Japan's finance minister yesterday signaled Tokyo's willingness to support Jim Yong Kim, the US nominee for the next World Bank chief, a report said.

"I think it is quite possible to consider (supporting Kim) if the United States requests us to recommend him," Finance Minister Jun Azumi said, according to Kyodo News. Azumi, however, added that Tokyo had not made a final decision on the matter.

US President Barack Obama has tapped the Korean-American physician, known for his work in World Health Organization campaigns against AIDS in Africa, to lead the World Bank.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 28th March 2012

Md Khurshed Hossain-Md Dilwar Hossain

Sonali Bank Limited has appointed Md Khurshed Hossain and Md Dilwar Hossain Bhuyan as its new Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs).

Prior to joining the new post, Khurshed Hossain served as General Manager of Agrani Bank Limited and also Investment Corporation of Bangla-desh (ICB), said a press release. He was also Chairman of ICB Asset Management Company.

Prior to Dilwar Hossain Bhuyan’s new position, he was serving in the same position of DMD with Bangladesh Development Bank Limited (BDBL).

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 28th March 2012

An executive development programme on “Concept, Policy and Guidelines on SME investment,” was held on Sunday at the Mohammad Younus Auditorium of Islami Bank Tower.

Mohammad Abdul Mannan, managing director of the Bank, presided over the programme organised by Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, said a press release.

Sukomol Singh Chowdhury, general manager, Department of SME and Special Programmes, Bangladesh Bank delivered keynote speech at the programme. Syed Abdullah Moham- mad Saleh, AKM Abdul Malek Chowdhury and Md. Mahbub-ul Alam, deputy managing directors attended the programme.

Meanwhile, A workshop on "Centralisation of Foreign Trade” was held on 24 March at the same venue. Prabhu Karunakaran, vice president, City NA, Malaysia delivered the keynote speech. Md. Mahbub-ul Alam, Deputy Managing Director of the Bank presided over the workshop.

A total of 79 executives and officers from different departments, zones and branches participated on the workshop.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 28th March 2012

Sheikh Abdul Hai Bacchu, Chairman of BASIC Bank Limited, inaugurates the 49th branch of the Bank at Ghagor Bazar at Kotalipara in Gopalganj on Tuesday.

BASIC Bank Limited has opened its 49th branch at Ghagor Bazar at Kotalipara in Gopalganj on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdul Hai Bacchu, Chairman, BASIC Bank Limited inaugurated the branch, said a press release. Kazi Fokrul Islam, Managing Director of BASIC Bank presided over the function where Prof Dr Kazi Akhtar Hossain, member of the board of directors of the Bank was present as special guest on the occasion.

Among others, Bimal Krishna Biswas, Upazila chairman of Kotalipara, Kamrul Hasan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Ad. Shuvash Chandra Joydhar, president, Kotalipara upazila AL, Rafeza Begum, president, Mohila Awami League of Kotalipara and Manik Lal Shaha, president of Kotalipara Banik Samity were present.

While inaugurating the Kotalipara branch, Sheikh Abdul Hai Bacchu said country’s economic development would be achieved if we are able to reach the banking services to the remotest areas of the country. “With the modern banking services, the economic emancipation will be possible side by side building rural infrastructure,” the chairman of the Bank said.

In this regard the Bank has taken an initiative to open more branches at the upazila and district level. In view of this, we have already opened 11 branches and also have a plan to open another 25 branches across the country, he said.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 28th March 2012

First Security Islami Bank Ltd (FSIBL), a private sector commercial bank launched ‘Mobile Banking and Payment Services’ at a city hotel on Tuesday.

Md. Abul Kashem, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, attended the ceremony as chief guest.

Managing Director of the Bank AAN Jakaria presided over the ceremony while Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Das Gupta Asim Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Progoti Cement Dr. Shahadat Khan and senior officers of the FSIBL were present on the occasion

Addressing the event, BB Deputy Governor said the central bank has so far given approval to 17 commercial banks for opening m-banking under its mobile banking act. Of them, 12 banks have already launched the service while others will have to open the services by end of this month.

While addressing Das Gupta Asim Kumar said there are 85 million mobile users in the country where mobile banking service is yet to cover even one million of them. But, the government has a target to bring all the mobile using people under the coverage, he added.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 28th March 2012