02 June 2014

Joishthya 19, 1421 Shaaban 3, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 63

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

7 | CHANGING FACE OF LOCAL BOURSES

8 | ASSAD RUNS AGAIN FOR PRESIDENT

20 pages | Price: Tk12

11 | FROM JAPAN, WITH LOVE

15 | PANDEY FIRES KKR TO SECOND TITLE

Reshuffle likely in prosecution team soon Tipoo to be sent on forced leave n Udisa Islam and Nazmus Sakib The authorities may bring changes to the prosecution team of the International Crimes Tribunal this month to solve the recent controversies.

Sources say the Law Ministry is looking for a new person for the post of chief prosecutor since current chief Ghulam Arif Tipoo is “too old for the job.” He is likely to be sent on six months’ forced leave.

P3

SHAFIQUE DIFFERS

As a second option, senior prosecutor Syed Haider Ali will continue as the acting chief prosecutor until further decision.

The ministry is likely to decide on the matter this month.

Conflict within the prosecution team surfaced some two months ago when Tipoo went on a medical leave and the ministry appointed Haider Ali the acting chief prosecutor in a gazette notification.

Confusion mounted when Tipoo returned after 15 days and submitted his joining letter but the ministry did not withdraw the gazette. Meanwhile, Haider Ali convened several meetings of the

prosecution without informing Tipoo.

The chief prosecutor recently urged the ministry to resolve the issue.

In the latest move, the ministry has decided to grant Tipoo six months’ leave.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday said the prosecution team should be reshuffled as soon as possible. He said coordination between the chief prosecutor and other prosecutors was absent now.

“There is no doubt that he was a prominent lawyer. But he has become old now. Age weakens all. At this point, the person concerned should consider whether he is fit for work or not.”

Mahbubey said: “A prosecution lawyer of the tribunal should have the experience of conducting 5-10 criminal cases. There is no scope of adventurism here. I think there should be coordination between the chief prosecutor and others which is largely absent.

“The prosecution team should function the way the Law Ministry wants to run it. Law Minister Anisul Huq is a criminal law expert. He conducted the Bangabandhu murder case and the case concerning the killing of four national leaders in Jail,” he said.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh along with locals dig out mines planted by Myanmar’s Border Guard Police inside Bangladesh Territory in Naikhangchhari upazila’s inaccessible hilly parts in Bandarban yesterday. Story on Page 2 BANGLAR CHOKH

First phase Rooppur plant work to cost $50m more n Aminur Rahman Rasel The first phase of construction for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) would now require $50m more than the initial estimated cost of $550m, according to sources at the Science and Technology Ministry.

The third of the four agreements

regarding the construction of the Rooppur plant in Pabna’s Ishwardi was approved yesterday by the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase.

“As per the third agreement, the Russian company Atomstroyexport will construct different structural work in the Rooppur site involving $190m,” said Additional Secretary of Cabinet Di-

vision Nurul Karim to journalists, after a committee meeting at the secretariat.

On May 23, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) signed the third initial under phase-one; titled “performance of first priority construction and the construction work of preparatory stage prior to the first concrete,” with Atomstroyexport.

The third agreement is likely to be officially penned soon.

Seeking anonymity, a senior official of the Science and Technology Ministry said the third agreement – which would see the physical construction of the plant’s infrastructure – would cost $190m, while the total cost would’  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

9 RAB men sued Making history won’t be a bed of roses for murder n Asif Showkat Kallol This budget is Our Correspondent, Brahmanbaria

CPD raises eyebrows over GDP growth estimate

A case was filed yesterday against 11 people, including nine Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) member on charge of torturing a businessman to death in custody.

Mehedi Hasan, brother of victim Shahnur Alam, son of Rahis Uddin of Bagdahar village in Nabinagar upazila, filed the case with the court of Nabinagar Senior Judicial Magistrate Nazmun Nahar.

The accused include RAB 14 Bhairab Camp Commanding Officer Major AZ Sakib Siddique and sub-inspector M Enamul Haque.

The court fixed June 4 for further hearing on the complaints.

As the case goes a team of nine RAB members detained Shahnur from his house on the night of April 29. He was first taken to Nabinagar Police Station.

Later he was taken to the Bhairab Camp of the RAB.

n Kayes Sohel

n

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

He may be only a couple of days away from making history, but AMA Muhith, the first finance minister of the country to present six consecutive budgets, sees this as more of a challenge than an achievement.

In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, Muhith said: “We must now seriously think about implementing everything that we have said, started or failed to launch over the last five years.

[Coming to power for the second time on the trot means that] we must now be far more responsible to the people of the country [than before].”

He said there were both advantages and disadvantages of one party forming two consecutive governments.

“The advantage is that we will now be able to maintain a continuity of the work that we have done over the last five years... The reality in our country is that whenever a new government assumes power, everybody thinks it will start many things, but will not be

fundamentally different as there is no option but to focus on implementation

able to finish many of them... We sometimes think – let us leave it for the next government. But, we cannot do that now.”

While talking to the Dhaka Tribune correspondent at the Sylhet circuit house on Thursday, the minister said the coming budget was fundamentally different from any previous budget, there was the added pressure of wrapping up unfinished jobs.

“We have taken our economy to an unprecedented level and for that, we need to think big, think about big projects. The coming budget will be a reflection of this.

INSIDE 3 | News

The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday approved filing of charges against 11 Sonali Bank officials, including its former managing director M Humayun Kabir and T & Brothers Limited Director M Taslim Hasan.

4 | News

United Kingdom will cooperate with Bangladesh in facing climate change and river erosion challenges, the British envoy to Bangladesh yesterday assured at a meeting held at the Barisal City Corporation office.

5 | News

Two years have passed since the new organogram (organisational chart) of the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh was placed before the ministry concerned but the government has not yet finalised it.

6 | Nation

Speakers at a daylong field level stakeholders workshop here on Saturday emphasized the need for collective efforts of all quarters including the local government institutions for successful disaster preparedness.

9 | World

The last US prisoner of war from America’s waning Afghan war was handed over to US Special Operations forces in Afghanistan on Saturday in a dramatic swap for five Taliban detainees who were released from Guantanamo Bay prison and flown to Qatar.

12 | Entertainment

While most TV actors are eager to switch from the small screen to the silver screen, TV actor/ director Mahfuz Ahmed has a different game plan. Mahfuz plans on directing films a few years down the line.

13 | Sport

The Bangladesh Cricket Board selection panel will keep faith and retain the existing set of national cricketers for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India despite the disastrous performance put in by the team in the opening quarter of this year, it was learnt from a close source.

“Thankfully, we have two big projects in our hands – the Padma bridge and turning the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway into four lanes... The work on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway has already begun. There were some complications with the Chinese contractor...

But we have resolved those,” Muhith said.

Terming the proposed Padma bridge as one of the transformative projects, he said: “The country’s economic growth does not get a boost unless these transformation projects are completed.”

He asserted that the Padma bridge would be built within the next four years, that is during the present tenure of the government.

He also shared some of his plans for the coming years: “Initiatives will also be taken for the metro rail and building a convention centre of international standards near Dhaka. We hope to begin the work for the metro rail in the next year’s budget.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

The Centre for Policy Dialogue has raised questions about the 6.12% economic growth projected by the national statistics agency for the outgoing fiscal year.

According to the CPD, the projected GDP growth was shown so high at a time when the economy went through turbulent political stage atmosphere in the first half of the fiscal year 2014.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has recently come up with the provisional estimate of 6.12% GDP growth in FY2014. This was 1.1% lower than the target of 7.2% set in the FY14.

Many analysts including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank expected the economic growth in FY 14 to be between 5.5%-6% in view of political unrest in the first half of the fiscal year.

The CPD in January 2014 also pre-

dicted that the GDP growth rate in FY2014 would be ranging between 5.6% and 5.8%.

CPD Executive Director Professor Mustafizur Rahman said the BBS estimated that the service sector – worst sufferer during political unrest – grew by 5.8% in FY14 against 5.5% in FY13.

“This is quite surprising that the service sector grew by 0.3% over its previous fiscal when the political field was relatively peaceful,” he said.

The service sector that contributed more than 50% of the total GDP was adversely affected due to restive political programmes in the run up to the national election on January 5, according to the CPD. Prof Mustafizur Rahman said: “All subsectors under service sectors were affected by the political turmoil, but have shown higher growth which we call into question.”  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, June 2, 2014

AL allies say conspiracy on against banning Jamaat

Army man killed in road crash

n Emran Hossain Shaikh

n Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar

The political allies of Awami League have claimed that a conspiracy is on against the process of banning Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party, adding that a quarter of the government was against such a ban.

Leaders of the 14-party alliance said there was a national consensus in support of banning the party, adding that there was no scope for the government to make an about-turn regarding the issue. There would be misconception among the public if the government was to change its stance against the Jamaat, they added.

The comments came following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent comment about the legal barrier against trying Jamaat under the tribunal law.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon told the Dhaka Tribune it was possible to ban the Islamist party under the existing laws of the country.

“The legal ground that has been brought up by the prime minister will not create any barrier. It will not create any contradiction,” said Menon, also the tourism minister; adding that they wanted to see legal action for banning the party that was involved with war crimes.

“The people of the country want Jamaat to be banned as a political party.

We hope the government will take action as soon as possible,” he said.

Sharif Nurul Ambiya, general secretary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, claimed that a conspiracy had been planned at a time when a national consensus was made in favour of banning Jamaat He added that his party respected the premier’s statement as it might have a legal ground, but claimed that the law minister’s comment was “questionable.”

“The statement of law minister has proven that there is a quarter in the government who do not agree on ban-

ning Jamaat,” Ambiya said.

On Wednesday, referring to a pending case at the Supreme Court about cancelling the registration of Jamaat as a political party, Law Minister Anisul Huq said Jamaat cannot be tried now under the tribunal law as it lacks provision for the purpose.

Nurur Rahman Selim, general secretary of Ganatantri Party, said the law minister’s statement has created confusion among the people and it also has raised questions on the war crimes trials.

“This statement is contradictory to public demand,” he said.

The Ganatantri Party leader urged

the government to take necessary steps for banning all political parties that were involved with war crimes, saying: “We do not want to see any statement.

We want to see Jamaat as a banned political party.”

On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, however, defended Anisul’s comment about Jamaat issue.

In a press conference at Ganabhaban, the premier said: “Our minister has said the right thing. A writ [on Jamaat’s registration] is pending with the higher court. And the government has nothing to do until judgement of the case is delivered. Two similar cases cannot run simultaneously.” l

Ban on firearms, rallies ahead of parliament session n UNB Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned carrying of all kinds of firearms, explosives and other harmful objects around the parliament building starting today night, a spokesman said.

DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed yesterday said the ban has been imposed also on processions, rallies and demonstrations in the areas to ensure security during the second session of the 10th parliament.

The session begins on Tuesday.

The prohibited areas cover Mohakhali crossing of Mymensingh road-Bangla motor crossing trough Old Airport Road, Bangla motor link road (west side)-Sonargaon SAARC fountain, Panthapath (East)-linking point-Farmgate, Mirpur road Shyamoli intersectionlinking point of Dhanmondi-16 (old27), Rokeya Sarani-linking road-old 9th division (aircraft) crossing-Parjatan crossing (Bijoy sarani), Indira road (east point)-Manik Mia avenue (west side), JS restricted areas and all roads under this areas and lanes. l

An army man was killed in a road accident yesterday as his car fell into a roadside ditch near Chakaria Degree College in Cox’s Bazaar.

The deceased was identified as Gulzar Hossain, 32, driver of Cox’s Bazaar 16 Engineering Construction Battalion.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox’s Bazar (Chakaria Circle) Md Masud Alam said the car was heading towards Cox’s Bazaar from Chittagong.

The driver lost control near the college gate and the car veered off the road into the ditch, leaving Gulzar injured.

He died at Chakaria Jamjam Hospital. l

EC cancels Rabbi’s nomination n Our Correspondent, Narayanganj

A truck is being laden with jackfruit at Khagrachhari following a bumper production in the district this season

BANGLAR CHOKH

The Election Commission cancelled the nomination paper of Rafiur Rabbi, father of murdered Tanvir Mohammad Twoki, due to defaulting on repayment of loans.

Mihir Sarwar Morshed, returning officer of Narayanganj Election Office, informed media yesterday.

Rabbi collected nomination paper on May 21 to contest in Narayanganj-5 by-polls.

Quoting Bangladesh Bank Morshed said Rabbi did not repay the loans taken for his organisation Sign Knitwear.

Narayanganj 5 constituency fell vacant following the death of Jatiya Party lawmaker Nasim Osman on April 30.

The by-election of Narayanganj 5 constituency will be held on June 26.

Rafiur Rabbi’s son Tanvir Mohammad Twoki, was found dead on the bank of the Shitalakkhya River on March 8 of last year, two days after he had disappeared.

Since the death of Twoki, Rafiur has been accusing the ruling Awami League lawmaker Shamim Osman for the killing. l

‘Bangabandhu first BNP: Tarique has no Facebook or blog accounts 'AL as risky as formalin' president’ one’s mercy and it is moving ahead with there,” said BNP’s acting secretary gen- que would take the responsibility of any n UNB n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla the affection and support of people.” statement posted in the fake accounts. He eral Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Mohsinul Karim n He urged Hasina to lay aside her ego, “I want to clearly state that Tarique called upon people to refrain from open- Pointing to Prime Minister Sheikh HasiBNP yesterday claimed that its Senior Rahman has no Facebook or blog accounts,” he added.

The BNP leader made the claim while addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

Fakhrul said neither BNP nor Tari-

The Cabinet Division has sent a list of the country’s presidents to Bangabhaban, mentioning Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the first president of the country.

Abdul Wadud, joint secretary of the Cabinet Division, said they sent the list of the presidents on Thursday.

On May 26, Bangabhaban sent a letter to the Cabinet Division asking for the list of the presidents of Bangladesh with their tenures.

The move came following BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman’s claim that Ziaur Rahman was the first president of the country.

Tarique, son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former three-times prime minister Khaleda Zia, had previously claimed at a seminar in London that Ziaur Rahman, a sector commander in 1971, was the first president of Bangladesh. l

Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, now living in London, has no Facebook or blog accounts.

“We have noticed some Facebook accounts in the name of Tarique Rahman with various statements posted

9 RAB men sued

Making history won’t be a bed of roses

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

He was reportedly tortured at the RAB camp before he was handed over to the police station on April 30. Shahnur was shown arrested in a case and produced before a court which sent him to jail on May 1.

As his condition deteriorated the jail authorities took him to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital on May 4. He was then shifted to the Comilla Medical College Hospital where he died on May 6.

The complainant said the victim’s body bore the marks of injury as per the viscera report. l

Reshuffle likely  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

No one from the prosecution team including the acting chief agreed to be quoted on the matter.

A prosecutor, seeking anonymity, claimed that the ministry was searching for a fresh person for the post and until then Haider Ali would continue as acting chief.

He observed that the reform meant changes in the mid-level, not in the post of chief prosecutor.

Another senior prosecutor said it did not matter who would be made the chief prosecutor, but he/she should be a qualified person with non-partisan views. “Reform does not mean changing a person but to change the system.”

Anisul Huq, the law minister, told the Dhaka Tribune that Tipoo was sick and that he would be given six months’ leave. l

ing fake Facebook accounts and posting statements using Tarique’s name.

The BNP spokesman also said they were trying to detect those indulging in such acts and would take legal steps to this end. l

Kamal: Fire exchange a misunderstanding n Rabiul Islam

The recent fire exchange between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) in Naikkhyangchari border in Bandarban was a misunderstanding, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said.

The minister made the observation while talking to journalists at the Home Ministry yesterday.

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

Muhith said one of his major achievements was the level of revenue collection.

“Despite numerous obstacles, we have achieved unthinkable success in collecting revenue. When I placed the budget five years ago, revenue collection was only Tk53,000 crore. Today, it has increased more than twofolds going past Tk1,30,000 crore,” the minister said.

Asked what his regrets were, he said: “Corruption has been a big headache. Many corrupt people have been spared... Things cannot go on like this... Criminals are also sometimes indulged. That is painful.

“I admit that my party has also sometimes given them [the criminals]

Bangladesh had called the Myanmar envoy in Dhaka for their army deployment at Myanmar-Bangladesh border, he said.

However, he also expressed hope that the border issue with Myanmar would be solved soon.

“The tension between two forces has been dismantled and an adequate measure has also been taken to avert any untoward situation in the border area with Myanmar.”

The minister has also urged people

shelter. They should never be spared,” the minister said.

By presenting the FY2014-15 national budget in parliament on June 5, Muhith will equal late Saifur Rahman’s record of presenting eight budgets during two separate tenures of the BNP government.

Muhith presented his first two budgets on behalf of military ruler HM Ershad’s government in the 1980s.

In reply to another question, he claimed that the defence ministry was not getting the highest allocation this year since a portion of that money would be spent for the cadet colleges and the other educational institutions run the by the armed forces. l

adjacent to the border areas not to get panicked.

Naik Md Mizanur Rahman of the BGB has been shot dead following “an indiscriminate firing by the Myanmar Border Police.”

The BGB men were patrolling along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border with the team when he went missing amid random firing.

After three days, Myanmar border police handed over the body of Mizanur to BGB on Saturday. l

na’s claim that the preservatives like formalin keep BNP alive, the largest opposition party, in a counterattack yesterday, termed the ongoing PM-led government just as ‘risky’ as formalin.

“Her (Hasina) tenure is characterised by formalin and they are using formalin in every sector, including politics and economy, very efficiently,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of BNP, said at a press briefing in its Nayapaltan office.

Earlier on Saturday, the PM at a press conference in Gono Bhaban said her party members were trying to keep BNP alive by using formalin. This was in reply to another comment made by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at a public rally in Munshiganj where she had said AL had gone rotten and formalin is needed to keep the party alive.

Criticising the PM’s speech, Fakhrul said: “BNP does not depend on any-

and demanded holding interim elections under a non-partisan government to test the party’s popularity. “Then it will be clear who has been alienated from people,” mentioned Fakhrul.

The spokesperson also expressed doubt about the trial of Jamaat-e-Islami, saying that people have already started raising questions whether the ruling AL will stick to its previous stance.

Criticising PM’s speech, Fakhrul said:”AL president’s speech is out of political norms. She (Hasina) is being aggressive while making verbal attacks at her political opponents. Autocracy and fascism was reflected in her speech.”

The leader continued that the premier did not even spare the judges from her attack.

Indicating the PM’s claim that BNP is illegal, the acting secretary general said: “It is necessary to investigate the birth of AL because its birth is akin to BNP.” l

First phase Rooppur plant work to cost $50m more  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

be around $550m in four phases.

Weak negotiations from the Bangladesh side resulted in the $50m increase in estimated costs, the source claimed, adding that the work for constructing the pit foundation – which would now be penned under the fourth deal – could have been signed under the third one.

So far three agreements worth $500m have already been penned with the Moscow-based company, while another deal worth $50m is currently pending.

Russia has agreed to provide a maximum of $500m under state credit to finance the first phase of construction, but only under the condition that Bangladesh would provide 10% of the total construction costs.

The $500m state credit from Russia has an interest rate of 1% plus libor (which would not exceed 3.5%), which

Bangladesh would need to start paying back from 2018. Libor, or the London Interbank Offered Rate, is the average interest rate estimated by leading banks in London that they would be charged if borrowing from other banks.

An official of Science and Technology Ministry said the government would sign the fourth deal within the next 12 to 15 months based on design documentation under second deal.

The fourth deal for pit foundation will be signed based on soil test at the proposed site.

The government has appointed Russian consultancy firm Atomstroyexport to supervise and monitor the construction of the plant.

The $190m from the third agreement is expected to be spent for performance of first priority construction and the erection work of preparatory stage, prior to the first concrete at Rooppur site.

The $265m cost under the second

agreement will be spent on the development of design documentation, first priority working documentation and engineering survey for design stage; while $45.9m under the first agreement will be spent for the development of feasibility evaluation, environment impact assessment analyses for the RNPP site as the performance of the necessary engineering survey and environmental studies.

The BAEC, under the Science and Technology Ministry, will implement the project.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the groundwork of the 2,000MW plant on October 2 last year.

Russian State Atomic Energy Commission (Rosatom) will build, operate and provide fuel to the plant and take its waste back to Russia regularly. The total cost of the proposed plant has been estimated at between $5bn and $6bn. l

CPD raises eyebrows over GDP growth estimate  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

“We want detailed data and I think the BBS will meet our queries.”

The CPD raised the question on the BBS estimation yesterday in its third review of the state of economy in FY14.

The executive director of the think tank said the growth projection was important as the next budget would be formulated based on it.

The CPD said according to the BBS latest estimate, the agriculture sec-

tor grew by 3.4%, which is nearly 1% higher than that in the last fiscal year.

The BBS estimation shows a slightly lower growth only in the manufacturing sector which is 8.4% against 10.3% in the last fiscal.

The construction sector witnessed a sluggish growth in the first half of the fiscal year, but the BBS showed its growth at 8.6%, which is 0.6% higher.

The CPD executive director said in

the last ten years, the final GDP growth estimates were six times lower than provisional estimates.

“Indeed, a number of adjustments need to be made during finalising the GDP estimate for FY14.”

He said the provisional estimate of growth rates for crop sector would need to take into account the production of Boro, the most important crop.

In FY 14, domestic savings as a share of GDP experienced a significant in-

crease – from 22% in FY13 to 23.4%.

The CPD also suggested more foreign aid for budget deficit.

“There are around $19bn aid in the pipeline, so we should utilise it,” Prof Mustafizur Rahman said.

Bangladesh Bank has been buying dollars from the local market to keep exchange rate stable, saying it might cause inflationary pressure on the economy, observed the CPD. It also recommended restoring the investors’ confidence and addressing

the ever-increasing infrastructure demand in a cost-effective manner.

The local research organisation suggested institutional strengthening, targeted reform and good governance at all levels, plus an inclusive and participatory political culture to address challenges.

“If the participatory politics is ensured and the confidence of investors restored, the pace will come back to the economy,” said Professor Mustafizur. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Shafique differs with sitting minister on Jamaat trial n Nazmus Sakib Differing with the law minister, former law minister Shafique Ahmed said it was the tribunal that would decide whether Jamaat-e-Islami could be tried under the International Crimes Tribunals Act 1973.

On Thursday, Anisul Huq told the journalists the trial of the party was not possible now as the law does not say anything about who would be punished if Jamaat was found guilty for their role in 1971. Moreover, a case on Jamaat’s registration is pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and as per the law of the country, trials of two cases on the same subject cannot go on at the same time.

Shafique was at the helm of the ministry when the Act of 1973 was amended in February last year making a provision to bring an organisation to justice for war crimes.

Shafique said as the investigation team submitted investigation report, which found Jamaat guilty, to the prosecution, now the two teams would decide whether the case should be filed

against the party.

“If the case was filed, the prosecution would place their arguments and the defence would try to refute. Then the tribunal would decide whether the party could be tried under the existing law,” Shafique said.

Shafique was at the helm of the ministry when the Act of 1973 was amended making a provision to bring an organisation to justice for war crimes “As the investigation was completed and the probe report was submitted to the prosecution, it was not right to create controversy on the matter. I think the law should be run on its own speed and the tribunal should follow its own course,” he added.

Anisul said: “Suppose Jamaat faces trial and is convicted for war crimes.

Then the leaders of the party will serve

the punishment for the crimes of Jamaat as per the existing laws. But many leaders of Jamaat have already been sentenced by the tribunal. So how can a person be punished for the same offence again? It should be considered that imposing punishment twice is contradictory with the constitution.”

In reply to a question on whether the law minister interfered with tribunal proceedings, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday told journalists: “The law minister did not say about the work of the tribunal. Rather, he talked about the legal part.”

“If the prosecution moves the tribunal for trial of Jamaat and it is then seen that the party cannot be banned or fined because of lack of provision, we will run into trouble. For this reason, the law minister said the Jamaat trial is not possible now.”

Justice M Enayetur Rahim, now the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal 1, in his judgement cancelling the registration of Jamaat said the tribunal law should include the provision of punishment for a convicted organisation. l

HALLMARK-SONALI BANK SCAM

Former Sonali Bank MD, 11 others to face charges n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday approved filing of charges against 11 Sonali Bank officials, including its former managing director M Humayun Kabir and T & Brothers Limited Director M Taslim Hasan.

The accused were charged with embezzling Tk354.55 crore from the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch of Sonali Bank.

The ACC has also approved three final reports into the investigation against Nakshi Knit Composite Limited as the company already deposited around Tk13.34 crore, including around Tk10.82crore as embezzled money and Tk2.52 crore as bank interest, an ACC official told reporters.

Along with the T & Brothers director, the ACC will soon file charges against Sonali Bank Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch former deputy general manager AKM Azizur Rahman, former assistant general manager Saiful Hasan, executive officer M Abdul Matin, General Manager’s Office former general managers, Noni Gopal Nath and Mir Mohidur

Rahman, and Head Office branch former managing director and chief executive officer M Humayun Kabir, deputy managing director M Mainul Haque, deputy general managers, Sheikh Altaf Hossain and M Safizuddin Ahmed, and assistant general managers, Kamrul Hossain Khan and Ejaj Ahmed.

Earlier on October 4, 2012, the ACC filed 11 cases against seven officials of Hallmark Group and 20 of Sonali Bank, including Hallmark Managing Director Tanvir Mahmud and Sonali Bank former managing director Humayun Kabir on charges of allegedly swindling the Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch out of over Tk1,568 crore.

The commission on May 5 approved 10 charge sheets against 21 people including 11 Sonali Bank officials and 10 executives of Paragon Knit Composite Limited, DN Sports Limited, and Khan Jahan Ali Sweater Limited for embezzling Tk18.68crore from the state-owned bank in connection with the misappropriation of loans from the bank by five companies, including the Hallmark Group, the ACC official told reporters. l

30 Bangladeshi students caught in Russia-Ukraine fight

HC order on Annisul Huq to buy 20% share stayed n Nazmus Sakib The Supreme Court yesterday stayed the High Court order that directed Annisul Huq, chairman of the board of directors of Desh Energy Ltd, and his son Navidul Huq, to buy the remaining 20% of the company from two other directors.

Annisul Huq and Navidul Huq already hold 80% of the shares.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, the chamber judge of the Appellate Division, imposed the stay order for four weeks following a plea filed by Annisul Huq. Reshad Imam, lawyer for Nuher Latif Khan and Saba Khan the two directors who are also the founders of the company told the Dhaka Tribune that “We have not opposed the stay petition because we haven’t got the HC order copy yet, but we sought a status quo on the order so that no one can transfer the shares. Finally, the judge advised us to file a petition in this regard.”

During the company’s incorporation in 2005, Nuher and Saba owned 50% shares which came down to 20% as Annisul Huq, former president of FBCCI and BGMEA, and his son gradually bought 80% shares of the company. l

Musa Ibrahim sued as he allegedly gives false information n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

n Kamran Reza Chowdhury At least 30 Bangladeshi medical students have been stranded in Ukraine’s Lugansk city ahead of a planned government offensive against pro-Russian militias, who are occupying several important buildings.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune over phone from the embattled eastern city yesterday, one of the students at Lugansk State Medical University expressed concerns about their safety as there is no Bangladesh mission in the country to arrange their evacuation.

“We come to know that the Ukrainian forces have encircled the city and plan to carry out a military offensive against pro-Russian militias. They have occupied the government buildings. Thirty of us (from Bangladesh) are in the middle of the war zone,” Liton Chandra Bhowmick, a student, said. “Please save us.”

He added that the Indian mission in Ukraine had already evacuated their students. “But here, we have no guardian.

We have to contact the Bangladesh mission in Moscow,” said Liton, who comes from Koshbain Brahmanbaria district.

He said they had telephoned the foreign ministry in Dhaka to ask for help.

Foreign Ministry officials said they had already referred the matter to the Bangladesh embassy in Moscow, which oversees diplomatic relations with Kiev.

“We will try our best to protect our students from any probable danger,” an official who answered Liton’s phone call told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Vehicles maneuver the water-logged road at Moghbazar intersection after a brief spell of rain yesterday. Commuters suffer every day on the road because of the sluggish pace of the construction of the Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover BANGLAR CHOKH

Nephew describes torture as witness n Udisa Islam

Martyrs’ sons testify in Azhar case

A new witness from a victim’s family in the trial against Syed Mohammad Qaisar yesterday claimed that the accused had been involved in the atrocities that took place at their house in Habiganj during the 1971 Liberation War. Babu Santal, who was 12-year-old during the war, said the accused had assisted the Pakistani occupation forces to rape his aunt at Chandpur Tea State.

“On May 11, I and my grandfather Bipin Santal were at home while other members of the family were out to work. A person dressed in white came to our house along with two Pakistani Army men and two other Bangalees named Gafur and Abdul Huq. The man in the white dress directed the army to enter my aunt’s room.

“I was hiding in a nearby bush. My grandfather went to save my aunt but the two Bangalees beat him up severely.

“I heard my aunt screaming for help, but at one point she stopped. The two army men and the collaborators left the place after around an hour. When my uncle returned home, my aunt told him that the army men had raped her. The neighbours confirmed us that they saw Qaisar with the army,” the witness said.

Babu claimed that his mother had told him not to mention the name of Qaisar to anyone fearing further repression. The next day, the family left the area for safety.

The victim had been sick following the rape. She is now 80 and unable to talk.

After liberation they had recognised the accused as he took part in the election.

Babu told the tribunal that the workers of the tea state had never voted for Qaisar. l

3

Monday, June 2, 2014

n Udisa Islam Two new prosecution witnesses yesterday told the International Crimes Tribunal 1 about their fathers’ abduction and killings in the war crimes case against Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, an alleged al-Badr commander in Rangpur during the Liberation War. AYM Moazzem Ali and Tapan Kumar Adhikari submitted their depositions as 16th and 17th prosecution witnesses.

Their fathers were abducted and taken to a torture camp, and they never returned.

The hearsay the witnesses heard about the incidents from Montu Doctor, who had also been confined along with another 10 people but somehow managed to escape.

Tapan, 59, said his father and one brother had been abducted from in front of their house by the occupation forces aided by collaborators and killed along with eight others on April 3 of 1971 at the Dahiganj Crematory in Rangpur.

“We could not conduct a funeral for our family members. When the locals went to collect the bodies from the spot immediately after the incident, the local collaborators along with Pakistan Army personnel chased them away,” he said.

Both the witnesses said one Dinesh Chandra Bhowmick alias Montu Doctor had told them about the incidents after the independence.

Quoting Montu Doctor, Tapan said many leaders of Islami Chhatra Sangha, then the Jamaat’s student wing, including Azhar, used to go to Rangpur Cantonment. The accused had been present at the scene when his cohorts and the army tortured the pro-liberation people.

Sixteenth witness Moazzem, 57, said his father, then president of NAP (Bhasani) Rangpur district unit, had been abducted from the same place on the same day. His father hoisted the flag of Bangladesh on March 23 and asked people to take part in the Liberation War with a view to ensure independence.

Just after three days, the Pakistani Army men had abducted him from in front of their house, the witness said.

The confined people had been taken to the Dahiganj Cremation ground and killed by gun shot. At least 10 people were killed at the place that day.

Meanwhile, the prosecution yesterday submitted two petitions – one seeking permission to submit some additional documents and another for accepting the statement of a prosecution witness recorded by the investigation officer as the witness has died.

After hearing both sides, the tribunal accepted the first plea and said it would pass order on the other petition later.

After their depositions, defence counsel Abdus Subhan Tarafder cross examined them and the tribunal adjourned the hearing until tomorrow. l

Two local lawyers in Rajshahi city lodged a case against the first Everest conqueror Musa Ibrahim yesterday on charge of giving false and fabricated information in the primary text book.

Court Sources said that two lawyers – Ahmed Ibnul Wakto and Hasan Imam – lodged the case with the Rajshahi Sadar Senior Judge Court at noon against Musa Ibrahim and the secretary of Education Ministry.

The court taking the case fixed the hearing date on June 9.

In the case description the plaintiffs alleged that an article written by Musa Ibrahim was published in the class V text book Amar Bangla where Musa wrote that he climbed the Everest around 5:55am. But his certificate says that he reached around 6:50am and the Himalayan database says the time was 4:50am.

Ahmed Ibnul Wakto, member of Rajshahi Bar Association, told the Dhaka Tribune: “As Musa provided false and fabricated information in the text book we lodged the case against him and the education secretary.”

He also said: “We have no ill motive.

We just want to know the truth. For the sake of public interest we have lodged the case.”

Musa Ibrahim could not be reached over his mobile phone after several attempts. l

NEWMOORING CONTAINER TERMINAL

Interest groups behind delay in operation: Shipping Minister n Tushar Hayat, Chittagong The parliamentary standing committee Chairman on the Shipping Ministry Rafiqul Islam yesterday said the New Mooring Container Terminal of the port could not be operated even seven years after its construction because of some interest groups.

“If there was no interest of any quarter, why the operation of the terminal is yet to be initiated even seven years after its construction?” he posed a question at a meeting with the port officials and users.

The tender was floated to appoint operator, but it was halted due to legal complexity, He said, adding that they would go through the documents and take measures to operate the terminal immediately in consultation with the government.

He told the reporters after the meeting that they had heard the problems of the port users at the meeting.

A committee would be formed to solve the problems and expedite port activities by two or three months, the minister continued.

According to the sources at the Chittagong Port Authority, the project was implemented involving Tk582 crore in December, 2007 while the tender procedure for the appointment of operator was initiated on August 11 in 2008.

Sources also said five companies submitted tenders on completion of the procedure while the authorities sold out tender schedules to four foreign companies, which were found pre-qualified in July 2009.

Later, two more companies were included as pre-qualified and tender schedules were sold out to six companies; however, one of the pre-qualified companies filed objection to the Central Procurement Technical Unit, raising question regarding the transparency of the procedure.

The CPTU in 2012 issued order to suspend the tender procedure with four other companies, which were pre-qualified earlier.

Local company SaifPowertech,

which was dropped from the second pre-qualification list, filed a case with the court against the order of the CPTU when the court issued a stay order on the order of the CPTU. The CPA recently floated tender to procure equipment with an aim to operate the terminal on their own, however, the standing committee directed the authorities to suspend the procedure.

The standing committee chairman said they had issued directive to suspend the procedure as there was a decision to run the terminal with private operator.

He added that the private operator, which would be appointed, was supposed to procure the equipment. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, June 2, 2014

Hasina: Preserve original design of Jatiya Sangsad n Kamran Reza Chowdhury Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed her dissatisfaction over the dilly-dallying of the public works department in maintaining the Luis I Kahn’s design of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban saying “the situation is such that the patient would die before the arrival of the doctor”.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her frustration at the 25th meeting of the Jatiya Sangsad Commission as the public works department could not place the proposal of a project for the maintenance of the majestic building at the ECNEC for approval.

She also did show her reservation about installing split air conditioners in violation of the original design of Luis I Kahn’s master plan he approved in 1974.

Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad also backed the prime minister’s proposal to preserve the original design of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, a national heritage.

“I have been saying about it (restoring some basic repairs) from the 9th parliament. Why did the public works department fail to place the proposal (of the project) to the ECNEC? Situation is such that the patient would die before the arrival of the doctor,” Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who chaired the meeting, quoted the prime minister as saying.

The public works department envisaged an Umbrella Project costing Tk103 crore aimed at replacing the central air conditioning system that was installed 33 years ago, fitting marble stones and other minor repair works.

Hasina also said there were many spilt air conditioners in different rooms of the Jatiya Sangsad.

“This does not match with the original master plan,” said the prime minister, who suggested that the Luis I Kahn’s design should be displayed digitally in different parts of the national assembly.

She also said Luis I Kahn’s idea was to allow natural light and air in the Jatiya Sangsad building snubbing the use of long curtains that stood in the way of natural air flow.

Shirin Sharmin told the meeting that one of the two chillers was out of order and the second one was 50% damaged.

So, she said, two new chillers should be installed immediately.

“After installation of the chillers, we will examine whether the split ACs would need to be removed,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.

The commission meeting approved the parliament’s annual budget of Tk209 crore 61 lakh.

Shirin Sharmin said she would form a technical committee, tasking it to come up with the report on inconsistencies with the building’s master plan.

“Then will we decide about it,” she said. l

The coffin of slain BGB 31 battalion member Mizanur Rahman lies on the premises of its headquarters in Bandarban yesterday

Nahid smells a conspiracy in question paper leakage n Mushfique Wadud Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday accused people involved with the coaching business as conspiring against him because they considered him to be a threat to their business.

Nahid explained they were not happy with him as he was trying to stop their business. “They have a Tk 32,000 crore business and so it is not difficult for them to spend money to hatch a

DU admission test on September 5 n DU Correspondent

Teenage football fan electrocuted in the capital

The admission test of Dhaka University (DU) for the first year honors courses under the academic session of 2014-15 will begin on September 5.

The decision came at a general admission committee meeting yesterday, with Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique in the chair, according to a press release.

The admission test will begin this year with that of Ga unit (commerce) on September 5.

Ka unit (science) admission test will be held on September 12, Cha unit (Fine Arts) on September 13, Kha unit (B unit-humanities) on September 19 and Gha unit (D unit-combined) on September 26.

The online application process will begin on August 14 and it continue till August 31.

Admission-seekers can also see the DU website (www.du.ac.bd) to know more details about the admission. l

n

Tribune Report

A teenage football fan died as a result of being electrocuted when he tried to hoist a Brazilian flag on the rooftop yesterday in Adabor area in the capital.

The victim Nazimuddin, 16, son of Abdul Motaleb, from Bhola and used to live in a rented tin-shed at Road 16 of Adabor. The teenager was a milk vendor by profession.

Brother of the victim, Alauddin said: “Some local boys made a Brazil flag together ahead of the World Cup football match. Nazimuddin went to the roof-

top of an adjacent two-storey building to hoist the flag around 3:30pm.”

While hoisting the flag, he accidentally touched an electric wire close to the building. He fell from the rooftop having been electrocuted, he also said.

Locals and family members rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) immediately where the on-duty doctor declared him dead around 6pm.

The family members were in a bid to bring back the victim’s body without an autopsy while filing this report. l

conspiracy against me,” he said.

Nahid came up with such a remark at a time when his ministry is facing widespread criticism due to question paper leakage in some examinations of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate examination The Dhaka Education Board had to postpone the English Second Paper examination after allegations of question paper leakage had surfaced.

He was speaking at the launching programme of Global Monitoring Re-

port at Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information & Statistics.

After the programme, while he was asked whether he saw coaching centres behind the question paper leakage, the education minister replied, “Investigations are going on. My remarks might hamper their progress.”

Earlier, Nahid, however, said coaching business persons might have a hand in the question paper leak.

The Global Monitoring Report, which was launched yesterday, found

low budgetary allocation in the way of the progress in the education sector.

It said Bangladesh’s condition was worse than some African countries in terms of public spending.

The report showed that the South Asian country was among 25 countries that dedicate less than 3% of Gross National Product (GNP) to education while Tanzania, an African country, was spending more than 6% of its GNP on education. l

11 JU BCL men held over extortion charge n JU Correspondent Police yesterday detained 11 leaders and activists of Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) over extortion charge on the Dhaka-Aricha highway.

The BCL men were held at Gate 3 of the university near Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall around 4:45pm yesterday as they stopped three Hanif Paribahan highway buses and demanded money, source said.

Russel Sheikh, assistant superintendent of Savar circle police said: “Journalism and media studies department student Abdur Rahim Jewel, also deputy secretary of information and research

affairs of JU unit BCL, along with other Chhatra League activists of Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall demanded extortion from Hanif Paribahan around 4pm.”

“They were threatening the paribahan authorities to meet their demand immediately and had blocked three of their buses. On information, Savar police detained the students from the university gate around 5pm in this connection,” ASP Russel Sheikh said.

The authorities of Hanif Paribahan were planning to file a case in this regard, he added.

Meanwhile, JU unit Chhatra League suspended Abdur Rahim Jewel from his post for violating the code of the organisation. They also demanded proper in-

vestigation from the university authorities regarding this incident, source said.

JU unit BCL President Mahmudur Rahman Jony said Chhatra League never allows any kind of extortion and the organisation would take necessary action after proper investigation.

When contacted, JU Proctor Professor Dr Tapan Kumar Saha told the Dhaka Tribune that he didn’t have much information as he was not present at the university during the incident.

However, JU proctor asked the reporter to contact with JU Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Abul Hossain but he was not available to comment over his cell phone despite several attempts. l

IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICE RULES DEMANDED

USTC staff continue strike, block road in Chittagong

Nine, including bridegroom, injured in robbery attack in Jhalakathi n Our Correspondent. Barisal Arms-wielding masked robbers yesterday attacked a house that was being set up for a bridal party at Nalcity upazila in Jhalakath, leaving at least nine people, including bridegroom injured.

Some 10 to 15 robbers attacked the house of Malek Hawlader at Kushangal village about 300am, said Abul Khair, officer-in-charge (OC) at Nalcity police station.

They held the guests and residents hostage at gunpoint and looted gold ornaments weighing 20 tola (1 tola = 11.66 grams) and Tk 80,000 in cash and other valuables, he said.

OC Khair said the gold ornaments and other valuables were worth around Tk 13 lakh. Six people were injured with gunshots while three others were beaten up as they tried to resist the robbery, he said.

They were Akkas Molla, 45, Zakir Haoladar, 30, Jalil Molla, 38, Hassan Hawladar, 14, Hanif Hawladar, 46, Kawsar Hawladar, 28, bridegroom Sabuj Hawladar, 26, Mizanur Rahman, 35, Shahin.

Of them, bridegroom Sabuj Hawladar, Mizanur Rahman, 35, generator operator Shahin were beaten up while the others received gunshot wounds.

Except Shahin, others who were injured were admitted to Basrisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, said Habibur Rahman, emergency medical officer at the hospital.

OC Khair said they were trying to arrest the robbers and recover the looted belongings. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

n CU Correspondent Teachers and staff of University of Science and Technology Chittagong are on strike where demonstrations were held yesterday by blocking a road in the city’s Khulshi area to bring attention to their demand for the implementation of service rules.

Sources said over 300 demonstrators brought out a procession from the USTC campus and held a rally on Jakir Hossain Road, halting vehicular movement for an hour.

Teachers, officials and other employees have been observing four hours of work abstention daily since

Barisal City Corporation Mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal presents a replica of the key to the city to British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Robert W Gibson CMG during a courtesy visit to Barisal yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Britain will help Bangladesh in facing climate change n Our Correspondent, Barisal United Kingdom will cooperate with Bangladesh in facing climate change and river erosion challenges, the British envoy to Bangladesh yesterday assured at a meeting held at the Barisal City Corporation (BCC) office.

Robert W Gibson CMG, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh yesterday met the officials at the divisional commissioner’s office in Barisal and exchanged views with Ahsan Habib Kamal, the BCC mayor, in a meeting organised by BCC. The diplomat also paid courtesy visits in the ongoing British

funded projects aimed at rural development in a day long tour in Barisal.

In the meeting at BCC, the British envoy said Bangladesh has natural climatic problems like climate change effects and river erosions. UK will assist Bangladesh in this regard through different development agencies in facing these challenges.

The disaster management and cautionary signaling systems in Bangladesh have been developed and as a result of casualties notably reduced during recent cyclones such as Sidr and Aila than the disasters of 1970’s, Gibson explained.

About the readymade garment sectors of Bangladesh, Gibson said this is a sector in Bangladesh that is dynamic and advancing even after the disasters like Rana Plaza.

At present half a million Bangladeshi people are living in Britain and making notable contributions in developing both the countries. There is a road to prosperity and the UK-Bangladesh bilateral relationships have been increasing day by day since the emergence of the country in 1971, the ambassador noted.

The British High Commissioner left Barisal yesterday afternoon. l

May 18, severely disrupting academic and administrative activities of the university.

Alleging mismanagement and irregularities by the USTC trustee board, speakers at yesterday’s rally urged the government to appoint a credible administrator for the Janasheba Foundation, a charity that runs the private university.

Mainul Islam Bhuiyan, officer in charge of Khulshi police station, said the agitating teachers and staff put up barricades on the road at 11am.

Police rushed to the scene and persuaded the demonstrators to remove the blockade after an hour, the officer added. l

26 Feni policemen, including six SI transferred n UNB In a mass transfer, 26 policemen of Feni Sadar police station were transferred to different police stations under the district yesterday, 11 days after the killing of Fulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque.

The transferred policemen include six sub-inspectors – Alamgir Hossain, Golam Hakkani, Mohammad Mejbah Uddin, Ershad Ullah, Fakhrul Islam and Jobayedun Nahar. The rest are constables.

District police super Paritosh Ghosh confirmed the news.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday afternoon arrested Mohammad Ashraful Karim alias Nayon, who allegedly torched the vehicle of Ekram, from the district town.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team conducted a drive at Birinchi around

5:15pm and arrested Nayon, son of Fazlul Karim, of the area.

With the arrest of Nayon, a total of 23 people have so far been arrested in connection with the killing of the upazila chairman.

Besides, local Awami League leaders and activists demanded expulsion of Jahangir Kabir Adel, joint general secretary of district unit of the ruling party.

They made the demand from an emergency meeting of Fulgazi Awami League on Sunday.

On May 20, Ekramul was shot and burnt to death by miscreants in the academy area of the district town.

Ekram, also president of upazila Awami League, came under the attack by the miscreants, numbering 40-50, on his way to the Fulgazi upazila headquarters in his vehicle from his town residence. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Monday, June 2, 2014

CAAB still awaits new organogram approval Extra staff is needed to cope with increased airport traffic n Tazlina Zamila Khan Two years have passed since the new organogram (organisational chart) of the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) was placed before the ministry concerned but the government has not yet finalised it.

CAAB officials were hopeful of having it finalised before this month but no effective step was taken by the government.

The new organogram consists of around 7,045 new civil aviation employees divided into 17 grades.

Top CAAB officials believe the existing organogram is not well-structured, with two of the categories remaining unfilled.

Grade 1 and grade 8 posts have remained vacant since the organogram came into being. Officials proposed upgrading the post of chairman to grade 1 from grade 2 in order to fill the category but no decision concerning grade 8 was taken. The grades range from one to nine, in-

cluding first-class staff, chairman, director, chief engineer and others.

Earlier on February 8 2012, the authorities sent a proposal for the new organogram of around 13,776 employees to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. The ministry, however, revised the draft organogram and reduced the number of the employees to 10,602 in April this year.

On April 13, CAAB sent the draft to the Ministry of Public Administration seeking approval. If approved, it would then be sent to the Ministry of Finance for another approval.

CAAB Director (administration) GM Abdul Quader said: “At present, we have 3,557 employees under 17 grades.”

“Federal Aviation Administration of America placed us in category 2 because of the manpower shortage.

Unless the new organogram is approved, we are unable to resume direct flight between Dhaka and New York,” he added.

Around 1,100 Armed Police Bat-

talion officials and 1,000 Ansar members have been maintaining security at the airports. In the new organogram, recruitment of another 2,500 security guards has been proposed to ensure additional safety.

The new organogram consists of around 7,045 new civil aviation employees divided into 17 grades CAAB member (operations and planning) Air Commodore M Shafiqul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune: “Around 100 aircrafts land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport daily while the number was less in the past. We need extra staff to cope with the increased workload. We have also formulated a draft recruitment rule.”

CAAB Airworthiness Consultant Pranay Kumar Biswas said: “We now have a mere four to five airworthi-

ness officers and this is not enough.

The number of airports has grown and more manpower has become the necessity.”

CAAB Assistant Director Nurul Islam expressed concern that the ministry would want to reduce the number of proposed manpower.

He said: “If the organogram is approved this year, recruitment will start from 2015. It is not possible to recruit around 7,000 officials at once.

We will recruit for 15 years while 1,000 will be recruited in the first year.”

On February 13 this year, a meeting was held with officials of the Public Administration Ministry and it was led by Aktari Mamtaz, additional secretary (development & medical education) of the Health Ministry.

“At the meeting, CAAB officials explained why they need additional staff but we have more queries. Once we get the answers, another meeting will be held,” said Aktari.

“It is a time-consuming process,” she added. l

Employees

First class staff

Second class staff

Third class staff

Fourth class staff Total

Grades

Current Proposed

01

-

02

01

01 12

03

03

55

04

12

94

05

28

-

06

39

497

07

71

-

08

-

-

09

117

976

10

275

1,442

11

250

668

12

47

756

13

227

664

14

292

978

15

348

881

16

224

430

17

668

918

18

58

165

19 20

54 843 3,557

316 1,749 10,602

‘Mentally challenged’ girl commits suicide in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A 12-year-old girl committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Chittagong city’s Panchlaish area late Saturday night.

The dead, Swapna Akter, daughter of Shamsujjaman of Brahmanpara upazila in Comilla, was found hanging by her scarf from the ceiling around 11:00pm, police said.

According to the girl’s family claims, Swapna was mentally challenged.

Quoting the victim’s mother Parvin, an apparel worker, Sub-Inspector Rasib Khan of Panchlaish police station said Parvin and her son left home for their workplace after lunch.

Later when they returned home at night, they found the hanging body.

The SI, however, said Swapna’s mother and brother used to lock her up at home to prevent her from wandering off as she was mentally challenged.

“Swapna had already left home a couple of times without informing anyone and this has been happening quite a few times,” he said.

The dead body bore a few bruises, and also had the scarf wrapped around her neck.

The body was sent to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy and a case was lodged with Panchlaish police station in this connection.

Police are looking into the matter, said Abu Jafor Mohammad Omar Faruk, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish police station. l

WEATHER LIGHT TO HEAVY RAINS

MONDAY, JUNE 2 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:42PM SUN RISES 5:11AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 35

27

Chittagong

32

26

Rajshahi

34

26

Rangpur

35

25

Khulna

32

25

Barisal

32

26

Sylhet

35

25

Cox’s Bazar

32

27

Dhaka

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

35.1ºC Sayedpur

21.6ºC Khulna

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

3:45am 5:11am 11:57am 3:16pm 6:42pm 8:09pm Source: IslamicFinder.org

RMG workers stage demo n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The workers of a readymade garment (RMG) factory yesterday took to the streets and blocked the busy Badamtoli Intersection in Chittagong city alleging the lay-off in the factory as owner’s whimsical decision.

Several hundred workers of Ambia Apparels Limited in Agrabad commercial area under Double Mooring police station in the city yesterday blocked the Badamtoli Intersection of Sheikh Mujib Road for nearly half an hour from 1pm resulting in long tailbacks in the four connecting roads of the busy intersection.

They claimed that the factory authorities declared the lay-off in the factory without giving them prior notice.

Later, police rushed to the spot and dispersed them from the road by arranging a meeting inside the factory, said Hasanuzzaman Mollah, assistant commissioner of Double Mooring circle of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.

Workers alleged Akther Hossain, general manager of the factory, proposed that the workers would not have to work full time for the next one and a half month as there is no work order in a meeting with workers on Saturday.

They have to come to the factory at 8am and leave at 10am and they will get half of their basic salary for the period, he also said in the meeting.

Denying the proposal, the workers demanded either the authorities have to pay full salary for next one and a half month or the authorities should give the workers three month’s full salary as compensation for shutting down the factory.

Consequently the workers started work abstention from yesterday morning to press home their demands.

Abul Hashem Raja, the owner and managing director of the factory, came to the factory around 12pm and reiterated the lay-off decision. l

Two killed in road accidents n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Water of the Trimohinee Canal has turned pitch black as sewerage lines of Rampura and Banasri area discharge wastage into it daily. The photo was snapped from Nandipara area of Khilgaon yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Two persons including a minor girl were killed in two separate road accidents in Chittagong city yesterday.

Riyajul Islam, 22, son of Nurul Islam, was injured critically after a covered-van knocked him from behind at Ispahani circle under Akbar Shah police station around 1am, said police.

The victim was declared dead after he was brought to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, CMwCH sources said.

Meanwhile, eight-year-old Sharmin, was hit by a city bus at New Market area in the morning.CMCH sources said shehad died on the spot and the dead body was kept at the hospital’s morgue.

They said the child’s identity could not be confirmed immediately. l

Row over prostitute led to Chittagong BNP leaders distribute cooked food among poor double murders, claims suspect n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A suspect in the murder of two people, whose bodies were dumped by the roadside in Chittagong last month, confessed in court yesterday that an altercation over a prostitute led to the killings.

On May 4, police recovered the body of a woman from the port city’s CRB Kather Bungalow area, while a man’s body was found on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Jorarganj in Mirsarai upazila.

Two separate cases were filed with Kotwali and Jorargonj police stations.

However, law enforcers could not immediately ascertain the motive behind the double murders, or whether they

were connected.

The suspect, Md Munir, in a confessional statement before Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Syed Masfiqul Islam, claimed that a man named Habib brought a woman from Dhaka to work as a prostitute at Akash Hotel in Majhir Ghat area.

But the hotel owner, Bahar, attempted to have a physical relation with the woman, called Josna, on the night of May 3, Sub-Inspector Jafor Iqbal, who is investigating the case lodged with Kotwali police, said quoting from Munir’s statement.

When the woman refused, Bahar allegedly beat her up, leaving her unconscious. Habib, who probably felt responsible for Josna, protested the

assault and threatened to inform the police.

Later, Bahar and an accomplice, Baccha, made a plan to murder Josna and Habib. Bahar’s employees, Babloo, Khorshed, Johir, as well as Munir, assisted in the killing.

The killers allegedly strangled Josna and Habib, carried their bodies in a microbus and dumped them away from the crime scene, Munir’s statement said.

Police arrested Bahar, Baccha, Babloo and Khorshed earlier, while Munir was nabbed from the New Market area on Saturday, said Shah Mohammad Abdu Rouf, assistant commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police’s Kotwali circle. l

n UNB

BNP leaders distributed cooked food among poor people for the third and final day yesterday at different areas of the city in observance of the 33rd death anniversary of the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam and some other senior party leaders distributed food at 22 points in the city in favour of Khaleda Zia as she was sick. Fakhrul started the social charity service from Azimpur Government Primary School ground at noon. Later, he also distributed food in Kamrangir Char, Lalbagh Crossing, Sadarghat and Dholaikhal areas.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office,

Fakhrul alleged that ruling party men intercepted their programme at many places in the city.

The BNP chairperson, because of her illness, had assigned senior BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, to attend the food distribution programme at different parts of the city.

BNP took a three-day programme of distributing food among the destitute.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia inaugurated the programme on Friday by distributing food at 25 points of the city.

BNP, its associate bodies and different socio-cultural organisations have been observing the 33rd death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman with various programmes.

On May 30, 1981, Zia was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House. l

‘Disparity elimination needs for development’ n UNB Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury yesterday viewed that the issue of eliminating disparity between rich and poor should be prioritised for achieving overall development of the country.

She said it’s not possible to ensure the country’s overall development only by eliminating poverty.

Shirin was addressing the Banquet Session of the 27th annual convention of Lions Club International Multiple District-315, Bangladesh as chief guest at a city hotel on Saturday evening.

The speaker said all including Lions will have to be more enthusiastic for tak-

ing forward the society’s disadvantaged people including women and children.

Inequalities will have to be removed for the development of the society. No sort of discrepancy should be expected, she said.

Former Director (International) of Lions Club International Sheikh Kabir Hossain, FBCCI President Ln. Qazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, former council chairperson Ln. Nazmun Nisha Ali and newly elected council chairperson Ln. MA Rashid Shah Samrat addressed the function which was held with presiding officer of the function and also the council chairperson Ln. Dr SM Jaglul A Majumder in the chair. l

Visitors cast a look on photos of an exhibition titled 150 Years of Humanitarian Action organised by International Committee of the Red Cross at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Monday, June 2, 2014

Holistic approach for successful disaster risk reduction n Tribune Desk

Speakers at a daylong field level stakeholders workshop here on Saturday emphasized the need for collective efforts of all quarters including the local government institutions for successful disaster preparedness and management.

Stressing the need for a comprehensive approach to effective risk reduction, they mentioned that strengthening of the local level government bodies could be the effective means of managing any natural calamity.

Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) under its "Hyogo Framework for Action Progress Monitoring 2013-2014" program organized the workshop titled

"A Disaster Resilient Future: Mobilizing Communities and Institutions for Effective Risk Reduction" in the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner Office, reports BSS. National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiatives (NARRI) Consortium supported the workshop.

The discussants noted that a needoriented and realistic plan should be formulated through wide-ranging survey and importance should be given to timely implementation of the timefitting programmes to face the risks as early as possible.

Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury addressed the workshop as chief guest with

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mojibur Rahman in the chair.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation consultant Shashanka Saadi moderated the discussion while DMB Assistant Director Netai Dey Sarker narrated the objectives of the workshop.

In his welcome speech, Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), highlighted objectives of the programme and good collaboration and coordination towards mitigation of any disaster reduction.

The chief guest underscored the need for reducing disaster losses substantially.

He also gave an overview of the ef-

forts taken by the present government for disaster management alongside risk reduction.

In the group discussions, the participants viewed that massive siltation of the Padma river and its tributaries and other water bodies trigger the ecological degradation leading to many natural disasters including drought and flood in the region.

To overcome the problem, they suggested capital dredging ofthe river and its tributaries along with massive afforestation.

They called for an environmentfriendly irrigation system instead of indiscriminate use of groundwater resources for irrigation purposes. l

Ruling party men demand Joydebpur OC’s removal n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Ruling Awami League men demanded removal of the officer-in-charge (OC) at Joydebpur police station in Gazpipur.

OC SM Kamaruzzaman had been harassing innocent locals, including many AL men, by lodging false cases, they alleged at a rally in the district town on Saturday.

Under the banner of Gazipur Sachetan Nagarik Samaj, leaders and activists of the Awami League’s student wing Chhatra League and voluntary wing Swechchhasebok League organised the rally.

Kamaruzzaman hails from Narail

and his mother from Gopalganj, but introduces himself as being from Gopalganj, as he tries to wield influence over people here, they said.

He also misbehaves with people who go to take service at the police station, they added, demanding his immediate removal.

Earlier, a procession paraded main roads in the district town. It was taken out from the district’s Awami League office and also ended there.

OC Kamaruzzaman said, “Those who are demanding my removal are extortionists and terrorists. They might have become outraged at the filing of several sensational cases against them.” l

BANGLADESHI WOMAN OPPRESSED IN QATAR

Family assaulted for demanding return n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Family members of a woman, who the brokers sent to Qatar allegedly by hiding real information in the visa, have been assaulted for demanding she be brought back to the country.

Residence of the woman, who could not be identified, is located at Rajendrapur village of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur. Brokers sent her to Qatar on November 22 last year where she now works as a housemaid.

The woman recently told her family over phone that she had been subjected to oppression and violence by family members of her employer.

She urged her family to arrange her return.

Kamal Uddin, husband of the woman, and Hasan, one of her sons, asked the brokers to bring her back but the brokers did not pay any heed.

They even attacked the two in Ra-

Fake physician among 4 arrested in Jamalpur n Our Correspondent, Jamalpur Police in a drive arrested a fake doctor as well as three officials of a hospital from Daripara bypass area in the district town on Saturday night.

The arrestees are GH Rana, the sham doctor, and also one of the directors of Sunlight Healthcare and Diagnostic Centre; Swapan Miah, another director of the centre, while the rest two are pathologist Saiful Islam and marketing official Raju Miah.

Sources said the healthcare centre was launched a year ago in the area and there were many allegations of patient harassment, demanding extra charges etc. against it.

As sequel to it, a team of DB police raided the centre around 10pm and arrested the false doctor as well as the three on charge of having no legal papers in favour of the hospital. During the drive, some sex stimulating tablets were also seized.

A case was filed in this connection. l

Work abstention at Thakurgaon n Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon Doctors, nurses and other staff abstained from duty at Thakurgaon Swasthaseba Hospital yesterday for the second day running, demanding their nine-month arrears, causing sufferings to hundreds of patients.

They said they had repeatedly requested the authority to repay their arrears, but that did not yield any results and so they had to resort to such a protest.

Locals said hundreds of diabetic and eye patients were returning home frustrated, without getting any treatment for the last two days.

The work abstainers said they would form a human chain at the intersection next to the hospital around 10am today.

Earlier in 2006, Thakurgaon Swasthaseba Hospital was set up as a diabetic hospital under a joint healthcare project of Bangladesh and Netherlands.

“Nobody joined work, rendering the hospital inoperative today,” said Ekramul Haq Swapan, executive director at the hospital, adding: “The hospital also owes to me a salary for the last nine months.” l

jendrapur and beat them up indiscriminately on May 30. Locals later recovered the injured.

The father and the son also received death threats as the brokers said they would be facing loss of lives and property if they continued demanding the woman’s return.

A day after Kamal and Hasan were attacked, the son filed a general diary with Sreepur police station against Kulsum, wife of a local named Siraj Uddin, Delwar Hossain, son of the Siraj Uddin, Giaus Uddin, son of another local named Yakub Ali, and Hakim.

Delwar Hossain admitted to sending the woman to Qatar but denied the allegation of perpetration of domestic violence against her.

She is fine there, Delwar claimed.

Officer-in-charge of Sreepur police station Mohsinul Qadir said legal action was underway with regard to the general diary. l

Two trucks lie overturned on Kumira bypass road in Sitakunda after a salt-laden truck lost control and rammed another stationary truck early yesterday

Herbal plant cultivation stressed n Tribune Desk

Speakers at a daylong workshop have called for more expansion of herbal plant cultivation and promotion of herbal medicine to meet up the gradually increase in the people's demand.

They viewed emphasis should be given to peoples participationtowards large- scale cultivation of herbal plants as the role of herbal products in improvement of public health is inevitable.

In this context, mainstreaming traditional medicine into public health care to achieve the objective of improved access to healthcare facilities needs to be considered, they added.

Bangladesh Ayurbedik Medicine Manufacturers Association organized the regional workshop titled "Herbal plants production, harvest, conservation and application of Ayurbedik medicine" held at Nanking Darbar Hall in Rajshahi city yesterday, reports BSS. Main thrusts of the workshop were to see and update the knowledge on the contributions of natural products, such as plants from the natural resources to medicine and healthcare.

Medicinal Plants and Herbal Products Business Promotion Council of Bangladesh supported the workshop.

With Fakrul Islam Munshi, President of the associaion, in the chair, former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corpo-

raion AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Prof Dr Golam Sadique of Pharmacy Department and Prof Dr Hamidul Haque of Chemistry Department of Rajshahi University spoke on the occasion.

Fakhrul Islam Munshi said the present government has exempted VAT on the herbal products aimed at fostering the sector and urged all the authorities concerned to unearth its potentialities.

Natural compounds are contributing towards medicine and healthcare systems and their use is not really declining Besides, he laid stress on creating mass awareness about the medicine through arranging more advocacy meeting, seminar and symposium.

As many as 80 percent of people rely on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare and remedies, and the use of traditional medicines is rising in the country like other developed ones, he opined.

"A new avenue for herbal medicine has opened up as many investors are looking for venturing in making such medicines," he added.

In this regard, he said some of the well-known allopathic drug makers

are gearing up for establishing herbal medicine units.

Fakhrul Munshi said Bangladesh is the home to over 550 medicinal plants of which 300 are commonly used in the preparation of traditional medicines around the country; the market for traditional and herbal products is worth around Tk3.3bn annually.

Prof Golam Sadique said the country’s drug administrator has set a definition for herbal medicine and selected a set of reference books for manufacturers to follow while making herbal medicines to push the sector forward.

The sector started pulling attention after the government had endorsed herbal medicine in the drug policy along with two other traditional branches of medicine- Ayurbedic and Unani.

He said the demand for herbal medicine is on rise as it has no side effect on human body. Prof Sadique said natural compounds are contributing towards medicine and healthcare systems and their use is not really declining.

"In Bangladesh, if we consider traditional medical knowledge and home remedies as a baseline, natural products and traditional medicine is being used possibly by 80% of our population," he says.

Around 150 herbal medicine practitioners, manufacturers, government officials and others concerned attended the workshop. l

NGO worker killed n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

Doctors, nurses and other staffs of Thakurgaon Gonoswastha Hospital form a human chain yesterday demanding their nine-month arrears DHAKA TRIBUNE

An NGO worker was killed in Tungipara of Gopalganj on Saturday morning.

The man was identified as Mithun Roy, 21, son of Dulal Chandra Roy of Bhandarkhola village under Mollahat upazila in Bagerhat.

The killing took place at Patgati Jagarani Chakra Foundation in Tungipara. The killers, who were alleged to be colleagues of Mithun, sent his body by nasiman, a local human haulier, to his village home. The killers are on the run.

Dulal alleged his son was killed by his colleagues. “His head, legs, and several other parts of the body bore marks of injury. l

FOCUS BANGLA

BATBC official shot, mugged in broad daylight n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj Miscreants shot and mugged a British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited (BATBC) official and fled with Tk120,000 in broad daylight at Fukra in Kashiani upazila in Gopalganj district.

Injured Izabul Sheikh, a marketing representative of Gopalganj BATBC, was shot in his left leg and admitted to Gopalganj General Hospital by locals.

Hejabur Rahman, the Gopalganj manager of BATBC, told the Dhaka

Tribune that the culprits put a barricade before his baby taxi while he was returning home after collecting company’s daily dues from the local markets.

They forced the driver to stop at gun point and had a scuffle with Izabul to snatch the money.

At one stage the muggers shot Izabul and fled the scene with the money.

Assistant Superintendent of Goplaganj police Md Monirul Islam said he had visited the crime scene and found the evidence of mugging. l

Abducted schoolgirl rescued n Our Correspondent, Tangail A schoolgirl was rescued by police, two days after her abduction in Sadar upazila yesterday.

The abductor was identified as SahAlam, alias Sabuj, 30.

Md Monir Hossain, officer-incharge of Kalihati police station said: “Sah-Alam alias Sabuj abducted schoolgirl Jhumur from Gazipur area on May, 30.”

Later, he demanded Tk1,40,000 over mobile phone from Jhumur’s fa-

ther Zakir Hossain as ransom.

He also threatened to kill her if the demand was not paid, said Monir Hossain.

Sabuj and Jhumur’s father also worked together in a garments factory.

Zakir Hossain filed a case with Gazipur police station on the same day.

Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested Sabuj from Kalihati Bus stand around 12pm.

After his confessional statement, Jhumur was rescued from Daoula area around12:30pm. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

7

Monday, June 2, 2014

The changing face of the local securities industry n Nakibul Hoq

damental analysis. Companies like LankaBangla and BRAC EPL now have access to the best young graduates coming into the industry and they are making excellent use of these talented people by providing them with a huge avenue for success.

Let us rewind back to 10 years ago.

Bangladesh was probably one of the least likely places in the world where global fund managers and investors would inject their money for wealth generation. This constantly politically problematic, bureaucratically chaotic and internally unfriendly state could in no way occupy investors’ dreams and aspirations.

We were recognised as one of the N-11s, a list of eleven economies that can become major markets after the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) according to global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs and were maintaining constant GDP growth rates. However, when it came to long-term investment in the money market and capital market, we lagged far behind neighbours India and China. There simply was no interest.

Bangladesh has undergone some world class improvements in its securities and brokerage firms, which are thriving in the country

However today, in 2014, when we press the play button, the equation has changed drastically. Alongside Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch are taking a serious interest in us and have injected more than $200mn in the money market of the country. Private equity and impact investors, such as Tau Investment have also seen value in the activities and evolution in Bangladesh.

Japanese and German entrepreneurs are now seriously looking into infrastructure and manufacturing projects in Bangladesh. This reinforces the findings of Citigroup, who in 2011 ranked Bangladesh in the list of Global Growth Generators (3G countries).

To make the entire process sustainable, global practices and international standards must be met by the existing corporate governance of the country

BIGSTOCK

The increased interest in the financing industry of Bangladesh has resulted in a corresponding shift in the financial services industry. Bangladesh has undergone some world class improvements in its securities and brokerage firms, which are thriving in the country. There are opportunities now which were not there for any of our previous generations. Educational institutes of the country are emphasising the role of finance in the future and what we are now seeing is a plethora of these young graduates who are interested in working and making a name in this industry.

I had an opportunity to sit with Manager and In-Charge of Institutional and Foreign Trade Rehan Muhammad and Research Analyst Maksudul Haque Chowdhury at the Capital Market Research Department, both of LankaBangla Securities. The underlying message was that the securities industry provided a career path for the supremely

bright and ambitious and has become one of the most prominent sources of profit in the newly-emerging knowledge-based economy.

The corporate office, in Motijheel, reflected more of Wall Street than any of the passers-by outside the air-conditioned office could presume. The comparison goes beyond aesthetics to the organisational culture of LankaBangla.

The intense nature of the business is such that it requires you to be on your toes and ready for all permutations.

Brokers facilitate movement of money across the various investments available and are required to utilise their knowledge of finance and business nous to survive in this industry. A good day can enable a stockbroker to earn commissions like never before, and likewise a bad day can make them lose so much of their client’s money that they can be left sitting back, wondering what just happened.

Stockbrokers need to be able to understand the messages behind the numbers and seize the opportunities for profits and commissions. The power of analysis is absolutely crucial, and being passionate about building wealth, both for you and your clients, is an integral part of the job.

Office is almost never over for stockbrokers involved in foreign trade, such as Rehan. While he is analysing and making crucial decisions in Dhaka, his clients are probably sitting in distant places like New York, London and Singapore — unaware of the chaos taking place in this city.

This means that even when the markets close down, he has to be ready for all sorts of client meetings and further preparations for the next day. It is never too late to analyse and research, and Rehan’s finance background helps him to use his power of analysis to provide the pertinent information to support

investment decisions.

Similarly, Maksudul Hoque at LankaBangla has his own set of challenges as a research analyst. Financial statements of most Bangladeshi corporations meet only the minimal standards, thereby hindering the ability to provide any assurance on recommendations.

In a globalised era in which the stock market in Tokyo rises up as the one in London closes down, while that in Mumbai goes for a lunch break, Maksud finds it a constant challenge to ensure the information he requires is available at the right time. Making sure that the best information is provided accurately is a daily obstacle for him, and as a proactive professional looking forward to a very fulfilling career, he works tirelessly to make things happen.

The securities industry in Bangladesh has progressed from the rumour and sentiment driven systems of stock trading towards one based on fun-

Equipped with the right tool for the right kind of stress n Ahsan Sajid We must first understand the nature of stress, before we can think about what is causing it and how we can manage it.

According to Karl Albrecht, an expert in the field who identified the four main types of stress, an understanding of the different types that people deal with is one’s ideal prescription to good health and success.

The four main types of stress

A management consultant and conference speaker who pioneered the development of stress reduction training for business people, Karl Albrecht defined the four types of stress in his 1979 book “Stress and the Manager” as time stress, anticipatory stress, situational stress and encounter stress.

Stress occurs when an environmental situation is perceived as presenting a demand that threatens to exceed a person's capabilities and resources for meeting it. More simply put, it is a manifestation of thinking and worrying about the future. Anxiety is created by focusing attention away from the present. It is created by expectations of the future — the tension between the now and the later.

Imagine one of those busy workdays when you don’t even have time to check the new emails and text messages you’ve been getting alerts for all day.

You were just about to head out when you get called in for a wrap-up interview, and this agitates you so much that you have to take a minute, or five.

No matter how one defines stress, we all face it at work, and our success eventually depends on how well we are able to deal with it.

Time stress is the most common type of stress and it is essential to learn how to manage it if you're going to work productively in any busy organisation. To counter this kind of stress, one needs to learn good time management skills, get accustomed to regularly using todo lists, and set goals and make action plans. It is also important to get used to prioritising day-to-day tasks.

Situational

One experiences situational stress when one is in a situation with little or no control over its outcome. Generally, it is a situation that involves conflict, or

a loss of acceptance in one’s immediate peer group. For instance, making a mistake in front of a big team can cause situational stress.

Situational stress is sudden and not anticipated. To manage situational stress better, one needs to learn to become self-aware, or be able to recognise the physical and emotional signals that the body exhibits when under pressure. Since conflict is the biggest cause of situational stress, one needs to pick up conflict resolution skills to better handle it. It is most important to be able to manage one’s emotions and think on one’s feet.

Anticipatory

Anticipatory stress is stress about experiences concerning the future. It is often focused on a specific event, for example, an upcoming public speaking engagement that one might have.

However, anticipatory stress can also be indistinct and indeterminate, such as an overall sense of dread about the future, or a foreboding sensation that "something will definitely go wrong."

Because anticipatory stress is based on the future, managing it starts by recognising that the event one is dreading doesn't have to play out as imagined.

This type of stress commonly results

Stress occurs when an environmental situation is perceived as presenting a demand that threatens to exceed a person’s capabilities and resources for meeting it

Encounter

Time

Time stress is experienced when one worries about time, or rather, the lack of it. Those who stress about time the most, worry about the number of things that they have to do, and constantly fear that they won’t have time to achieve something important, or simply forget about them. These types of people commonly feel trapped, unhappy, or even hopeless.

from a lack of confidence and can be countered by focusing on the present instead of dreading the future.

BIGSTOCK

Encounter stress is caused by other people. You may not like a person, or a group of people, or you may feel unsafe around them for whatever reason and you experience this stress whenever they are around. Encounter stress can also occur if your role involves a lot of personal interactions with customers or clients, especially if those groups are in distress (for example, doctors, social workers, counselors etc).

Since encounter stress is caused by people, one will manage this type of stress better by working on one’s people skills. A good place to start is to develop greater emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise the emotions, wants, and needs of yourself and of others. This is an important skill in interacting with others and in building good relationships.

A common symptom of encounter stress is getting grumpy in your interactions. When this symptom manifests, do whatever you can to take a break.

Counter it by taking a break, going for a walk, drinking water, and relaxing before talking to the next person. l

These companies are also symbolising the changing face of Bangladesh in various ways. By employing worldclass research departments and making use of the best available technologies at the backdrop of a strong financial system, companies in the category are representing the modern face of an economy that is desperate to thrive in the world market.

To make the entire process sustainable, global practices and international standards must be met by the existing corporate governance of the country.

Regulators and company CEOs need to make sure that there is a highly transparent system in place for the securities industry to flourish and sustain them.

While the industry is in rapid development, only when our standards are assured to a global audience can we hope to become a major investment destination in the world market. This is an exciting industry and it will rise as will motivated and fast thinking graduates. l Nakibul Hoq is a research analyst at GradConnect, an international career information and advisory firm. You can email him at nakib@grad-connect.com and find more career information at www.gradinsights.com and www.grad-connect.com.

Time management for the working student 1) Employ daily to-do lists. Take time after waking up to create it, and do not start the day till you have planned it.

Schedule time for everything, including things you want to do instead of just things you have to do, so you have at least some points in the list to look forward to.

2) Carry your on-going projects from both university and work in your backpack. Free time opens up unexpectedly – from sitting in a bus, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, the time it takes for the food to arrive at a restaurant. Use all these time blocks to get small things done.

3) Learn to say no. Colleagues will always try to pile more work on you. Friends will always want to plan going out. You have to prioritise and learn to say no to things that you do not want to do, and that you do not have to.

4) Schedule your important tasks at your own convenience. Some people work best first thing in the morning, while others need the night to put in their 100%. Find out what works for you and do your important tasks during the time you are likely to work most efficiently.

5) Compartmentalise and re-dedicate your time. You have to find time blocks for work and for university that do not overlap. While you are doing university work, do just that, before moving on to other work.

6) Plan for the future. While the daily todo list helps you get through everyday more efficiently, you have to consider your plans for the future as well – maybe a certain activity you put in for Tuesday could easily be completed on the way to another task today, freeing up time to relax, or get something else done, on Tuesday.

7) Do not focus on the little things because you are dreading the bigger things. When your plate is full it is often easier to tell yourself you are doing your best by keeping yourself busy with smaller, inconsequential details. Re-evaluate your to-do list and get to the big, important tasks first. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Israel urges world not to accept Palestinian govt n Reuters, Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday warned against any international rush to recognize a Palestinian government due to be announced under a unity pact between the Fatah and Hamas Islamist groups.

Israel and the West classify Hamas as a terrorist organization and have no official dealings with the movement, which advocates the destruction of the Jewish state.

But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah party signed a reconciliation deal with Hamas in April, said a unity government due to be announced on Monday would be comprised of ministers without political affiliation, a status that could ease the way for Western engagement.

“I call on all responsible elements in the international community not to rush to recognize a Palestinian government which has Hamas as part of it and which is dependent on Hamas,” Netanyahu, who has said such an administration would be a front for the Islamist group, told his cabinet.

World

CELEBRATING HEROES

“Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for Israel’s destruction, and the international community must not embrace it. That would not bolster peace, it would strengthen terror,” Netanyahu said in public remarks at the cabinet meeting.

Israel froze US-brokered peace talks with Abbas when the unity deal was announced on April 23 after numerous unsuccessful attempts at Palestinian reconciliation since Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah forces in fighting in 2007.

Boycott?

Abbas said yesterday that Israel “informed us ... they would boycott us if we announced the government.” Netanyahu, in his brief statement on Sunday, made no reference to any Israeli sanctions.

Israel has withheld tax revenues from Abbas’s aid-dependent Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, in retaliation for his signing in April of international conventions and treaties after Israel reneged on a promised release of Palestinian prisoners. l

Children carry portraits of Ukrainian heroes, fighters for the freedom of Ukraine since Kievan Rus times (from the 9th to the 13th centuries) to the present day, to commemorate them during annual Heroes Day in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv yesterday AFP

Turkish police crackdown on protests n AFP, Ankara

A heavy-handed police crackdown on Turkish protesters marking the one year anniversary of deadly anti-government demonstrations earned Ankara yesterday strong rebuke from the Council of Europe. “I condemn the excessive use of force by the Turkish police against demonstrators and journalists,” Nils Muiznieks, the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, said in a statement sent to AFP.

Saturday’s “events add to the list of cases in which the handling of demonstrations in Turkey has raised serious human rights concerns,” he added.

Police clashed with protesters in Istanbul, firing tear gas and water cannon at people clustered on side streets, defying a government ban on demonstrations on the iconic Taksim Square – the epicentre of last year’s turmoil.

Some 25,000 police officers were deployed in Istanbul alone, as well as dozens of armoured vehicles and wa-

ter cannon trucks, as police helicopters hovered above.

In Ankara, police also clashed with protesters hurling fireworks and responded with water cannon. In several neighbourhoods, people whistled and banged pots and pans hanging from their balconies – reminiscent of last year’s protests.

Minor clashes ocurred in both cities overnight, but most protests died down after activist group Taksim Solidarity announced late Saturday that the demonstrations were over. l

YouTube still blocked in Turkey n AFP, Ankara

Popular video-sharing site YouTube remained blocked in Turkey yesterday despite the country’s top court ruling that the blanket ban contravened the right to free speech.

Turkey’s constitutional court ruled Thursday that the ban on YouTube violated individual rights and freedoms, clearing the way for access to the service to be revived following a two-month ban.

Transportation Minister Lutfi Elvan, who is also in charge of communications, said the court decision had not yet reached the relevant government agencies.

“What is needed will be done after the decision reaches” the country’s telecommunications authority, he was quoted as telling local media on Sunday.

A government official said this week that access to YouTube would be restored once government agencies were

US carbon cut plan likely to get muted applause abroad n Reuters, Oslo President Barack Obama’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from US power plants, due to be announced today, will win muted applause abroad with some hopes it could help a UN deal to fight climate change in 2015.

Emerging economies including China and India are likely to be lukewarm because they have often said that Obama’s plans for emissions cuts until 2020 - even if fully implemented - are far short of the curbs they say are needed by the rich.

But the US plan to limit emissions by existing power plants could put pressure on other nations in UN talks on a deal meant to be agreed at a summit in Paris in late 2015.

Obama’s plan will be a “good signal” for Paris by showing that “one of the world’s biggest emitters is taking the future of the planet and its people seriously,” said Christiana Figueres, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn.

The Paris summit is meant to agree plans by almost 200 nations to slow global warming beyond 2020, when it will enter into force. It will succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which sets cuts only for about 40 industrialized nations until 2020.

Governments and companies are looking to China and the United States in the run-up to 2015 for signs of their commitment to move away from fossil fuels in what could be a trillion-dollar economic shift.

A UN panel of climate scientists says it is at least 95 percent likely that manmade greenhouse gases are the main cause of warming that is threatening water and food supplies with ever more

Monday, June 2, 2014

informed of the court verdict.

YouTube has been banned in Turkey since March 27 after the site was used to leak a top-secret security meeting, which featured top government, military and intelligence officials discussing war scenarios inside neighbouring Syria.

The government scapped a similar ban on Twitter which was blocked in March after it had been used to spread a spate of anonymous leaks implicating Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. l

Remains of five WWI soldiers found in France n AFP, Metz

UN: May deadliest month in 2014 for Iraq

The remains of five French soldiers who fought in World War I have been found along with their weapons in a wood in the country’s east, a man behind the discovery said yesterday.

The skeletons were discovered along with Lebel rifles, the basic weapon of the French infantry during the Great War, in a forest near the town of Luneville, Philippe Sugg told AFP. One of them had his identity tag and was a 27-year-old from an area near the southern city of Perpignan, he said.

Other items found included a pocket watch, a hip flask, two wallets and a little figurine of the Virgin Mary, he said.

Sugg, who is behind a two-man initiative to track down the remains of soldiers who died in the war which broke out a century ago, said they appeared to “have been killed in the exact spot they were found.”

The remains are likely to be interred in a nearby military cemetery apart from those of the identified soldier. l

Almost 800 people have been killed in violence across Iraq in May, the United Nations has said, making it the deadliest month for the country this year, Aljazeera reported.

Of the 799 people killed, 196 were members of the Iraqi security forces while and the rest were civilians, the UN mission to Iraq (UNAMI) said on Sunday.

It said that 1,409 Iraqis, including 1,108 civilians, were wounded.

Attacks by Sunni fighters have been gaining momentum in Iraq during the past year, underlining the challenges facing the government.

The real toll is higher because the UN figures do not include casualties in the western province of Anbar, where the Iraqi army has been fighting tribal and fighter groups since they overran two cities at the start of the year.

Excluding Anbar, UNAMI’s figures show that the worst-hit city was the capital Baghdad, with 315 people killed. The

n Agencies

Once on the edge of defeat, Syria’s Assad runs again for president occasions he did appear in public, looked troubled and strained, has reemerged looking relaxed, confident and smart as he gets out and about, campaigning with his wife, Asma.

heatwaves, downpours and rising sea levels.

Inadequate

Ronny Jumeau, ambassador of the Seychelles at the United Nations and a spokesman for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) which fears rising sea levels, said Obama’s plan on Monday would be “inadequate in the greater scheme of things.”

Still, he said the plan, to be announced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), might trigger action.

“If he manages to do as planned, will this be the moment when the US can finally say to China, India and other major developing emitters: ‘I’ve done as you’ve asked all these years, now what about you?’”

Many nations have been disappointed by Obama’s actions since he took office in 2009 talking of fixing a “planet in peril.” Obama’s plans to legislate cuts in emissions failed in 2010 because of Senate opposition.

“I have increasingly the feeling that the epicenter of success is the United States and China finding common ground in what they are willing to sign up for in Paris,” said Yvo de Boer, who was UN climate chief when a 2009 summit in Copenhagen failed to agree a climate treaty.

De Boer now heads the Global Green Growth Institute in South Korea.

Obama’s goal of a 17 percent emissions cut by 2020 from 2005 levels has been helped by a shift to shale gas from coal and amounts to a 3.5 percent cut from 1990, the UN benchmark year.

Many other rich nations are on track for deeper cuts. l

northern province of Ninevah came in second with 113, followed by Salahuddin province with 94 deaths.

The UN said figures from the Anbar health directorate put the number of civilian casualties there at 195.

Maliki in power Despite deteriorating security, Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, won the largest share of parliamentary seats in national elections last month, a blow to his opponents who blame him for leading the country to ruin.

Bloodshed remains below the levels seen in 2006 and 2007, when sectarian violence reached their peak, but last year was Iraq’s deadliest since violence began to ease in 2008.

“I strongly deplore the sustained level of violence and terrorist acts that continues rocking the country,” UN envoy to Iraq Nikolay Mladenov said in a statement.

The previous month’s death toll stood at 750, according to UNAMI, making April the second deadliest month of the year. l

Triumphalism

A Syrian girl with Free Syrian Army flags drawn on her face attends a protest against the election of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Tripoli yesterday REUTERS

n Reuters, Beirut It was not so long ago that Bashar al-Assad’s enemies thought he was finished.

In the summer of 2012, the rebels were not just at the gates of Damascus, but inside the capital, preying on Assad’s harried forces.

His government had lost big chunks of Syria’s territory and a string of strategic towns, and a small number of loyal and tested army units were rotating

around the country in an exhausting attempt to hold back rebel advances on many fronts.

Not any longer.

Now, even as the United States seeks to increase aid and training to moderate rebels to fight Assad’s forces, US officials privately concede Assad isn’t going anywhere soon.

Buoyed by a sequence of victories over the past year, won in large part through Iran and Hezbollah, its Leba-

nese paramilitary proxy, Assad will be elected president this week for a third seven-year term, symbolically contested by selected opponents playing walkon roles to pad out the main drama.

The old Syria - at its core a security state run by the Assad clan, their Alawite allies and selected partners from other minorities and the Sunni majority - is reasserting itself.

Assad himself, who had almost dropped out of sight and, on the rare

There is a note of triumphalism when he speaks, a sense that the tide of the crisis, that began as a popular revolt against his rule, has turned in his favour.

Despite the loss of 160,000 lives and the displacement of 10 million Syrians, the shattering of cities like Homs and Aleppo and wholesale destruction of infrastructure and the economy, Assad proclaims Syria will become again what it once was.

During a visit to the ancient Christian town of Maaloula on Easter Sunday, after it had been recaptured from rebels, he told soldiers: “We will remain steadfast and bring security back to Syria and defeat terrorism. We will hit them with an iron fist and Syria will return to how it was.”

“The battle may be long but we’re not afraid; Syria has been like that all its life,” he said on another stop at nearby Ain al-Tina. “As long as we’re together...we’ll rebuild it. However much they destroy we will rebuild and make it even better.”

Such is his confidence that he is contemplating retaking the whole country after the presidential election, according to a Lebanese political ally who sees him regularly.

Having regained control of a chain of cities up the north-south backbone of the country, secured his grip on the north-west coast and Alawite heartland, and cleared rebels away from Lebanon’s border, he is mulling a new offensive against Aleppo, before pushing right up to the northern frontier with Turkey. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

US soldier freed in Taliban prisoner swap

Bowe Bergdahl was the last US prisoner of war in Afghanistan

n Reuters, Washington The last US prisoner of war from America’s waning Afghan war was handed over to US Special Operations forces in Afghanistan on Saturday in a dramatic swap for five Taliban detainees who were released from Guantanamo Bay prison and flown to Qatar.

Army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl had been held for nearly five years by Afghan militants and his release followed years of on-and-off negotiations.

President Barack Obama hailed the release in a brief appearance with Bergdahl’s parents, Bob and Jani, in the White House Rose Garden, saying that “while Bowe was gone, he was never forgotten.”

Bergdahl was on his way to an American military hospital in Germany, a US defense official said. US special forces took custody of Bergdahl in a non-violent exchange with 18 Taliban members in eastern Afghanistan, senior US officials said, adding that he was believed to be in good condition. Before leaving for Germany, he received medical care at Bagram Air Base, the main US base in Afghanistan.

Bergdahl, 28, was handed over about 6pm local time on Saturday, a senior official said. The US forces, who had flown

Tough recovery process

in by helicopter, were on the ground very briefly, said the officials, who would not specify the precise location of the handover. A US defense official said Bergdahl was able to walk and became emotional on his way to freedom.

Hours later, a second US defense official said the five Taliban detainees, now formally in Qatari custody, had departed the Guantanamo prison for foreign terrorism suspects. They were aboard a US military C-17 aircraft and en route to the Gulf emirate.

His recovery after long years in captivity could be difficult. At the White House, Bergdahl’s father began his words speaking a Muslim prayer and said his son was having difficulty speaking English. He asked for patience from the media as the family helped him readjust.

Bergdahl’s release could be a national security boost for Obama, whose foreign policy has been widely criticized in recent months.

But some members of Congress have worried in the past over the potential release of the five Taliban detainees, particularly Mohammed Fazl, a “high-risk” detainee held at Guantanamo since early 2002. Fazl is alleged to be responsible for the killing of thousands of Afghanistan’s minority Shi’ite Muslims between 1998 and 2001.

A US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the five men as Fazl, Mullah Norullah Noori, Mohammed Nabi, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Abdul Haq Wasiq. Pentagon documents released by the WikiLeaks organization said all five were sent to Guantanamo in 2002, the year the detention facility opened. l

9

Monday, June 2, 2014

Mullah Omar hails prisoner swap as ‘big victory’ n AFP, Kabul

Thai troops and protesters play cat and mouse

Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar yesterday hailed the release of five senior insurgents in exchange for US soldier Bowe Bergdahl as a “big victory.”

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Afghan Muslim nation, all the mujahideen and to the families and relatives of the prisoners for this big victory regarding the release of five Taliban leaders from Guantanamo prison,” he said in a rare statement.

“I thank the government of Qatar, especially its emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad (Al Thani), who made sincere efforts for release of these leaders and for their mediation and for hosting them,” he added.

Mullah Omar was Afghanistan’s de facto head of state during their 19962001 rule ovwr Afghanistan. He has continued to lead the group’s insurgency since they were ousted from power.

The five transferred Taliban detainees have been named by the US State Department as Mohammad Fazl, Mullah Norullah Noori, Mohammed Nabi, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Abdul Haq Wasiq.

A Taliban source in the Pakistani city of Quetta told AFP that the five had been officials in the Taliban regime driven out by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. l

Thousands of security personnel, backed by armoured vehicles, were deployed on Bangkok’s streets yesterday in a show of force against small but defiant anti-coup flashmob rallies.

One group of peaceful protesters evaded soldiers, police and roadblocks to stage a demonstration in the city’s commercial centre in what has become a now daily dance with authorities.

Police said they had arrested “some” of the protesters who had gathered at a walkway linked to a major shopping centre. Political assemblies of more than five people were banned under martial law declared by Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha two days before he seized power in a coup on May 22.

But small, daily protests have been held in the capital since Prayut ousted the civilian government.

A flashmob of around two dozen people gathered at midday near the downtown shopping mall, according to an AFP reporter.

Security forces, many carrying riot shields, swiftly encircled the rally and were briefly backed by an armoured humvee with a soldier manning a mounted machine gun.

Protesters unfurled a giant poster of Prayut’s face with the words “Thailand 1984” emblazoned below, a reference to George Orwell’s anti-authoritarian

n AFP, Bangkok

novel which has become an accessory for many of the Bangkok protesters.

“I want to call for my freedom... there should be equality for everyone,” protester Nantachaporn told AFP, giving only one name.

Protesters also gave a three-fingered salute, in an apparent nod to the fictional people’s power movement from “The Hunger Games” film.

Earlier, more than 6,000 soldiers and police had been deployed at eight locations across the city.

In a game of cat-and-mouse played out over social media, the protesters appeared to wrongfoot authorities, instead gathering at the shopping centre.

Other small protests were reported, with at least one person detained by police earlier in the commercial district.

Necessary evil or pretext for coup?

General Prayut has warned protesters that they – and even their families – face punishment under strict martial law, which has imposed sweeping curbs on freedoms.

So far his troops have taken a relatively light touch to marshalling the rallies, making several arrests but not using force.

But rights groups have condemned Prayut for using intimidation to deter protesters, summoning likely dissenters to army camps as well as moving to stifle the media. l

Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree n Agencies

Protesters march in Hong Kong ahead of Tiananmen vigil n AFP, Hong Kong

A coalition of Pakistani religious leaders has issued a religious edict declaring ‘honour killings’ to be a “highly condemnable” and “un-Islamic” action, Aljazeera reported yesterday.

The All Pakistani Ulema Council is also organising a summit on June 5, involving leaders from all sects, to discuss ‘honour killings,’ following the murder of a 25-year-old pregnant woman, Farzana Parveen, outside Lahore High Court. “[A] daughter is a gift by Allah. And the feeling of being dishonoured by your daughter is forbidden in Islam,” the edict, issued on Friday, reads.

“Killing one’s daughter and humiliating them is a sign of ignorance.”

The council’s secretary general, Zahid Mehmood Qasim, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that the decree “should serve as a reminder to those who kill their kin on the name of protecting ‘honour’.”

He said the woman, who was murdered by relatives for marrying the man she loved instead of a cousin selected for her, did not deserve death.

“The act falls outside the ambit of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, the Quran and Sunnah [Islamic way of life],” he said.

Qasim said the Council would meet on June 5 in Islamabad to discuss how to tackle ‘honour killings’ and other pressing social issues. l

Pro-democracy protesters marched in Hong Kong yesterday to call for greater political freedoms in China and an end to one-party rule, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown.

Organisers said 3,000 people took to the streets in sweltering heat for the annual protest, calling on Beijing to release imprisoned political dissidents and formally acknowledge the bloody crackdown of 1989.

Hong Kong police put the number of protesters lower at 1,900. It comes ahead of a mass candle-lit vigil planned for Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in which hundreds of people, by some estimates more than 1,000, died.

Marchers shouted slogans such as “Democracy Now,” “End One-Party Rule” and “Release Gao Yu,” referring to a Chinese journalist recently detained for allegedly leaking state secrets.

China still forbids public discussion of the events of June 3-4 1989 when the military brutally suppressed pro-democracy protesters, mainly students, in central Beijing.

Hong Kong is the only city in China to mark the anniversary openly.

“As for many years, it is a continuous struggle hoping to find justice and have a democratic China. This is the case even after 25 years,” Richard Tsoi Yiucheong, a protest organiser, told AFP. l

Now a big brand, Modi tries to drive party too n Agencies India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked BJP general secretaries to build upon the gains made in the Lok Sabha polls and aim to win the coming assembly elections.

In a nearly two hour-long meeting with party general secretaries, he also said the party should not lose sight of its priorities because of the excitement over the stunning LS poll victory.

“He made it clear that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, and that we have to consolidate what we have achieved by engaging in ceaseless action,” sources familiar with the deliberations said.

The interaction, in the presence of BJP chief Rajnath Singh, was significant because it was seen as a clear evidence of Modi’s keenness to retool the anemic organization which — independent observers are almost unanimous — could end its decade-long power drought almost solely because of the strength of brand Modi, and cast it in his mould.

Coming just ahead of the likely appointment of one of his trusted general secretaries — Jagat Prakash Nadda or Amit Shah — as the BJP chief, Modi’s exhortation amplified not just his emergence as the new saffron strongman, but also his desire to exercise his new-found authority to drive the party. l

Protesters hold banners and placards as they shout slogans at a rally in Hong Kong on June 1, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, in which hundreds of people, by some estimates more than 1,000, died. Hong Kong is the only city in China to openly mark the anniversary AFP

Eyeing Pakistan and China, Modi bolsters security team n Reuters, New Delhi India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen a daring former spy with years of experience in dealing with Pakistan as his national security adviser, a move officials say signals a more muscular approach to New Delhi’s traditional enemy.

The choice of Ajit Doval, alongside former Indian army chief General V.K. Singh as a federal minister for the northeast region, underscores plans to revamp national security that Modi says became weak under the outgoing government. The two top-level appointments, reporting directly to Modi, point to a desire to address what are arguably India’s two most pressing external security concerns - Pakistan and China, both of which, like India, have nuclear arms.

Doval, a highly decorated officer renowned for his role in dangerous counter-insurgency missions, has long advocated tough action against militant groups, although operations he has been involved in suggest a level of pragmatism.

In the 1980s, he smuggled himself into the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar from where Sikh militants were later flushed out, and he infiltrated a powerful guerrilla group fighting for independence from India in the northeastern state of Mizoram. The

group ultimately signed a peace accord.

Doval was also on the ground in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when an Indian Airlines plane from Kathmandu was hijacked by Pakistan-based militants on Christmas Eve, 1999. The crisis was resolved when top militants were freed in exchange for hostages.

The choice of Ajit Doval underscores plans to revamp national security that Modi says became weak under the outgoing government “Doval is an out-of-the-box thinker,” said an Intelligence Bureau officer with long years of service in Kashmir and other Indian hotspots. “Expect him to shake things up.”

The official, who did not want to be named, said he expected the new security team to push for a rapid expansion of border infrastructure and a streamlining of intelligence services, which still function in isolation and often impede one other.

Singh has declared his priority is to develop the northeast in order to nar-

row the gap with Chinese investment in roads and railways on its side of the frontier. India is also creating a new mountain corps and beefing up border defences, although that initiative has stalled.

Fears of Afghan spillover

A secure India is a long-standing goal of Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the new prime minister himself wants strong borders so the country can focus fully on giving economic growth a much-needed boost.

He won the election in May in a landslide victory largely on economic pledges that India’s 1.2 billion people hope will secure jobs and raise living standards. But with most foreign troops withdrawing from Afghanistan by the end of this year, India is concerned that Islamist militants fighting there will turn their sights towards the disputed region of Kashmir, which is also claimed by Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have fought two of three wars since independence over the Himalayan territory, and their armed forces are separated there by a rugged, mountainous Line of Control which militants have the capability to cross.

Doval, 69, formerly head of the Intelligence Bureau domestic spy agency, will be National Security Adviser, only the second officer from the intelligence community to hold the post. l

China hits back at US, Japan for ‘provocative’ remarks n AFP, Singapore China denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel yesterday for “provocative” remarks accusing Beijing of destabilising actions in contested Asian waters.

Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, told an Asian security forum in Singapore that strong comments made by Abe and Hagel at the conference were “unacceptable.”

Abe had opened the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday by urging countries to respect the rule of law – an apparent reference to what rivals consider aggressive Chinese behaviour over disputed areas in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Hagel on Saturday warned China against “destabilising actions” in the South China Sea and listed a number of alleged infractions, including against the Philippines and Vietnam, the two most vocal critics of Beijing’s claims.

“The Chinese delegation... have this feeling that the speeches of Mr Abe and Mr Hagel are a provocative action against China,” Wang, dressed in full military uniform, said in an address to the forum.

Abe had left Saturday and Hagel departed early Sunday before Wang spoke.

The Pentagon said Hagel and Wang held a brief meeting Saturday in which they “exchanged views about issues important to both the US and China, as well as to the region.”

About midway into his prepared speech in which he said China “will never seek hegemony and foreign expansion,” Wang diverted from the script. He accused Abe and Hagel of “coordinating” with each other to attack China.

“This is simply unimaginable,” said Wang, the highest ranking military official in the Chinese delegation, adding that the US and Japanese speeches were “unacceptable and not in the spirit of this Shangri-La Dialogue.”

“The speeches made by Mr Abe and Mr Hagel gave me the impression that they coordinated with each other, they supported each other, they encouraged each other and they took the advantage of speaking first,” he said.

‘Destabilising actions’

Hagel issued a blunt message to Beijing on Saturday, saying “China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea.” He accused China of restricting the Philippines’ access to Scarborough Shoal, putting pressure on Manila’s long-standing presence in Second Thomas Shoal, beginning land reclamation at various locations and moving an oil rig into disputed waters with Vietnam. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Monday, June 2, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

CSR means business, not charity

W

e welcome the Bangladesh Bank governor’s call for the boards of banks and financial institutions to avoid financing ventures which harm the environment.

The central bank has been the driving force behind a large increase in CSR and green banking activity by Bangladeshi banks over the last five years.

It is commendable that it is asking banks and financial institutions to put more focus on their corporate social responsibility policies upon encouraging social and environmental investments, rather than just seeing CSR as primarily about charity-based activities.

Donations to community, Education and health activities are commendable in their own right and should be encouraged by tax incentives. They are especially worthwhile when they encourage leading companies to volunteer staff time and share expertise.

However, the real benefits of CSR are gained when it is integrated into a company’s core activities.

Reputation and human capital are increasingly the most important assets of a business. By helping to attract and retain staff, CSR policies can help attract consumers and capital and build long-term value.

It is encouraging to see the Bangladesh Bank increase reporting on how banks integrate CSR within their operations and among their customers.

If more financial institutions disclose figures in their own annual reports on such topics as their environmental emissions and gender diversity policies, this will encourage more companies in other sectors to do likewise.

Corporate transparency on their social and environmental impacts is a proven way to help consumers and companies drive improvements and should be encouraged.

CSR can help attract consumers and capital and build long-term value

Corruption is the common enemy

I

t is unfortunate that the Anti Corruption Commission and Transparency International Bangladesh have been engaging in a war of words.

An ACC commissioner recently made implied allegations about TIB’s own shortcomings when it came to matters of transparency and integrity. The commissioner objected to TIB’s access to foreign funds for its research, and said ACC should investigate TIB, after the latter had criticised the ACC’s effectiveness in fighting corruption.

Such accusations are futile acts of mudslinging, and serve no productive purpose. It is particularly ironic considering the TIB has, in the fact, helped the ACC in fighting corruption in recent years.

The way to rid society of corruption is for these two powerful bodies to work together fruitfully, not to engage in puerile verbal battles which have no tangible effects on society.

We commend TIB’s response in offering to open up its books to the ACC. It is important for a corruption watchdog to put its money where its mouth is and we believe the TIB executive director’s offer to have their books examined is a genuine one. If TIB’s claim of not spending money without government approval is true, then there are no grounds for the accusations by the ACC commissioner.

Civil society institutions must keep their eyes on the ball – corruption is the common enemy. We cannot afford to be distracted by investigative bodies pointing fingers at each other for political reasons, while the real problem remains to be tackled.

We cannot afford ACC and TIB to be distracted from the real problem

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Jinnah made a mistake and I am ashamed of being Pakistani

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 12 represents A so fill A every time the figure 12 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

May 27

Hafeejul Alam It’s useless to blame Jinnah. Jinnah once tried his best for Hindu-Muslim unity, but failed due to intransigent Hindu leaders. Therefore, the natural outcome was Pakistan. The Pakistan which he envisaged is not the Pakistan of today. Jinnah was after all a very liberal and secular-minded Muslim. However, the saddest part of the history of Pakistan is that, after the demise of Jinnah, the rulers (mostly khakis) were more often than not dogmatic, dictatorial and narrow-minded, so much so that within a short time (in 1971), the people of Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) had to liberate themselves through a bloody war with Pakistani occupation forces.

Today’s Pakistan is nothing but the extension of the similar symptoms, aggravated by the Talibans and other religious groups. It is still too early to say if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government can improve the situation. On the other hand, despite many problems, Bangladesh, with a more secular and mature outlook, is doing better socially, politically, and economically. The country, with over $20bn forex reserve (second only to India), is the world’s second-largest exporter of garments and textiles after China. Its social development indicators are reported to be the best in South Asia.

an exceptionally dysfunctional state, run by a procession of despots that has made this tribal, feudal nation a bastion of ceaseless bigotry, brutality and misery.

Someone The “fall of Dhaka”? Okay, you’re, after all, a Pakistani. Your outlook on December 16, 1971 is easily understood. Given the comparatively “worse” state of your country (than independent Bangladesh), dear author, I’d have thought even you would at least grudgingly admit it was nothing short of the inevitable “liberation” of Dhaka that we have to thank for being Bangladeshis today, and not still your fellow Pakistanis.

Israel and Pakistan stand out in the world as the two nations founded explicitly and entirely on the basis of religion. Israel, for all its myriad evils, is still a modern, advanced, prosperous democracy, whereas Pakistan has for long been

Deen Sheikh All the author seems to be doing is Pakistanbashing and pandering to India.

Storm in a teacup May 27

Lisa_54 Will it be easy for Bangladesh to make peace with India and resolve the issues as it seemed to be for the USA?

Defence allocation to grow 12.71% May 27

Raihan Al-Beruni You have to have strong defence forces to establish authority on Bay of Bengal; otherwise, Burma will send offshore oil rigs into Bangladeshi waters once again.

The time has come for Bangladesh to buy the HQ-9 long-range air defence missile system and J10B fighters. I hope and cross my fingers that Hasina will press for this when she visits China.

KKB Time to consider a South Asian Confederacy?

Someone KKB: With Bangladesh as the only member in your “SAC” with a manifestly unelected, unaccountable government in power? Not by a long shot. :) Anon The timing of this piece is queer. All the writer said about her country is true, but as a nation, not all’s doom and gloom for Pakistan. It has a democratically-elected government for a start. And the government is sincere in neutralising the myriad insurgent groups.

The country is going through a rough patch, no doubt. But with democracy taking roots, with the fairly robust civil society and the relatively free media, it has a good chance of getting out of this morass. A strong, stable, and prosperous Pakistan is a sine qua non for South Asia as it is for the Pakistanis.

SUDOKU How to solve: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

Rodders Deen Sheikh: You make it sound as if Pakistan is some sort of paradise. Is it true? sufi Rodders: The problem with Pakistan is religion.

And that is the problem with Saudi Arabia too. So no matter how rich Saudi Arabia is, to me, it’s still a place not for free people. And 99% of the world is free. So why trap yourself in a country inside the cage of religion?

Values to walk the gallows May 26 TJ The writer perfectly points out that before blaming the youngsters, the elders should ask themselves if they are passing on the right values to their children in the right way. It is extremely sad to see that our political leaders see using the youth of the country for the former’s political gains as culture.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Line of soldiers (4) 5 Grinding tooth (5) 9 Things to be done (6) 10 Be indebted (3) 11 Festivity (4) 12 Storms (5) 14 Lukewarm (5) 16 Extremities (4) 19 Irish republic (4) 21 Tempted (5) 24 Gems (5) 27 Ground spice (4) 29 Band’s engagement (3) 30 Newspaper executive (6) 31 Halts (5) 32 Examine (4)

DOWN 1 Floating structure (4) 2 Mature (3) 3 Stinging plant (6) 4 Joint (4) 5 Seaman (7) 6 Ship’s record (3) 7 Respectful fear (3) 8 Plant secretion (5) 13 Say further (3) 15 Reads carefully (7) 17 Composed (6) 18 Wooden shoes (5) 20 Unwell (3) 22 Send out (4) 23 Saucy (4) 25 Mine (3) 26 Past (3) 28 Long-leaved lettuce (3)

ZA It’s morbidly sobering to come to grip with this fact.

We are indeed victims of a culture that prioritises comfort and ignorance over literally everything else. Things are just operating under the natural order of this ecosystem, which is the saddest part. nds Yes, the author says it all. Where money is involved, everything else is disposable.

The enemy within

CALVIN AND HOBBES

May 27

Shabnaz I genuinely wonder if it will take some form of well-timed mass slaughter or kidnapping in Bangladesh for people to realise that the government, while not directly responsible for these atrocities, is clearly not above reaping political benefits from them.

PEANUTS

Fahad There was a lot of criticism – justifiable, largely – of how Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai both got behind the hashtag, without criticising similarly destructive world policies like drone warfare. Yet, people ignored the politicisation of the Nigerian kidnappings by their own government. This, alongside the lack of discussion about the AL’s dubious links, proves that these governments are getting away with it, and it is time that stopped.

Madiha It took three weeks for the Nigerian government to react to the abduction, but, as soon as they did, they made it look like they were the saviours. It is absolutely disgusting that political leaders are utilising these horrendous events for selfish gains instead of actually helping.

Zero-Agenda I always thought that “evil” was an imagined concept, that it was stupidity, ignorance and just plain bad choices that made people do terrible things. Guess I was wrong.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Monday, June 2, 2014

From Japan, with love

I

n Sako Mari

believe that the recently concluded state visit by the honourable prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, to Japan is set to be a turning point in economic relations between the two countries. While I am not an economist, the agreement by the Japansese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to commit Y600bn ($5.9bn) in economic assistance to Bangladesh over the next four to five years has the potential to catalyse growth in both countries.

The joint communiqué has emphasised that the funds, mainly in low-cost loans, will be used to build infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.

Also exciting is Prime Minister Abe’s statement that “Bangladesh has great economic potential. In order to realise its potential and expedite further growth, Japan has come up with the concept of the Bay of Bengal industrial growth belt …” or what he termed “The BIG-B.” Leveraging Bangladesh’s geographic position, right between Asia’s two economic giants China and India, is a clear opportunity for the country. The Japanese initiative can build on the recently announced BIMSTEC agreement for developing economic corridors via Bangladesh and Burma to link China and Japan.

ti-modal Dhaka eastern bypass, and the ecological restoration of four rivers around Dhaka.

The two prime ministers also welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed between JETRO and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, which reserves important facilities in five EPZs in Bangladesh for Japanese investors. Abe also expressed his decision to instruct relevant ministries to start reviewing rules of origin of generalised system of preferences (GSP) for knitwear in order to boost Bangladesh’s exports.

Beyond economic ties, Hasina’s other cultural and diplomatic gestures were broadly appreciated by the Japanese people and the government.

On the former, Hasina gifted a pair of Bengal tigers to Japan and she hoped it would help school children become more acquainted with the culture of Bangladesh. On the diplomatic side, Hasina reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for Japan’s aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council while Abe expressed his intention to share Japan’s experience, including dispatching experts for the proposed project of establishing a Peace Building Centre in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh support for Japan, amid heightened tensions between China and not only Japan but other countries such as Vietnam, Philip-

I am particularly heartened and encouraged that Bangladesh is being recognised by my homeland, Japan, for it’s economic opportunity

Beyond that, it was reported that Hasina asked her counterpart to consider a range of specific projects like a Ganges barrage, building multi-modal tunnels under the Jamuna River, a railway bridge over the Jamuna River, a mul-

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pines, Korea, Malaysia, over Chinese territorial expansionism in the South China Sea, comes at a particularly welcome time, and something that the Japanese people and it’s government will not forget. Indeed, an article in the

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A sucessful trip

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Financial Times several months back

by Ifty Islam of AT Capital (“Senkaku – Accelerating the China Relocation Trade,” FT, Dec 9, 2013) suggested geopolitical tensions would have an increasing influence on Japan’s economic diplomacy. He wrote that “… it is becoming more apparent that political risk mitigation in the face of resurgent Chinese regional territorial ambitions and aggressiveness will reinforce the macroeconomic justification for diversifying away from China.

Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka are likely to see a more focused and aggressive push from corporate Japan to step up FDI in 2014. Indeed the intersection of geopolitics and China rebalancing is likely to be the dominant macro catalyst and opportunity for such countries for the coming decade.”

As a Bangladesh optimist, or “Bangla-phile,” as I tell my friends, I am particularly heartened and encouraged that Bangladesh is being recognised by

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my homeland, Japan, for it’s economic opportunity. This contrasts with a more typical impression of Bangladesh, among a majority of Japanese, as the country of poverty and natural disasters, and as the home of microfinance, Professor Yunus, and Brac.

Indeed, my first visit to Dhaka five years ago was, when I was a graduate student reading Agricultural Science at the University of Tokyo, I came and spent several weeks in the villages studying microfinance with Brac and was undoubtedly impressed by the innovative thinking behind improving access to credit among the extreme poor. A number of my friends had been to Bangladesh on the JICA volunteer program and had returned enthused about the opportunities to help the poor. But at the same time, I was convinced that the key to poverty alleviation was not microfinance, but rather catalysing economic growth and unlocking the self-evident and natural entrepreneurial spirit of the Bangla-

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ome time ago, a comment made by a football federation official that Bangladesh will improve its sagging glory in football by targeting the 2022 World Cup, was met with huge criticism. Rationally speaking, I think it won’t happen. At least, not in my lifetime.

However, there was a moment when the dream of playing in the World Cup did not seem far-fetched.

In the late 80s, when Bangladesh won the local President Cup and our boys (a little more than boys perhaps) trounced top teams like Brazil and the lot in the Dana and Gothia Cup in Sweden and Denmark, there was optimism all around.

A confession though: When we saw the recorded final match between Bangladesh and Brazil, where we possibly won by seven goals, the age difference was too conspicuous to ignore. Bakhtiar and company looked far above the age limit of fourteen.

Anyway, in the elation of victory, we decided to talk less about the flouting of the age limit.

The boys from Brazil actually cried in the end. Yes, they were just that, teenagers.

Whatever the case, the country was

on a roll. Bangladesh was better than most Southeast Asian nations, we were almost always the finalists with India and, in the club level, Mohammedan had beaten Iranian champions Pirouzi to move to the Asian Club final round.

Incidentally, even in the next round in 1989, Mohammedan won against the North Korean champions in April 25, fuelling hopes of a World Cup place in the years to come.

The expectation wasn’t irrational at all. Iran had played the World Cup in 1978, North Korea in 1966, and our clubs were prevailing against them so there was ground for envisioning a Bangladesh team walking into a stadium filled with supporters in a World Cup match.

Football in the 80s was all about strides forward. The Iran-Iraq war paved way for top players from both countries to come and play in the local league. The Eagle of Asia, Nasser Hejazi, captain of the Iranian team in 1978, made Dhaka his home, becoming coach to Mohammedan.

He brought two top level players, Naljegar and Vijen Taheri, who, along with Abahani recruits from Iraq, Karim Mohammad Alawi, and Samir Shaker, injected a much needed international touch to the local game.

Incidentally, Samir Shaker became

infamous after spitting at the referee in the 1986 World Cup match between Iraq and Belgium. He also coached the Bangladesh team to the first SAF Games gold in 1999.

When the 1986 World Cup came, games could be seen directly from Mexico. This was not the case in 1982 when many matches, including the quarter finals, were recorded and shown later.

In 1982, very few heard of or noticed Maradona. Eyes were on Brazil as always. They played like magic and lost like gentlemen. The Tango Espana ball had become the ultimate sporting gift. Back in the early 80s, local league games used another ball called the Mikasa. Lightweight and fast, Mikasa was soon supplanted by the Tango.

Local players wore boots made by Globe while only the lucky ones who had the privilege to travel abroad to play for the national team came back with the famous Adidas Copa Mundial boots. The 1982 World Cup ended but left no lasting legacy. Paolo Rossi, the Italian redeemer in the final against Germany, won’t be recognised by most current-day fans.

Kuwait was the Asian country to qualify and I recall after their place was confirmed, each player was gifted a luxury boat and a residence by the sea. To go through some farcical World Cup matches click on to Kuwait-France 1982, where the Sheikh intervened to have a goal scored by France disallowed.

It was 1986 that impacted football in Bangladesh the most. From the ashes of Brazil rose a diminutive man called Maradona, sparking off a cult which is the main reason why Argentina has so many supporters today.

There were many other players that shone in that World Cup: Platini, Enzo Francescoli, Preben Elkjaer, Gary Linekar, Emilio Butragueno, and so on, but about 28 years later, ask anyone and only one name will prevail: Maradona!

After the World Cup, Bangladesh was swept by the Argentina cyclone – stationary, books, lollipops, posters, and shirts all had the image of the Argentinian with his iconic kiss on the

up choosing Bangladesh as the country that offered the greatest opportunity for EM skincare products having the right balance between low labour costs and a large domestic market of 160 million people.

I am excited and encouraged by the recent deepening of Japanese-Bangladeshi economic ties. It offers major opportunities for Japanese companies to use Bangladesh as a low cost and competitive re-export and logistics hub for the region. For Bangladesh, Japanese FDI will help export diversification, technology transfer, and the rapid development of new industries.

The key remains follow through by the Bangladeshi and Japanese governments and private sector companies to ensure the opportunity is not wasted.

This “Bangla-phile” remains optimistic about a bright future for this great country. l Sako Mari is an entrepreneur in the skincare/ healthcare sector.

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Ghosts of World Cups past n Towheed Feroze

deshi people.

Even after I graduated and had joined L’Oreal, the French cosmetics company, in their Tokyo office, I continued to return to Bangladesh, to continue my relationship with this wonderful country and it’s optimistic and resilient people. Over time, I made a number of very good Bangladeshi friends who continued to keep me updated about developments in Dhaka.

Last year, I decided to leave L’Oreal and set up a cosmetics/healthcare business focusing on developing products for emerging markets using cutting edge Japanese technology and key ingredients developed by global market leaders in beauty products such as Shiseido and Kanebo, but with a goal of manufacturing them more cheaply in a low cost developing country. I travelled to a wide range of countries to find the best market to start my business including Morocco, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand among others. But I ended

Look to the West trophy.

As for boots, the small master alone catapulted Puma King, which he wore, to sublime status.

Some were determined to be Maradona and Argentina fans/worshippers forever. In the Dhaka University area, there are many Argentina eccentrics, one such person is called Kaliji.

A thin, short guy, Kaliji can be passed off as a 25-year-old, though he once practiced with the famed Mohammedan footballers Kaiser Hamid, Jewel Rana, and so on in the late 80s.

That makes him around 40 or more!

Kaliji has three passions in life – biriyani, marijuana, and Argentina. He must have some sort of polao-based dish every day, he will be spotted in dark corners smoking a joint at ungodly hours, and, if there is a football game on, he will usually arrive in his Argentina t-shirt.

Once, after a heavy joint session, he came to the DU field to practice on his own – nothing wrong with that, but it was 3am at night and he was stoned immaculate.

The 90s will be remembered for the rise of the African lions, Cameroon, but I doubt if any other event from the following World Cups created a lasting impact on Bangladesh. For me, the best World Cup match involves none of the big teams, but Iran and USA in 1998.

We supported Iran like our national team, screaming till the end with a landmark 2-1 win. When I called my uncle to share my joy, he responded – it was not a match, it was Jihad.

Alas! In 2014, we do not expect to play in the great spectacle any time soon. Bangladesh has lost its superiority in the region, which is rather pejoratively regarded as the third tier of Asian football, so the cup is far, far away.

Unless of course, we join Kaliji in one of his sessions and then begin to experience delusions. Meanwhile, it’s that time to revive the age-old question: Are you Argentina or Brazil?

Nah! I am none of those. For me, it’s Iran! l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

n Jyoti Rahman

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est Bengal (no one uses Paschimbanga it seems!) that is.

While Bangladeshi chatteratti — online/offline, print/electronic — are all agog about what Mr Modi might mean, hardly anyone is talking about what’s happening in West Bengal. And yet, just as analysing the political development of former West Pakistan can shed light on our own failures, analysing our co-linguists to the west can also help in charting our path.

Let me stress the word analysis — I am calling for an unsentimental look at politics/society/economy, not another round of dui Bangla/epar-opar tearjerking.

Over the fold are four topics that ought to be explored by serious analysts.

1. Unity of the left

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the left movement — parties, unions, intelligentsia — in both sides of the Radcliffe Line, became heavily fractured.

As around the world, the Sino-Soviet rupture was a key issue. But local factors were also important — after all, Naxalbari is in West Bengal.

After 1971, Indira Gandhi and SS Roy used the full might of the Indian Republic to crush the left in a manner that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or Ziaur Rahman could only wish for, for the simple reason that the newborn Bangladeshi Republic didn’t have much might.

And yet, in 1977, a united Left Front vanquished the mighty Congress. How could the West Bengal Left pull it off ?

Was it just the mercurial personality of Jyoti Basu? But Mr Basu was hardly without blemish. First shots at Naxalbari were fired by a government where he was the Deputy Chief Minister.

Or was it more structural? If so, what?

2. Left Front in office

It seems that the Left governed with the consent of the people in a way that isn’t matched by any major democracy in history. Between 1977 and 2006,

first under Mr Basu and then his successor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Left Front won seven state elections in a row.

Over that time, they also repeatedly won most seats from state to the Indian federal parliament, and completely dominated the elected local government bodies. That kind of electoral domination for so long is unlikely in any democracy. Was it the so-called pro-poor policies such as land distribution? Or maybe the Left Front was really good at patronage politics? What was the secret to their success?

3. Mamata Banerjee

What do we really know about her?

Not just biographical factlets, but rather, what her politics is about. Is she just about defeating, crushing the left? Does she have broader ambition.

If so, what?

And similarly, what do the West Bengalis — Calcutta babus and the shikkhito bhodroloks as well as the not so educated and not so genteel folks — see in her?

It was interesting that in their New York Times articles, neither Naeem Mohaiemen nor Arnab Ray spent much time on Mamata Banerjee. I hope future analyses do better.

4. Calcutta/Kolkata vs the mofussil

In his NY Times article, Mr Ray equated West Bengalis with a particular type of Kolkata people.

Thanks to nearly two centuries of art, Calcutta/Kolkata looms large over the Bengali psyche. But the vast majority of West Bengalis are not of the city of joy. In an electoral democracy, numbers matter.

Millions of rural and mofussil West Bengalis propped up the Left Front for over four decades, and in the past five years they have swung firmly behind Ms Banerjee. Why? What has been happening in district towns and urbanising villages around the state?

What are the views and aspirations of people there? l Jyoti Rahman is a political blogger. This article was previously published in jrahman. wordpress.com.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

‘I am not a talented artiste but I am a very hard-working person’ n Shadma Malik While most TV actors are eager to switch from the small screen to the silver screen, TV actor/director Mahfuz Ahmed has a different game plan. Mahfuz plans on directing films a few years down the line.

At present, he is shooting for Animesh Aich's film “Zero Degree” which will be released at the end of this year. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the actor to learn about his current ventures and preferences.

In an interview with the Dhaka Tribune, you quoted that acting and directing simultaneously can hamper your productivity. Did things change?

It is a very tough job to work as an actor and director at the same time. But with proper planning and utilisation of time, it is possible to juggle both. I would say that I am not a talented artiste but I am a very hard-working person and my experience in the industry has also helped me to manage both acting and directing.

includes the TV play “Settle Marriage.” In three other productions, I will work as both the director and an actor. The drama “Shurjaster Age” talks about hope, telefilm “Hello Bangladesh” is the story of an Australian immigrant who returns to Bangladesh in-order to explore her roots, “Settle Marriage” focuses on choosing the right partner and lastly, “Prem Jai Prem Ashe” is about love and relationships. To me, a lasting relationship is precious and I try to portray it in all my productions.

I am the brain behind most of the stories of my projects. Whenever I come up with an idea, I share it with the scriptwriters and they give me a proper format to work with. If I don't like something, I usually change it during shooting. This is how I maintain the essence of a story.

How do you juggle between personal and professional commitments?

To tell you the truth, my family is deprived of my company. I am so much into work that I don't even spend quality time with my son Marvin. I regret every moment.

Someday, I would make up for my absence and spend more time with my family. l

Tell us about the concept/story of your Eid specials.

My Eid project as a “director-only”

Monday, June 2, 2014

Bratya Boyan is on display at Gallery Jolrong n Entertainment Desk Ujjal Ghosh's solo painting exhibition “Bratya Boyan” is going on at the Gallery Jolrong. The display is the outcome of a month-long artistic project organised by the gallery. A former student of the Fine Arts department of the University of Dhaka, Ujjal's canvas dominates his philosophy in life.

His artworks portray his take on various subjects including the fluctuating state of affairs of the society, nature and the mystic life of bauls. His painting of Buddha in mediation is done to showcase the Ramu incident and other pieces on the display showcase portraits of people of all ages. The versatile artist is also displaying a few of his figurative artworks and the adept use of mediums including oil paint, water colour and pencil is visible in his artworks.

Born in 1985, in Pabna, Ujjal first acquired his artistic training from his parents and later went on to Dhaka University for further studies.

So far, the artist has participated in numerous

group exhibitions and workshops.

The exhibition will remain open till May 7. l

Razzak, Moushumi and Ferdous in a murder mystery

n Entertainment Desk Leading stars of the film industry, Razzak, Moushumi and Ferdous are set to share the screen in an upcoming flick “Mon Jane Na

Moner Thikana.” The muharat (official announcement) of the film was held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation yesterday. Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu and the cast/crew of the production was present at the programme.

Directed by Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar and produced by Impress Telefilms Ltd, the film also features newcomer Porimoni in a lead role. Here, she plays the role of twins. By chance, one of the twins witness a murder and the other one is accused of the crime in a false case designed by the actual criminals. Moushumi plays the lawyer who handles the case for the sisters and Ferdous makes a special appearance in the film.

Popular duo of the music industry, Habib and Nancy lent their voice in the playback titled “Bhalobeshe Kachhe Eshe Diyechho E Mon.” l

High Court stops TV channels from showing Salman Khan’s Hit-and-Run case n Entertainment Desk Television channels have been restrained by the Bombay high Court from telecasting any programme on the hit and run case involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan or publishing its contents on the Internet.

The order was passed by Justice S C Gupte on Salman’s application pleading that allegations made in the shows were defamatory and sought to “dramatise and sensationalise” the case in which he is being prosecuted.

The programme was first shown on May 21 on a news channel and its contents were submitted before the High court in a CD. The Bollywood actor has filed a suit against the defendants and also moved a notice of motion seeking a restraint order against the channels from repeating the controversial programme.

Salman’s lawyer Gaurav Joshi, argued that allegations would influence and prejudice the outcome of the case. He gave several instances of the “offending allegations” levelled in the programme against the plaintiff.

No lawyer appeared for the defendants despite being served with a copy of the suit, notice of motion and the application seeking a restraint order, Salman’s counsel said.

The Judge felt that the interest of justice would be served if the plaintiff (Salman) was asked to renew his application on June 2 with a fresh notice to the defendants. The Court has posted the matter for hearing on June 2 for ad-interim reliefs.

Salman is facing prosecution in the 2002 case in which he is alleged to have run his SUV over a group of people sleeping on a pavement at suburban Bandra, leaving one dead and four injured. l

Amitabh to star in Shamitabh n Entertainment Desk Jannatul Sumaiya Himi and Shahbaz Ahmed Moin declared the winners of the TV reality show ‘Rong RTV 20-20 Colours Model Search 2014.’ The grand finale was held at the Bengal Studio in the capital’s Tejgaon area on Saturday with a cultural programme featuring performances of singers Fahmida Nabi and Kona

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Of Man and Earth II Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Art Lounge, Gulshan Avenue, Rd-131, Circle -1,

Ultramarine

By Sultan Ishtiaque Time: 3pm – 8pm Alliance Française de Dhaka Lost in the Urban World Group art exhibition

Dhaka Art Center Dhanmondi 7/A Second Sight Time: 12pm – 8pm The Daily Star Centre, 64-65, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue

Steven Tyler turns street musician! n Entertainment Desk American rock star Steven Tyler took over a street musician's self-made instrument consisting of water-filled wine bottles to play in the streets of Helsinki on Saturday, performing Aerosmith's 1973 hit "Dream On." Tyler played a glass-bottle xylophone, a concoc-

tion made of bamboo, rope and some 20 wine bottles, which belongs to Russian street musician Fedor Grigorev, who regularly performs in the center of Helsinki.

While the veteran rocker seemed to enjoy his performance, the Finns were less impressed. The video Tyler posted on his Facebook site showed only a handful of people stopped to listen to the impromptu show. l

Director R Balakrishnan, fondly called Balki, has been busy filming his new project starring Amitabh Bachchan, but it is only now that he has revealed the title of the film - “Shamitabh.”

The movie, also starring Dhanush, marks the Bollywood debut of southern superstar Kamal Haasan’s daughter Akshara.

“We are happy to announce that the film is titled ‘Shamitabh.’ As in ‘SH’ before Amitabh. We are half way through the shoot of the film, so will finish and talk more about it.”

“Right now, I’m enjoying watching the lethal combo of the intensity of Amitabh Bachchan, the intelligence of Dhanush and the innocence of Akshara in action daily,” R Balki said in a statement.

The two had also worked together in films like “Cheeni Kum” and “Paa.” l

Neha Dhupia turns style director n Entertainment Desk Model turned actress Neha Dhupia, known for several hits in Bollywood has recently taken on the position of Limeroad Style Director.

Neha, the twitter face of the Wills India Fashion Week (Mar 2014), has been a part of the LimeRoad Style Council since 2013 and has now the core team to play a pivotal role as Style Director of India’s social shopping platform, building a strong community of women who love to play with products and style.

As the LimeRoad Style Director, Neha Dhupia will be responsible for sharing her own strong sense of style, and anchoring LimeRoad’s growing scrapbooking community into a space where fresh styles and trends come together to make product discovery for users an absolutely delight.

Neha Dhupia in her new role as a business woman said, “I always wanted to build something of my own and LimeRoad is my idea of a breakthrough company. Exclusive products shown through beautiful user generated scrapbooks streaming live on mobile, is one of a kind concept in India. I want every girl/woman across the country to find a platform to express their own personal style.

Nothing around me allows them to do

just that, like LimeRoad. This new role gives me the opportunity to interact with the community on a more personal level and encourage them to express their creativity.” l

Did you know?

Frank Lampard is one of only two players (along with Rooney) to score 10+ goals in 10 consecutive Premier League campaigns

Sport

Monday, June 2, 2014

10

DAYS TO GO

14 Brazil must erase 1950 heartache: Cafu

Selectors to put faith on limping Tigers

PROBABLE SQUAD Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Sohag Gazi, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Mushfiq signs for Prime Doleshwar The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) returned to its traditional form of player recruitment for the upcoming season bringing relief to the majority of the cricketers, including national captain Mushfiqur Rahim. The wicket-keeper-batsman informed that he will be playing for Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club in the forthcoming season.

“Obviously it feels good [to have the traditional recruitment system] and most importantly I am happy to be in Prime Doleshwar,” Mushfiq told the media yesterday.

“They (Prime Doleshwar) targeted

performers who played very well in the last one or two years. I hope we can have a great team spirit and put on a good show,” said the 25-year-old.

Mushfiq, who has agreed terms with Prime Doleshwar for Tk4.5m, however, is unhappy with the payment irregularities centering on the last edition of the DPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after a long-running dispute with the cricketers, introduced the ‘Players by Choice’ (players’ draft) system. However, eight months have elapsed since the season concluded and there are still several players who are yet to be paid by their clubs. Mushfiq expressed his disappointment over the issue and

said, “It is actually the responsibility of the clubs as they should pay the cricketers maintaining regularity. But as far I know, many cricketers are yet to receive their salary which is a bad sign.

But I hope the players will receive their payments and there is nothing more important than this.”

When queried about the probable recruitment of foreign cricketers in his side for the upcoming season, Mushfiq said, “It actually depends on who are free at that particular time. Last season Joshua Cobb and Dawid Malan played for Prime Doleshwar and did very well.

If they are free we will take the decision after talking with them.” l

BTV, Maasranga and Gazi TV reach consensus The uncertainty over the live broadcast of the 2014 FIFA World Cup has been settled after the issue earlier went to court.

Two local private television channels Gazi Television (GTV) and Maasranga TV along with state run television BTV can all run all of the upcoming World Cup matches.

Sony Television earlier signed a deal with a local consortium - Total Sports Marketing (TSM) but denied inking the final deal and was then taken to court

by TSM. “Sony Television honored the court order and that’s why we all can broadcast all the matches,” a senior official of the TSM consortium told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday evening. He added everything was settled but the final process would be completed in a meeting on Tuesday at Information Ministry.

A senior official of Maasranga TV also acknowledged the consensus but was unwilling to comment on it.

Earlier TSM who are partners with GTB signed a primary deal with Sony TV’s appointed agency, Seven3Sports on March 25 for $1.41m and paid 50% of the money immediately.

Soon after the deal was signed other Bangladeshi channels contacted Seven3Sports and they then demanded more than the already agreed contract and were then taken to court by GTV and TSM. Sources said all three parties will pay the same amount of money and can broadcast all 64 matches live.

But for the matches with time clashes the three parties will settle which match they air, sources informed.

Another source said Impress Telefilm bought a chunk of matches from Bangladesh Television (BTV).l

CUTE PREMIER HANDBALL

Narinda, Menzis title-decider today Narinda Pragati Boys and Menzis Krira Chakra will fight for the title of the Cute Premier Handball League at the Shahid (Capt.) M. Monsur Ali Handball Stadium today.

Sports secretary Nur Mohammed will distribute the prizes as the chief guest. Bangladesh Olympic Association treasurer and Mousumi Industries Ltd. director Kazi Razibuddin Ahmed Chapal will be gracing the occasion as special guests. l

15 Gulbis sends Federer crashing from French Open

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak is likely to reach Dhaka today and officially take charge as the bowling coach of the Bangladesh cricket team.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) roped in Streak for two years with the former Zimbabwean fast bowler contracted to work for a span of 450 days starting from June 2014-June 2016. Besides working with the national pacemen, Streak will also be responsible for consulting with the other BCB age-level teams.

“As far as I know, Heath Streak is on his way to Dhaka and will land here around 7:45pm on Monday (today),” said BCB media manager Rabeed Imam yesterday.

Streak’s first assignment with the national side will be the three-match ODI series at home against India. The short series is scheduled to begin on June 15 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Streak played 65 Tests and 189 ODIs scoring 4933 runs (1990 runs in Tests and 2943 runs in ODIs) and scalping 455 wickets (216 in Tests and 239 in ODIs) between 1993 and 2005. During his 13-year international career, Streak played six Tests and 10 ODIs against Bangladesh. He also featured in the Bangladesh domestic circuit for Abahani Limited in 2000 and 2001 in the Dhaka Premier League.

The 40-year-old ex-cricketer from Bulawayo also acted as Zimbabwe’s bowling coach for five years between 2009-2013.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is likely to take charge of the national team from June 10 while strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayan is scheduled to reach Dhaka within the next two-three days. l

another opportunity to exhibit his talent and seal the No. 3 spot in the Tigers’ 50-over side.

It will be Taskin Ahmed’s first call-up in the limited over squad and after an impressive debut in the T20s, it is very likely the rising fast bowler will also get the taste on ODI cricket though the pace department will be led by Mashrafe bin Mortaza alongside Al-Amin Hossain.

The Tigers will be relying heavily on star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan while the squad might also see two other left-arm spinners in Abdur Razzak and Arafat Sunny who produced some eye catching spells during his ODI debut in the Asia Cup in March.

Former vice captain Mahmudullah, who was not part of Tigers’ Asia Cup squad initially but came in as injured Sohag Gazi’s replacement, will also return to the national fold and he must make use of his call up to clear any doubt over his place in the side. l

the title last season but unluckily they could not win it. By the grace of the Almighty, we have a very good team this season but at the end of the day we have to play well in the field. Hopefully we will get full support from the club,” he added.

Mushfiq believes the blend of youth and experience will propel Prime Doleshwar to the title which eluded them last season as they finished runners-up.

“I hope the combination will work for us. We have Mehedi [Hasan], Mizanur [Rahman], Rony Talukdar, Mominul Haque, Elias Sunny and a few other youngsters and all are tested

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Streak sets foot in Dhaka today

Taskin lone rookie likely for India series The Bangladesh Cricket Board selection panel will keep faith and retain the existing set of national cricketers for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India despite the disastrous performance put in by the team in the opening quarter of this year, it was learnt from a close source.

It was also learnt that Nasir Hossain, Mominul Haque and Shamsur Rahman – who are currently in West Indies playing for the Bangladesh A team – will return after playing the second fourday match which ends on June 5. In that case Farhad Reza, Ziaur Rahman and Soumya Sarkar will be traveling to West Indies to replace the trio for the remainder of the tour.

According to the source, the selectors are reluctant to make any drastic change and wants the cricketers to play against the untested Indian side who will be touring without their regular skipper MS Dhoni and star batsman Virat Kohli.

The news might come as a relief for both Nasir Hossain and Shamsur Rahman as the duo struggled with the bat and failed consistently to put up a decent performance in the field during their last assignments. Meanwhile, for Mominul Haque – a bench warmer during the World Twenty20 – it will be

DHAKA TRIBUNE

An Indian kite maker arrange kites bearing pictures of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (R), Brazilian Neymar (C) and Argentine Lionel Messi at his shop in Kolkata yesterday AFP

Anderlecht trial for Badsha After Hemanta Vincent Biswas, Abahani’s juvenile defender Tutul Hossain Badsha is set to become the second player from Bangladesh to go for trial at a European club.

The under-17 national center back, who can also play as fullback, is likely to try his luck at Anderlecht, the current champion of Jupiler Pro League, also known as the Belgian Pro League.

Anderlecht, which has recently secured their third consecutive Belgian First Division title, is also the club where EPL giant Manchester United’s new Belgian sensation Adnan Januzaj and another EPL heavyweight Chelsea’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku spent a significant part of their youth career.

Bangladesh national team’s head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and assistant coach Rene Koster had earlier talked about the possibility of giving Badsha a trial in an European club before and the duo had been working as the bridge between the player and the club.

The trial will begin from July 21 this year and Badsha will leave for Anderlecht before that with the club bearing all his expenses. Badsha impressed and caught the attention of the Dutch coaches during the qualifiers of last year’s AFC U-19 Championship in Iraq.

After the end of the tournament, Rene Koster sent a video of Badsha’s performance to Anderlecht officials which was satisfactory enough for them to offer Badsha a chance for trial.

The Dutch coach confirmed the news saying, “I’m sure he (Badsha) can handle the level.”

Badsha emerged as a very promising talent in the Bangladesh Premier League at a very young age for four-time professional football champions Abahani Limited and had played in one game as substitute in the league this season.

The young defender was excited after he heard the news of his trial at Anderlecht. “It’s like a dream that I would play in Europe. The coaches took a signature of mine at the federation (BFF) one day and said they would try to give me a chance for trial in Europe. I’m really grateful to them,” said Badsha.

Earlier Mohammedan midfielder Hemanta became the first ever Bangladeshi player to go to a European club (FC Twente) for a trial. The youngster impressed the club but could not secure a deal due to some age issues. The Dutch coaches, however, said that they would try to manage another trial for Hemanta in Belgium or Greece. l

Uncertainty surrounding BFF concert Bangladesh Football Federation’s planned fund-raising concert at the Bangabandhu National Stadium may not see light due to unfavorable circumstances created by the negative attitude of the government.

BFF intended to host a grand concert under the theme of “Celebrating World Cup 2014” on June 21 to collect fund for its development program.

They also contacted Zero Degree, an event management firm to deal with the artists and the performers. However, BFF encountered strong resistance from Bangladesh Athletic Federation and a quarter of sport organizers who

raised their voice to stop non-sporting program in the coveted venue. Though the National Sports Council allotted the Big bowl to Bangladesh Cricket Board

We applied for the venue but had not received any feed-back from the government till date for holding a ICC World T20 celebration concert on April 14, now it has taken an evasive stance.

After its meeting a few days back,

the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Youth and Sports Ministry sent a recommendation to the sports ministry to not allow any non-sporting event like concert at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. It also recommended that the Bangabandhu National Stadium would be allowed to host only state programs along with the opening and the concluding ceremony of sporting events.

BFF general secretary Abu Naeem Shohag appeared upset. “We applied for the venue but had not received any feed-back from the government till date. There’s a lot of dilly-dallies in the process and when we ask the NSC secretary for any information, he says the

application is under process. Overall, I feel a negative atmosphere over our appeal in the NSC although they are yet to reject our application,” said Shohag.

Meanwhile, Shakil Mahmud Chowdhury, the CEO of Zero Degree said it would be impossible for him to keep the booking of the performers and new booking would not be possible if BFF suddenly gets the venue. “I have contacted Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chowhan, Honey Singh and others, and have paid money to their agents.

As the venue is still uncertain, I am afraid that I may have to incur a big loss. Observing the current scenario, I don’t think BFF will be able to organize the concert,” said Shakil.l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Evangelicals galore in Rio

Sport

Monday, June 2, 2014

Ghanaian defender Akaminko out

Costa hopeful of comeback

Hundreds of thousands of evangelical Christians held a “March for Jesus” Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, a show of their churches’ growing heft in the world’s largest Roman Catholic country. Dancing to Christian rock, gospel and hip-hop blasted from eight enormous sound trucks, participants flooded one of central Rio’s main avenues in a march that took its theme from the World Cup, which Brazil is hosting from June 12 to July 13. Police said 600,000 people joined the march.

–AFP

Striker Diego Costa is hopeful of playing some part in Spain’s friendly against El Salvador next weekend as he battles to be fit in time for the World Cup. The Atletico Madrid player, who has chosen to play for Spain ahead of his native Brazil, has been struggling with various muscle problems for the past two months. Despite concerns over his fitness he was included in coach Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man squad on Saturday. “I hope to have some minutes next week against El Salvador in Washington,” Costa said.

–Reuters

Ghanaian central defender Jerry Akaminko will miss the World Cup finals after breaking his left ankle during Saturday’s friendly with the Netherlands, the Ghanaian football federation announced on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who plays his club football for Eskisehirspor in Turkey, broke his ankle in the third minute of time added on in the match in Rotterdam which Ghana lost 1-0. Akaminko is due to be sidelined for at least three months. Ghana begin their campaign in Brazil on June 16 against USA in Natal.

–AFP

Probe exposes World Cup match-fix mess An confidential FIFA report raises concerns about World Cup match-fixing vulnerabilities just 12 days before the global football showdown kicks off in Brazil, the New York Times reported Saturday.

The newspaper obtained a copy of the 44-page internal report over incidents from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by football’s world governing body and other related documents raising issues of bettors influencing outcomes and referee honesty.

In a report on the newspaper’s website, the Times interviewed officials, referees, gamblers and others in South Africa, England, Malaysia, Singapore and Finland looking into issues that could compromisde the showcase event for FIFA, which is expected to receive about $4 million in revenue for sponsor deals, television rights and ticket sales from this year’s World Cup.

“Were the listed matches fixed? On the balance of probabilities, yes,” the previously unpublicized FIFA report said, according to the newspaper.

A match-rigging betting syndicate whose referees fixed exhibition matches and exploited them even made a death threat after one match against an official who tried to stop the fix, according to the Times.

In one cited example, Niger referee Ibrahim Chaibou brought a bag with thousands of dollars in $100 bills into a bank and made suspect hand ball calls later that night in an exhibition match between South Africa and Guatemala in May of 2010 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, according to another referee.

In all, fixers manipulated “at least five matches and possibly more” in South Africa ahead of the 2010 World Cup and targeted up to 15 matches, including a US-Australia fixture, according to the FIFA report obtained by the newspaper.

Such warm-up exhibitions for this year’s World Cup are being played this week, some of them in the US. l

Italy’s midfielder Riccardo Montolivo lies injured during the international friendly against Republic of Ireland at Craven Cottage in London on Saturday

Brazil must erase 1950 heartache: Cafu Cafu, captain of the last Brazil team to win the World Cup, has urged his compatriots to put to bed the nightmare of their 1950 loss to Uruguay this year.

The trauma of a 2-1 loss in the trophy match 64 years ago before a 200,000 crowd, hangs over Brazil as they target a sixth World Cup triumph.

Cafu, born Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, told AFP in an interview that only winning this time will finally slay the 1950 demons. Brazil open the tournament on home territory against Cro-

atia on June 12.

“If we do not win this World Cup then the spectre of 1950 will become that of 2014 and will haunt us until there is another World Cup here,” he insisted.

“And Brazil are used to being the team to beat,” said Cafu, who also played in the 2006 World Cup finals where they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.

“I do not think that the business of playing at home and the great expectations are a negative for the Selecao.

“Winning is always a great respon-

Modric, Mandzukic spearhead Croatia squad Croatia coach Niko Kovac on Saturday named his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals led by experienced stars like midfield magician Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Bayer Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatians kick off the tournament on June 12 against hosts Brazil in the opening match.

Since he had named a 30-man provisional squad in mid-May, Kovac had to rule out four injured internationals - QPR’s Niko Kranjcar, Hamburg duo Milan Badelj and Ivo Ilicevic and Ivan Strinic of Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

Young players such as Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Oliver Zelenika, currently on loan at Lokomotiva, as well as Rijeka midfielder Ivan Mocinic, both aged 21, have also found a place in the squad.

Kovac announced the squad after a friendly against Mali which Croatia won 2-1. The FIFA deadline for naming squads is Monday.

The Croatia squad includes two Brazilian-born players – forward Eduardo Silva of Shakhtar Donetsk and midfielder Sammir, both former Dinamo Zagreb key players.

Sammir, renowned for his off-the-

field antics, joined Spanish side Getafe this year.

The ‘Fiery Ones’ (Vatreni) were to leave for Brazil on Tuesday and will play their last World Cup warm-up match on June 6 against Australia. l

SQUAD

Goalkeepers Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov/RUS), Danijel Subasic (Monaco/FRA), Oliver Zelenika (Lokomotiva Zagreb) Defenders Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa/ITA), Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos/GRE), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS), Dejan Lovren (Southampton/ENG), Gordon Schindelfeld (Panathinaikos/GRE) Midfielders Luka Modric (Real Madrid/ESP), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla/ESP), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan/ ITA), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka), Sammir (Getafe/ESP) Forwards Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich/GER), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City/ENG), Ivica Olic (VfL Wolfsburg/GER), Eduardo Da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg/ GER), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina/ITA)

sibility for Brazil -- but that is the case at home and away,” said Cafu, now 43, who is acting as an ambassador for the World Cup. “When they play away there is already great pressure on them, so imagine here! It’s normal for there to be pressure on a team which has won the title five times.

“But as they didn’t manage to win in 1950 finally the pressure is rising.”

“All the teams can pose problems, all our rivals. You have to respect those who have already been world champions – England, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain and Italy, who can certainly cause problems.”

With social protests and strikes marring the final preparations for the World Cup, Cafu stresses social unrest is not just a Brazilian preserve.

“It’s not just Brazil – there are demonstrations and mobilisations the world over. There are even countries at war.

“In Brazil, there are democratic demonstrations over matters which are good for the country. But it is sure that Brazil is more exposed right now -- the whole world is watching Brazil and that provides an echo for these mobilisations.

Asked whether FIFA had been right to award the 2014 tournament to Brazil, Cafu said simply: “I don’t work for FIFA so I can’t answer that.” l

‘Japan has potential to win World Cup’ Japan playmaker Keisuke Honda believes the ‘Blue Samurai’ have the potential to pull off a huge upset in Brazil and win the World Cup. The AC Milan player is central to coach Alberto Zaccheroni’s attacking plans and is one of the surviving members of Japan’s 2010 World Cup campaign, when they advanced to the knockout stage only for the second time.

“I am very eager to surprise the world so we just (have to) believe in our style and ourselves. We will see at the World Cup,” the 27-year-old told Kyodo news agency when asked to reassert his earlier claim that Japan could go all the way.

“At this moment, we just need to progress. I don’t want to look back (over the last four years). I think the most important thing is how we spend time over the next two weeks, how we make a good atmosphere,” he said.

“We can do that. We have experienced players who can make it (a good atmosphere) and I am one of them so I have to do a lot of things in the next two weeks.”

The bleach-blond player also said he would approach the World Cup as if it was his last. l

Qatari paid millions for World Cup bid support A former top Qatari football official paid more than $5 million to get support for the tiny emirate’s controversial campaign to host the 2022 World Cup, a British newspaper alleged Sunday.

The Sunday Times said it had obtained millions of emails, documents and bank transfers relating to alleged payments made by Mohamed bin Hammam, who was then on the executive committee of FIFA, the sport’s global governing body.

It alleged that Bin Hammam, who is also a former Asian Football Confederation president, used slush funds to pay cash to top football officials to win a “groundswell” of support for Qatar’s World Cup bid.

Bin Hammam, who launched an abortive challenge against incumbent FIFA president Sepp Blatter, resigned from his FIFA and AFC posts in 2012, shortly before he was banned for life from football administration by FIFA’s ethics committee.

FIFA is investigating the 2010 vote that awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar and the 2018 tournament to Russia, following previous corruption accusations. l

AFP

Italy’s Montolivo breaks leg, Dutch edge Ghana Italy’s World Cup build-up suffered a major blow on Saturday when midfielder Riccardo Montolivo broke his leg against Ireland, while in other Brazil 2014 warm-ups Holland beat Ghana

RESULTS Netherlands Van Persie 5

Portugal Norway Konradsen 77

Croatia Perisic 15, 64

Algeria Belkalem 14, Ghilas 22, Slimani 41

Italy

1 0

Ghana

0 0 1 1

Greece

2 1 3 1 0 0

Russia Shatov 3

Mali Traore 79

Armenia Sarkisov 46

Ireland

and Greece held Portugal.

AC Milan captain Montolivo was injured in the early stages of the friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage following a crunching tackle from Ireland defender Alex Pearce. Skippering Italy on the night he needed several minutes of treatment and was seen mouthing “it’s broken” before eventually being carried off.

GREAT WORLD CUP SHOCKS

“Montolivo has what we suspected, a broken tibia,” Italy physician said.

“I haven’t seen the X-ray yet to evaluate the extent of it but for a broken bone you can expect surgery.”

Montolivo played seven times in Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign and had been expected to be a key member of the team in Brazil.

To make matters worse for Italian coach Cesare Prandelli, he also saw Fiorentina midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who had come on for Montolivo, forced off with an injury before half-time.

In Rotterdam, Holland continued their build-up to the finals with a 1-0 win over fellow Brazil-bound Ghana, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie’s fifth minute goal proving decisive.

In Lisbon, Portugal, without injured star striker Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh), Pepe and Raul Meireles, played out a goalless draw with Greece.

Croatia tuned up for their clash with hosts Brazil in the World Cup curtain-raiser with a 2-1 win over Mali, while in Oslo Fabio Capello’s Russia were held 1-1 by Norway. Elsewhere, Algeria saw off Armenia 3-1 and Bosnia Herzegovina beat Ivory Coast 2-1 with Man City striker Edin Dzeko responsible for both of Bosnia’s goals. l

Episode

6

Gerry Armstrong scores the all-important goal against Spain in the 1982 Fifa World Cup

Northern Ireland 1 Spain 0 (1982) Unfancied Northern Ireland crashed Spain’s World Cup fiesta, beating the hosts 1-0 through a Gerry Armstrong goal early in the second-half. Spain could not even take advantage of their opponents being reduced to 10 men for the final half hour as defender Mal Donaghy was sent off. Northern Ireland went through to the quarter-finals but their adventure ended there while ironically Armstrong earned a move to Spanish side Real Mallorca. Armstrong told the BBC in 2008 that the win that night had given hope to the ‘minnows’ of world football. “I think it’s a great inspiration for smaller nations who have a bond like we had and can also achieve success if they’re organised.”

–AFP

Gerry Armstrong celebrates with Billy Bingham after beating Spain at the 1982 World Cup

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Monday, June 2, 2014

QUICK BYTES

BD U-19 v MPCA U-19

Rain forces dull draw

Atletico’s Villa set for New York City FC Spain striker David Villa bade farewell to Atletico Madrid on Sunday saying he had received an “irresistible” offer -reportedly a transfer to New York City FC. “This is another very big challenge for me in my career and my life in general,” Villa, 32, said in a video posted on Atletico’s website. He did not mention details of the next step but various media were linking him to the US side. Villa joined Atletico from Barcelona at the start of last season and helped them to their first league victory in 18 years. Atletico also came within 90 seconds of winning the Champions League final on May 24 before their rivals Real Madrid scored a dramatic equaliser and won 4-1 in extra time. Villa is the top scorer in Spain’s national team and has been called up to the squad for this month’s World Cup in Brazil.

–AFP

Marquez wins thriller to record perfect six Spanish world champion Marc Marquez made it six wins from six races this season after claiming victory in the Italian MotoGP in thrilling style at Mugello on Sunday. The 21-year-old Honda rider, who has also recorded six successive pole positions this season, edged out compatriot and two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha after an engrossing duel for over half the race. Marquez finally got the better of Lorenzo, who has had a miserable season up till this race, going into the final lap while Lorenzo’s team-mate, 35-year-old Italian great Valentino Rossi, took third spot in what was his 300th Grand Prix and the 187th time he has finished on the podium.For the second successive race Marquez got a poor start and was passed by Andrea Iannone, who set a new official top speed record for the MotoGP World Championship during practice on Saturday, clocking 349.6km/h (217.2 mph), and Lorenzo on the first bend.

–AFP

Hodgson welcomes Lambert’s Liverpool switch

England manager Roy Hodgson has publicly given his backing to striker Rickie Lambert’s impending transfer from Southampton to Liverpool. Lambert, 32, underwent a medical examination in Liverpool on Saturday with a view to a move that will reportedly cost an initial £4 million ($6.7 million, 4.9 million euros), rising to £9 million with add-ons. A former Liverpool trainee, Lambert has emerged as an important squad player for England since scoring against Scotland with his first touch as an international footballer in a friendly last year. He is a member of the 23-man World Cup squad that will fly to Miami on Sunday for a pre-tournament training camp and Hodgson said that his move to Anfield would be good news for the national side.

–AFP

Bale scores legions of fans in Indonesia Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale wooed hundreds of Indonesian fans on Sunday in a personal promotional tour of Jakarta on the back of his team’s Champions League glory. Fans cheered wildly as the Welshman kicked a soccer ball from a stage into a crowd of around 1,000 at the massive Gelora Bung Karno sports stadium in the Indonesian capital.

He thanked the crowd for turning out and said it was “an honour to be invited” to the event. “Hopefully a lot of young people in the crowd here today can work hard, practise football and be a professional one day,” he said. Bale is enjoying a boost to his fame following Real’s win in last Saturday’s Champions League final, in which he scored a crucial goal in extra time to defeat Atletico Madrid. His performance was widely seen as vindication for Real, which reportedly paid a world-record 100 million euros ($136.3 million) to have the player transferred from Tottenham. British media reported that Bale would receive about 2.5 million pounds ($4.2 million) for the two-day Indonesian tour and would be “treated like royalty” in Indonesia.

–AFP

KKR players celebrate after winning the final match of the Pepsi Indian Premier League Season 2014 against Kings Xi Punjab in Bangalore yesterday

Pandey fires KKR to second title n Agencies

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab in a thrilling final to lift the IPL trophy for the second time in Bangalore yesterday. While the homeboy Manish Pandey scored a magical 94 in chase, it was Piyush Chawla who stole the show, game and more importantly the IPL trophy from KXIP. Chasing a huge total of 199 in the final, KKR lost the Orange Capper Robin Uthappa in the first over. But Gautam Gambhir immediately took control of the inning to up the ante.

Making sure they remain in the hunt to lift the IPL trophy for the second time, KKR scored 48 in the first five over of their chase. The Gambhir-Pandey duo brought up KKR’s fifty in the sixth over. In the same over, these two completed their fifty run partnership after losing Uthappa early.

But KKR’s joy was immediately put to an end by Karanveer Singh on the first ball of the seventh over when he dismissed Gautam Gambhir. Pandey and Yusuf Pathan though did not bog

Flintoff warms-up with club treble Andrew Flintoff prepared for his anticipated Lancashire comeback by taking three wickets for his old club side on Saturday.

Lancashire announce that the 36-year-old all-rounder was back in their Twenty20 squad five years after the former England captain’s injury-induced retirement. And ahead of his expected return to county duty in Lancashire’s Twenty20 clash at home to arch-rivals Yorkshire at Old Trafford this coming Friday, Flintoff took three for 26 in 12 overs, including five maidens for St Annes against Penrith in the Northern League.

He fared less well with the bat, managing just two but St Annes, chasing 133 for victory, still won by two wickets.

Flintoff told his Twitter followers: “Loving my day - 11 (sic) overs and great fun. Had a bit if help from Watty the keeper for my first wicket, still not sure it carried.” l

down. Manish Pandey being the chief attacker. He completed his half-century and brough up team’s hundred in the 11th over.

Yusuf who joined Pandey had his feel of hitting sixes and he did well in his 36 off 22 balls. But he could not continue longer and fell prey to Karanveer Singh. In came Shakib and he dazzzled but just briefly as George Bailey pulled off another brilliant run-out following his jaw-dropping stuff to run-out in the previous game.

Manish Pandey though continued his blitz as he attacked Karanveer Singh in the 17th over. But call it nervous nineties or just the pressure of final getting better off him. He got out on a superb 94. The match tilted heavily in favour of KXIP as KKR lost too many wickets in cluster.

In the final 2 overs, KKR needed 15 runs to win. Johnson bowled a brilliant 19th over untill the Piyush Chawla hit the six that changed the game on the final ball of the penultimate. The six turned the mathc in the favour of KKR. While Awana bowled two good deliveries giving away just a single at the start of the final over, he could not hold his

nerve any further and bowled full-toss that Piyush Chawla dispatched for a boundary to give KKR a stunning win helping them secure their second IPL trophy.

BRIEF SCORE Kings XI Punjab 199/4 in 20 overs (Saha 115*, Vohra 62; Chawla 2-44, Shakib 0-26) Kolkata Knight Riders 200/7 in 19.3 overs ( Manish Pandey 94, Yusuf Pathan 36, Karanveer 4-54, Johnson 2-41) Kolkata Knight Riders won by 3 wickets Earlier, put in to bat first, Kings XI Punjab were powered to 199 by Wridhiman Saha’s breathtaking hundred. The opening pair of Sehwag and Manan Vohra made a positive start scoring 9 off first over.

The first 5 balls of the 2nd over bowled by Umesh Yadav could only fetch two runs for KXIP. But Vohra hit a boundary on the final ball of the second over to keep KXIP run-rate above 7 run/over. Morkel then bowled a six-run third over.

But KKR found real succeess when Umesh Yadav dismissed the last match centurian Virender Sehwag in the fourth over. KKR struck quickly in the 6th over when Sunil Narine castled George Bailey who promoted himself up the order only to get out for 1 Vohra and Saha started to rebuild their inning as they targetted Piyush Chawla in the 8th over to bring up KXIP’s fifty.

But KKR quickly tightened the screws to push back KXIP run-rate under six once again, By the end of 10 over, KXIP were 58/2.

For KXIP’s good fortune, Wridhiman Saha cut loose and took liking to Chawla’s bowling smashing 2 sixes in the 12th over he bowled. Vohra, at the other end, made sure to rotate the strike and give Saha the optimal change to bat.

The duo brought up KXIP’s hundred and their respective half-centuries in the 14th over as they smashed Narine all-round the park for runs.

Kolkata Knight Riders made no changes to the team that beat KXIP in the qualifier 1. KXIP, on the othe hand, brought in more experienced Laxmipathy Balaji in place of young-Sandeep Sharma. l

Gulbis shocks Federer in French Open n AFP, Paris

Ernests Gulbis condemned Roger Federer to his worst French Open defeat in a decade on Sunday as Novak Djokovic remained calmly on course for a maiden Roland Garros title.

Gulbis, the controversial Latvian, beat the fourth seeded 2009 champion 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 as Federer, 32, suffered his earliest loss in Paris since 2004 when he was demolished in the third round by Gustavo Kuerten.

Gulbis, the 18th seed, was a break ahead in the first set at 4-2 before Federer retrieved it in the seventh game.

The Latvian was also a mini-break to the good in the tiebreaker but still could not convert.

After surrendering the advantage of an early break again in the second set, Gulbis was warned for breaking his racquet by stamping it into the Paris dirt.

However, his pressure on Federer eventually yielded rewards in the second set tiebreak and then in a one-sid-

ed third set.

Eighth seed Milos Raonic became just the fourth Canadian man in history -- and first in the Open Era -- to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final when he defeated Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Berdych made the quarter-finals for the second time with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over 10th seed John Isner who was bidding to become the first American to reach the last eight since Andre Agassi in 2003.

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray battled to a four-hour 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 12-10 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber to reach the fourth round.

The British seventh seed, who next faces Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco, had been level at 7-7 with the German 28th seed when the match was halted on Saturday night.

When the pair reappeared, Murray squandered a match point at 9-8 but wrapped up the match in the 22nd game of the decider in a clash which

Ernests Gulbis reacts after winning his men’s singles match against Federer REUTERS featured 18 breaks of serve and 123 unforced errors.

The 30-year-old Verdasco, seeded 24, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over France’s 12th seed Richard Gasquet. l

Zimbabwe ‘A’ squad declared for Bangladesh tour n Cricinfo Batsman Mark Vermeulen, whose career has been troubled by off-field incidents, has been picked in Zimbabwe’s A squad for the tour to Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe A are scheduled to play two four-day and three one-day games during the trip, but the final schedule will be announced at a later date.

Zimbabwe A squad for four-dayers

Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Michael Chinouya, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Timycen Maruma, Shingi Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Brighton Mugochi, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Raymond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Donald Tiripano, Mark Vermeulen, Malcolm Waller

Additions for one-dayers

Sikandar Raza (for Mark Vermeulen), Joylord Gumbie (for Roy Kaia), Tafadzwa Kamungozi (for John Nyumbu), Neville Madziva (for Michael Chinouya), Forster Mutizwa (for Malcolm Waller) l

BD U17s concede good position The Bangladesh Under-17 cricket team were all out for 327 in the first innings of their three-day match against Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) U-17 in Indore yesterday.

Replying to the visitors’ 327, MPCA U-17 were batting on 102 for the loss of two wickets in 38 overs before stumps were drawn signalling the end of the second and penultimate day’s play.

Following the conclusion of the second day, the hosts were trailing Bangladesh U-17 by 225 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh U-17, resuming on their overnight score of 233/4, lost their last six wickets for the addition of 94 runs. Shafiul Hayet top-scored with 89 runs while Jaker Ali Manik chipped in with 67.

Nitin Yadav was the most successful bowler for the home side taking 3/58 while Ritik Diwan and Nikhil Sikarwar scalped two wickets each. l

Army, Ansar claim men’s, women’s boxing titles

DAY’S WATCH Neo Sports 3:00PM French Open, 4th Round, Day 2 Women’s & Men’s Singles Ten Sports Hockey World Cup 2014 5:00PM Australia v Spain 8:00PM England v India

BCCI

The first four day game between Bangladesh U-19 and Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) U-19 ended in a draw at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday.

Only 74 overs of play was possible on the final day due to rain and bad light. Resuming the fourth day on 193 for 3, Bangladesh scored 352 runs for six wickets before declaring the innings after the 132nd over.

Overnight batsmen Zakir Hossain and skipper Mehedi Hasan propelled the innings further as Zakir went on to score 110 runs off 290 balls with nine fours and a six. Mehedi, on the other hand, scored a patient 88 runs off 212-ball deliveries which contained six boundaries and two sixes.

Mohammed Saifuddin was unbeaten on 64 runs when the declaration was made.

Ashwin Das and Rahul Batham picked up two wickets each for MPCA U-19.

In reply the visitors were at 65 for three in their second innings when rain forced the umpires to remove the bails after 27th over. Number-three batsman Nitish Lashkari was unbeaten on 20.

The second four-day match of the series will begin on June 5 at BKSP 3 ground. l

Winners of the men’s and women’s boxing championship pose with the chief guest at the Muhammad Ali Boxing Stadium yesterday

Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Ansar emerged as the champions of the men’s and women’s event respectively in the Walton National Senior Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championship at the Muhammdad Ali Boxing Stadium yesterday.

The Army boxers claimed seven gold and one silver medal to top the medals table while Ansar clinched three gold, three silver and three bronze medals to finish runners-up. Bangladesh Police finished third and BGB finished fourth.

However, the female boxers of Ansar reigned supreme in their section win-

ning four gold and one bronze medal.

Police won one silver and three bronze medals and finished runners-up in the women’s section.

Al Amin (64kg) of Bangladesh Army and Sweety (50Kg) of Bangladesh Ansar were adjudged the best boxers of the meet.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mosihur Rahman Ranga, distributed prizes as the chief guest. Boxing federation vice president Sheikh Md. Maruf Hasan, general secretary MA Quddus Khan and additional director of Walton, AFM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn were also present on the occasion. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Monday, June 2, 2014

Why is digging always during the monsoon?

15 expats held with 2.5kg gold at the Dhaka airport n Kailash Sarkar

City corporation’s failure to meet deadlines compounds commuter woes “Work began in February but could not n Abu Hayat Mahmud be completed because of shortage of Utility service providers of different government agencies are carrying out excavation works on different roads in the capital in violation of city corporation rules, increasing the sufferings of residents in the process.

Officials of two city corporations in Dhaka said according to the rules, all the work should have been over by May 15 and would only resume from October so that people, especially commuters, do not suffer when it rains.

Oddly enough, city corporation and other government service providers only seem to get busy as soon as the rainy season sets in.

A number of roads and walkways in Dhaka have become unusable as different public service providers are separately excavating them. Soil, garbage, brick chips, sand and other construction materials have occupied a large part of the roads.

The DNCC has excavated Airport road in Banani, Panthapath road near Bashundhara City and several roads in Mirpur to lay pipes for a storm drain system.

The excavation work, which began in February, was part of a plan for infrastructural development and beautification of the capital ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. The Local Government Division is implementing the Tk115 crore project, with Tk92 crore coming from government funds and the rest from DNCC funds. On January 19, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project.

A city corporation official said the development work had to continue during monsoon because of lack of an effective plan from the top authorities and also the negligence on the part of city corporation authorities and contractors.

Brig Gen Md Abul Khair, chief engineer of DNCC, told the Dhaka Tribune:

High Court to probe Hasina’s comment on its order n Nazmus Sakib A High Court bench has said the court will investigate whether the prime minister’s Saturday’s remark that she does not care if the court considers contemptuous her comment censuring its order to arrest three RAB officials on seven murders in Narayanganj.

A daily report yesterday quoted Hasina as saying: “When we were still investigating the matter … and before that investigation was complete … you tell us how come a High Court bench orders arrest of the three [Rab officers] ?…

Now if you want any evidence, seek it from the judges of that court.”

She continued, “When we struggle to take one step, some of them there take two/four steps and create such a situation that does not allow conducting a probe properly. “The Premier also said, “What?

Scared? Will it warrant contempt [proceedings]? Doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”

Supreme Court lawyer Tamzida Mila informed the bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Khurshid Alam Sarkar about the report yesterday.

She also started reading out the report before the bench, but before she finished it, Justice Mirza Hussain asked her to submit it. After she submitted it, she asked the court about the report around 2pm, when the bench said, “We are looking into and we will look into.”

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, the lawyer said he had drawn the attention of the court on the prime minister’s reported comment because such a comment might encourage others to ignore the High Court order.

“It is up to the bench whether it will issue any order on the comment or it will not,” she said, adding: “I did not ask the court to initiate contempt proceedings as the court will then ask me to file a petition.” l

time.”

“Before the world cup, we only completed the beautification work, and we also temporarily suspended development work because of the sporting event,” he said, adding that work had since resumed.

“All the excavation work should have been over by May 15 but we failed to meet the deadline. We hope it would be complete by this month.”

Meanwhile, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) could not finish installation of water and sewer lines in Tejgaon industrial area, Indira road, Pallabi and Dhanmondi residential area before the monsoon either.

Neither Dhaka Wasa Managing Director Taqsem A Khan nor Deputy Managing Director (operation and maintenance) SDM Kamrul Alam Chowdhury could be reached over phone.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited is also digging different roads in the city for laying optical fibre cables.

Meanwhile, city dwellers said such excavation and development work, particularly during the rainy season, leads to problems for both pedestrians and vehicles, contributing often to tailbacks in the city.

Shafiqul Islam, a resident of Banani, said: “Digging roads during the monsoon has become a common practice in the country. I do not understand why they always do it right when it is rainy season.”

“We suffer on rainy days because of this excavation. Sometimes pedestrians slip and fall into potholes,” said Rahima Begum, who lives in Green Road.

Ashoke Madhab Roy, additional secretary for the urban development wing of the Local Government Division, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We do not set the deadline for any development work.

The city corporation is the authority here.” l

Digging roads by utility service providers during the monsoon has become a most common practice, much to the sufferings of pedestrians. The photo was taken at the capital’s Banani yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka yesterday arrested 15 Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arab with 22 gold-bars weighing around 2.5kg of gold minutes after their arrival at the airport.

Alamgir Hossain Shimul, additional superintendent of the APbn, told the Dhaka Tribune that they arrested the Saudi expatriates with 22 gold bars at 7pm while they were leaving the airport evading customs duties.

“They arrived in Dhaka by two separate flights of the Saudi Arabian Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the gold bars were seized by searching their bodies while departing the airport”, said the APBn official.

Apart from those 15 Saudi expatriates arrested yesterday, 13 other Saudi expatriates had been arrested with 3.1kg of gold on Saturday and eight more on May 25 with 1.6kg of gold.

When asked, the APBn official said all the 36 expatriates were arrested for carrying the gold without paying the duties at the customs.

According to sources at the airport, around 40 expatriates were arrested in the last five days for smuggling of gold and carrying gold, evading customs duties.

However, mysteries shroud over how the expatriates could cross the checking by the personnel of the custom department inside the airport.

In a reply, the APBn official declined to comment on how the expatriates could be able to cross the customs checking.

Airport sources said the expatriates are used to evading the customs duties by managing the customs officials somehow.

According to sources, smuggling of gold through the airports is an open secret and it has intensified since last one year when the Indian government imposed some restrictions on the import of gold.

The sources also said around 60 rings used to smuggle in and out of gold, diamond, various precious metals and stones, currencies and other items through the airport. All the rings are aided by a section of corrupt officials and employees of different agencies at the airports.

There had been records of the seizures of 124kg and 109kg of gold in two separate hauls at the Dhaka airport. l

Half of all medical, dental colleges unapproved n Moniruzzaman Uzzal Around 50% medical and dental colleges in the country are not recognised by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), even though most of them have been operating for many years.

According to the Health Ministry, the number of government-approved medical and dental colleges currently stands at 124, with only 63 of those public and private colleges having the necessary approval from the BMDC. The rest, however, continue to carry out their activities ignoring the existing rules.

ABM Abdul Hannan, director (medical education and manpower development) of the health directorate, told the Dhaka Tribune that a medical or dental college must have the approval of three bodies: Health Ministry, the university concerned, and the BMDC. Running operations without the approval of the BMDC would be illegal, Hannan said, but added that it was the BMDC who were the designated organisation to oversee the issue.

The BMDC Act 2010 dictates that a medical or dental college can admit students after getting primary and administrative approval from the Health Ministry, as well as securing permission from the university concerned.

However, in a bid to get the BMDC’s approval, the college must submit a list to the council within the next couple of months, containing details about its admitted students, infrastructure, manpower, laboratory and other facilities.

According to the Private Medical and Dental College Establishment Policy, a 50-seat medical college applying for approval must have a 250-bed hospital that has been operative for at least two years, as well as have 75% patient occupancy at the time of application. The college must also ensure certain facilities in terms of infrastructure, equipment, the number of departments, doctors, nurses, supporting staff and laboratories.

The policy also suggests that a medical or dental college, after getting permission, has to ensure adequate accommodation facilities for students in line with the BMDC act.

Dr Zahedul Hoque Basunia, registrar of the BMDC, told the Dhaka Tribune that the council does not recognise any public or private medical college until a BMDC committee inspects the college and makes sure that it fulfilled all requirements.

However, the process takes a long time to be completed, as most medical or dental colleges delay filing the necessary paperwork, while a detailed scrutiny by the BMDC team usually takes around two years, he added.

Seeking anonymity, a senior official of the Bangladesh Private Medical College Association, however, said it was not the fault of the colleges alone; the BMDC too has to take a share of the blame as it cannot inspect colleges regularly because of manpower shortage.

Documents show that among the country’s 124 medical and dental colleges, 67 were private medical colleges and 19 were private dental colleges.

Among the private sector colleges, the approvals of 13 colleges currently remain suspended.

Ministry sources said former health

minister AFM Ruhal Hoque gave administrative approval to 14 colleges just before the end of his tenure; but those approvals were suspended by incumbent Health Minister Mohammed Nasim based on corruption allegations.

Several probe committees were formed

A medical or dental college has to ensure adequate space for students to look into the graft claims, while one of the suspended colleges – Advocate Abdul Hamid Medical College – was later given conditional approval.

On the other hand, senior officials of the Health Ministry said although a total of 29 public medical colleges have so far been approved, six of them – Manikganj, Sirajganj, Patuakhali, Rangamati, Jamalpur and Tangail – would only start admitting students from the upcoming academic session. l

MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGES WITHOUT RECOGNITION OF BMDC Existing Unrecognised Public medical college

29

14

Private medical college

67

28

Public dental college

9

8

Private dental college

19

11

Total

124

61

Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

An archaeological monument dating back to king, Motok, lies uncared for and unguarded at Kodomshohor village in Rajshahi’s Godagari as the Department of Archaeology has done nothing to protect and preserve it except for putting up a signboard. Locals say some precious stone artifacts have already been stolen due to lack of any effective measure AZAHAR UDDIN

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

B3 Britain’s zero-hour

contracts eyed by other countries

B4 More bonds, varieties to make debt market vibrant: Kothari

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

CPD suspects huge capital flight in FY14 n Kayes Sohel A substantial amount of capital flight might have taken place from the country in the first nine months of the current fiscal year as reflected by abnormal jump of imports in few items.

The money laundering would have taken place through misinvoicing as Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a civil society think-tank, spoke of the apprehension at a briefing on Bangladesh Economy in FY2014 in Dhaka yesterday.

They examined the detailed import shipment data for the July-March period and compared it to the figures of the consecutive period of last fiscal and found the recent rise in imports at a more disaggregated level.

Seventeen items accounted for about 40% of the total imports and 93.5% of incremental growth during the period this fiscal year.

Import of tanks, casks, drums cans or iron/steel (50-300 litre) stood at $329m, which was only $1m a year ago, according to the CPD report.

Transporter cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes and overhead traveling cranes was of $466m as compared to only $7m in the previous fiscal year and, aeroplanes and other aircraft of an unladen weight (2,000kg) was $326m, which was $2m, it said.

“There is a possibility of illicit finan-

Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Dr Mustafizur Rahman addresses a press briefing in the city yesterday cial outflow from the country as the import growth is abnormal on items having low or zero duty,” said CPD Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman while addressing the briefing.

He urged the Bangladesh Bank and National Board of Revenue to scrutinise the matter.

Three of the 17 items which include tanks, casks, drums, cans, made of

NASHIRUL ISLAM

steel or iron (50-300 litre), different types of cranes and aeroplanes and other aircarft6s, contributed about 73% of the incremental growth in imports during the period, the report said.

It said data received from Bangladesh Bank shows that these crane items were imported from France in the month of March 2014, which accounted for about $433m.

“Import of such a large amount of cranes in a single month warrants a double check,” the CPD said, adding that such exception pattern of import figures will call for appropriate scrutiny on the part of the NBR. Costumes duty on crane product was only 2%; on aeroplanes and other aircrafts, it was zero.

According to a recent report of Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a Washington-based research and advocacy organisation, the annual average money laundering through manipulation of commercial invoices hit $1.2bn during a period between 2002 and 2011 in Bangladesh.

The figure of trade misinvoicing was slightly down from $1.4bn estimated between 2001 and 2010.

Trade misinvoicing involves the deliberate manipulation of commercial invoices in order to misreport the value of a transaction, thereby illegally shifting money across international borders without detection.

According to the report, cumulative amount of illegally siphoning off money stood at over $11bn during the period and over $1.7bn was drained out of Bangladesh in 2011. l

FBCCI: Bangladesh may offer special zone for Chinese investors

BUET experts find 2 RMG factories risky for operation

n Tribune Business Desk

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Bangladesh would offer either an industrial park or a special economic zone for Chinese investors during business leaders’ coming visit to China, FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said yesterday.

“Invest and develop your industries here. We promise we’ll give you an industrial park or a special economic zone,” he told a press conference at FBCCI conference room. “We’ll tell them that Bangladesh is a safe destination for investment.”

He hinted that there might be a positive outcome over a deep seaport to be built at Sonadia Island near Cox's Bazar during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming China visit, reports UNB. The PM is scheduled to fly to China on June 6 on a five-day official visit while FBCCI delegation, led by its President, will go to China on June 4.

China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a subsidiary of stateowned China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), has shown interest in financing and constructing the port, which would boost the country's GDP growth by 2%.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) arranged the press conference

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) experts have identified two apparel factories as structurally flawed and risky after safety assessment.

They are Hema Sweater in Tongi and Crystal Apparel in Mohakhali. Of them, Crystal Apparel was already closed as the building that housed it was found faulty during an Accord inspection earlier. Accord inspected other three factories in the building used by its signatories. The inspection review panel will decide on Hema Sweater only.

For another 25 factories the BUET team recommended detailed engineering assessment. The factories may need some retrofitting works, the experts said.

The recommendations were made on a report submitted by the BUET inspection team to the Department of Factory Inspection and Establishment (DFIE) after inspection of 252 factories.

“The BUET team has red marked two factories and the review panel will sit tomorrow (today) to take decision on Hema Sweater. Other factory has been already been closed after Accord inspection,” Syed Ahmed, Inspector General of DFIE, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed speaks at a pess conference in Dhaka yesterday to brief media about their recent Japan visit.

Responding to a question, the FBBCI President said he would attend China-South Asia Business Forum and China-South Asia Expo in Kunming where they would discuss issues relating to investment and expansion of trade between the two countries.

“We’ll also have a meeting with business leaders in Beijing,” Kazi Akram said. The FBCCI President said Bangladesh’s export might reach $50bn

within a year if Bangladesh can grab 10% share of Japan’s total import.

BGMEA President Atiqul Islam, addressing the press conference, said Japan imports apparels worth about $32bn. “It’s a huge … Japan imports only 1.77% of its total apparel import from Bangladesh.”

He said: “We told them to import more from Bangladesh and take it to 10% to minimise the huge trade gap (almost 50%) that remains in favour of Japan.” l

700 band spectrum auction on cards n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The telecom regulator has formed a special committee to prepare auction for 700 band spectrums, which is planned to be made available for the mobile phone operators by 2016.

The committee was formed at a meeting of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) last week, as part of a draft roadmap to sell out the most valuable spectrum as of now.

Roadmap formulation committee convener ATM Monirul Alam, who is

also the commissioner of spectrum management division, has been made chief of this committee.

Telecom experts said the government could earn more revenue than any other spectrum as the 700 band covers more people than other band spectrums. This band is cost-effective for the operators.

This band also efficiently transmits internet services, and that is why it is called ‘‘digital dividend band”.

In September last year, BTRC made an auction for 2100 band spectrums

where per megahertz spectrum price was fixed at $21m plus 15% vat. And the government had earned more than Tk4,055 crore.

In November 2011, the regulator sold spectrums at Tk155 core per megahertz from 800 and 1800 bands, official sources said. That time, the government earned another Tk3,000 crore.

Other members of the committee are director general (Spectrum) Brig.

General Md Wahid-Uz-Zaman, DG (legal) AKM Shahiduzzaman, director (spectrum) Lt. Col. Mohammad Sajjad

Hossain, director (finance) Ashis Kumar Kundu, director (System & Service) Md Monirul Islam, director (legal) Tareq Hasan Siddiqui and five other officials.

The committee will present a draft guideline about the auction.

By then, BTRC will engage a consultant for spectrum management and the committee would take assistance from the consultant too, committee sources said. Mobile phone operators praised the decision as they earlier sent a proposal to the regulator to declare a schedule for the auction. l

Breeders Association places budget demands n Tribune Business Desk Breeders Association of Bangladesh submitted five-point proposals before the Finance Minister for his consideration in the next fiscal year’s budget, including extension of the tax holiday facility for the poultry sector up to 2025 from.

A delegation of the association, a platform of the businesspeople involved in poultry breeding and hatching industry, placed the demands before AMA Muhith at his secretariat office in Dhaka yesterday, reports UNB. The proposals are aimed at saving

the sector alongside attracting more investment, the association said.

Association Secretary General Saidur Rahman Babu led the delegation.

Their demands also include fixing the bank interest rates of all public and private banks for the poultry sector at 9%, allowing feed meals under the tax holiday schemes as in the past and non-enforcement of 16 CCC of the Finance Act in this sector.

The association demanded the government take strong steps so that the local companies do not face setback

amid aggression by foreign companies, formulating a policy to make mandatory the foreign companies to invest about 90-95% of their profits in the country instead of taking back their profit abroad, making it mandatory for the foreign companies to take local companies as partners while making investment in Bangladesh and not imposing VAT on collected agriculture produces.

Rationalising their demands, the Breeders Association of Bangladesh said the sector having an investment of about Tk25,000 crore with some 70 lakh people directly involved in it are

passing a tough time as the poultry farm owners had to incur continuous losses due to political instability for the last couple of months alongsideuncertainty in the transport sector.

Emerging from the meeting, Kazi Zahedul Hasan, managing director of the Kazi Farms Limited, told UNB that the Finance Minister gave them a patient hearing and assured them of considering their demands. l

In November last year, the team started inspections to 1,500 factories in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to improve factory safety in Bangladesh.

“Through the inspections, we have been able to identify the fault of RMG factories and can decide how to take initiatives to make the buildings safer,” said Syed Ahmed.

“As per BUET recommendations, we have directed 10 factories to improve safety measures. Follow-up will also be done to see if they have improved or not.”

Commenting on fire and electrical safety, Ahmed said electrical wires in the factories have not been set up in a planned way while the stare cases are not spacious enough to exit safely during emergency.

After Rana Plaza disaster last year, the European retailers' Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the North American retailers' Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety have inspected 600 and 520 factories respectively. The factories were being used by the Western retailers and brands as their source of products.

A total of 19 factories have faced closures after having been found flawed and short of safety measures in the buildings. l

BASIC Bank chairman may be fired before tenure n Asif Showkat Kallol BASIC Bank Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bachchu would be removed before his tenure in the wake of huge financial irregularities in the bank.

The second term of his appointment in the bank, allegedly involved in credit scams of Tk4,500 crore, is scheduled to expire on September 9 this year.

“It can be considered as a punishment due to involvement in the credit scam,” Banking Division Secretary Dr Aslam Alam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. He would not say the exact date of the announcement, however.

He said the removal of the chairman is being done at the directive of Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

Sources in the Bank and Financial Institutions Division said the bank board will be restructured instead of Bangladesh Bank’s recommendation to remove the board of directors.

The move is, however, getting delayed as the finance minister now busy preparing the budget for the next fiscal year scheduled to be placed on June 5, officials said. The announcement may come soon after the budget, said one of them.

The board of director of the bank has recognised the allegation of huge corruption, sources in the finance division said.

Shubhashish Bose, Shyam Sunder Sikder, Neelufar Ahmed, Quamrun Naher Ahmed, Md. Anwarul Islam and Anis Ahamad are in the bank’s board.

Sheikh Abdul Hye Bachchu had entered into the deep sea fishing business in 2011 when he has been made chairman of Basic Bank and he spent around Tk150 crore on 11 deep-sea fishing trawlers in less than two years.

Bangladesh Bank investigations detected massive financial irregularities involving around Tk4,500 crore of loans in the bank’s three branches between 2009 and 2013.

The Gulshan branch alone lent more than Tk3,111 crore last year against its deposit of Tk695 crore only.

The loan-deposit ratio reached to whooping 427%, meaning it has lent Tk427 against a deposit of Tk100.

Troubled BASIC Bank has doubled its branches to 68 in the last five years, but 70% of its business activities are controlled by graft-ridden four branches. Of the four branches, loan activities have recently been suspended in three – Dilkusha, Gulshan and Shantinagar – by the central bank on charges of loan frauds. The fourth one is the bank’s main branch.

The bank had only 32 branches in September 2009 when the incumbent board of directors was appointed by the government.

The central bank last week fired BASIC Bank Managing Director Kazi Faqurul Islam for presiding over a period of serious irregularities at the staterun bank. l

EPB, Paris-based group to facilitate Texworld 2014 n Tribune Report Bangladesh Business Consulting (BBC), a Paris-based group, and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh have offered facilitating Bangladeshi RMG and handicrafts manufacturers to participate in Texworld 2014, one of the world’s leading textile fair, scheduled to be held in Paris, France in mid-September.

The 4-day fair will be held Paris Le Bourget Exhibition Centre from September 15 to September 18. Twice a year, in February and September, it gathers the producers from 27 countries, with about 850 exhibitors.

Interested exhibitors from Bangla-

desh would be entitled to a substantial cost cut while enjoying facilities to be provided under an agreement signed between EPB and BBC, said a press release.

Fifty stalls have already been booked for the Bangladeshi manufacturers.

They would get half price for the stall allotment and much lower than usual air fare, hotel accommodation, transportation, food and drinks, logistics and translation during the negotiations with the buyers.

“We have all the necessary establishments and team of experts in marketing and branding in Paris and in Bangladesh,” BBC Chairman Kazi Enayet Ullah said. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stock DSE GAINERS

Stocks inch up with increased turnover

DSE key features June 1, 2014

Traded Issues

295

n Tribune Report

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

119

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

167

3,760.69 74,336,132

Number of Contract

more preferred, top 10 of the group occupied 45% of the day’s turnover.

International Leasing Securities said, despite the upcoming budget of this week and associated uncertainty, the investors were positive as reflected on the market through their optimistic sentiment and better momentum.

Zenith Investments said the Dhaka bourse got off to a strong start at the first day of the week, and was able to highlight constructive performance throughout the trading day.

Much of the strength was generated from large cap scrips. The total turnover volume slowly crawling up is encouraging news, indicating that money is being pumped up into the market again, it said.

It said the movement of large cap stocks looks very promising for the future, as positive momentum of these shares is enough to keep the market healthy.

Losers, however, took a modest lead over the gainers as out of 295 issues traded, 139 declined, 125 advanced and 31 closed unchanged on the DSE floor.

Pharmaceuticals went up by 1.7%. All other major sectors ended in red – banks and NBFIs lost 0.9% and 0.2% respectively. l

Stocks inched up yesterday with turnover hitting 12-session high as investors went for buying spree on large cap stocks.

The benchmark index DSEX rose 18 points or 0.4% to close at 4,448.

The comprising blue chips DS30 soared 17 points or 1% to 1,626.

The Shariah index DSES gained 10 points or 1% to 1,003. Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, was fractionally down 0.8 points to 8,468.

The total turnover at DSE stood at Tk376 crore, registering an increase of 16% over the previous session’s value of Tk323 crore.

“Market started with a mild positive tone in the month of national budget,” said IDLC Investments, in its daily market analysis.

It said as market was slow after recent early-year rally, particularly at higher valuation multiples, budgetary expectation was only enough to create little buzz across the bourses.

Besides, as sector-wise movement was not vigilant due to lack of room in each sector with respect to respective valuation level, market was more script concentrated, it said. As the large cap stocks were

Company

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume)

83,337

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

9

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,293.27

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.80

CSE key features June 1, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

263.71

Turnover (Volume)

Daily capital market highlights

6,025,594

Number of Contract

9,507

DSE Broad Index :

4448.57610

(+) 0.41%

▼

Traded Issues

211

DSE Shariah Index :

1003.24560

(+) 1.05%

▲

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

75

DSE - 30 Index :

1626.08419

(+) 1.04%

▼

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

130

CSE All Share Index:

13693.97280

(+) 0.18%

▲

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

CSE - 30 Index :

11160.25100

(-) 0.41%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,196.04

8468.21010

(-) 0.01%

▲

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.62

CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSERS

CMC Kamal Tex. -A Midas Financing-Z Union Capital -A MBL 1st M. F.-A Meghna Con. Milk -B Eastern InsurA Intl. Leasing-B Golden Harvest Agro-N

-11.39 -7.85 -7.47 -5.00 -3.75 -3.74 -3.48 -3.31

Average (% change) -11.12 -7.36 -5.06 -3.31 -3.13 -2.19 -1.21 -2.05

4th ICB M F-A Bay Leasing.-A

-3.30 -3.00

-3.30 -2.46

Company

Closing (% change)

CSE LOSERS

Standard Ceramic -A BDCOM Online-A Union Capital -A Asia Pasific Insu. -A Brac B.C. Bond-A LR Global BD MF1-A Northern G Insur-A AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A

-8.00 -7.08 -6.15 -6.09 -6.00 -5.88 -4.75 -4.05

Average (% change) -5.72 -7.08 -2.69 -6.09 -6.00 -5.88 -4.75 -4.05

NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A Miracle Industries -B

-4.05 -3.89

-3.78 -3.00

Company

Closing (% change)

ANALYST

Closing average

Closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 301.07 83.26 65.42 462.24 154.48 507.35 2.35 304.03 571.52 0.21 59.40 33.98 9.74 454.81 20.51 42.53 180.55 361.01 70.33 75.75 0.18

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Latest PE

21.27 17.75 22.87 5.84 7.75 36.10 11.42 32.42

21.00 17.60 22.30 5.70 7.70 36.00 11.10 32.10

21.80 18.00 24.30 6.00 8.00 37.40 11.50 33.50

20.00 17.50 21.70 5.70 7.40 36.00 11.10 30.00

16.720 0.071 4.239 12.751 0.705 0.465 5.383 3.209

1.32 -6.91 2.08 1.44 -4.85 3.44 -1.28 1.55

16.1 -ve 11.0 4.1 -ve 10.5 -ve 20.9

205.00 26.22

205.00 25.90

205.00 26.70

205.00 24.20

0.103 4.420

23.11 1.44

8.9 18.2

Closing average

Closing

Daily high

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

ICB Islamic Bank-Z ACI Limited- A Delta Life Insu. -A Savar Refractories-Z Kohinoor Chem -A Stylecraft -A The Ibn SinaA Reckitt Benckiser -A GlaxoSK (BD) -A Unique Hotel RL - A

39.10 21.00 22.90 21.60 940.00 6.40 38.10 7.10

41.60 21.90 23.20 21.60 940.00 6.40 38.10 7.10

38.30 20.70 22.70 21.60 940.00 6.40 38.10 7.10

0.260 0.079 0.160 0.022 0.005 0.003 0.019 0.004

1.32 1.43 2.08 2.48 0.00 1.56 6.40 1.49

30.4 14.7 11.0 8.7 4.1 6.0 4.8

7.12 17.45

7.10 17.30

7.20 17.90

7.00 17.20

0.036 0.166

1.52 0.19

4.7 91.8

Market started with a mild positive tone in the month of national budget

% change 8.01 2.21 1.74 12.29 4.11 13.49 0.06 8.08 15.20 0.01 1.58 0.90 0.26 12.09 0.55 1.13 4.80 9.60 1.87 2.01 0.00

Million Taka 23.85 6.81 2.50 36.94 7.75 23.05 23.91 33.92 8.93 1.37 10.77 1.02 45.22 1.70 1.30 14.79 26.85 8.14 11.60 0.07

% change 8.21 2.34 0.86 12.72 2.67 7.93 0.00 8.23 11.68 3.07 0.47 3.71 0.35 15.57 0.59 0.45 5.09 9.24 2.80 3.99 0.02

Million Taka 324.92 90.08 67.93 499.18 162.23 530.40 2.35 327.94 605.44 9.14 60.77 44.75 10.76 500.03 22.21 43.82 195.34 387.86 78.47 87.35 0.24

Total

8.70 8.61 7.97 7.61 7.46 6.01 6.01 5.77 5.70 5.64

CSE GAINERS Company Delta Life Insu. -A ACI Limited- A Sinobangla Indu.-A Safko Spinning-A Berger Paints-A MJL BD Ltd.-A Unique Hotel RL - A BSRM Steels-A Aftab Auto.-A LafargeS Cement-Z

Closing (% change) 8.72 8.63 8.30 6.70 6.25 6.15 6.12 5.53 5.42 4.84

Average (% change) 3.91 7.07 6.00 (1.00) 7.47 6.09 4.03 4.69 2.90 4.10 Average (% change) 6.50 8.16 7.69 6.65 6.28 3.53 4.02 3.39 4.42 7.85

Closing average 4.78 254.55 195.99 59.40 407.52 1,067.50 107.73 1,081.11 1,697.09 68.22

Closing average 196.87 254.38 24.66 22.29 1137.90 79.74 68.25 77.81 82.46 83.35

Closing 5.00 261.00 200.60 59.40 407.60 1,066.70 109.30 1,092.30 1,745.40 69.30

Closing 201.90 260.60 24.80 22.30 1137.90 81.10 69.40 78.30 83.60 82.30

Daily high 5.00 261.30 203.30 59.40 409.00 1,069.00 110.00 1,097.20 1,748.90 69.80

Daily high 203.20 260.80 25.10 22.30 1137.90 81.60 69.90 79.40 84.00 85.50

Daily low 4.60 235.00 187.00 59.40 370.00 1,060.00 100.10 1,046.00 1,657.00 59.50

Daily low 188.00 246.00 24.00 22.20 1137.90 76.00 65.60 75.00 78.50 80.00

Turnover in million 6.780 186.354 128.842 0.003 1.640 0.427 8.606 1.946 27.408 53.991

Turnover in million 13.634 3.240 3.145 0.201 0.057 3.340 4.600 8.644 9.378 36.759

Latest EPS -1.12 5.28 2.92 0.52 9.37 47.83 3.12 41.12 76.20 2.84

Latest EPS 2.92 5.28 1.04 1.08 57.68 4.72 2.84 4.72 3.14 2.16

Latest PE -ve 48.2 67.1 114.2 43.5 22.3 34.5 26.3 22.3 24.0

Latest PE 67.4 48.2 23.7 20.6 19.7 16.9 24.0 16.5 26.3 38.6

News from trade server SINOBANGLA: (H/Y): As per un-audited half yearly accounts as on 30.04.14 (Nov'13 to Apr'14), the Company has reported profit after tax of Tk. 10.32 million with EPS of Tk. 0.52 as against Tk. 2.82 million and Tk. 0.14 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas profit/(loss) after tax was Tk. 6.28 million with EPS of Tk. 0.31 for the period of 3 months (Feb'14 to Apr'14) ended on 30.04.14 as against Tk. (1.02) million and Tk. (0.05) respectively for the same period of the previous year.

ISLAMIBANK: Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has rated the Company as "AA+" in the long term and "ST-1" in the short term in consideration of financials of the Company up to December 31, 2013 (audited) and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

BRACBANK: Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Limited (CRAB) has announced the surveillance rating of the Company as "AA3" in the long term and "ST-2" in the short term based on audited financial statements of the Company up to 31 December 2013 and other relevant quantitative as well as

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Grameenphone-A LafargeS Cement-Z Meghna Petroleum -A ACI Limited- A MJL BD Ltd.-A Delta Life Insu. -A BSRM Steels-A

CSE

Closing (% change)

qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

SONARBAINS: Alpha Credit Rating Limited (AlphaRating) has rated the Company as "A" in the long term and "AR-2" in the short term along with a stable outlook based on audited financial information of the Company up to 31st December 2013 and relevant qualitative information up to 31 May 2014.

PHENIXINS: Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has announced the CPA (Claim Paying Ability) Rating of the Company as "AA-" in consideration of financials of the Company up to December 31, 2013 (audited) and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

AIMS1STMF: Bangladesh General Insurance Company Limited (BGIC), the Trustee of Aims First Guaranteed Mutual Fund, has informed the following: The current tenure of the fund which is due to mature on June 30, 2015 i.e. one year from now, is pleased to call an Unit holders' meeting on June 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Samarai Convention Center, 23/G/7 Panthopath, Dhaka to discuss and vote on the options of

Liquidation/Redemption, Extension or Conversion of the Fund on maturity as per SEC (Mutual Fund Rules) 2001 and other related matters. The Record Date: June 10, 2014 to participate in the meeting and receive the necessary documents in this regard.

PHARMAID: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to import following assets immediately: (1) Spare Parts for Ampoule Manufacturing Machine @ Tk. 20.00 Lacs (approx.) and (2) PSA Oxygen Generator (Oxygen Gas Producer) with standard accessories @ Tk. 55.00 Lacs (approx.).

Final Status of IPO: Khulna Printing & Packaging Ltd.: All concerned are hereby informed that the final status of the IPO of Khulna Printing & Packaging Ltd., Total subscription received from General Public=Tk. 2,321,850,000, Affected Small Investors=Tk.292,430,000, NRB=Tk. 232,345,000 & Mutual Fund=Tk. Nil. Total subscription received=Tk. 2,846,625,000 against Public Issue of IPO of Tk. 400,000,000 which is over subscribed by 7.12 times.

Latest PE

40.07 21.00 22.80 21.60 940.00 6.40 38.10 7.10

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Daily high

Monday, June 2, 2014

% change 8.02 2.22 1.68 12.32 4.00 13.09 0.06 8.09 14.94 0.23 1.50 1.10 0.27 12.34 0.55 1.08 4.82 9.57 1.94 2.16 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

HeidelbergCement -A Mercantile Bank -A Square Pharma -A

Aftab Auto.-A National Tubes -A Olympic Ind. -A Unique Hotel RL - A Eastern Housing -A

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z

Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A Delta Life Insu. -A Aftab Auto.-A BD Submarine Cable-A BSRM Steels-A Appollo Ispat CL -N Meghna Petroleum -A Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Unique Hotel RL - A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A UNITED AIR-A BSC-A National Bank - B

Volume shares 1,132,600 3,290,500 698,028 732,100 1,849,551 657,400 1,619,420 205,160 4,320,848 272,418

782,017 389,320 240,759 791,415 858,959

Volume shares

441,000 65,600 54,940 69,250 113,720 49,340 111,100 243,600 20,500 195,000 67,400 177,686 317,220 6,645 305,769

Value in million 309.10 273.64 195.13 186.35 145.64 128.84 125.76 107.54 79.19 73.32

64.57 62.93 56.23 53.99 52.65

Value in million

36.76 17.89 14.80 13.63 9.38 8.97 8.64 6.73 5.72 5.01 4.60 4.07 3.54 3.37 3.34

% of total turnover 8.22 7.28 5.19 4.96 3.87 3.43 3.34 2.86 2.11 1.95

1.72 1.67 1.50 1.44 1.40

% of total turnover

14.18 6.90 5.71 5.26 3.62 3.46 3.33 2.60 2.21 1.93 1.77 1.57 1.36 1.30 1.29

Daily closing 275.40 82.20 278.30 261.00 80.30 200.60 78.30 519.40 18.40 269.10

83.10 164.10 234.20 69.30 60.70

Daily closing

82.30 275.70 269.20 201.90 83.60 183.00 78.30 27.40 278.40 25.10 69.40 22.80 11.10 506.30 10.80

Price change 3.42 4.71 -1.59 8.61 4.42 7.97 5.10 -0.65 2.22 -0.33

Daily opening 266.30 78.50 282.80 240.30 76.90 185.80 74.50 522.80 18.00 270.00

Price change

Daily opening

4.92 5.19 2.14 5.64 -2.10

4.84 3.80 -0.30 8.72 5.42 1.95 5.53 -0.36 -1.42 -2.71 6.12 -2.15 -1.77 -1.46 -0.92

79.20 156.00 229.30 65.60 62.00

78.50 265.60 270.00 185.70 79.30 179.50 74.20 27.50 282.40 25.80 65.40 23.30 11.30 513.80 10.90

Daily high 276.40 84.30 283.40 261.30 81.30 203.30 79.00 533.80 18.60 270.00

85.00 164.80 235.60 69.80 62.40 Daily high

85.50 277.40 270.00 203.20 84.00 184.70 79.40 28.00 282.20 26.40 69.90 23.40 11.30 515.00 11.00

Daily low 260.00 80.00 259.00 235.00 70.00 187.00 73.00 516.40 16.20 246.40

Daily average 272.91 83.16 279.55 254.55 78.74 195.99 77.65 524.19 18.33 269.14

Daily low

Daily average

75.00 152.00 220.00 59.50 59.50

80.00 267.90 268.50 188.00 78.50 179.00 75.00 27.30 278.10 25.10 65.60 22.70 11.00 501.00 10.70

82.57 161.63 233.56 68.22 61.29

83.35 272.68 269.33 196.87 82.46 181.72 77.81 27.63 279.13 25.71 68.25 22.93 11.15 506.73 10.94

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Britain’s zero-hour contracts eyed by other countries n AFP, London

Britain is leading the way in so-called “zero-hours” contracts that keep employees available but with no guarantee of work - and other countries are watching with interest.

Trade unions are waging a bitter war against the contracts which some 1.4 million Britons have signed up to, saying people feel forced into signing them.

The latest skirmish is over plans

by Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative-led government to halt unemployment benefits to those who won’t take a zero-hours contract.

But to EU nations looking to increasing flexibility and boost their economies, the ultra-liberal British policy looks increasingly attractive.

The contracts were introduced in 1996 by Conservative prime minister John Major to make it easier to employ students and seasonal workers.

But now they are being used by employers ranging from McDonald’s to Ryanair and even Buckingham Palace.

The British government itself uses 250,000, according to a survey carried out by the Guardian newspaper.

The Office of National Statistics, which bases its figures on a period of two weeks in January and February, said that around 13 percent of employers admitted to using them, rising to 50 percent in tourism, the restaurant trade and the health industry.

Laura Lewis, 25, worked for three years on a zero-hours contract at a home for the severely physically disabled in Cambridge, eastern England, before quitting.

“You have to be on call 24/7. You don’t get a say in when you can and can’t work, or when you want holidays,” she told AFP. “I could work 25 days in a row or

none if the boss decided it.”

Around 300,000 care workers in Britain are employed on zero hours contracts in difficult conditions.

Rochelle Monte, 38, who has worked as a housekeeper for 20 years in Newcastle, northeast England, said that when it came to zero-hours contracts there was “no choice - it’s just the way it is.”

“My agenda is never the same. It can be 20 or two people, it varies a lot. So it can be difficult to plan,” she said.

Her salary varied wildly as a result of the contract, ranging from £400 to £1,100 (490 and 1,300 euros, $670 to $1,840) per month.

Britain’s unemployment rate of under seven percent is one of the lowest in the European Union, and Cameron’s

Crude prices mixed in Asia n AFP, Singapore

gested robust petrol demand going into the US summer driving season when Americans take to the roads for their holidays.

Traders are also tracking the escalating fighting between government troops and separatist rebels in Ukraine, a major pipeline conduit for Russia’s natural gas exports to Europe.

In one of the biggest setbacks in Kiev’s seven-week campaign against insurgents, 12 Ukrainian troops including an army general were killed Thursday when their helicopter was shot down.

The West has accused Russia of fomenting unrest in its neighbour since the ousting of pro-Kremlin president Viktor Yanukovych in February. Moscow denies the allegation.

Investors fear a full-blown conflict in the ex-Soviet state will disrupt supplies and send energy prices soaring. l

government says the contracts add flexibility that the British economy needs.

Yet critics say there is a heavy price to those who are on the contracts.

“It’s impossible to ask for a mortgage, to buy a house, to make plans for the month when you have a family and to plan a budget,” Dave Prentis, secretary general of UNISON, Britain’s largest public service union, told AFP. The government unveiled new rules at the start of May so that now anyone attending a state-run Job Centre who turns down a zero-hours contract can have their benefits suspended for several months, a spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said.

The change angered the unions, which were weakened in Britain in a

B3

Monday, June 2, 2014

series of brutal confrontations with prime minister Margaret “Iron Lady” Thatcher during the 1980s.

Frances O’Grady, secretary general of the TUC, Britain’s biggest union, said the plan was “more a punishment than a way to encourage jobseekers to find a job”.

The British government is sticking to its guns, though.

Business Minister Vince Cable, a member of the Liberal Democrat party which is in coalition with the Conservatives, recently rejected an opposition demand to offer employees a fixed contract after they had worked a year on a zero-hours basis, saying that many workers were happy with the contracts.

But he said that the government would tackle abuses of the contracts. l

In China, managers are the new labour activists n Reuters, Shanghai Behind China’s biggest strike in decades last month was a new player in Chinese labour activism: management.

A previously unpublished account from inside the strike at Taiwanese shoe manufacturer Yue Yuen obtained by Reuters shows that supervisors were the first to challenge senior plant leaders about the social insurance contributions that became the focus of the dispute.

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings declined to comment.

The involvement of managers underscores the growing complexity and unpredictability of labour relations in China. A generation of long-serving migrant factory employees is starting to retire just as the economy slows and the spread of social media makes strikes easier to organize.

Yue Yuen’s strike wasn’t the first time in recent years managers, rather than front-line workers, helped orchestrate industrial action in China. Managers were also involved in leading a strike at IBM’s facility in Shenzhen in March, according to a worker and another person briefed on the strike. IBM declined to comment.

Supervisors and other low- and midlevel managers also helped corral workers during a March strike at Shanmukang Technology, which supplies mobile phone cases to Samsung Electronics, a former employee said.

Managers have been orchestrating strikes during international deals for years, lawyers said. “It happens all the time” that managers encourage workers to strike during an international transaction that affects a company’s Chinese operations, said Jonathan Isaacs, special counsel with responsibility for Chinese employment and labor issues at law firm Baker & McKenzie in Hong Kong.

In many cases “the reason an M&A transaction, layoffs or restructuring goes sideways or causes labour unrest is that the local management were disgruntled

and riled up the rank-and-file workers”, he added. In November 2011, mid-level managers led thousands of PepsiCo Inc workers to strike in protest against the terms of the company’s acquisition

by Tingyi Holdings, according to Hong Kong-based worker advocacy group China Labour Bulletin (CLB).

However, some of the largest recent strikes, including the Yue Yuen action, don’t involve a factory sale or restructuring. Labor unrest has surged in China in recent months as slowing economic growth and rising costs have squeezed companies in industrialized areas like the Pearl River Delta in southern Guangdong province. CLB has recorded 319 strikes and labour protests since the beginning of the year.

More active role

Chinese factory disputes typically start with younger employees pushing management for higher pay. But in the last few years, as restructurings have become more common, managers have begun to take a more active role in negotiations and work stoppages because they have more at stake, lawyers said.

China’s 2008 labor contract law requires companies terminating employees to pay compensation worth one month’s salary for every year of employment. The longer an employee has been working at a factory, the greater the potential payoff from a closure, merger or restructuring.

Turnover at Chinese factories is high – reaching 100% a year in some companies. Younger workers spin through jobs quickly, sometimes staying only months in one plant. Managers can be among a plant’s longest serving employees.

“Strikes started by older workers often come about because of a change in the company, when a company is being merged or restructured,” says Dong Baohua, professor at the East China University of Politics and Law. “Older workers want to cash in on their years of service.” l

China official PMI hits five-month high in May, boding well for second quarter n Reuters, Beijing

nying the data.

As one of the first leading indicators gauging economic momentum, the improved reading could bode well for other May data, bolstering market expectations that the economy is regaining some strength as the government’s pro-growth measures started to kick in.

The official survey showed a broadbased recovery in manufacturing activity in May, with nine out of the 13 subindicies pointing to improvement from the previous month.

A sub-index for new orders, a measure of foreign and domestic demand edged up to 52.3 in May from 51.2 in April, marking the highest level since last November.

The PMI data also showed export orders inched higher to 49.3 in May from 49.1 in April, though the indicator

remained below the 50-level threshold that separates growth from contraction.

Beijing stepped up policy fine-tuning in recent weeks and has unveiled a slew of targeted measures this year to help shore up the economy, which has dipped to a 18-month low in the first quarter and is seen on track to post the weakest annual showing in 24 years.

“It is clear that the government has become more concerned about the continued economic slowdown and wants to further increase the strength of policy support,” said Wang Tao, economist at UBS in a note to clients.

China’s cabinet announced fresh easing measures on Friday to help lower funding costs and reduce operating

burdens for companies to give more support for the real economy.

The measures included lowering the reserve requirement for more banks, increasing the scale of re-lending and bond financing to support smaller firms, and a further reduction of administrative fees for businesses.

China’s finance ministry had also urged their local branches to quicken the pace of budget allocation to guarantee the completion of key projects and lift the slowing economy.

Those policy moves, together with the earlier steps, such as hastening construction of railways and public housing, tax cuts for smaller enterprises, have combined to give a boost to the economy, though officials and economists warned that the downside pressure still exists. l

Jamuna Bank Foundation has recently awarded scholarship of Tk56 lakh in total to 119 students of its employees who have got GPA-5 in SSC and Dakhil examinations in 2014. AlHaj Nur Mohammed, Chairman, Jamuna Bank Foundation presided over the award giving ceremony

Phoenix Finance & Investments Limited recently held its 19th annual general meeting at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka.

The company declared a cash dividend of 20% to its shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2013. The company’s chair, Deen Mohammad presided over the meeting

Ogilvy & Mather Bangladesh, an advertising agency network has recently appointed Razeeb Hasan Chowdhury as its general manager and chief creative officer. Razeeb is one of the most sought after creative talents in the advertising industry. He led the teams that created the “Kacche Thakun” and “Din Bodol” positioning for Grameenphone and Banglalink respectively

Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited recently held the 442th meeting of the board’s executive committee at the board room of the bank. The committee’s vice chair Alhajj Abdus Samad presided over the meeting

National Housing Finance And Investments Limited recently held its 15th annual general meeting at a city hotel in Dhaka. The company approved 12.50% cash dividend for the shareholders on the performance of the year 2013. The meeting was presided over by the company’s chair Latifur Rahman

Oil prices were mixed in Asia Friday as traders took a breather after recent gains, but signs of stronger US gasoline demand and escalating tensions in Ukraine provided support.

US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in July, was down 12 cents to $103.46 a barrel after rallying 86 cents in Yew York Thursday.

Brent North Sea crude for July gained six cents to $110.03 a barrel in afternoon trade.

The US Department of Energy’s weekly oil report Thursday showed overall US inventories rising, but gasoline supplies falling in the week ended May 23.

Desmond Chua, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, told AFP the decline in gasoline supplies sug-

China’s factory activity expanded at the fastest pace in five months in May due to rising new orders, official data showed on Sunday, reinforcing views that the world’s second-largest economy is regaining momentum in the second quarter following Beijing’s targeted measures to bolster growth.

The official Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 50.8 in May from April’s 50.4, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Sunday, beating market expectations of 50.6.

“The PMI reading continued to improve in May, indicating that a trend of economic stabilization is becoming more evident,” Zhang Liqun, a researcher at the Development Research Centre said in the statement accompa-

Policy support

Fast food chain, Fridays Fast Food & Restaurant recently opened its new outlet at Jamuna Future Park Shopping Mall in Dhaka. The outlet was inaugurated by Environment & Forest Deputy Minister Abdullah-Al-Islam Jacob and Deen Group Chair Alhaj Goni Ahmed

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Monday, June 2, 2014

'More bonds, varieties to make debt market vibrant' n Tahmidur Rahman Every country needs an active bond market and Bangladesh is no exception to that rule, said Vinod Kothari during an interview with Dhaka Tribune. He recently came to Bangladesh to attend a IDLC Finance Ltd workshop on bond markets.

Vinod Kothari is an internationally recognised author, trainer and consultant on specialised financial subjects.

He lectures around the world including New York, Washington, London, Milan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and so on.

He said the businesses in Bangladesh can avail more debt and wider primary markets and therefore talks should be held on developing such markets in a well-planned manner. Following is the details of his interview.

At what stage is our bond market at the moment?

The market is yet to come out of its primary stage. It needs to be more active, with sufficient buyers and sellers in the market to increase liquidity. It will increase willingness of investors to buy bonds.

Why do we have an illiquid bond market despite having plenty of treasury bills?

It seems like the banks need to hold on to these government issued bonds for meeting regulatory purposes and therefore it is not much of their interest to let go one particular bond to buy an-

other one of the same rate. Plus there may not be enough excess bonds that could be traded.

If so, then should the government consider issuing more bonds to make the market vibrant?

I do not follow the economy of Bangladesh to comment on the macro-economic issues. However, credit crunch (as the action will contract the supply of liquidity) and crowding out effect could take place if government issues more bonds, because they would be taking back the money from the economy.

Also these macro-economic decisions are based on the Finance Ministry’s strategy and not specifically restricted to make a market more vibrant. However, I think more bonds and different varieties have to be introduced in the market to make it more vibrant.

How will the corporates benefit from an active market?

Bonds of different types are sources of financing debt, which makes the company’s profile more diversified and therefore reduces risk. In addition to this, the corporates are not into issuing privately placed bonds either. The corporates can publicly list the privately placed bonds, which would make the debt market more active.

We have only three corporate bonds while several others are not even publicly listed. What is your insight on

this issue?

There can hardly be any reason behind not listing the privately placed bonds, which are commonly bought by the foreign investors if the cost of listing is not troubling. I am told that, this is the norm in Bangladesh and few corporate claims due to low foreign participation in the equity market, the gain from listing is not significant. This has to be changed in the near future.

How does a bond market align with equity markets that show abnormal trend?

This is the fascinating part, a bond market is less likely to go through a cyclical bubble and burst and therefore it reduces risk to some extent, particularly the systematic risk.

A strong and active bond market is needed to figure out a yield curve while we mostly see corporate bonds have a short tenure. What should be the right approach?

Today, I saw the yield curve of Bangladesh, so there is one that can be used for further calculations. Yes, I do agree that more corporate bonds are needed and also in several varieties so that the companies get various options to finance debt. For instance if municipal bonds and mortgage backed bonds are introduced then the companies would avail switching options and small scale investors could trade and make a profit out of it.

Former egg farm thrives after chickens depart n AFP Elliot Gibber likes to quip that he “started as an egg” as he recalls a childhood toiling in the chicken houses.

After nearly 45 years in the business, Gibber still works on his father’s old farm site in upstate New York. But today’s egg business is “completely different” from the one Gibber’s father and uncles knew when they started the family business in the 1940s in Thompsonville, New York.

For one thing, there is the proliferation of what Gibber calls “designer eggs,” fresh eggs labelled “organic,” “cage-free” and, finally, “GMO-free” for those hatched from chickens fed only grains with that certification.

Perhaps even more significant has been the rise of egg products, a oncetiny sliver of the business that today is the main growth engine of Deb El Food Products.

Once an egg farm, the 165-acre Thompsonville site today is an indus-

trial egg-cracking facility that receives thousands of fresh eggs each day from neighboring states and then churns out dozens of products from egg whites, yolks and whole eggs.

Gibber led a visitor past a giant vat containing 50,000 pounds of egg yolk, which will be salted and shipped to Mexico later this week for mayonnaise production.

Other products will be directed to candy makers, bakeries and ice cream makers. Deb El sells egg scramble mix and egg whites from cage-free eggs.

Gibber sees parallels between the evolution in eggs towards more “valueadded” products and the meat industry’s growing emphasis on branded prepared products, as reflected in this week’s bidding war for Hillshire Brands. Both US giant Tyson Foods and Brazilian titan JBS seek Hillshire assets like Jimmy Dean sausage and other branded prepared foods.

“It’s for convenience,” Gibber said.

“You work all day and you want to be

Vinod Kothari gestures while speaking to the Dhaka Tribune in an interview recently

From the perspective of an issuer, why would it issue a bond rather than taking a bank loan, given the risk free rate is too high to begin with?

The risk free rate can be high. A strong debt market is inevitable for a developing economy and no one doubts the relevance of it. The corporates need an alternative to bank borrowings for several reasons including reducing

n AFP, San Francisco Apple today kicks off its developers conference, where the focus will be on software in iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macintosh computers with scant hope for the next big thing.

In trademark style, Apple has remained mum about what it will unveil at the keynote presentation opening a sold-out World Wide Developers Conference devoted to tailoring applications or services for the company’s coveted devices.

As is usually the case leading up to Apple events, rumors about what the California company may be planning have ricocheted across the Internet.

Public comments by Apple chief executive Tim Cook that the company will weigh into a new product category by the end of this year have added impetus to speculation that includes talk of a smartwatch or a system for using iPhones or iPads to control door locks, security systems and other computerenlighted devices in smart homes.

“I think we will see bells and whistles from the developer perspective, but otherwise a low-key event,” Gartner analyst Van Baker said of this year’s WWDC in downtown San Francisco.

Apple will be keen to spotlight capabilities added to the operating systems powering its mobile devices and Macintosh computers, according to analysts.

Developer devotion desired

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Finance Minister Jaitley vows fiscal discipline n Reuters, New Delhi India’s new finance minister vowed on Sunday to uphold fiscal discipline, despite pressure on public finances from figures showing the economy grew by less than 5% in the fiscal year just ended.

Investors are looking to see whether Arun Jaitley, also handed the defence portfolio in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new government, will allow some slippage on the budget deficit when he presents his first budget in early July.

In a post on his Facebook page, Jaitley said pulling India out of its cur-

rent economic malaise would involve “fiscal rectitude as (a) combination of monetary and fiscal policy.

“Slower GDP growth will imply lower tax buoyancy and (a) higher fiscal deficit,” he added. “We must move towards an era of fiscal discipline where we can reduce the fiscal deficit, contain inflation and improve upon our growth rates.”

Figures on Friday showed that India’s economy grew by 4.7% in the year to the end of March, too slow to generate enough jobs for the 10 million young people who enter the workforce each year.

Regulators believe a derivative market is on the cards. What are the cons and pros of it for Bangladesh given experts believe the general investors will not

Software to star at Apple developers conference

able to go to the store and buy something that’s already made.”

Deb El today employs about 30 people around the clock. It stopped producing fresh eggs in Thompsonville after a fire in 1969 killed the chickens, but has 2.5 million chickens in Pennsylvania, where there is closer access to chicken feed.

About 12 years ago, after buying the Thompsonville property from his parents, Gibber installed industrial eggbreaking equipment. The move ultimately raised production from about 800 cases of eggs per week from eggs cracked by hand to 40,000-50,000 per week.

Gibber is spending $1.8m to add more egg-cracking capacity, as well as $2m to meet state regulations on sewerage treatment. He is also adding freezer capacity.

Egg whites are the “biggest boom right now,” but other segments are also strong, he said.

“Our business is growing. We need more product.” l

Employees, of Deb El Food Products, LLC, inspect eggs at the Deb El egg processing plant in Thompsonville, New York

the systematic risk. Once the market is ready, the scenario where getting a bank loan is more convenient than issuing bond, would alter automatically.

Weak growth has fueled speculation that Jaitley may revise up the federal fiscal deficit of 4.1% of gross domestic product originally targeted in his predecessor’s interim budget in February.

Jaitley did not name any deficit numbers, but said he would target fiscal discipline in the near term so as to maximise India’s growth potential over the longer run.

“We must commit ourselves to this discipline,” he wrote. “Short term disciplining till we reverse the present trend will give us long term benefits.” l

Apple, Microsoft and Google vie for devotion of third-party developers whose hip, fun or functional applications are essential to the popularity of smartphones or tablet computers.

Software features that Apple might crow about could include a mobile payments platform to challenge Google Wallet on Android smartphones, according to analysts.

Apple might also expand Passbook capabilities for storing and using digital airline tickets, movie passes and gift cards to include health-related information in a move that could tie to an “iWatch.”

“While we might see some interesting extensions of iPhone, I am skeptical we are going to see anything groundbreaking,” Forrester analyst Frank Gillett said.

“Think of this as their event for evolving the existing things they have - new software but no important new hardware.”

Apple could upgrade its line of Ma-

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cintosh computers while it touts the next generation operating system.

The company has consistently preferred to spotlight big new products at stand-alone events surrounded by ample buzz.

Dr Dre could cameo

The keynote speech, which will be webcast, is likely to include cameo appearances by music industry legend Jimmy Iovine and rapper Dr Dre, cofounders of Beats Music bought this week by Apple in a deal valued at $3bn.

Apple’s biggest-ever acquisition includes the maker of high-end audio equipment and a streaming music service, but more importantly, the talent of Beats brains Dr Dre and Iovine.

The wild card in the deal could be

While we might see some interesting extensions of iPhone, I am skeptical we are going to see anything groundbreaking Iovine, 61, a Brooklyn native and son of a longshoreman who started in the business by cleaning studios and later was a recording engineer for John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen, before becoming a producer.

Iovine, a producer for U2, Dire Straits, Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, Lady Gaga and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, is seen by some as a visionary for recognizing the trend of online streaming and subscriptions - and away from Apple’s model of purchasing individual songs online.

Iovine was key in helping persuade late Apple chief Steve Jobs in 2002 to launch the iTunes store, according to several accounts of Apple’s history.

Yet for some, Apple’s tie-up with a company best known for its high-end headphones is a mismatch.

Other analysts see more harmony in the deal for Apple, a pioneer in digital music that appears to have been overtaken by the successful models of streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and others. Trip Chowdhry, analyst with Global Equities Research, said Beats can help Apple improve its iTunes Radio, which he called “a total disaster” while Beats offers “one of the best streaming music experiences.” l

IDLC FINANCE

be able to handle the sophistication?

Yes, I completely agree that a lot to be summoned but that cannot be a reason to hold back its inclusion. Anything may cause stability and also instability but working towards making it should be the goal. All the problems can be fixed at a particular time. One needs to understand the problems and solve one by one. l

Time for ECB to put money where its mouth is n Reuters, London The European Central Bank will eclipse all else in economic terms this week, following heavy hints that monetary policy will be loosened in a variety of ways.

Financial markets have been buoyed by the prospect of cheaper money in the euro zone and would react sharply if the central bank does not deliver on Thursday. Its policymakers have done nothing to disabuse investors of the notion of imminent action.

A clutch of senior sources told Reuters earlier this month that the ECB was preparing a package of policy options for its June 5 meeting, including cuts in all its interest rates and targeted measures aimed at boosting lending to small- and mid-sized firms (SMEs).

Action being readied includes taking the ECB’s deposit rate negative for the first time - effectively charging banks to park money at the central bank in the hope they will lend it out instead.

The ECB insists it sees no threat of deflation but euro zone figures for May, due before it meets, are forecast to show inflation at just 0.7%. That is within what ECB President Mario Draghi has termed the “danger zone” below 1% for the eighth successive month.

“We are aware of the risks of a too prolonged low inflation period,” Draghi told an ECB conference outside Lisbon last week, adding that he and his colleagues had to be “particularly watchful” for any negative price spiral.

At the last policy meeting in May, Draghi said the ECB was comfortable with acting in June if updated staff forecasts merited - as close as a central banker gets to a nod and a wink.

“Draghi’s May press conference raised market expectations of action, and the ECB will want to appear bold,” said Nikolaus Keis, economist at Unicredit. “The risk is that monetary conditions may quickly start tightening anew if the ECB’s moves are perceived as too timid.” What is not yet on the cards is the ECB following the Federal Reserve and Bank of England down the road of printing money.

The British central bank delivers its latest policy decision on the same day as the ECB. While it is too early for an interest rate rise, a now strong economic recovery and a housing market running hot are dismantling the consensus that no tightening is in prospect until next year. l