GMG adds aircraft to fleet
January 4, 2009
GMG Airlines yesterday added an MD-83 aircraft to its fleet. Shahab Sattar, managing director of GMG, said the MD-83 aircraft with 150-passenger seating capacity and powerful engines, would help open new routes for the private airline. The destinations include Singapore, Bangkok, Karachi and Dubai. The latest aircraft takes the number of GMG’s planes to six.
Benapole port, customs open on holiday
January 4, 2009
Benapole land port and customs were open yesterday, a weekly holiday, when 250 trucks-load goods and commodities imported from India and 70 trucks-load exported. Customs officials said they were directed to operate on the holiday to make up the losses caused by disruption during the polls.
US manufacturing slumps to 1980 low
January 4, 2009
US manufacturing contracted for the fifth consecutive month in December to a 1980 low amid a sharp Asian slowdown and deepening recession in the world’s biggest economy, a survey showed yesterday
The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) said its key manufacturing index dropped 3.8 percentage points from November to 32.4 percent, far below the 50 percent level that separates expansion and contraction.
Grameenphone signs agreement for Oracle technologie
January 4, 2009
Grameenphone Ltd, the country’s largest mobile phone operator recently opted for Oracle technologies to streamline its business operations. The telecom major will be deploying Oracle technology to standardize its IT infrastructure and reduce cost of ownership, thereby enhancing customer service in Bangladesh.
Next fiscal “very difficult”, says Ahluwalia
January 3, 2009
All indications for the next fiscal year pointed to a “very difficult year” globally, a top India planner said on Friday, and the government would take more steps to shore up the Indian economy. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, announcing a second round of policy measures intended to boost the slowing Indian economy, said there would be no further fiscal stimulus measures in the current fiscal year.
Sacked employees allege GP of violating rights
January 3, 2009
Representatives of a group of sacked employees of Grameen-phone (GP) on Friday alleged that the biggest mobile phone company in private sector has been involved in malpractice and violating rights of its workers. Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city this afternoon, they said the company has terminated more than 1,000 employees illegally in last one year and got involved in rampant corruption in different forms.
Boost bilateral ties to up export: President
January 3, 2009
President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday stressed the need for increasing export and improving bilateral trade relations with different countries to accelerate Bangladesh’s economic growth. “We have to diversify our export items and pay more attention to promote newer products for export to accelerate the national economy,” he said.
Dollar, pound fall against euro
January 3, 2009
The dollar slipped against the euro Monday amid a round of weak US data as the single European currency edged higher toward parity with the pound. The dollar was under pressure from reports of a record plunge in US house prices and consumer confidence at an all-time survey low that highlighted the deepening recession in the world’s biggest economy.
New Year party rolls amid financial gloom
January 1, 2009
As the Earth rolled towards 2009 Wednesday, the world prepared to turn its back on a turbulent 2008 with New Year celebrations ranging from the spectacular to the sombre. Record crowds of 1.5 million were expected to kick off the global party with a fireworks extravaganza over the iconic harbour bridge and Opera House in Sydney, the world’s first major city to see in the New Year.
Bangladesh to export ships to Europe by 2011
January 1, 2009
Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. (WMSL), a local shipbuilding company, will export 12 ships, weighing 5,200 tonnes each, by 2011 to Germany, Holland and Denmark expecting to fetch about Taka 900 crore. Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman inaugurated building of the 12 ice class ocean-going multipurpose vessels at the WMSL yard at Shikalbaha on the south bank of the river Karnaphuli in the district.