive growth since the second quarter of FY 2011-12, while third quarter of FY 2011-12, and first and third quarter of FY 2012-13 witnessed negative growth.

Import payment shows a downward trail in FY 2012-13 compared to FY 2011-12 in terms of opening and settlement of LCs. Import payment declined from USD 35516.30 million in FY2011-12 to USD 34083.60 million in FY 2012-13. Import of capital machineries reduced from USD 2005 million in FY 2011-12 to USD 915 million in FY 2012-13, equaling a reduction of 54.36 percent.

The Unnayan Onneshan notes that less diversified market and product act as stumbling block for the progress of economy as 66 percent of total export earning in FY 2012-13 was from only nine countries. Only nine products contributed 93 percent of total export earnings, adds the research organisation.

Showing comparative analysis of different countries, the Unnayan Onneshan observes that Bangladesh is far behind in terms of technological catching up and innovation. Moreover, total allocation (development and non-development) for ministry of science and technology is Tk. 3.67 billion in FY 2013-14 that is 0.16 percent of total budget expenditure which is 0.81 percent lower than that of the previous fiscal year.

Bangladesh economy is private sector oriented and the performance of all major indicators reflects that the private sector has been depressed with lower investment demand. Private investment reduced by 1.05 percentage point of GDP from 20.04 percent in FY 2011-12 to 18.99 percent in FY 2012-13.

Although private sector credit is increasing in volume, the rate of growth is following a declining trend. The rate of growth in private sector credit stood at 11.33 percent in August of FY 2013-14 that was 19.92 percent during the same month in the previous fiscal year.

Harmonisation between fiscal and monetary policy, reduction in the savings-investment gap, diversification of market and products, increased investment in infrastructure and technological catching up can boost the industrial sector of the country, adds the report.

The post INDUSTRIAL SECTOR: SLUGGISHNESS AND CATCHING UP appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

Experts made this plead in opening program of daylong workshop on FCTC Article 5.3 organized by WBB Trust at its office. The program was presided over by Saifuddin Ahmed; Coordinator of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA). Ms. Ishrat Chowdhury; Technical Advisor for public health of The Union (International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease), Amin Ul Ahsan; Program Manager of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), Aminul Islam Bakul, Executive Director of Action in Development (AID) and Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Director of WBB Trust addressed in the program. Syeda Anonna Rahman, National Advocacy Officer of WBB Trust moderate the opening session and as well as the daylong workshop.

Saifuddin Ahmed said much progress on tobacco control was attained in Bangladesh. If public health issues can be kept from Tobacco Company influence, it will reduce deaths and disabilities & tobacco related costs. FCTC of World Health Organization (WHO) is an important regulation. FCTC has many articles, and article 5.3 should be strictly abided by to keep tobacco control initiatives free from tobacco company interference.

Ishrat Chowdhury said capacity building of government officials and NGO representatives on Article 5.3 of FCTC. We all should be careful so that none can be influenced by Tobacco Companies. Aminul Islam Bakul said, by many ways tobacco companies violating tobacco control law including point of sale ads & promotions, they also undermine government initiatives on tobacco control. To address this issue, government should punish tobacco companies for violating law. Syed Mahbubul Alam said Article 5.3 of FCTC is the key safe-guard for public health & tobacco control. It illustrates nature of relationship between tobacco companies and government agencies. As this convention is mandatory for Bangladesh, government and concerned authorities should follow article 5.3 of FCTC.

The key note paper was presented on FCTC Article 5.3 by, Program Manager of National Tobacco Control Cell Mr. Aminul Ahsan. While Aminul Islam Sujon, Project Coordinator of WBB Trust, presented a paper on “Influence of Tobacco Companies and law violation” with pictorial example in this program.

Mr. Aminul Ahsan in his key note paper said FCTC is a decent regulation to control tobacco related deaths and diseases. Bangladesh is the first signatory of FCTC which was finalized in 56^th conference in 2003 and ratified it in 2004. Now 176 countries support FCTC. In FCTC article-6 illustrates Tobacco Price and Taxation, Article-8 illustrates Smoke-free places, Article-11 concentrates on pictorial health warning, Article-13 expounds ban on tobacco ads, campaign and promotion, Article-14 shows assistance for quitting, Article-15 says about stopping tobacco black marketing, vending tobacco products to adolescents, and Article-17 and 18 illustrates tobacco farming control, protecting environment from tobacco impacts.

Aminul Islam Sujon said, if we consider public health, diseases and death, health costs, environment damages cuased by tobacco, we should not allow tobacco industry in any governmental and non-governmental discussion and policy effort. We need to build our common understanding on FCTC article 5.3, which is backbone of FCTC. Tobacco Companies are propagating fake information and practicing falsehood to hinder public health. In protesting the company interference, mass media has to play their role together with government and non-government organizations.

Representatives from 40 anti-tobacco organizations from BATA and other tobacco control wings participated in the workshop. In closing session, presided by Gaous Pearee, Director of WBB Trust and spoke Mr. Ashraful Alam Kajal, Chairman of Ghas Phul Nodi. At the end, certificate handed over to the participants by Saifuddin Ahmed, Coordinator of BATA.

The post Protect public health from Tobacco Company’s sneaky appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

NGO News Desk :: Over a thousand CEOs and C-suite executives drawn to New York for the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit are expected to endorse an architecture for engagement unveiled by the United Nations Secretary-General this morning.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Building the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture is designed to “drive and scale up corporate actions to directly advance United Nations goals”.

The plan to link business engagement with global priorities is a milestone in the growth of the UN Global Compact since its founding in 2000, when UN-business ties were scarce, to its current status as the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with the participation of 8,000 companies and 4,000 civil society organizations from 145 countries.

It also comes, the Secretary-General noted in his address, only days before Governments meet at the UN to assess progress on the world’s Millennium Development Goals and plan for follow-through after MDG targets expire in 2015.

Complementing ambitious plans for companies aligning long-term business interests with overall social and environmental progress was the announcement by the Secretary-General of three new platforms for business on education, agriculture and peace.

The portfolio of UN Global Compact programmes also includes issue platforms on women’s empowerment, children’s rights, climate, water and anti-corruption. There are Local Networks organized in 101 nations, with the capacity to act as hubs for country-based sustainability strategies.

A report launched today at the Summit by the UN Global Compact and Accenture found widespread CEO agreement on the strategic nature of sustainability. The vast majority are calling for action by Governments, investors and consumers to unlock the full potential of corporate sustainability.

A panel of chief executives shared views on taking sustainability to a higher level, including: Robert Collymore, CEO of Safaricom Limited; Fu Chengyu, Chairman of Sinopec Group; Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen Fund; Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; Güler Sabancı, Chairman and Managing Director of Sabanci Holdings; and Dov Seidman, CEO and Founder of LRN.

Responding to the CEO panel were representatives of labour, investors and civil society, respectively: Philip Jennings, General Secretary of the UNI Global Union; Erika Karp, CEO and Founder of Cornerstone Capital, Inc.; and Pierre Sané, President of Imagine Africa International.

Also on the agenda for the 20 September Leaders Summit, which is held every three years, is a Private Sector Forum on Africa.

About the UN Global Compact
Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. As a multi-stakeholder leadership initiative, it seeks to align business operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With 8,000 corporate signatories in 145 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org

About the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit
Chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013: Architects of a Better World (19-20 September) brings together chief executives with leaders from civil society, Government and the United Nations to unveil a new global architecture for corporate sustainability. As the Millennium Development Goals 2015 deadline approaches, the Summit will set the stage for business to shape and advance the post-2015 development agenda – putting forward an architecture for business to contribute to global priorities, such as climate change, water, food, equality, decent jobs, and education, at unprecedented levels. www.leaderssummit2013.org

The post Stressing that Business is “Integral” to UN Agenda: Ban Ki-moon appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

Dr. A. N Neaz Ahmad

Professor and Advisor

American International University- Bangladesh

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01715 231696 Dr. A.N. Neaz Ahmad joined as a Professor and Advisor at American International University, Bangladesh in 2005 in the Department of Public Health. In addition, currently he has been assigned as a consultant at UNFPA. He obtained PhD. from Brussels University in 1982 and served there as a Post Doctoral Fellow. He headed back to Dhaka in 1987 and joined as a Scientist in ICDDR,B. He represented Bangladesh in the UN General Assembly and many other International forums. He has more than 50 articles, Books and Reports. He received trainings from Cambridge University, England, JAICA Head Quarter in Tokyo, Japan, UNDP and World Bank.

Dr. Faruque Ahmed Deputy Program Manager

Institute of Public Health and Nutrition

Mohakhali, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01716 264951 Dr. Faruque Ahmed is a Deputy Program Manager of Institute of Public Health and Nutrition and focusing the Severe acute Malnutrition and Nutrition Related Chronic. He has been in the government service for about 22 years. He obtained his MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College in 1988.

Dr. Md. Kapil Ahmed

Lead Researcher

Bangladesh Knowledge Management Initiative

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01713 009693 Dr. Kapil Ahmed has been working with the Bangladesh Knowledge Management Initiative as a Lead Researcher. Dr. Ahmed is playing the lead role in conducting various formative and explorative researches; monitoring various studies through community-based programs; evaluating impact of programs through opinion research, impact assessments for program’s development.

He obtained his B.Sc. (Honors) and M. Sc. degrees in Statistics and then obtained Post-Graduate and PhD degree in Population Study (Demography), followed by an extensive dissertation work on the issues of Women’s Reproductive Health in Bangladesh.

Mr. Saleh Ahmed

BCC Coordinator

NGO Health Service Delivery Program, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 618670 Mr. Saleh Ahmed is working with NGO Health Service Delivery Program as a Behavior Change Communication Coordinator. He is experienced in community mobilization, Behavior Change Communication, Capacity Building and in Advocacy. He has completed MBA degree in Marketing and Master of Population Sciences from University of Dhaka.

Ms. Jakia Ahmed

Chief Law Correspondent

Banglanews24.com

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712879348

Ms. Jakia Ahmed has completed Honors and Master Degrees in Political Science from the National University.

She started her career as journalist in 2000 and has worked as reporter, staff reporter and a feature reporter as many dailies including Daily Prothom Alo and Daily Jay Jay Din. Currently she is working as Chief Law Correspondent of Bangladesh’s leading online news portal banglanews24.com since 2010.

Prof. Dr. G. U. Ahsan

Professor & Chairman,

Department of Public Health

North South University

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01817-042406

Prof. G. U. Ahsan has more than 20 years of successful professional experience in Public Health & Biomedical Sciences. He has served as an academic researcher mainly in North South University (NSU), other reputed universities, and he has served as the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS/TTU) under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Government of Bangladesh. He has more than 10 years of university administration, teaching & research experiences as Department Chairman, Professor, Associate Professor /Assistant Professor in North South University & other reputed universities.

Dr. Ahsan is an outstanding academic achiever having a PhD in Epidemiology, and was awarded the Fullbright Scholarship from the World Health Organization (WHO/TDR) graduated from one of an internationally renowned university, Mahidol University, in Thailand. This university is recognized as the center of excellence for higher education and bio-medical research and is a top ranked university of Thailand. He graduated with a MPHM (Master of Primary Health Care Management) from the ASEAN Institute for Health Development (AIHD) and a DTM&H degree from the highly prestigious Faculty (TROPMED) of Mahidol University, Thailand after medical graduation (MBBS) in Bangladesh.

Mrs. Dilruba Akter Assistant Director

Department of Environment

Agargoan, Dhaka

[email protected];

Cell: 01918 425010 Mrs. Dilruba Akter is an Assistant Director, Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment and Forest. She works on convention related issues such as Basel convention, Rotterdam convention, and the Stockholm convention of International in the Department of Environment (DoE) Section. Moreover, in the Program Coordination Section in DoE, she coordinates different types of program including training programs about environment related issues such as Environmental Impact Assessment, Industrial Waste Water Treatment plant, Digital mapping contour layout about GIS based techniques & Tools, short Lived Carbon Pollutants etc. Ms. Dilruba obtained her M.Sc degree in Chemistry.

Ms. Salina Akter

Program Support Officer

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]; Cell: 01719035422 Ms. Salina Akter is a Program Support Officer of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), a US based organization in Bangladesh. She assists with secretarial and logistics supports for the programs in Bangladesh.

She obtained M.A degree in English from Government Edward College, Pabna under the National University.

Mr. Muhammad Jahangir Alam

Program Organizer

ACLAB Tobacco Control Project

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01724679335 Mr. Mohammad Jahangir Alam is a Program Organizer of ACLAB Tobacco Control Project. He also maintains the close liaison with the different government departments for the smooth functioning of the project activities.

Mr. Md. Monzurul Alam Faculty and Coordinator

School of Public Health

University of South Asia

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01819407881

Mr. Md. Monzurul Alam has completed Bachelor in Physical Therapy from Medicine Faculty of Dhaka University in 2001. He has also completed Masters in Public Health (MPH) from University of East London UK. He has started his career in an organization working for the rights & development of person with disability and thus experienced himself working in rural parts of Bangladesh. He has recently finished coordinating a research project of Child Sight Foundation (CSF) in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Now he is working as a Faculty and Coordinator of School of Public Health and Life Science at University of South Asia, Dhaka.

Dr. Kamruzzaman Mohammad Ali Emergency Medical Officer

Shishu Hospital, Dhaka

Email:

[email protected]

Cell: 01715011529 Dr. Kamruzzaman Mohammad Ali has been working as an Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) since 1994 in Dhaka Mohanagar Shishu Hospital under Dhaka South City Corporation. He also worked as Project Officer of Second Urban Primary Health Care Project for Dhaka City Corporation area from January 2006 to May 2011. He obtained MBBS degree from Rangpur Medical College in 1988.

Dr. Md. Moksed Ali

Additional Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner’s Office

Thakurgaon

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01726 509418 Being a member of Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Cadre, Mr. Md. Moksed Ali worked in both field administration and different ministries at different levels. Currently, he is working as an Additional Deputy Commissioner, Thakurgaon District.

He has completed B.Sc (Hons) and M.Sc degrees from the department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dhaka University. He did his Ph.D in Molecular Pharmacology from Niigata University Graduate School of Medical & Dental Sciences, Japan.

Mr. Abdul Alim

Deputy Program Manager

NATAB

DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 017511 63 100 Mr. Abdul Alim has been working with NATAB Tobacco Control Project since June, 2010. At present, he is holding the position of a Deputy Project Manager, NATAB Tobacco Control Project. His key responsibilities include organizing capacity building meetings for the government officials; management of public place, public transport and trade union leaders.

He graduated from the National University of Bangladesh with a degree in commerce

Dr. Kajal Kanti Barua Civil Surgeon, Cox’s Bazar

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 01711 117403

Dr. Kajal Kanti Barua is a Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar district.

Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan Chowdhury Civil Surgeon

Chittagong

[email protected]

[email protected]

Tel. 031 634037

Cell: 01819 109478 Dr. Md. Sarfaraj Khan Chowdhury is a Civil Surgeon of Chittagong district. He is a medical Doctor.

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury

Senior Staff Reporter

Daily Jugantor

Dhaka

01911448270

[email protected]

Md. Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury is a Senior Staff Reporter of the Daily Jugantor, one of the leading daily newspapers in Bangladesh. He joined the Daily Jugantor in September 2012 as Economic Reporter.

He obtained his M.Com (Accounting) degree from the University of Jagannath in 1999

Mr. Nittya Gopal Das

Assistant Director

Fire Service and Civil Defense

Rangpur

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711 070318 Mr. Nittaya Gopal Das is an Assistant Director of Service & Civil Defense, Rangpur of the Government of Bangladesh. He is in-charge of all the five districts of Rongpur division and is responsible for the fire fighting. He is also responsible for providing training to the people on the precautionary measures about earthquake management, etc.

He obtained his BSC (Bachelor of Science) degree in 1980 from the University of Dhaka.

Mr. Tapan Dash

News Editor

The Daily Shamokal

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711022849

Mr. Tapan Das is an Additional News Editor of the Daily Samakal, one of the leading Daily Newspapers in Bangladesh.

He obtained M.Sc. degree from the Rajshahi University.

Dr. Mohammad Sabbir Haider

IEDCR

Directorate General of Health Services

Mohakhali, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01819 293607 Dr. Mohammad Sabbir Haider is a Medical Graduate having postgraduate Master’s degree in epidemiology, population sciences and health economics. He worked in ICDDR, B in the past. Currently, he is working in the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) of government of Bangladesh. He is a public health specialist worked in different sectors such as health economics, health system, population science, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, epidemiology, climate change etc. In IEDCR, as a medical officer, he is responsible for conducting surveillance activities specially influenza, conducting many research activities.

Mr. Badal Krishna Halder

Training Manager

Bangladesh Training and Research Foundation

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711 461739 Mr. Badal Krishna Halder, Training Manager of the Bangladesh Training and Research Foundation, has 16 years of experience in training, capacity building, communication and partnership building with GO, NGOs and other donor agencies. He is skilled in carrying out training needs assessments with developing training curriculum/module/manual on different issues. He has extensive skills in facilitating various type of training /workshop/future search conference (FSC). He also has a strong background in managing and tactfully handling the community mobilization programs on different development issues. Earlier, he worked for the COMMUNICA as an Assistant Manager. He also worked as a Children Game specialist and also developed 14 types of children games, which have been published in the primary Curriculum of Para center activities.

He holds a Master degree in Philosophy from the University of Rajshahi and received many trainings from several organizations.

Mr. Mazadul Haque

Staff Reporter

Banglanews24.com

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01674174070

Mr. Mazadul Haque is working as a Staff Correspondent of most popular Bangladeshi online news portal banglanews24.com. In the online newspaper, he covers the news of health, nutrition, gender, and development issues. He received a number of awards from different organizations for his outstanding reporting. He received trainings on different development issues from many organizations.

Mr. Noyon is a member of Anti Tobacco Media Allience (ATMA).

Mr. Mohammad Nazmul Hasan

Research Coordinator

National Defense College

Mirpur, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01819 484683 Currently, Mr. Mohammad Nazmul Hasan is working as Research Coordinator in National Defense College (NDC), Dhaka. NDC is a centre of excellence for the civil and military high officials (Joint secretary and Brigadier General or equivalent) from home and abroad. His key responsibility is to coordinate all research and administrative work under the Director of the Research and Academic Wing. He coordinates and liaises with the Institute of education and research in home and abroad for research purpose.

He obtained MA degree in Governance and Development in 2009 from the BRAC University under the Fellowship of Royal Embassy of Netherlands, Dhaka. Earlier in 2003, he completed his Masters degree from the University of Dhaka in the area of social welfare and research.

Mr. Mohammad Tareq Hasan

Lecturer

Department of Anthropology

Dhaka University

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711 567511 Mohammad Tareq Hasan is a Faculty member of the Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He did his Masters in Anthropology from the University of Dhaka in 2008, and is currently enrolled in a Master of Philosophy programme in Anthropology of Development at the University of Bergen, Norway. He has worked as Researcher in different areas of development with special focus on indigenous knowledge and health practices, disaster anthropology, ethnic minorities, narrative based livelihood research, etc. Further he has hands on research experience on issues pertaining to child health, HIV/ AIDS, water and sanitation, family planning, knowledge, attitude and practice related themes and media monitoring. He has substantive years of working experience in different geographical areas of Bangladesh and has worked on projects for the UNICEF, CARE, Chars Livelihood Programme, International Food Policy Research Institute, Maries Stopes, Plan Bangladesh, etc. Mohammad Tareq Hasan has authored several articles in national daily newspapers, published research papers in well recognized journals, and presented in scientific seminars.

Mr. Kazi Mehedi Hasan

Staff Reporter

Independent TV

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01190763411

01755533640 Mr. Kazi Mehedi Hasan is a Senior Correspondent of Independent Television, a private TV channel in Bangladesh. He has been working here more than two years. Earlier, he worked with Channel 1 and NTV from August 2003 as a Reporter.

He obtained a post-graduate degree from Dhaka University in Mass communication and Journalism in 2004. He is a member of the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).

Mr. Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan

Senior Reporter

Daily Bhorer Kagaj

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 286949

When Mr. Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan got admitted into university, he was seriously involved in reporting. In his 14 years journalism career, he did many kinds of reporting including reporting on human rights to environmental issues, politics to health issues, business reporting to educational reporting in Bangladesh.

As recognition of works, he awarded by the United Nations and Government of Bangladesh, WFP for best reporting. Besides, he achieved UNAIDS Media Award-2007 for best reporting about HIV & AIDS. Moreover, he is a fellow of UNESCO, Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and Journalism Training & Research Initiative (JATRI) and achieved Bangladesh Press Institute (PIB)-Progga Investigative Journalism Fellowship, PIB-Progga Journalism Award for two times.

He obtained Honors and Masters degree from Chittagong University.

Mr. Nurul Islam Hasib

Senior Reporter

Bdnews24.com

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01818795976

Mr. Nurul Islam Hasib has been working with bdnews24.com since January 2011. Earlier, he worked with English dailies The Independent and Daily Sun. He has started his career as a journalist in February 2003 when he was a student of Dhaka Medical College. Even after passing M.B.B.S, he continued his profession as a journalist from extreme fascination. In his more than 10 years of work as a journalist, he covered a wide range of issues including health, population, environment, development, politics and foreign affairs.

Mr. A F M Hayatullah Deputy Secretary

Ministry of Public Administration

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01558 503491 Mr. A F M Hayatullah has been working as the Deputy Secretary in the Career Planning (CP) Branch under the Career Planning and Training (CPT) Wing of the Ministry of Public Administration since February 2013. Basically, he is a member of Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Cadre. Under the Career Planning Branch there are 2 sections that are headed by 2 Senior Assistant Secretaries. The Branch he heads is responsible for initiating and processing those issues which influence the career development issues of the members of the Civil Service both in the short and long terms, e.g. formulation of The Civil Service Act, the national award policy, and introduction of Performance Based Evaluation System (PBES).

He obtained a B.Sc in Agricultural Economics (Hons) and M.Sc degree in Agricultural Economics from the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh in 1987 and 1990 respectively.

Mr. Md. Maruf Hossain

National Advocacy Officer

Work for Better Bangladesh Trust

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 034915 Mr. Md. Maruf Hossain has been working as a National Advocacy Officer at Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust since 2004. He has given many talks on urban planning and transport, has written a book on parking (in Bengali), and co-written publications on NCD disease prevention, transport and poverty, Dhaka’s cannel and livable cities. He coordinated research work on Walking in Dhaka, Parking Policy in Asian cities, Security of Vendors profession in Dhaka and study on Park and Playground.

He studied on M.S.S in Social Welfare and Research from University of Dhaka and Honor’s in Bengali (Literature) from Dhaka Collage under National University.

Ms. Sharmin Hossain

Lecturer

Health Promotion and Health Department

Bangladesh University of Health Sciences

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01912 028488 Ms. Sharmin Hossain is presently working as a Lecturer in the Dept. of Health Promotion & Health Education in the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS). With a Masters degree in Food & Nutritional Science under the University of Dhaka (2005), Bangladesh; she obtained her Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from American International University, Bangladesh (2011). She has a number of publications in peer- reviewed journals including a research-based book in the Lambert Academic Publishing (LAP). She has presented her research works in a significant number of regional/ international meetings in home and abroad.

Mr. Md. Emdadul Hoque Howlader

Sub Editor

The Independent

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01718684662

Mr. Md. Emdadul Hoque Howlader did his Master degree in Mass Communication and Journalism department of Dhaka University and currently, by profession he is serving The Independent, a national English daily newspaper in Dhaka as a journalist. His areas of interest are report writing, writing articles on various issues, conducting various trainings including: Training of Trainers (ToT), Financial Management, Financial Analysis, PRA, Effective Meeting Conduction, Training Module design and facilitation, program Monitoring & Evaluation and learning from the people. He has strong and in-depth knowledge as well as good command over Communication, Leadership and Organizational Values, organizational development. He has practical experience in designing, organizing, and evaluating training programs including training need assessment, TOT and different types of training interventions.

Dr. Md. Reazul Islam Civil Surgeon

Rangpur

[email protected]

Cell: 0172 1009633 After passing the M.B.B.S degree, Dr. Md. Reazul Islam Joined in Government job in 1982 under BCS (Health). During his services tenure, he worked as a Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer. Currently, he is working as a Civil Surgeon of Rangpur district.

Dr. Khaleda Islam

Thana Health and Family Planning Officer

Tejgoan, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01819 255489

Dr. Khaleda Islam is working as Senior Scientific Officer in the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and National Influenza Center (NIC) in Dhaka Bangladesh. Dr. Islam is a medical graduate, did her MPH from Dhaka University and Masters in Medical Education from Dundee University. She started her career as a clinician providing Primary Health Care to district and below level hospitals, then worked as an Assistant Professor in Center for Medical Education, also operated in emergency response team after tsunami in Sri Lanka, earthquake in Pakistan, conflict and drought in Afghanistan, post conflict in Liberia, flood in Pakistan. She is a founder member of Health System Action Network (HSAN) and ex-executive committee member of South East Asia Regional Association of Medical Education (SEARME). In addition to her involvement in outbreak investigation & management, surveillance, training and research, she is the coordinator of cell phone based BRFSS, B in IEDCR. With her experience of working with Ministry of Health in Bangladesh as well as International and UN organizations in country and abroad, Dr. Islam is contributing in the field of Medicine, Public Health and Medical Education for last 29 years.

Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam

Civil Surgeon

Rajshahi

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01715 292841

Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam is a medical Doctor. He has been working as a Civil Surgeon of Rajshahi district. He obtained his MBBS degree from Rajshahi Medical College in 1980.

Mr. S. M. Rafiqul Islam

Assistant Commissioner (Land), Mirpur Circle/ Executive Magistrate

Dhaka

Email:

Cell: 01712 361686 Mr. S. M. Rafiqul Islam is an Assistant Commissioner (Land)/Executive Magister, Dhaka. He belongs to BCS (Administration) cadre. He provides the land owner certificate examining relevant documents and records as an Assistant Commissioner (Land), and as an Executive Magistrate he conducts mobile court under “The Mobile Court Act, 2009” to control daily life irregularities which is occurred in the society under 96 different acts.

He obtained an M.A in History from the University of Dhaka University.

Mr. Shahidul Islam

Assistant Commissioner (Land)

Mohammadpur Circle /

Executive Magistrate

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01915 918503 Mr. Shadidul Islam is the BCS (Administration) cadre officer. Currently, he is serving as Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammadpur circle and Executive Magistrate, Dhaka. He provides the land owner certificate examining relevant documents and records as an Assistant Commissioner (Land). As an Executive Magistrate, he conducts mobile court under The Mobile Court Act 2009 (to control daily life irregularity which is occurred in the society under 96 different acts).

He obtained M.A degree in History from the University of Dhaka.

Mr. Sk Abu Rahat Md. Mashruqul Islam

Program Coordinator

Pollee Unnyon Prokolpo (PUP), Bogra

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 787912 Mr. Sk Abu Rahat Md. Mashruqul Islam has more than seven years of professional experience in the development field including: designing, developing, implementing and monitoring and evaluating program activities. He has more than three years of experience in the field of tobacco control.

He obtained Master Degree in Management in 2002.

Ms. Umme Jannat

Project Officer

Dhaka Ahsania Mission

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01677637741 Ms. Umme Jannat completed her Masters of Social Science degree in Economics. Working with the Tobacco Control Project of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission, she gathered significant experiences over the last 2 years. As a Project Officer, she conducts awareness raising and sensitization meetings for tobacco control project. She also provides corporate supports to the office that includes updating the AMIC website, arranging coordination meetings, documenting records, etc.

Dr. Md. Abdul Karim

Professor

Department of Statistics

University of Chittagong

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 090155 Dr. Md. Abdul Karim obtained his B.Sc. (Honour’s) and M.Sc. in Statistics from the Jahangir Nagar University, Dhaka. He did his PhD in Mathematical Demography at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Since 2005, he has been serving as a Professor of Statistics at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Before being promoted to a position as Professor, he worked as Associate Professor, Assistant Professor and Lecturer in the same institution. In all he has been serving for 28 years as a teacher at the university.

During his professional carrier, he has supervised M.S, M.Phil and PhD students in Statistics in addition to teaching at the graduate and masters levels.

Mr. H M Al Imran Khan

Media Monitoring Manager

PROGGA

Mirpur, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01930 614 416

Obtaining an MA in English Literature, Mr. H.M. Imran has been working at PROGGA (knowledge for progress), a national level research organization in the country specialized in a number of issues like anti-tobacco media campaign, media monitoring, professional development training and much more, and been executing the dynamic and rewarding role of Media Monitoring Manager. At PROGGA, his responsibilities include scanning news over tobacco issues; summarizing the gathered media pieces and producing weekly and monthly reports, etc. He has also been monitoring, managing and engaging other staff members regularly to gather media pieces on tobacco control issues.

Mr. Rukonuzzaman Khan Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Protidin

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01816623151

Mr. Rukonuzzaman Khan started his career as a Sub Editor (feature) in the National Bangla Daily Sangbad since 2004. In 2007, he joined the Reporting section as a Staff Reporter in same house. In 2013, he joined the The Bangladesh Pratidin as a Staff Reporter. His areas of interest include writing reports on Capital Market, Banking, and other Economic issues.

He obtained his M.A. degree in Bangla from National University.

Mr. Dipak Kanti Mazumder Deputy Director, IEM

Directorate General of Family Planning

[email protected]; 01715 027181

Mr. Dipak Kanti Mazumder is an Officer with a Master’s Degree in Management and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Population and Development from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. At present working in Directorate General of Family Planning as Deputy Director (Program Monitoring) in the IEM Unit. Since January 1981 he is discharging his duties in different position across the country under DGFP related with implementing Family Planning & Maternal-Child Health services in District, Upazila and below & Logistics Management activities on behalf of the DGFP. His current position leads him to implement different IEC activities promoting small family norms, improving awareness regarding maternal-child health, adolescent reproductive health and preventing early marriage in the community.

Mr. Md. Abul Fazal Mir

Additional District Magistrate

Deputy Commissioner’s Office

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 156373 Mr. Md. Abul Fazal Mir is working as Additional District Magistrate, Dhaka. He is working on behalf of Deputy commissioner for law and maintenance, judicial duties, organizing mobile courts. Before this he also served as APS to the honorable State Minister, UNO, Senior Assistant secretary, RDC, AC Land, Assistant Commissioner and Magistrate. He graduated from University of Queensland, Australia in Master in Natural Resources Studies, holds a MBA from Northern University, and a MSc in Soil Science From University of Dhaka. He is also a AusAid fellow at the Masters level.

Ms. Farhana Haque Ovi

Advocacy

EC Bangladesh

Dhaka

[email protected],

Cell Phone: 01670760795 Ms. Farhana Haque Ovi is an Advocacy Officer of Environment Council Bangladesh. She is working with Strengthening TAPS Ban Project for the organization.

Ms. Ovi has got her Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.76 in Social science (Women and Gender Studies) from University of Dhaka in 2011 and has completed Master of Social Science with CGPA 3.78 from same discipline in 2012.

Mst. Shahina Parvin

Assistant Professor

Department of Anthropology

Jahangirnagar University

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711 489248

After having completed a three-year Bachelor of Social Science with Honours in 2001 and a one-year Master of Social Science (MSS) degree in 2002 in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mst. Shahina Parvin worked on women’s reproductive heath and risky heterosexual behaviors in development organizations in Bangladesh i.e. BPHC, LAMB Hospital, ICDDR’B, for two years. In July 2004, she joined as a Lecturer to the Department of Anthropology of Rajshahi University and became an Assistant Professor in July 2007 where she worked until September 2010. In September 2010, she became a faculty member at the Department of Anthropology of Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Mr. Anisar – Rahman Senior Health Education Officer,

Civil Surgeon Office

Naogaon

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01554 350973 Mr. Anisar Rahman is a Senior Health Education Officer of the Civil Surgeon Office, Naogaon. He obtained M.Sc. degree in Geography.

Brig. Gen. Md. Afzalur Rahman Chief Health Officer

Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01983 567445 Brig. Gen. Md. Afzalur Rahman is the Chief Health Officer of the Dhaka North City Corporation. Mr. Rahman obtained MBBS along with MPH (Epidemiology) degree. He also holds a Family Medicine Diploma.

Mr. RM Faizur Rahman

Assistant Police Commissioner (Welfare)

Dhaka Metropolitan Police

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01713 373117 Mr. RM Faizur Rahman is an Assistant Police Commissioner (Welfare) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. As an Assistant Police Commissioner, he has substantial work experience in leading an independent unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. At his current office, he is responsible for implementing, monitoring and managing all the welfare activities of police forces. He achieved his first Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2005 and in 2004 he completed a BSS (Honours) from the same discipline from the University of Dhaka. Afterwards, he gained his second and third Masters respectively in Migration Studies in 2009 from the University of Sussex, UK and Police Science from the University of Rajshahi. Before entering into Police Service, he was the Coordinator for the Young Researchers’ Forum, a research wing of Migration Research Centre, RMMRU from 2003 to 2007.

Mr. Md. Mukhlesur Rahman

Assistant Chief (TSD) and DPM

Bureau of Health Education

Directorate General of Health Services

Mohakhali, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01913 416341

Mr. Md. Mukhlesur Rahman is in the government services for 19 years. Currently, he is serving Bureau of Health Education, Directorate General of Health Services as an Assistant Chief (TSD) and Deputy Program Manager. He coordinates all programs GO and NGO programs. He also takes initiatives in implementing grassroots level and National Level programs of the Bureau.

Mr. Md. Moshiur Rahman

Senior Assistant Secretary

Ministry of Public Administration

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 544774 Mr. Md. Moshiur Rahman is a Senior Assistant Secretary of Ministry of Public Administration of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. He has been posted in Law Cell of the Ministry and deals with the cases filed against the Government.

He has completed Bachelor (Hon’s) and Master’s degree in law from the University of Dhaka. He served as an advocate in the Bangladesh Bar Council and was on practice till joining the service.

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman

Deputy Secretary

Ministry of Public Administration

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01714 273707 Obtaining B.Sc. Ag (Honors) degree from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman completed MBA in HRM. Recently, he has completed a Post-graduate diploma from National Academy for Planning And Development. Now, he has been working as a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration. He deals with HRM, Public. Administration and coordination. He also deals with Policy formulation. He has been serving in Civil service for more than 20 years including field Administration and Ministry.

Mr. S.M. Ajior Rahman

Additional Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner’s Office

Khulna

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 579026 Mr. S.M. Ajior Rahman completed his Honors and Master Degrees from the University of Dhaka. His major subject was Management. Now, he is working as Additional Deputy Commissioner (L.A) at Khulna. Before that he worked as an Upazila Nirbahi Officer, AC (Land), Magistrate etc. He is a BCS (Admin) Cadre officer.

Mr. Ataur Rahman

National Heart Foundation and Research Institute

House #104/A/16 , Flat# 2B

Buddijibi Road, West Jafrabad

Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207

Email:

[email protected]

Cell: 01726513210, 01557393017 Mr. Ataur Rahman is a Field Officer, Anti-Tobacco Program of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. He is responsible for organizing training and orientation programs for tobacco control. He provides advice to patients to quit smoking. He also provides assistance to develop questionnaire, supervise data collection, support data management and data analysis of tobacco related surveys under the programs.

He did his Masters of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees under the National University respectively in 2009 and 1999.

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman

Advocacy Officer

Shimantik

Sylhet

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01710402191

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman is an Advocacy Officer of Shimantik. His responsibilities in the organization include identifying stakeholders, public and workplaces, and, collecting basic information. He coordinates with the GO and NGO stakeholders. He also prepares activity plans and various types of reports.

He obtained his M.Com degree in Management from the National University, Bangladesh in 2001.

Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman

Deputy Regional Director

Bangladesh Betar

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01818422717

Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman is a Deputy Regional Director of Bangladesh Betar (National Audio Broadcasting House of Bangladesh). He joined in Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) under the Ministry of Information in 2005. As the Deputy Regional Director, along with other activities, he supervises officers of the publicity section of Bangladesh Betar, and, provides input to the program planning and production related to the development activities of the government.

Mr. Abu Zafar Rashed

Upazila Nirbahi Officer/

Executive Magistrate

Rupgonj, Narayangonj

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 717326

Mr. Abu Zafar Rashed has been serving as Upazila Nirbahi Officer at Rupganj Upazila in Narayanganj district from 06 March 2013 till to date. He obtained B. Sc. Agriculture (Hons) and M. Sc. In Biotechnology degrees from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

Mr. Amin Al Rasheed

Senior Reporter

ABC Radio,

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711174372

Mr. Amin Al Rasheed has been working as a journalist for 11 years. He started his career in Jhalakati district correspondent of the Daily Prothom-Alo one of the leading Bengali newspaper in Bangladesh) in 2002 when he was a student at the bachelor level. After obtaining his bachelor degree, he joined another leading Bengali newspaper “Daily Jaijadin” in 2006 as a Sub-Editor.

In 2008, he joined in his current organization ABC Radio FM 89.2 as a staff reporter and news presenter. After two years, he was promoted as a Senior Reporter. Now he is in-charge of the news department.

He obtained his Masters Degree from Dhaka College in 2005.

Mr. Babul Chandra Roy Director (Admin),

National Institute of Population Research and Training, Azimpur, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 570463

Tel. 9612193 (O); 8154481 Mr. Babul Chandra Roy accomplished the Master of Commerce with honors in Management from Dhaka University in 1979. He also obtained Master of Public Affairs in Governance and public policy from Civil Service college under Dhaka University in 2011. He joined Bangladesh Civil Service Administrative Cadre in 1984 and at present his position is Joint Secretary to the Government. During his long 27 years service he worked in different positions at the field and national levels. Currently, he is working for the National Institute of Population Research and Training, Azimpur as Director, Admin. He received a number of trainings locally and abroad.

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Sabuz

Staff Reporter

BANGLA VISION

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712 753679

Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Sabuz has been working at a renowned satellite TV channel, “Bangle Vision”, as a Staff Reporter since 2011. As a Staff Reporter, he has covered various news stories assigned by the Chief Reporter and News Editor.

He obtained his MSS degree from the University of Dhaka in the Department of International Relations. He completed a BSS degree from the same university.

Mr. Goutam

Aich Sarker Joint Secretary

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01715 050107

Mr. Goutam Aich Sarker is a Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Mr. Md. Dowa Baksh Shaikh

Project Coordinator

AID- Tobacco Control Project

Action In Development

Jhenaidah

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01733337171 Mr. Md. Dowa Baksh Shaikh has been working in Action In Development-AID as a Project Coordinator for its “Smoke free Khulna Division through Effective Enforcement of Smoke free Provision of Tobacco Control Law”. He has 20 years experience in BRAC as Regional Manager in different Programs and Chief Trainer of its Training Program and 5 yrs. experience at another national NGO.

He holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physics from Rajshahi University and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from Dhaka University.

Mr. Sushanta Kumar Singha Staff Reporter

ATN News

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01712657540 Mr. Sushanta Kumar Singha has been working as a Senior Reporter of ATN NEWS LTD from 1stMarch 2010 to present. His areas of interests are in Economic and Business news.

He worked as a Staff Reporter of Ekushey Television (ETV) from 1st September 2008 to 28th February 2010. He also worked as an “Assistant Project Officer” at the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) from 1st March 2008 to October 2008.

He completed BSS & MSS in Mass Communication from University of Rajshahi.

2003& 2004

Mr. Abdus – Sobur Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Cell: 01552 328846 Mr. Abdus Sobur is a Statistical Officer of the Civil Surgeon Office, Naogaon. He obtained M.Sc. degree in Statistics.

Mr. Junayed Kabir Suhag Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate

Deputy Commissioner’s Office

Naogaon

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01731 920965 Dr. Junayed Kabir Suhag joined in Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre in 2012. Presently, he is working as an Assistant Commissioner & Executive Magistrate at Deputy Commissioner`s Office, Naogan. His present job is to support the field administration of the country. He conducts mobile court to combat several crimes including tobacco related crimes and eve teasing etc. Mr. Suhag obtained his BBA (Honors) and MBA major in Accounting & Information Systems from Rajshahi University, Rajshahi, Bangladeh.

Ms. Moon Moon Sultana

Mass Communication Officer

Ansar-VDP Head Quarter, Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01730038030

Ms. Moon Moon Sultana is an Assistant Director (Operation) and Mass Communication Officer, Ansar-VDP, Government of Bangladesh. Earlier, she was a Faculty Member of the Southeast University and Staff Reporter, The Daily Star, Dhaka.

Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun Sumon

Program Coordinator

BCDP

House # 322, Bishowroad, Arambag

Chapainawabgonj

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01722023508

Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun Sumon is 28 years old young tobacco control activist. He joined Bangladesh Center for Development Program (BCDP) as a Project Coordinator for the Consortium for Smoke Free Rajshahi & Rangour Division (CSFRRD). As a Project Coordinator, he coordinates Tobacco Control Programs of the consortium.

He obtained Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the Millennium University, Dhaka.

Mr. Khwaza Abu Yosuf Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01711 605145 Mr. Khwaza Abu Yosuf is an Assistant Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. He obtained B.A. (Honors) degree in English.

Mr. Mohammad Yousuf

Deputy Director

BCCP

Dhaka

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 01713-030488 Mr. Mohammad Yousuf is a Deputy Director (Accounts and Finance) of the Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP). He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of Finance and Account. He is skilled in financial, accounting and budgetary works, financial and management reporting, inventory control, fixed assets management, cost sharing and management of multi donor funds, etc. He has the experience in operating and management of multi donor funded projects designing various control procedures for respective donor agencies, Government of Bangladesh and NGO Affairs Bureau. .

He obtained Master in Commerce degree from University of Dhaka University.

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NGO News Desk ::

BREAKFAST AND SNACKS
●Makhana parantha ● Makhana cereal ● Makhana snack
● Ambadi chi bhakhar ● Mahua bhakhar ● Ambadi chi bhaji
● Sattu parantha ● Litti ● Sattu dough ● Pantabhat
● Gahat dal parantha ● Mahua poda peetha ● Mahua rasputuka
● Arbi patode ● Navara stew ● Jute pakora ● Masala paanachi wadi
● Bhang pakora
MEALS
● Gongura pappu ● Gongura pulusu ● Bhatwani ● Amla ki dal
● Amla raita ● Moringa thoran ● Guar phalli sabzi ● Chaulai ka raita
● Chaulai ka saag ● Jute saag ● Gahat dal soup ● Sangri ki sabzi
● Sangri ki kadhi ● Neem baigun ● Phool ka bhaja ● Ker sabzi
● Fried bamboo shoot ● Bamboo akibiye ● Bamboo ironba
● Bamboo rotuai ● Karanda sabzi ● Shukto ● Makhane ka raita
●Makhane ki sabzi ● Til ke aloo ● Kinema curry
●Papaya salad ●Papaya dal ●Papaya flower fry
● Bajra khichdi ● Bajra bhakari ●Kanhi ● Singhare ki sabzi
● Singhare ki puri ●Thechwani ●Khuree ●Tapioca sabzi
● Kachnar kadhi ●Kachnar chane ki tarkari ●Kachnar aloo ki tarkari
●Corn soup ● Selni khula ●Omavalli leaf raita ●Mushroom soup
CHUTNEYS AND PICKLES
●Karanda pickle ●Neem pachidi ●Mulberry jam ● Bhang ki chutney
● Amla chutney ●Amla achar ● Bhangjeera chutney
BEVERAGES
●Bael sherbet ●Rhododendron squash ●Kokum sorbet ● Sattu drink
●Thandai ●Kanji ●Kanji vada ●Rasam ● Thambli
● Bhangjeera tea ●Palash sherbet
SWEETS
●Haldi patra pitha ●Bajra kheer ●Ragi kheer ●Makhana kheer
● Sattu laddoo ●Amla murrabba ● Chaulai ka laddoo
● Singhare ke katle ●Til ki patti ●Til ke laddoo
ABOUT THE PLANTS
●Makhana ●Mahua ●Drumsticks ● Jute ●Khejri ●Bamboo
●Pulses ●Papaya ● Rice ●Karanda ●Neem ●Rhododendron
● Carrots ● Spices ●Amla
TRADITIONS
●Marathi food for Bong palate ● Thank the microbes
●Bitters for starters ●Against the grain
● Celebrating food security ●An heirloom in muslin
●Sweet surrender

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NGO News Desk ::

Explaining the decline of growth mainly due to fall in investment demand, the leading research organisation points out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-prescribed contractionary stance has reduced the investment capacity of the private sector through lesser availability of credit, which in turn has reduced rate of growth from 6.71 percent in FY 2010-11 to 6.23 percent in FY 2011-12 and to 6.03 percent in FY 2012-13, 0.20 percentage points lower than the decadal average rate of 6.23 percent.

The growth of private sector credit witnessed a nosedive to 11.4 percent in May of FY 2012-13, from 14.8 in January of FY 2012-13 percent against the target of 18.5 percent of MPS. The targeted growth of private sector credit in the current MPS is set at 15.5 percent, which is a three-percentage points lower than that of the preceding MPS.

“The proposed mechanisms is a sequel to the past MPSs, which have already been restraining the rate of growth in private sector through high rate of interest and may further dampen the investment by increasing the cost of capital, as the banks are already advancing at higher rates, resulting in continuance of contracted national output,” alerts the monthly Update on the Bangladesh economy.

Pointing out the recent decline in quantum index of industrial production, the Unnayan Onneshan suggests that the lower industrial production is directly linked to monetary policy as the rate of growth in the industrial term loan has been experiencing a decreasing trend since FY 2010-11. In the third quarter of FY 2012-13, the disbursement of loan in industrial sector was Tk. 10061.24 crore which was Tk. 2172.26 crore less than that of second quarter. In FY 2011-12, the rate of growth in industrial term loan was 9.68 percent, which were 24.30 percent and 29.56 percent in FY 2010-11 and FY 2009-10 respectively.

Referring to the failure of the central bank in keeping a check on the increased government borrowing, the Unnayan Onneshan observes: “this upward trend of borrowing has exerted pressure on the loanable fund of these banks which in turn crowds out private investment,” adds, “this has also led to debt payment emerging as a major expenditure and lessened fiscal space.” Interest payment has risen from Tk. 23,630 crore in FY 2008-09 to Tk. 38,627 crore in FY 2012-13, representing an increase of 38.83 percent

Referring to foreign exchange reserve of USD 15000 million, the Unnayan Onneshan terms it residual and not to be mistakenly seen as a sign of healthy economic dispensation, considering that the central bank has purchased a huge amount of dollar to stablise the exchange rate, the adjustment of exchange rate reduced the export earnings and import failed to take the advantage from such exchange rate due to lower credit availability to the private sector. In FY 2012-13 (up to March), the Bangladesh bank has purchased USD 5114 million, from mere USD 157 million in FY 2011-12 and USD 316.50 million in FY 2010-11.

Observing that the economic policymaking has been going through a self-conflicting way, the Unnayan Onneshan sates that the budget remains expansionary to placate the ruling party stalwarts in an election year while the central bank has adopted contractionary monetary policy.

Table: Targets of MPS (July -December, 2013) and Achievements of MPS (January -June, 2013)

Source: Unnayan Onneshan, 2013. Abdicating Accountability: The Monetary Policy Statement of July – December 2013

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NGO News Desk ::

Other office-bearers of the committee are: Vice-Presidents-AFM Asaduzzaman of Bangladesh Bank, Lion Md Mofazzal Hossain of Sonali Bank Ltd and Azam Khan of First Security Bank Ltd, General Secretary-Md. Moniruzzaman Tipu of NCC Bank, Joint-Secretaries-Asaduzzaman Asad of IFIC Bank Ltd. and Ruhul Matin of Bank Asia Ltd., Finance Secretary-MD Abdul Khaleq, Assistant Finance Secretary-Sagir Ahmed of Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd., Organising Secretary-Jalal Ahmed of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd., Assistant Organizing Secretary-Abul Kaham Azad of South Bangla Agricultural Bank, Office Secretary-Md Shamsuddoha (Shimu) of Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd., Assistant Office Secretary-Khairul Alam Raju of Rupali Bank, Publicity & Publication Secretary-Sanjib Chatarjee of EXIM Bank, Assistant Publicity & Publication Secretary-Abdul Hamid Sohag of National Bank, Seminar & Cultural Secretary-Abdur Razzak of Mercantile Bank, Assistant Seminar & Cultural Secretary-Mesbah Ahmed of Standard Bank, Sports Secretary-Tania Sattar of AB Bank, Assistant Sports Secretary-Abdul Kader of Union Bank, Training & Research Secretary-Dr. Md. Shahzahan of Ansar VDP Bank and Assistant Training & Research Secretary-Ms. Samia Islam of Social Islami Bank. Other executive members are- Sadek Ahmed of Uttara Bank, Ms. Ferdousi Sultan of Prime Bank, Nazmul Karim Siddiqui of Bangladesh Commerce Bank, Bitopi Das Chowdhury of Standard Chartered Bank, Mirza Golam Yeahia of City Bank, Ziaul Karim of Eastern Bank, Javed Iqbal of United Commercial Bank, Mahbubur Rahman of Premier Bank, Mizanur Rahman of Pubali Bank and Sami Al Hafiz of Mutual Trust Bank.

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NGO News Desk ::

Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD moderates the press conference while the other speakers are Prodip K Roy of Online Knowledge Society, Jibanananda Joyanta of Surakkha O Agrogoti Foundation, Mejbah Uddin Ahmed of Jatiya Sromik Jote and Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD. Other participating organizations are Unnayan Dhara Trust, Voice and Development Synergy Institute.

Syed Aminul Haque of EquityBD reads out the group’s position paper where it is alleged that there are huge corruption in VAT collection in depositing to government. The national and international companies are involved in this, as there is no foreign and multinational companies are not in the top list as VAT depositor. The contribution of VAT and other indirect taxes in internal revenue of Bangladesh is about 70% while direct taxes are only 30% whereas the scenario in the developed countries is just opposite to it.  Even in neighboring India the contribution of direct tax is 33% and in Sri Lanka it is 31%. The government of Bangladesh enhances VAT rate up to 15% while in Singapore it is just 5%, in Thailand 7%, in South Korea 10% and in New Zealand 12%. The conditionality of IMF (International Monetary Fund) ties up Bangladesh to impose VAT even on essential goods (e.g. rice, pulse and oil) and in essential services like health and education. He also mentions that ultimately it is the common people as consumers who are mostly poor have to take the brunt of VAT.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD mentions that according to Bangladesh Bank statistics, there are about 28,000 personal bank accounts that have money more than Tk. 1 crore but there are only a thousand people who give income tax more than one hundred thousand Taka. He says, Government must emphasize on personal income tax and corporate tax.

Mr. Chowdhury says, around 60 to 80% of the national economy is the underground economy, which should brought under law and order. It should be noted that only 23% is the underground economy in neighboring country India. VAT collection is easier that’s why IMF emphasizes on this, but they never consider that it is unequal and injustice on common people.

Prodip K Roy says, almost all of the common people pay around minimum taka 50 per day as VAT while they consumes essential products.

Jibanondo Joyanta mentions, there are massive corruptions in VAT collection and its depositing only because of less availability of electronic machines. In fact, the tax officials and corporate people are the beneficiaries of these corruptions. He adds, companies like Unilever and GrameenPhone should be in the top of the list of VAT depositors in Bangladesh but they are not. He urges to eliminate VAT from essential services and goods.

Mejabah Uddin Ahmed mentions, there are a lot of sweet-shops who only do VAT selling business instead of selling sweets.

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NGO News Desk ::

Date: April 4, 2013, Thursday

Time: 3.00-5.00 pm

Venue:  BRAC Centre Auditorium, Dhaka

BRAC with the financial support from Bangladesh Bank has been implementing this credit and extension program for the tenant farmers since December 2009. The seminar will focus on the impact assessment study of the project.

We would be delighted if you support us by sending a reporter with a cameraman or a photojournalist to cover the event.

For more information you can contact with Zia Hashan; Sr. Media Manager; BRAC

Contact: 01711404561

Help Line: Fazlul Islam ( Sr SC, Media, Advocacy, BRAC. Contact: 01729070166

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NGO News Desk :: More languages and new digital formats and a new design: Deutsche Welle starts its ninth annual, international blog and social media awards, the Bobs, on February 6, 2013.

Internet users around the world will have until March 6 to submit their candidates for the Bobs in 14 languages. For the first time, Hindi, Turkish and Ukrainian will be official award languages. The Bobs also added the “Best Person to Follow.” Criteria for the new category are relevance, influence and interconnectedness. Anyone who would like to take part can find all the details at www.thebobs.com, which underwent a major redesign for 2013.

An international jury panel as well as an online vote will decide the winners of the Bobs 2013. The 15-person jury will select winners in the six multilingual categories, and it will be up to Internet users to choose their favorite nominees in all 34 categories. Last year, more than 3,000 sites were submitted to the contest and over 60,000 ballots cast online.

Awards ceremony at the Global Media Forum in Bonn

The “Global Media Forum Award” this year will cast the spotlight on the focus of this year’s Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum (June 17-19 in Bonn): “The Future of Growth – Economic Values and the Media.” The award ceremony for all the jury award winners will take place during the conference on June 18, 2013.

In cooperation with the human rights group Reporters Without Borders, the Bobs will once again bestow the “Reporters Without Borders Award” to an Internet project that sets itself apart by promoting freedom of the press, expression, democracy and human rights in an exemplary manner.

Pushing for democratization and participation

Deutsche Welle created the Bobs in 2004 to stimulate and enrich a public discussion about freedom of expression in digital media. Over the last nine years, The Bobs have honored projects from around the world that stand for integration, transparency and which help Internet users move through the language barrier for a view of the global digital community.

“The Bobs awards give people courage to push forward with their democratization and participation efforts,” said Ute Schaeffer, DW Editor-in-Chief for Regionalized Content.

The Bobs at a glance

Six main, multilingual categories, each with a jury award and users’ choice prize

–        Best Blog

This is the place for the blogs whose content and design do an exemplary job of promoting and protecting human rights as well as initiating and fostering open discussion of topics that are of social and public importance.

–        Best Innovation

A software solution, application or Internet platform that dedicates itself to providing the technology that enables people to improve society and democratic social integration.

–        Best Social Activism

An initiative that makes exemplary use of social media, networks and other forms of digital communication to bolster democracy, freedom and human rights.

–        Most Creative and Original

For websites that take a creative and entertaining approach to serious topics. The focus here is on the innovative and surprising way socially relevant topics are handled and presented.

–        Reporters Without Borders Award

For projects that take a strong stance for freedom of information and expression around the world. It also honors bloggers who dare to spread information under daunting circumstances.

–        Global Media Forum Award

For websites that address the focus of the 2013 Global Media Forum: “The Future of Growth – Economic Values and the Media.”

Best Blog in each of the 14 languages (users’ choice prize only)

The Best Blog categories will honor sites in all 14 languages that play a role in promoting public dialogue and providing top-quality analysis and commentary on current events. The Bobs’ official contest languages are: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish andUkrainian.

Best Person to Follow in each language (users’ choice prize only)

The best microblogs in each of the The Bobs’ 14 languages. We’ll be narrowing the field down to the best microblogs dealing with current events. Important criteria are relevance, influence, interconnectedness and original content. This category is open to individuals as well as accounts run by companies or fictitious figures.  

Mark your calendars

–        The Bobs start on February 6 and will be open to site submissions until March 6. Jury members will then choose their nominees for each of the categories. A complete list of jury members can be found at www.thebobs.com.

–        Between April 3 and May 7 all the winners will be chosen. The jury panel will meet in Berlin to discuss and select winners for the jury awards and – independently – the Internet public will be able to cast their votes for the sites and projects that most impressed them.

–        All the winners will be announced on May 7.

–        On May 3, jury members will hold a press conference in Berlin on the trends they observe in social media use in their own countries.

–        The winners of the six main, multilingual jury awards will be invited to Bonn, Germany, to receive their awards as part of the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum.

Our partners

Our premium partner is Reporters Without Borders. Media partners are Masrawy, Somewhere in…, Bdnews.com, iSUN TV, Global Voices Online, Categorynet, Courrier International, Presseeurop, Gooya, Korrespondent, ntvmsnbc, MYNET, MEDYATAVA, webdunia, Terra and Lenta.ru.

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Claus Stäcker, 45, is the new head of DW’s Africa program, which targets listeners and Internet users in Sub-Saharan Africa. It offers shortwave radio programs and online content in six languages: Amharic, English, French, Hausa, Kiswahili and Portuguese. The shows and reports, produced by DW, are rebroadcast by around 280 partner stations in the region.

Stäcker studied journalism in Leipzig. He first travelled to South Africa as part of a university exchange program in 1992. In the same year, he started to work for German public broadcasters MDR and DLF.  In 1994 he witnessed the end of Apartheid and the resulting South African parliamentary elections as a freelance correspondent for the German press. After further study at the US School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, Stäcker worked as a freelance correspondent for ARD in South Africa until 2008, when he officially became the ARD correspondent for southern Africa.

DW’s radio programs reach over 30 million listeners in the region on a regular basis. Audiences in Sub-Saharan Africa can also access information via DW’s website (www.dw.de) or tune into DW – Deutsche Welle’s 24/7 international TV channel in English.

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Report By Aminul Islam Sujon (Guest Author) :: Smoking and tobacco use kills people; generates adverse impact on public health and economy. Jatya Party Chief and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad expressed JP support to law amendment for death reduction and enhancement of public health.

At 1.00 PM former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad told Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) team “We have strong support to law amendment in order to improve public health”. He also assures supporting law amendment in ensuing session of National Assembly.

Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) team said that chewable tobacco is not included in the existing law for which it is not possible to control these products. In addition, the written messages are not viable for the illiterate. So, pictorial health warning needs to be given on packs of tobacco products. Jatya Party Chief and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad was intently requested for his support to include these issues through law amendment. It is to mention that Jataya Party is one of the major members of the Mohajote government.

There is no confusion that tobacco harms public health, environment and economy. Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) recommended law amendment for inclusion of all kinds of tobacco products in the law, extension of scope of authorized officer for law implementation, giving pictorial health warning on tobacco packs and stopping direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products.  The recommendation was made while meeting Jatya Party Chief and former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad as part of the activities for creating support of Parliament Members for law amendment.

The Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) team was composed of Ibnul Sayed Rana, Executive Director of Nirapad Development Foundation (NDF), and Gaus Piaree Mukti, Director (Admin), Sayeda Anonna Rahman, National Advocacy Officer as well as Media Advocacy Officer Syed Saiful Alam of WBB Trust.

It needs to mention that, Jatiya Party (JP) is 3rd populated political party in Bangladesh led by former Prisident of Bangladesh,Hussain Muhammad Ershad. JP also 3rd major political party at the current parliament and second biggest party of current 14 party coalition government.

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Staff Reporter :: BRAC organised a press conference on Wasfia Nazreen’s return to the country after her successful expedition to Mount Vinson, the highest point of Antarctica. She reached at Dhaka airport on 22^nd January at 9.20 am local time by Qatar Airways where she was received by BRAC officials. She reached the peak of Mount Vinson on 4^th January 2013, as the fourth leg of her “Bangladesh on Seven Summits” campaign which kicked off on 26^th March 2012.

Executive Director of BRAC Dr Mahabub Hossain, Head of Communication and Service Quality of BRAC Bank Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq, Head of Marketing Sania Mahmood from bKash, and Rashida Parveen from BRAC’s adolescent development programme were present at the press conference. Wasfia handed over the flag of Bangladesh, given to her on the flag-off ceremony of her expedition, to the ED, bKash and BRAC bank officials. The Mount Vinson expedition of Bangladesh on Seven Summits was supported by BRAC in collaboration with bKash Limited and BRAC Bank Limited. Wasfia Nazreen will also work as BRAC’s Goodwill Ambassador for the next one year to champion the cause of women empowerment. Congratulating Wasfia, Dr Mahabub Hossain said he hopes Wasfia “can be an idol for young girls and women to look up to, and that many young girls can draw inspiration from her”.

While sharing her experience of the expedition she mentioned that, “climbing Mount Vinson was a much tougher challenge than Mount Everest, due to cold winds and much lower temperature. However, I started Seven Summits to inspire girls, and I am proud to accomplish this with support from BRAC”.

Wasfia set off on her expedition with a flag-off ceremony on 8^th November 2012 to climb Mount Vinson. She reached Canada on 29^th November 2012 and underwent a three week long extensive training and acclimatisation in winter wilderness of Canada with Patrick Morrow, the first person in the world to have finished climbing the seven summits 30 years ago. Finally, she left for Antarctica from Chile on 29^th December 2012.

On the eve of Bangladesh turning 40, she had taken up the challenge of climbing the highest mountains of each of the seven continents to celebrate women’s progress of the last four decades and highlight to the world the resiliency of our people.

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Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.  Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising campaigns through an overview of strategies for successful applications.  This interactive webinar aims to inform fundraisers on types of funding available to them through an introduction to European foundations.

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  NGO News Desk ::

During its first 5 years, CIME has grown exponentially and has reached many media professionals. Among our achievements, we organised the International Media Ethics Day twice, first with 300 then with 600 participants. Our annual Forum has evolved through Benin, Mexico, Hungary and Bhutan from one day discussions to 2 day workshops with training. The CIME short video contest, essay writing contest and Fellowship programme have attracted hundreds of applicants and participants and are a testimony of the need for an increased attention brought to media ethics.

It was heart-warming to see the enthusiastic supporters of media ethics from different parts of the world celebrating CIME’s fifth anniversary on 17 November 2012.

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Staff Correspondent :: Amidst the mad rush of holiday shoppers, street hawkers, and gridlock traffic in NYC’s Times Square, something very special is happening today.

On two huge HD screens that flank the Viacom Building on 1515 Broadway, home to MTV, Connect4Climate’s (C4C) 25-second video that opens with a quote from President Kim and features a collaboration between Eminem and Kenyan hip hop group TS1 rapping about climate issues will play throughout the day in front of the thousands of people moving through one of the world’s most famous squares.

This incredible pro bono outreach opportunity was made possible thanks to C4C’s partnerships with MTV and Artists Project Earth, a UK-based NGO that has produced the ‘Rhythms del Mundo’ charity album series with all proceeds going towards climate change projects around the world. Eminem’s remix of “Not Afraid” with TS1 is featured on the recently launched ‘Rhythms del Mundo: Africa’ CD that also includes tracks by Beyonce, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and many more.

This creative public/private collaboration is just one example amongst many in the wide spectrum of C4C’s coalition of more than 140 knowledge partners. Launched just over a year ago by the World Bank, the Italian Ministry of Environment, and the GEF, C4C’s “campaign, coalition and community that cares about climate change” has worked to amplify the voices of local stakeholders who have stories to tell about climate change. Having built an aggregate online community approaching half a million, C4C’s goal of creating a participatory, open knowledge platform that engages the global community in climate change conversation to drive local action is now a reality.

Global Environment Facility and Connect4Climate

The Global Environment Facility has been a strong supporter of Connect4Climate and its many initiatives. As one of the three main sponsors, in line with the GEF’s youth outreach program lead by GEF EXT, and along with the Italian Environment Ministry, the GEF provided financial support and logistics in the preparation and execution of initiatives taken by C4C. In the run-up to the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 17) in Durban in December 2011, C4C kick-started its campaign by challenging African youth from the ages of 13 to 35 to tell their personal climate change stories through photos and videos focused on six categories: Agriculture, energy, forests, gender, health, and water. The response to the first competition was impressive, with over 700 photos and videos submitted from every country on the African continent. The winning photos and videos were presented at a high-profile awards ceremony and exhibition in Durban that generated over 300 articles and blogs written in English, French, Italian, and Arabic. The winning images and videos are featured on https://www.connect4climate.orgorg  and continue to inspire others to share their own stories and offer innovative ideas for action.

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Staff Correspondent ::

 “It is very reassuring to learn from this report that an initial public investment on the order of $5 billion over the next 10 to 20 years could be sufficient to catalyze many hundreds of billions of dollars in public and private finance,” said Dr. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.  “We now have the right tools to identify and remove those market and policy failures which have unfortunately sped up the degradation of marine environments.  Our goal is to help both the public and private sectors create clear incentives and policies which will serve to protect the world’s oceans,” she added.

 The world’s oceans and coastal areas are the source of a variety of life-sustaining goods and services—including food, transport, oil and gas, tourism, and minerals.  Marine and coastal resources directly provide at least US$3 trillion annually in global economic output.

 “Oceans are an integral part of life on earth, regulating our climate and producing oxygen for the planet, yet they are under serious threat due to pollution, over-exploitation, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change,” said Andrew Hudson, Head of UNDP’s Water & Ocean Governance Programme. “We need to improve the way we manage the oceans, before the damage is irreversible,” he said, adding that ocean degradation threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, primarily in the world’s least developed countries.

 Catalysing Ocean Finance: Transforming Markets to Restore & Protect the Global Ocean, issued jointly with the GEF, shows that the accelerating degradation of the marine environment stems primarily from market and policy failures, leading to the over-exploitation of fisheries, skyrocketing hypoxic (low oxygen) zones in coastal areas, continued introductions of destructive alien species, and increased ocean acidification.

These market and policy failures have led both the private and public sectors to under-invest in environmental protection measures, such as wastewa­ter treatment and coastal habitat protection, and over-invest in activities detrimental to the marine environment, including over-fishing and chemically intensive agri­culture.

Over the last two decades, UNDP and the GEF have successfully developed a suite of ocean strategic planning tools that have proven successful at creating enabling policy environments to catalyse investment for restoring and protecting the marine environment.

From reversing the Black Sea’s enormous ”dead zone” to reducing the risk from invasive species in ship ballast water, to moving forty percent of the world’s tuna fisheries in the Pacific towards sustainability, Catalysing Ocean Finance documents the tangible impacts of these instruments and approaches.

Using 20 years of UNDP-GEF experience on costs and impacts of ocean protection efforts as proxies, the report estimates the costs of scaling up these tools at a global level to address key ocean threats comprehensively. Catalysing Ocean Finance demonstrates how a modest investment of public finance can scale up proven ocean planning and policy tools, leverage financial flows, transform ocean markets, and reverse the global decline in ocean health.

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