President of Association of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Bangladesh (AGWEB) Mousumi Islam has called upon Bangladesh Bank (BB) and ministry of finance (MoF) to ensure facilities earmarked for women entrepreneurs.

She said the central bank had issued directives to banks to provide single digit interest rate from small and medium enterprise fund to them. But it remains confined to paper. 

The MoF allotted Tk 800 million block allocation for women entrepreneurs but for all practical purposes it is also not available, she said. 

The AGWEB president said this during the inaugural ceremony of Trade Fair 2013 organised by the association at Women Volunteers Association Wednesday. 

To ensure economic empowerment of rural women, efforts are needed to implement these facilities, she said.

Ms Islam also called upon the ministry of commerce to give women entrepreneurs the opportunity to attend international trade fair by providing them free stalls.

Senior Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Dr Nazneen Ahmed, Associate Professor of the Department of Development Studies of Dhaka University Dr Shuchita Sharmin, Director,

Programme, Policy and Campaign of Action Aid Mayeeda Choudhury, former UNDP Local Governance Advisor, Gender Expert Durafshan Haque Chowdhury and journalist Munima Sultana addressed the function.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy Mary Grace V Vallanayor was present, among others.

Some 26 organisations of women entrepreneurs from 15 districts are participating the fair with boutique products, food, jewellery, handicraft items etc.

AGWEB organised three trade fairs in rural areas since its inception three years ago. The Trade Fair 2013 was the first opportunity for grassroots women to showcase their products in the capital.

Md. Omar Faruque Bhuiyan, EVP and Head of Cards of NCC Bank Limited and ABM Kamaluddin, General Manager of Long Beach Hotel, exchange documents after signing a corporate agreement at Long Beach Hotel in Cox’s Bazar recently. 

NCC Bank signed a corporate agreement with Long Beach Hotel in Cox’s Bazar recently.

Under this agreement, NCC Bank’s credit and debit card holders as well as employees will get special service and discount facility at the hotel, said a press release.

Md. Omar Faruque Bhuiyan, EVP and Head of Cards of NCC Bank Limited and ABM Kamaluddin, General Manager of Long Beach Hotel signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Golam Hafiz Ahmed, Additional Managing Director of NCC Bank, Md. Fazlur Rahman, SEVP and Mohammad Imran Humayun Khan, Manager, Sales and Marketing of Long Beach Hotel were also present. 

Muhammed Ali, Managing Director, United Commercial Bank Limited, inaugurates the 132nd branch of the bank at Chinispur in Narsingdi on Wednesday.

United Commercial Bank Limited opened its 132nd branch at Chinispur in Narsingdi on Wednesday.

Muhammed Ali, MD, United Commercial Bank Limited inaugurated the branch, said a press release.

Mirza Mahmud Rafiqur Rahman, DMD with senior officials of the bank was present at the branch opening ceremony.

Nazeem A Chowdhury, Head of Consumer Business of Eastern Bank Limited and Sikder Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Executive Director and Chief Pilot of Arirang Aviation, a subsidiary of Youngone Corporation exchange documents after signing a MoU in Dhaka recently. 

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) and Youngone Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dhaka recently.

Nazeem A Chowdhury, Head of Consumer Business of Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) and Sikder Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Executive Director and Chief Pilot of Arirang Aviation have signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Under this MoU Arirang Aviation will offer special discount and other benefits to EBL Priority customers on charter flights and Air ambulance services by the airline both in domestic and international sectors.

Md Towfiqul Alam Chowdhury, Head of Customer Proposition and NRB Business of EBL and Captain Kazi Kabir Uddin Ahmed, Head of Air Ambulance and Charter Services of Arirang Aviation were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Mohammed Haider Ali Miah, Managing Director of Exim Bank Limited received Nowab Faizunnesa Gold Medal.

He was awarded the gold medal for his outstanding contribution to banking sector of the country, said a press release on Wednesday.

Mostafizur Rahman, MP, State Minister of Land handed over the award to Dr. Mohammed Haider Ali Miah, Managing Director of Exim Bank Limited at a function in Dhaka recently.

The programme was organised by a newspaper namely “Chandradip”.