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Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the Jobra Museum and Archive, on September 19, in the village of Jobra where Grameen Bank was born in 1976.

Interesting feature of the event was the gathering of most of the former staff of the first branch of Grameen Bank as well as Professor H. I. Latifee who had coordinated all the activities of Professor Yunus during early years. The opening ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests from Chittagong, Chittagong University, Mr ASM Mohiuddin, Acting Managing Director, Grameen Bank, senior executives of the bank. Professor Yunus narrated the story how it all began in Jobra with collaboration between the people of Jobra village and an academic from the university. He recalled the role played by the village youth and the elders in his initiative of creating Nabajug Tebhaga Khamar in 1974 for producing an irrigated crop in the village, to add a third crop in their crop cycle.

Professor Sekander Khan, former Chairman of Department of Economics, Chittagong talked about the role played by students of various departments of the university to make the project successful.

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Fortune announced its inaugural Change the World list, a ranking of 51 companies that have made an impact on major global social or environmental problems as part of their competitive strategy. For the first time, the magazine’s “Change the World” list is ranking companies not by the dollars they make, but the good they are doing.

According to the World Bank, globally, microfinance accounts for at least $60 billion in loans annually and has reached 135 million people. This is the first list of its kind in which companies are recognized—and competitively ranked—on business innovations that positively impact pressing social and environmental issues.

Danone, one of the social business partners of Grameen ranked 14th position on Fortune’s Change the World List as a brand offering products that address poor nutrition. Grameen and Danone Group went into a joint venture to create a yogurt fortified with micro-nutrients to decrease malnutrition for the children of Bangladesh in 2005

Source:
https://fortune.com/change-the-world/ and https://fortune.com/change-the-world/grameen-bank-12/

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To create employment opportunities for released prisoners by providing them with various marketable skills, a public-private collaboration has been initiated by the Prison Directorate under the Improvement of the Real Situation of Overcrowding in Prisons in Bangladesh (IRSOP) project. IRSOP is a joint project of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. GIZ implements the project on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the UK government.

As a part of this initiative, the training on “Electrical and House Wiring” was provided to 22 male prisoners in Kashimpur Central Jail Part-1 between 16 April and 21 June, 2015. The training was initiated by the Prison Directorate and was conducted by Dhaka Ahsania Mission. GIZ provided technical support for this training. The certificate-giving ceremony for this training was held on 13 July 2015 at Kashimpur Central Jail Part 1.

In the certificate-giving ceremony, Brigadier General Syed Iftekhar Uddin, Inspector General of Prisons, Prison Directorate was present as the Chief Guest. Mr Subrata Kumar Bala, Jail Superintendent; Ms Tahera Yasmin, Senior Programme Advisor, Rule of Law, GIZ and other representatives from Dhaka Ahsania Mission and GIZ were also present at the ceremony.

One of the trainees mentioned that, “This training will definitely keep us away from frustrations. Personally, I had some skills but there was no proof of that. But I have a certificate now, which means a lot to me.”

Brigadier General Syed Iftekhar Uddin emphasised that, “Electrical and house wiring training has great demand everywhere. I hope all the trainees will utilise this training with self-confidence and will turn into successful entrepreneurs. We are planning to provide more training on skills that have demand in our country as well as abroad, in cooperation with GIZ and Dhaka Ahsania Mission. This is how we want to turn prisons to correction centres across the nation.”

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference, first of its kind in Bangladesh, at 10am at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh and Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Manila are jointly organising the conference in cooperation with the education ministry, Canada and the World Bank.

Representatives from 17 CPSC member countries will attend the conference. Representatives of development partners based in Dhaka will also join it while TVET specialists from home and abroad will present over 50 papers in different sessions.

Details of the conference were disclosed at a press conference at IDEB Bhaban in Dhaka’s Kakrail on Saturday. IDEB President A K M A Hamid and General Secretary Md Shamsur Rahman addressed the press meet.

Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) Chairmen Dr Md Mustafizur Rahman, Program Officer at ILO Country Office Dr Hari Pada Das, Skill and Training Enhancement Project (STEP) Deputy Project Director A J M Abdullah Hel Baki and other IDEB office-bearers were present.

They said the aims of the event are to enhance the number of skilled manpower through technological vocational education and training and make national development sustainable through ensuring their greater participation in every field of production and productivity.

The other aims are to bring the researchers, practitioners, educationists and entrepreneurs of the SME and industrial sectors on a common platform to formulate TVET policy, simplify exchanges of the results and experiences of bilateral researches on technical and vocational education and training to build a skill culture for livelihood and prosperity and to identify challenges and future trends in polytechnic education.

The main topics the conference will deal include reorienting TVET policy and barriers towards education for sustainable development; innovative practices and approaches in technical teachers’ education; green and clean technology approach in industry; accreditation and cross mobility for TVET workforce; research, monitoring and evaluation in TVET; and its social and professional integration. BTEB, ILO, STEP, National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) are co-partners of the conference.

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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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In this regard, on 11th March 2015, GIZ provided equipment to support the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence to establish the MFB –micro extinguishing systems, hydraulic cutters and spreaders. A specialised vehicle with high power pump and specialized equipmentwill be provided later as well.

Capacity building training will also be provided to the fire fighters of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defenceby experts Mr. Simon Joachim Friz and Mr. Jan Thomas Hargus from the Fire Brigade of Bonn (Germany), on the use of the equipment. The trainings are complementary to the ILO RMG Project’s fire prevention courses for workers and management in factories, conducted in line with international standards.

Providing emergency services in a timely manner becomes difficult due to the locations of the existing factories, where narrow roads and heavy traffic are barriers for fire trucks. In this regards, establishment of the Mini-Fire Brigade will be an important step forward.

The Director General of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, Brigadier Ali Ahmed Khan said that the Fire Service and Civil Defence is the first organisation to respond to any kind of disaster in Bangladesh, and as such has to maintain an adequate response time.

Professional skills of the highest standards are very important for fire fighters in Bangladesh, whose capabilities are being closely watched in the wake of recent tragedies. He welcomed GIZ’s initiative to facilitate the MFB and train the firefighters, and expressed his appreciation for Germany’s support.

For the MFB, the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence will provide full-time firefighters and ensure adequate training for all full-time and voluntary members, in cooperation with German firefighting experts. As the private project partner, DBL will provide land for the establishment of an MFB. It will also set up the infrastructure with parking spot for at least one roofed vehicle and a station building.

Mr Magnus Schmid, Programme Coordinator of Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry (PSES), a joint project of the governments of Bangladesh and Germany, implemented by GIZ, shared, “To sustain the garments industry, workplace safety has to be addressed. In addition to the existing fire services, a Mini-Fire Brigade (MFB) could contribute to improved building and fire safety in the industry. The initiative has already been recognised globally.”

Mr Olaf Handloegten, former Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh and Head of Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM), implemented by GIZ, shared, “Staffed 24 hours a day, the response time of the Mini Fire Brigade will be within the critical 10-15 minutes after the incident, within an operational range of about one kilometer. For the industrial sector, this is a very crucial and timely addition to the existing strength of the fire-fighting units.”

The MFB concept and the pilot project have been developed within the framework of GIDRM, in close cooperation with PSES.

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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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Overall, regional sentiment was down 2 points to 26, dragged lower by Indonesia where sentiment dropped 14 points to 50, Malaysia which fell 8 points to 47, and Hong Kong which declined 5 points to -10.

“Retail investor sentiment is readily affected by factors that hurt their hip pocket and that impacts the employment and economic outlook. Investors in Indonesia were spooked by the lifting of the fuel price subsidy and associated inflation pressures, and Malaysia, being a net oil exporter, was hit by the collapse in oil prices. We expect oil to sink below US$40 a barrel and to stay low for about six months and this will continue to be a headwind for Malaysia’s economy,” says Megan Greene, Chief Economist, Manulife Asset Management.

Hong Kong sank further on investors’ gloomy opinion of the real estate market — with investment property falling a further 9 points to -36 — due to high property prices and the prospect of interest rate increases given the US dollar peg. Less of a factor was Occupy Central, which only two in five Hong Kong investors said influenced their investment decisions.

The index declines were offset by a jump in Mainland China, where jubilant investors pushed the local index up 14 points to 29. The surge was driven by confidence in equity markets, with sentiment climbing 29 points to 58; reflecting retail investors’ confidence due to lower interest rates, the strong lending environment and further liberalization of capital markets.

Japan was another riser, with sentiment up 4 points to 12, driven by the government’s stimulus spending and Prime Minister Abe’s December election victory which renewed his mandate for structural reform.

“An oversupply of everything from oil to liquidity drove markets and investor sentiment in late 2014,” says Greene. “In 2015, big macro-economic events will continue to loom large in markets. China will continue to benefit from targeted monetary and fiscal stimulus, but will see its growth decelerate moderately to around 7 percent in 2015. When it comes to Japan we see very sluggish growth. The weaker yen has failed to boost exports due to competitiveness problems, so the outlook really hinges on deep structural reform.”

Investors’ hopes of hitting 10 percent returns optimistic given their fondness for cash

Retail investors across Asia are expecting on average, to achieve returns of 10 percent in 2015. At the low end of the range is Japan with hopes of 7.4 percent, while Indonesia sits at the top at 14.5 percent. Investors in Mainland China sit near the middle, expecting 11.4 percent, a mere fraction of the year-end 37 percent spike in the Shanghai Composite Index.

When asked which asset class investors expected to be a top performer in 2015, equities ranked on top (23 percent of investors). Property followed (20 percent of investors), but was especially backed in markets like Indonesia and the Philippines where equities are not a common investment. Region-wide, cash was placed equal second (also 20 percent of investors).

Closer inspection of what Asian investors intend to invest in over the next six months, however, raises questions over their ability to meet their performance targets, as cash remains the most-favored asset class and the top destination for increased allocation. This is despite the fact that Asians are already overweight cash, at 37 percent of their portfolios (excluding primary residence) by usual asset allocation standards.

Commenting on investors’ optimistic expectations amid the prevailing market volatility, Peter Warnes, Head of Portfolio Solutions Group, International at Manulife Asset Management said, “Many individuals are finding it difficult to plan for the long term in the prevailing market context, but we feel that retreating to cash is not the solution, especially when the low interest environment means that cash won’t yield returns.”

The exceptions to the prevailing preference for cash are China, Hong Kong and Japan where investors held neutral to negative views on cash in the fourth quarter. A smaller percentage of investors in these markets also say they will ‘invest’ more in cash in the next six months: Hong Kong (27 percent), China (17 percent) and Japan (12 percent). By contrast, investors in these markets are most bullish on equities, with sentiment towards stocks in China at 58 points, Japan at 37 points and Hong Kong at 11.

“A multi-asset investment solution can provide investors with a degree of insulation from unexpected market events, while also potentially generating returns in excess of cash or even delivering a recurring income stream,” continued Mr. Warnes. “A multi-asset portfolio comprises a mix of equities and bonds and a diversified exposure to a range of markets. We currently favor equities over bonds and within Asia we prefer North Asian markets such as Mainland China and Korea over their ASEAN peers. However, an efficiently managed multi-asset solution can quickly shift asset class or geographical exposure should market conditions change”.

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The government, by one side, is implementing tobacco control law and imposing higher taxes on tobacco products to prevent harms and deaths from tobacco use, and on the other side, it is encouraging death-marketers by conferring different prestigious awards – which testify the double-facing roles of the government in tobacco control issues.

It is interesting to note that BATB very recently (December 2014 ) received another prestigious award ‘ICSB National Award for Corporate Governance Excellence-2013’. Public health is on top and it is government’s liability to safeguard the people. Such indirect promotional activities should be stopped for the betterment of public health.

Please see the detail reports

https://unb.com.bd/print/batb-award#sthash.PoSTBdLY.dpuf

https://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/01/22/77116

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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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The resort owners of Bangladesh have already invested more than 4 hundred crore Taka and creating employment in the country without any government help. But the political loggerhead between the Government and Opposition force them to reap the losses, daily 1 crore Taka loss for the resort owners only.

That can not be happened in the country. TRIAB demands immediate resolve of this political loggerhead for the sake of the tourism industry.

TRIAB earnestly requests the political leaders of Bangladesh to consider tourism survive, and keep this fragile industry away from any type of political strike and blockades. Tourist carrying vehicles must be beyond the purview of any strike and blockade.

TRIAB also demands VAT and TAX wave as long as the political unrest lasts in the country. Otherwise, the tourism investors would be compelled to retrench its employees that will aggravate the unemployment in the country.

If the TRIAB demands are not considered, it will be bound to come to the street and refrain themselves to provide all kinds of VAT and Taxes to the government exchequer.

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Professor Yunus along with four other Nobel Laureates and five scientists from India received the gold medal during the inaugural session of the Indian Science Congress in the presence of more than 12,000 strong audience including Ministers, Chief Ministers, leading scientists, Vice Chancellors of dozens of Indian Universities and delegates from India and abroad.

In the Indian PM’s inaugural speech, referring to the Nobel Laureates that were honoured he said ” We have here with us Nobel Laureates, whose work in science has given new hope against dreaded diseases. We also have one whose own understanding of social science gave the poorest a life of hope, opportunity and dignity.” referring to Professor Yunus and his work.

Prime Minister Modi concluded his 45 minute long speech by saying that he would like to make science and technology for development as a top national priority for India.

The inaugural session was also addressed by Indian Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, President of the Indian Science Congress Association Prof SB Nimse, among others.

After declaring the 102nd Indian Science Congress open, Prime Minister Modi invited the Nobel Laureates to a meeting over tea for an hour long discussion about ways to bring the latest developments in science and technolgy as well as attract talent in scientific field to India in order to take the country forward.

Professor Yunus joined the tea with Prime Minister Modi along with 2001 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine Paul Nurse from London, 2002 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Kurt Wuthrich from Switzerland, 2009 Chemistry Nobel laureate Ada E Yonath from Israel, 2013 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, Randy Schekman of University of California, Berkeley.

The Indian Science Congress is the largest science conference in India which has taken place every year since 1914 and has grown to an international event that attracts 12,000 people from all over India, and from around the world.

The Congress is traditionally been opened by the Indian Prime Minister and attracts Nobel Laureates and leading scientists from different fields as speakers at the Conference. This year it is taking place at Mumbai University from 3-7 January 2015. The President of the Indian Science Congress Professor S B Nimse, Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University, flew to dhaka almost a year before the event today, to invite Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammmad Yunus personally to address the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Mumbai on the role of Science and Technology for Development.

On the opening day of the congress Professor Yunus addressed the plenary session in the main pandal of the Congress in the presence of 20,000 delegates. He was introduced by eminent Indian nuclear scientist and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, Professor Anil Kakodkar who also chaired the session. Profesor Yunus narrated his experience of starting Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and how it led to the creation of social business as non dividend, problem solving companies to tackle society’s problems especially those faced by the poor, both in Bangladesh and around the world. He talked about explosion of technology in the next twenty years will dranatically change the world. He said if we create technology through social business it will unleash energies and creative powers of people towards solving society’s problems. He stressed on the role of technology which, if designed properly, could help create a world without poverty and unemployment.

Professor Yunus arrived in Mumbai on 2 January, and is expected to return to Bangladesh on 5 January. Ms Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director, Yunus Centre accompanied Professor Yunus during the trip.

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After a rigorous assessment of the trends of major macroeconomic indicators during the first half of FY 2014-15, the UO projects that if the business as usual situation continues the rate of growth in GDP falling short of the target of 7.3 percent may stand at 6.26 percent at the end of the current fiscal year.

Taking account of the impact of non-economic factors such as political uncertainty together with underdeveloped infrastructure, the think tank opines that industrial production has been badly affected by the current uncertain political situation-induced risky investment climate.

As regards declining private investment, the think tank shows that private investment as percentage of GDP has been on the decline since FY 2010-11. In FY 2011-12, private investment stood at 22.50 percent, which reached to 21.75 percent and 21.39 percent in FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14 respectively.

Referring to increased gap between savings and investment, the research organization evinces that in FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14, the national savings were 30.53 percent and 30.54 percent, whereas the total investment were 28.39 percent and 28.69 percent of the GDP representing 2.14 and 1.85 percentage point gaps respectively.

Pointing to the economy’s lagging behind other developing economies in collecting revenue, the UO demonstrates that the tax-GDP ratio stood at 9.7 percent against the target of 11 percent in FY 2013-14. Meanwhile, the ratio stood at 13.9 percent and 12 percent in Nepal and Sri Lanka respectively in 2013.

The total number of the holders of Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) is only 17 lakh which is only 1.09 percent of the total population against 69 lakh people of taxable income. Among the total number of TIN holders, only 8.55 lakh people that represent 0.54 percent of the total population submitted their tax returns in November 2014.

Referring to the collection of tax revenue against the target of Tk. 149720 crore for FY 2014-15, the think tank states that in the first four months of the FY 2014-15, the total tax revenue collection stands at Tk. 38005.81 crore, which is 25.38 percent of the target. In FY 2013-14 and FY 2012-13, the collection of revenue, however, stood at 96 percent and 97 percent of the target respectively.

Noticing a lack of sustainable increase in implementation of Annual Development Programme (ADP), the UO explicates that despite increasing allocation, ADP implementation has been falling short of target. In FY 2012-13, 96 percent of total ADP was spent vis-à-vis 94 percent in FY 2013-14. In FY 2014-15, allocation for ADP is Tk. 80315 crore, representing a 33.85-percent-point higher than the revised ADP of the FY 2013-14. ADP implementation until October 2014 reached Tk. 11250.82 crore or 13% of the total allocation.

Pointing to financing deficit-induced increase in non-development expenditure and decrease in development expenditure, the UO illustrates that in FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14, non-development budget stood at 12.1 percent and 13.2 percent of total GDP, whereas the allocation for ADP was only 4.7 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. In FY 2014-15, the allocation for the non-development expenditure and ADP, however, is 12.7 percent and 6.3 percent respectively.

Taking account of recent low-performance in external sectors due to tensions in international relations with the certain export destination countries, the research organization demonstrates that in July–October period of FY 2014-15, the overall balance of payment decreases to USD 1246 million from USD1649 million of the corresponding period of FY 2013-14.

Between July and September of FY 2014-15, trade deficit has increased by USD 1128 million more than that of the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Trade deficit in the first quarter of FY 2014-15 has, however, increased by 17.97 percent as export earning has decreased by USD 71 million compared to increase of USD 1199 million in import payment. Decrease in export can partly be attributed to the suspension of Bangladesh from enjoying the generalised system of preferences (GSP) in the US, says the think tank.

Both flow of remittance and number of overseas employment are on the decline since 2012. In 2012, the flow of remittance and the total number of overseas employment stood at Tk. 115816.93 crore and 607798, whereas the amount and the number came down to Tk. 108066.93 crore and 409253 in 2013 and Tk. 106062.33 crore and 382298 until November in 2014 respectively, finds the UO.

Referring to institutional weakness of the economy, the research organization says “country’s banking sector is caught in trap and is characterised by high interest spread, excess liquidity and declining growth in disbursement of credit to private sector coupled with poor risk management, fraudulence, captured governance and lax oversight.”

In FY 2010-11, the rate of growth in quantum index of production (QIP) was 16.95 percent, which decreased to 10.79 in FY 2011-12 percent and slightly increased to 11.59 percent in FY 2012-13 percent. Later on, the index drastically fell and stood at 8.3 percent in FY 2013-14.

The issue carries out the assessment against the backdrop of current economic management by the new government of which 154 members of the parliament won without any contest in the national parliament election of 2014. The election, therefore, is questioned because of its quality of not being participatory as the major opposition party did not participate in it.

The research organization has called for an expedient seven-point policy measures – improved international diplomacy, employment enhancement strategies, higher revenue collection through expanding tax base, institutional reform in financial sector, increased private investment through incentivizing investors, narrowing interest rate spread through effective harmonisation of macroeconomic policies, and development of a functional social security system.

The UO also suggests an urgent inclusive political dialogue that reducing the exigencies of current political uncertainly will ensure consolidation of democracy through regular transfer of power and cause the economy to grow faster.

The post Trading Away the Ebb: Half Yearly Assessment of Bangladesh Economy appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

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 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.

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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.

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MSC Cruises, a distinctive market leader and trend setter in the cruise industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marco Shipping Company (BD) ltd is its agents in Bangladesh.   Marco Shipping Company (BD) Ltd is a sister concern of Karnaphuli Group, is with MSC since May, 2012. Karnaphuli is involved in travel related service since 1990. Presently Karnaphuli’s sister company Travel Scene Ltd is with Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) UK, providing all types of travel services in Bangladesh.

We are very pleased to inform you that the MSC Cruises is one of the best cruise services of the world having 12 Luxurious & Ultra modern ships in its fleet. MSC Cruise is a privately owned European Company employing 15,500 staffs around the world and present in 45 countries with its head office at Geneva, Switzerland and operational office at Naples, Italy. MSC Cruises sail around the world, from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and Antilles, South America, Red Sea, The United Arab Emirates and South Africa. MSC Cruise is the market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil. Our 12 ultra-modern ships carried 1.4 million passengers in 2012 and expect to carry 1.6 million passenger in2013.

We are now open for booking; we hope you will visit our websites to remain updated with our latest offers in every few months. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries regarding our services or about our company. We are ready to welcome you on board.

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As such TIB Report’s on non-existence of 10 NGOs is not correct. According to the existing terms and conditions, selected NGOs are at liberty to engage partners for project implementation. Since the climate change adaptation is a new concept we found some NGOs are facing some difficulties in implementing the project. It is noteworthy to mention that PKSF’s fund allocation and selection criteria are very rigid and transparent. Strict rules are followed in the entire process. There is no scope for any unfair means or corrupt practice in PKSF activities. The Government of Bangladesh and the Development Partners including the NGO-Civil society are aware and appreciative of PKSF’s high standard of transparency and efficiency.

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An agreement was signed at the conference between Professor Yunus and the Minister of agriculture of Haiti allocating ten thousand hectares of Government land to the Yunus Social business for using in reforesting of Haiti.

Also Haiti Social Business Fund, founded by Professor Yunus signed an agreement with Deutsche Bank to receive a loan of one million dollar. This adds to the existing 5 million dollars that the Fund has for investment in new social businesses in Haiti.

Two very large Haiti social business projects are joint ventures with giant multinational companies. One is on reforesting the whole of Haiti which lost virtually all its forest coverage in the last couple of decades. Richard Branson through Virgin United and Clinton Foundation together with Haiti Social Business Fund have agreed to form a joint venture to accomplish this goal. Another large joint venture is shaping up with Brazil Foods (BR Foods) which will produce poultry and create country-wide  employment for rural population of Haiti. President Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe are actively supporting the social business initiatives in Haiti.

Professor Yunus was honoured by the Prime Minister of Albania at gala dinner where the Prime Minister Edi Rama presented Professor Yunus the Lifetime achievement Award and praised his contribution in helping overcome poverty in in Albania and Kosovo. The gala dinner was organized by National Albanian American Association attended by President of Albania, Prime Minister of Albania, Prime minister of Kosovo, Prime minister of Macedonia, cabinet members of Albania and Kosovo, several US congressmen, business leaders of Albanian American community in the USA on the sidelines of the UN meeting. Yunus Social Business has been working in Albania for last three years and a series of social businesses in Albania with the direct support of the Albanian government in a major employment generation initiative in that country. Professor Yunus has been running Grameen Kosovo since 1990n immediately after the cease fire agreement was signed and kosovo became a UN administered territory. Professor Yunus gave the keynote address at the dinner elaborating his experience in Albania and Kosovo.

Professor Yunus is scheduled to address the Global Citizen Festival in the Central Lawn of Central Park on 28 September, a big event to be attended by 50,000 young people to end extreme poverty before he leaves for New Hampshire to attend state wide Social Business Competition in that state.

The post Agreement Signed Allocating Ten Thousand Hectares of Land in Haiti to Yunus Social Business 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

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NGO News Desk

EquityBD’s Chief Moderator Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said that in last few months, these multinational companies pressurized government and succeeded to reduce the VAT rate from 15% to 5% and also succeeded to withdraw the condition of participation of other foreign companies in the auction process. It is a matter of shame for this multinationals and their origin countries (e.g., Grameen / Telenor – Norway, Bangllink / Orascom – Egypt, Robi/Singtel-Singapore, and Airtel-India). He also said that this is double standard implementation of WTO principles on open and free competition.

Ahsanul Karim of the Tax Justice Campaign Coordinator of EquityBD said that, we have in doubt whether this companies is paying properly all the VAT that they are earning from the callers. It is ironical that a small local company producing batteries is the highest VAT payer to the government exchequer instead of the Telcos and other MNCs. He also said that NBR (National Board of Revenue) must explain in public that how they are monitoring VAT collection and payment of this multinationals.

Barkat Ullah Maruf, the Policy Research Coordinator of EquityBD mentioned that while 3G mobile auction in India took 34 days to settle and foreign companies has participated with a fierce competition and government earned $11 billions upon the expectation of $7.5 billions. In comparison to this in Bangladesh it took only an hour for the entire auction process is done without any sort of competition. The government earned only $515 millions where the expectation was at least $800 millions according to the base price.

Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Mobilization and Networking Coordinator mentioned, to create a level playing field government hardly given attention to the public company Teletelk to develop, the company should be made public private partnership.

The post Is it Surrender to Multinational Syndicate or a Planned Game? appeared first on NGO News, Latest NGO News, Fund for NGO, NGO News Update.

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 ::

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“India needs a paradigm shift in the way it manages its people’s health. It needs to move its public health policy from disease control towards prevention, focusing on water and sanitation, safe food and clean environment. In fact, the role of the ministry of health and family welfare should be recast to enable this shift:” This was one of the conclusions drawn at the end of the two-day conference on Food Safety and Environmental Toxins, organized here by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Speakers at the conference — among whom were T Ramasami, secretary, department of science and technology; Keshav Desiraju, secretary, department of health and family welfare; K Chandramouli, chairperson, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; Rakesh Kacker, secretary, ministry of food processing industries; and CSE director general Sunita Narain – also pointed out that “policymaking in India remains largely within the government, and there is a need to evolve a transparent process which will involve the civil society as well”.

This conference was organized to mark a decade of work by CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Lab, which has been instrumental in carrying out some seminal studies in testing for toxins in food and environment. In this context, the conference underlined the need for more such independent labs to support community struggles on pollution and health issues (see earlier press release on our website, www.cseindia.org).

On pesticide regulations

Most speakers were of the opinion that the government should move pesticide registration from the control of the ministry of agriculture to either health or environment, with bio-safety as the main mandate.

“There is a need to review all registered pesticides taking into account comparative risk assessment (especially for vulnerable groups like children) and deregister toxic and obsolete pesticides. We should also review and set MRLs based on ADI for all food commodities, including processed and packaged foods,” said Chandra Bhushan, CSE’s deputy director general and head of its Food Safety Programme.

The conference called for publication of an annual report on the status of pesticide contamination in the country. The process of this publication should be transparent, with participation from the civil society. It also asked for a review of what the state agricultural universities are recommending to farmers and set up systems to take strict action for prescribing illegal pesticides.

On organic farming

“Organic and non-pesticide farming is showing encouraging results across the country. However, the support of the governments to these practices is negligible. Subsidies should be moved away from pesticides and fertilizers towards ecologically sustainable alternatives both at the production and market ends,” says Chandra Bhushan, summarizing the conference’s key message on this issue.

On junk food

The conference recognized the need for an appropriate regulatory framework to monitor junk food advertisements specifically targeted towards children. It also stressed on strengthening labeling norms specifically related to nutritional information. Speaking in the session on junk food, Sunita Narain said: “Junk food should be banned in schools.”

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Md. Badi Akhter, Acting Country Director of Oxfam and Kamal S. Quadir, CEO of bkash Limited signed the agreement on behalf of Oxfam and bKash respectively.

Oxfam with the financial support from ECHO, has initiated, Food Security Response Initiatives and Efforts for floods in North Western Districts (FRIEND) Project, to reach 3371 households in 5 Unions of Fulchori Upazilla of Gaibandha. Under this project total of 6,520 BDT will be disbursed to each household through Cash for Work and Cash for Training.

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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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NGO News Desk :: Sweden has made progress in recent years towards a more secure, sustainable energy future. The Scandinavian nation already has an almost carbon-free electricity supply and has phased out oil use in residential and power sectors. It is increasingly integrated within the Nordic and Baltic electricity markets, and its joint renewable electricity certificate market with Norway offers a unique model for other countries.

Now Sweden must take concrete steps to realise its vision of a fossil-fuel-independent vehicle fleet by 2030 and no net greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. Although Sweden has decided to allow the replacement of its existing nuclear reactors, further emission reductions will come at a higher cost and require technology change. This means Sweden will need to carefully evaluate the most cost-effective pathways for its transition to a low-carbon economy.

Sweden has a high energy-intensity level, which requires greater energy efficiency in industry, buildings, heat and transport.  A decarbonisation vision should be mapped out for each industry sector. Starting with transport, Sweden must specify how it will wean its vehicle fleet from fossil fuels by 2030.

Sweden’s industry lead in smart grids is an asset. Sweden should scale up investment in clean energy technologies. As all Nordic countries decarbonise, cost-effective regional solutions can control consumers’ costs. The large-scale deployment of renewable and energy technologies in a common Northern European energy market can drive decarbonisation without comprising competitiveness, security of supply and affordability.

This review analyses the energy-policy challenges currently facing Sweden, and provides studies and recommendations for each sector.

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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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Industries Minister and Chairperson of SME Foundation Dilip Borua presided over the meeting. Mohammad Md. Mujibur Rahman, acting managing director of SME Foundation, presented the annual report of the foundation. The AGM approved the Board of Director’s report, proposals along with the SMEF audit report of 2011-2012.

Mr. Dilip Borua said, the Foundation has successfully organised a number of programmes to promote SMEs across the country. The present government has given the highest importance in this sector and has created a favourable field for the SME entrepreneurs throughout the country.

The minister also urged all concerned to gear up SME development programes along with the SME Foundation.
All  members of the general body of the foundation, representing different trade bodies, associations, government organisations, and educational institutes were present at the AGM.

Directorsof the SME Foundation board Ms. Rokia Afzal Rahman of  MIDAS financing ltd,   Farhad Uddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Professor M Kamal Uddin (Buet), Abdul Matin ndc., Director General (DG) of BITAC, Abul Quasem, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Fakhrul Islam, Chairman of BSCIC, Taufique Ahmed Chowdhury, DG of BIBM, Shahedul Islam Helal, Managing Director of Bengal Pacific Ltd,  Monowara Hakim Ali, President of CWCCI, Enayet Hossain Chowdhury, Electrical Association, Sheikh Abdus Sobhan, President of NASCI were present.

Among the general body members—–

Mr. Md. Ghulam Hussain, , Mr. Moazzem Hossain,  Mr. Md. Munsur Ali Sikder, ndc Mr. Shubhashish Bose, Mr. ATM Murtozaa Reza Chowhdury, ndc, Mr. Nabhash Chandra Mondal, Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Mr. A. K. Fazlul Ahad, Mr. Md. Shahab Ullah, Mr. Bijon Kumar Baishya, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ismail Mustafa, Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed,Mr. Gokul Chand Das, Mrs. Arfin Ara Begum,Mr. Md. Altaf Husain, Mr. Md. Abdur Rouf,  Md. Nasir Uddin, Kazi Faqurul Islam, Mr. Sukomal Sinha ChowdhuryMr. A K M Rafiqul Islam,   Mr. Md. Syful Islam, FCA,            Mrs. Rokia Afzal Rahman, Mr. Shahedul Islam,            Mr. Enayet Hossain Chowdhury,            Sheikh Md. Abdus Sobhan Mr, G M Nurul Islam (Rony) ,Mrs. Priti Chakrabo, Ms. Tanuja Rahman Maya, Ms. Mantasha Rahman, Mr. Md. Rashedul Karim Munn,

Ms. Farjana Hoque Smrity,Ms. Hasina Newaaz, Ms. Kaniz Almas Kha,     Ms. Lipi Khandaker, Ms. Tania Wahab, Mr. Abdur Razzak, Mr. Waqar Ahmed Choudhury .Mr. Abdur Rashid, Mr. Yusuf Ashraf, Mr. Wahidul Azad,Mrs. Selima Ahmad Mrs. Nasreen Fatema Awal,.Mrs. Monowara Hakim Ali .Mr. Raju Ahmed, Mr. Shamim Ahmed,.Prof. Dr. Razia Begum, Dr. M. Kamal Uddin, Dr. Toufic Ahmad Choudhury,.Dr. Md. Idris Ali,Prof. Dr. Md. Ali Ashraf,Mrs. Luna Shamsuddoha, Mr. Quazi Faruque, Khandaker Mokhlesur Rahman, Dr. K M Nabiul Islam, Mr. M. Ehsanul Haque  Mrs. Parveen Mahmud, FCA,  Prof. Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Dr. Fahmida Khatun were also present.

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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 Reporter ::

The current issue of Bangladesh Economic Update that comes at the half way stage of FY 2012-13 and also marks the end of the penultimate year of the current regime states that this gap might be 5.14 percent of the nominal GDP in FY 2012-13 which was 3.95 percent in FY 2011-12. Assuming business as usual scenario and continuation of a three-year programme agreed between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the leading think-tank in its outlook suggests that the saving – investment gap might be 5.47 and 5.81 percent of nominal GDP in FY2013-14 and FY2014-15 respectively.

“The increasing savings-investments gap, the myopic fiscal-monetary policy mix stipulated in the IMF-MEFP, inflationary pressure and confrontational politics may hinder attainment of the desired level of growth in FY 2012-13,” the report adds.  In FY 2012-13, the government targeted 7.2 percent rate of growth in gross domestic product (GDP).

Referring to the contractionary monetary policy, the research organization reasons that the high rate of interest reduces the private investment and also fails in attracting foreign investment due to lower rate of real rate of interest, emanating from depreciation of local currency. In FY 2011-12, the foreign direct investment (FDI) as percentage of total investment was 2.67 percent, which is respectively 0.03,  1.05 and 1.98 percent less than those of FY 20110-11, FY 2009-10 and FY 2008-09.

Pointing out the upward trend in the rate of growth in budget deficit, the Unnayan Onneshan says that shortfall is increasing due to swelling subsidy in power sector and lesser disbursement of foreign loans and grants while overall debt is bubbling up rapidly. According to budget of FY 2012-13, the government targeted budget deficit at Tk. 520680 million, which is 12.39 percent more than that of FY 2011-12.

The research organisation notes that the per capita debt burden is increasing over the years. Per capita debt burden in the budget of FY 2012-13 is projected at Tk. 2998.61. In FY 2011-12, per capita debt burden increased by 24.42 percent.

The rate of increase in revenue collection is not keeping pace with the rate of increase in expenditure. In FY 2011-12, the rate of growth in revenue collection was 3.44 percent more than that of the rate of growth in government expenditure, reveals the Unnayan Onneshan.

Referring to the continuous augmented allocation in annual development programme (ADP), the report however records that implementation of ADP has always remained much lower than targets. During the period of July-October of FY 2012-13, the highest ADP expenditure was in power division that was 34 percent of the total allocation and the Roads and Railway Division utilized Tk. 7162 million from the allocated Tk. 26522 million. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education utilized only Tk. 11667 million out of the allocated Tk. 43822 million during the same period. Among them, the lowest share of ADP expenditure went to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that was utilized only Tk. 4843 million that was 13 percent of the total allocation.

As regards the imbalance in the balance of payments (BoP), the research organization says that the import bill of crude petroleum and petroleum product in Bangladesh has been putting pressure while the rate of growth in export has remained short of the target. Between July and September of the current fiscal year, trade deficit was USD 77 million more than that of the same period of the previous fiscal year. This occurred because the increase in export earning was only USD 82 million whereas import payment increased by USD 159 million during this period.

The Unnayan Onneshan states that depreciation of Taka against USD further has increased the Taka value of import bills, thereby increasing the trade deficit. During the last four months of the current fiscal year, the average exchange rate was Tk. 81.58, which is Tk. 6.78 more than that of the same period of the previous fiscal year. Bangladesh Bank purchased USD 300 million from the local market to stop the depreciation of dollar in December 2012.

The think-tank also says that the rate of growth in remittance has decreased since FY 2008-09 except in the last fiscal year. Moreover, inflow of remittance in the current fiscal year exhibits a downward trend except for the month of October.

The Unnayan Onneshan also argues that the rate of decline in poverty in Bangladesh has slowed down in recent years. Poverty reduced by 8.9 percentage points during the five years of 2000-2005 while during the next five years (2005-2010), the total decline was 8.5 percentage points.

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Mostafa Kamal Akanda & Rezaul Karim Chowdhury :: Seven civil society networks of Bangladesh in a press conference has termed the Doha Climate Conference outcome in fact is for climate injustice toward climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh and let the developed countries to do inaction in respect of finance and carbon emission.
The press conference titled “Doha Gateway: Life and Death Situation” has been organized by seven Bangladeshi civil society networks namely Bangladesh Poribesh Andoloan (BAPA), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network for Climate Change and Bio Diversity (BIPNetCCBD), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Climate Finance Governance Network (CFGN), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) and Network on Climate Change Bangladesh (NCCB).
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD moderates the press conference while Mizanur Rahman Bijoy of NCCB reads out the written press statement. Dr. Ahsanuddin Ahmed of CGC/CSRL, Zakir Hossain Khan of CFGN, Mrinal Tripura of BIPNetCCBD, Golam Mortoza, the Editor of Shaptahik and Qumrul Islam Chowdhury of EJFB give their speech in the press conference.
In written press statement the group mentioned several fundamental weakness in Doha outcome, i.e., second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol, in fact which is like life support, without science-based substances, e.g., in respect of mitigation commitment of 18% carbon reduction by developed countries is not science-based which should have been 40 to 45% from 1990 level. It means the planet in fact reaching towards 4 degree Celsius increased by the end of this century, which will create more climate catastrophes in future. There is no commitment of finance for adaptation too, e.g., there is only commitment of continuous funding without any figures. Developing country proposal was to get $60 billion by 2015 and a road map to ensure earlier commitment of $100 billion from 2020.
The only ray of hope was there it is an acceptance of international mechanism in respect of Loss and Damage discourse, but it also depends on the decision of CoP 19/ climate conference, which would take place in Poland at the end of 2013. Due to the position of USA equity and CBDR (common but differentiated responsibilities) principles has been eliminated, which means developed countries are not taking historical responsibility anymore. The group proposed a national climate commission as a state supra body  like in Philippines which should coordinate climate negotiation, finance and climate action plan in future.
Dr. Ahsanuddin Ahmed mentioned the Doha outcome as a tiger without nails and teeth. He also mentioned that Bangladesh has to be ready to run climate adaptation programs and other development with its own money. Zakir Hossain Khan mentioned that Bolivia played a far more challenging role the conference with only 6 member delegations compared to a big Bangladesh delegation. Mr. Golam Mortaza speaks on his own behalf not as the part of the group and raises questions of huge government delegation. He demands accountability of NGO delegations too. He demand that there should be written position on Bangladesh declared at least three month before of such conference, so that there would be consistency in this regard. Qumrul Islam Chowdhury and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury underscore the need of integrated national foreign policy with the integration of climate diplomacy, doing home work in prior, so that Bangladesh will be able to reflect their own situation, mobilize and lead others in this regard what Philippine delegation did in this time.

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Staff Correspondent ::

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Staff Correspondent ::

Yet sometimes good partners, ideas, strategy and support have more impact than even an increase in funding.   “Marketing on a Shoestring: A Lightning Round of Ideas” will “spark” creativity by offering illustrative case studies and points of view for successful marketing strategies that are not costly, but will  gain recognition and resources.  We are planning for an “electrical” exchange that will help attendees promote their libraries in communities where it counts.

IFLA World Library Congress
Singapore, 17th-23th of August 2013

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Yesterday, the Union Cabinet had approved the creation of a new Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) in the place of the proposed NIB. The NIB had been proposed by the finance ministry as a new super-clearance agency to quickly grant all clearances, especially green clearances, to large infrastructure projects.

Some time back, CSE had strongly rebutted the ministry’s claim that green clearances are leading to inordinate delays in infrastructure projects. CSE had also rejected the proposal to set up the NIB, which was expected to dismantle the regulatory systems for green clearances. 

CSE has recently released data on the scale and pace of environment and forest clearances given during the 11th Five Year Plan (April 2007-March 2012). The study looks at four key sectors – thermal power, cement, iron and steel and mining – and comes out with hard data to prove that the scale of clearances has been nothing less than “unprecedented”.

CSE director general Sunita Narain had commented: “The analysis of this data clearly shows that the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has not been an impediment to infrastructure development. Instead, it has granted massive numbers of clearances, which are today jeopardizing environmental security. This is also making a complete mockery of our regulatory systems. Why, therefore, do we need the NIB?”

Keeping the latest development in mind, Chandra Bhushan points out that “there is now a greater need to make the environment ministry stronger, to make its clearance and monitoring systems more transparent and effective”.

What needs to be done: the CSE agenda

CSE has proposed a detailed reform agenda to strengthen the green clearance system so that it can work for people and the environment. “We believe this reform will not only reduce the high transaction costs and delays being caused to the industry, but will also make industries more accountable. It is not in the interest of the environment to perpetuate a corrupt system,” said Narain.

Reform the system:

§  Consolidate all clearances – environment, forest, wildlife, coastal — so that project impact is fully understood and decisions taken. Fragmentation is not only adding to delays, but also to poor decision-making.

§  Prepare one comprehensive impact assessment document covering all aspects for all clearances.

§  Track projects through one unique number so that all clearances are linked and impacts considered.

§  Make project appraisal committees accountable for their decisions. Bad decisions must lead to consequences.

§  Integrate the processes and procedures followed by the State Pollution Control Boards and the MoEF. Synchronise resources of all agencies; make local agencies responsible for monitoring and compliance.   

§  Put all project documents in the public domain; transparency is crucial.

Forest clearances:

Says Narain: “The present system of granting forest clearance is clearly not working. Forest clearances are being granted without considering the impact of forest diversion on forests, wildlife, water and the community.”

She adds: “No impact assessment reports are prepared, nor is the ecological and economic value of forests evaluated. In fact, there is no system in place to check the veracity of information based on which forest clearances are granted. There is a need for fundamental reform in the forest clearance process if we want to safeguard the ecological integrity of the country.”

CSE has, therefore, recommended a complete stop to this process until a transparent and effective system is put in place.

Environment clearances:

• Ensure the EIA report is complete and correct. This will bring down the delays.
• Reject the project if the EIA is inadequate or wrong – a zero tolerance policy must be in place. Also, blacklist the EIA consultant.
• Move towards cumulative EIA so that projects are cleared on the basis of their carrying capacity.
• Track all projects in terms of district pollution load and river-basin impacts.
• Revise the MoEF’s EIA notification to stipulate that it will only clear projects after considering the cumulative impact.
• Ensure cumulative EIA by an independent agency, paid through cess or other public funds and not by industry.
• Deepen the process of public assessment and scrutiny by putting all data in the public domain.
• Strengthen the public hearing process.
• Set up systems for community monitoring and periodic reporting on the clearance conditions.

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