TOKYO: Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank said, with Saudi partners, it has raised nearly $100 billion in pledges to launch a major global fund for long-term, high-tech investments.

The SoftBank Vision Fund has received participation from industry titans and the likes of Apple, Qualcomm, and Taiwan's Foxconn and collected pledges totalling more than $93 billion so far, the fund said in a statement Saturday, reports AFP.

"The fund is targeting a total of $100 billion of committed capital, with a final close within six months," it said.

SoftBank announced its partnership with Saudi Arabia in October, with its flamboyant founder Masayoshi Son declaring that he was focused on the "Internet of Things," artificial intelligence and robotics.

Son was among the first business people to meet Donald Trump after his November election victory and pledged to invest $50 billion in the United States, winning open praise from the then-president-elect. The announcement comes as Trump visits Saudi Arabia as a part of his first overseas tour as president.

"Technology has the potential to address the biggest challenges and risks facing humanity today," Son said in the statement.

"The SoftBank Vision Fund...

will help build and grow businesses creating foundational platforms of the next stage of the information revolution," he said.

SoftBank has said it will put up about $25 billion for the Vision Fund over the next five years, while the Saudi public investment fund's contribution could reach $45 billion.

Moshiur Rahman Chowdhury has been appointed as President and Managing Director of AB Bank Limited recently.
He joined the bank on 26th June 2003 as Vice President in Credit Risk Management Division, said a press release.
Lastly, he has been promoted to Deputy Managing Director and Head of Credit on 1st September 2013. He started his career with Sonali Bank in 1984 as Senior Officer (Financial Analyst) after completion his B.

Com (Hons) and M. Com (Accounting) in 1984 from University of Dhaka.
During his 33 years of service in the banking industry, he served in different important capacities like Credit Analyst, Manager of Foreign Trade Branch, Credit Controller and In-Charge, Uk Operation (Sonali Bank), Head of SME Business Division, Head of Corporate and Structured Finance Division, Head of Credit Risk Management Division, AB Bank.
He participated in many long and short term training programs, workshops and seminars at home and abroad.

A brilliant 89 by opener and wicketkeeper batsman Jasimuddin saw Kalabagan Krira Chakra registered a five wicket win over Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity in the Premier Division Cricket league match held on Sunday at BKSP’s ground No. 4 in Savar.

Send into bat first Khelghar were struggling as they were reduced to 72 for 5 but middle and lower -order batsmen pulled their socks up and managed to cross 200-mark.

They scored 204 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.

After Kalabagan captain Muktar Ali asked his rivals to bats first and his bowlers supported him wholeheartedly as soon Khelaghar were wobbling at 5-72 inside 24 overs. Khelaghar recovered to some extent as the sixth wicket stand of 113 runs between Arifur Rahman Sagor and Rafsan Al Mahmood to keep the Kalabagan bowlers at bay.

However, after Arifurzaman Sagor’s departure in the 46th over, Khelaghar tail failed to wag and they succumbed to manage 204 for 7 in the end.

 Rafsan Al Mahmud was the leading scorer in Khelaghar’s fragile innings with 71 crucial runs from 98 balls while Arifuzzaman chipped in with 46 from 58 balls. Saad Nasim was the pick of the bowler for Kalabagan with 3-34 in 10 overs.

Earlier, a fine all round display saw Prime Bank Cricket Club cantered home by seven wickets against Gazi Group Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match held on Sunday at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium at Fatullah.

Khelaghar bowlers showed some inclination to fight back and managed to bag four more Kalabagan wickets before their rivals could haul the winning target.

Prime Bank Cricket Club managed to restrict Gazi Group Cricketers to 214 after 50 overs after asking their rivals to bat first.

Prime Bank captain Mehedi Maruf decided to field first, and Gazi Group were soon wobbling at 2-3 inside three overs. The third wicket partnership of 149 runs in 31 overs steadied ship for Gazi Group.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith sought Saudi investment in Bangladesh Special Economic Zones (SEZs), saying that such investments would significantly accelerate the trade opportunities between the two countries bonded by the spirit of brotherhood. 

He made the request when he held a meeting with Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Mohammed Al Jadaan in Jeddah during his recent visit, said a finance ministry media release Sunday. 

Muhith who is also chairman of the IDB (Islamic Development Bank) Board of Governors attended the 42nd Annual Meeting of IDB Board of Governors held in Jeddah during May 14-18. 

The finance minister informed his Saudi counterpart about the establishment of Special Economic Zones in Bangladesh, some of which are dedicated to specific countries such as Japan, South Korea and China. 

Muhith recalled with great satisfaction the commitment of the Saudi government regarding the financing of establishment of 560 masques and Islamic centres in district and upazila level of Bangladesh. 

He informed the Saudi finance minister that the project has been already approved in the ECNEC and the government is intensively working on the further activities. 

Yosef Ibrahim Al-Bassam, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Saudi Fund for Development, was also present in the meeting.

Muhith thanked the SFD Vice Chairman for coming forward with short term trade financing facilities for Bangladesh for which Bangladesh had been dependent of ITFC. He emphasized the need for extending the financing facilities under the umbrella of five year programs instead of annual programs. 

He also thanked SFD Vice Chairman for signing the Draft loan Agreement of Establishment of Burn and Plastic Surgery Units Project during last month. 

The SFD Vice Chairman expressed his hope that the final agreement can be signed by the end of July 2017. 

Muhith expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Fund for funding the Construction of Mogbazar-Mouchak Flyover Project which is expected to reduce the traffic congestion considerably.

He also requested to expedite the disbursement of National Cancer Research Institute & Hospital and National Eye Institute & Hospital Projects. 

SFD Vice Chairman in response gave assurance of his highest consideration in this regard. 

Muhith also held meeting with Dr. Bandar Bin Hajjar, President of IDB. He also held meeting Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer International Islamic Trace Finance Cooperation (ITFC) and

Khaled Al-Aboodi, CEO and General Manager of Islamic Cooperation for the Development of Private Serctor (ICD).

Zahur Ullah, Executive Committee Chairman of ONE Bank Limited, handing over a cheque of Tk 2 crore to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a donation to the \'Prime Minister\'s Education Assistance Trust Fund\' at latter\'s office recently. Bank\'s Vice Chair