Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has thanked the government of passing the 'Finance Bill 2017' with slashing the rates of excise duty on bank accounts and delaying the enforcement of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012 for two more year.
"Passing of the 'Finance Bill 2017' in an amended form will help achieve higher growth along with increasing the private investment which will ultimately help the government turn Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021," said DCCI in a statement on Thursday.
The trade body said business will be expanded and investment will be encouraged after the decision to delay the enforcement of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012. It will also remove the fare of increasing prices of goods and services, it added.
DCCI said corporate tax for garment sector has been reduced to 12 percent from 15 percent and for environment friendly RMG factories this tax has been cut down to 10 percent from 14 percent would encourage investment in the sector and help achieve the government's apparel export target of US$50 billion.
It also congratulated the government for withdrawing supplementary duty on locally assembled motorcycles as it will encourage the local investment in the sector. DCCI also hailed the government for withdrawing the import duty of solar panels as it will encourage the use of environment friendly energy in the country.

Md. Habibur Rahman, Managing Director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited, inaugurating its agent outlet to new premises at Charmonai in Barisal on Thursday. Charmonai Peer Mufti Syed Md. Rezaul Karim, Head of AIBL Khulna Zone Md Manjurul Karim and Manager

M Shahidul Islam has joined Shahjalal Islami Bank as additional managing director, according to the bank.

Prior to the new appointment, Islam was also an additional managing director of United Commercial Bank.

Islam obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in management from the University of Chittagong.

He started his banking career as a probationary officer at National Bank Ltd in 1984.

M Kamal Hossain was promoted as the managing director of Southeast Bank on Tuesday, according to the lender.

He had been serving the private bank as the acting managing director since March this year prior to his promotion.

He started his banking career as a probationary officer with National Bank Ltd in 1983.

Hossain joined Southeast Bank in 2003 as a vice-president and went on to become an additional managing director.

He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration from the University of Chittagong.

First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL) signed an agreement with Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) for electricity bill collection through FSIBL agent banking.

Md Nazmul Haque, Controller, Finance and Accounts Division, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) and  Ali Nahid Khan, Head of Agent Banking and Mobile Banking Division signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations, said a press release.