DSEX 5691.37 28.23 Gold (Ounce) $1241.20 Dollar 78.90 (Buy) 79.90 (Sell) REPO Rate (07/1/2017) 3.03% CSCX 10688.75 65.10 Oil (Barrel) $52.49 Euro 83.92 (Buy) 88.12 (Sell) REPO Rate (06/1/2017) 3.06% Source: DSE and CSE Source: yahoo finance Source: One Bank Source: Bangladesh Bank (W AV)

National News ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

PM's Trip to Delhi: Thirty deals with India 'finalized' .................................................................................................................1

Budget to be revised down 7.4pc ...............................................................................................................................................2

Remittance slumps for 9th month .............................................................................................................................................3

BPC forced to import octane on emergency basis .....................................................................................................................4

ICT firms to be allowed to remit abroad $30,000 a year ...........................................................................................................4

Leather sector fears loss of Tk1,100cr export orders .................................................................................................................5

Growing Ctg port cargoes far surpass capacity ..........................................................................................................................6

Labor issues to be top on TICFA meeting agenda ......................................................................................................................7

COTTAGE, SMALL SECTOR BUSINESSES, Banks can give more than Tk 10 lakh in loan .............................................................8

Women entrepreneurs to get Tk25 lakh collateral-free loan ....................................................................................................8

MTB inks deal with SEL ...............................................................................................................................................................9

Coca-Cola launches project to finance women entrepreneurs ..................................................................................................9

অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ ও অর্থায়ৈ, ভারিলক তিলেষ সুতিধা তিলে বিজা ............................................................................ 10

বেেল াৈ ইন্টারলৈট বেিা, মূেযহার তৈলয় তিতটআরতের িযাখ্যা বেলয়লে মন্ত্রণােয় ........................................................................ 11

মাে প্রতিয়াজািকরলণ ৩% হালর ভিতথতক বিলি েরকার ................................................................................................................ 11

International News ........................................................................................................................................................ 12

ইউলরালে বরািট রপ্তাতৈ করলি টাটা ........................................................................................................................................... 12

Iraq has pledged to fully comply with oil cut deal: Opec chief ............................................................................................... 12

Germany criticizes Trump orders on trade deficits, import duty evasion............................................................................... 13

US trade orders should respect international rules: China ..................................................................................................... 13

UK trade delegation heads to India after Brexit trigger .......................................................................................................... 13

National News PM's Trip to Delhi: Thirty deals with India 'finalized' Dhaka yesterday finalised around 30 deals, including a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral security and defence

cooperation for five years, for signing during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India beginning April 7.

An inter-ministerial meeting at the foreign ministry with Secretary Md Shahidul Haque in the chair worked those out.

The much-talked about Teesta river water sharing agreement is not in the list, said meeting sources.

More deals might be signed and water sharing and Ganges barrage issues will come up prominently when Hasina holds talks

with her counterpart Narendra Modi on April 8, they said.

A huge welcome awaits Hasina, said official sources, adding, “There is a lot of expectation on both sides.”

Sources in New Delhi say Bangladesh will likely be offered a third credit line, this time at least US $3.5 billion, for infrastructure

projects ranging from nuclear and liquefied gas power plants to ports, railways and the establishment of special economic

zones.

A high government official in Dhaka says it might be as much as $5 billion.

The credit line includes $940 million for developing a component of the Rooppur nuclear power plant, $350 million for a multi-

purpose terminal at Payra port and $177 million for a power transmission line between Bogra and India's Jharkhand.

It will also include $500 million for a new railway line from Bogra to Sirajganj, $157 million for a solar power project and US

$550 million for special economic zones, including at Bangladesh's Mirsarai and Payra.

There is likely to be several MoUs relating to hydro projects in Bhutan, shipbuilding and upgradation of border posts, according

to sources in New Delhi.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/pms-trip-delhi-thirty-deals-india-finalised-1385569

Budget to be revised down 7.4pc The government is set to revise down this fiscal year's budget by 7.4 percent, with

the non-development sector taking the hit mostly.

The revised budget, which will be disclosed in June, will be of Tk 315,400 crore,

according to the finance ministry's documents.

The non-development budget will be truncated about 11 percent to Tk 204,700

crore, despite an increase in government expenditure caused by salary hike of

public servants.

The development budget will not be cut; it will remain at Tk 110,700 crore.

However, for the Annual Development Programme the government will make

available Tk 7,000 crore more of its own funds, while slashing the foreign fund

component by the same amount.

Despite the cuts, the budget deficit will remain at 5 percent of GDP, as the optimistic revenue collection projection made

originally will not be achieved.

In the revised budget, the overall revenue collection target has been cut 13.28 percent and set at Tk 210,504 crore. Of the

amount, the revised target for the National Board of Revenue will be Tk 180,000 crore, down 11.39 percent from the initial

target.

In the first six months of the fiscal year, the NBR's collection grew about 18 percent, which is still satisfactory when viewed in

the historical context.

To meet the NBR's revenue collection target set at the beginning of the year, the growth rate should be 43.89 percent

compared to the actual collection last year.

“Chasing a revenue growth target of more than 40 percent is absurd,” said a former NBR official.

When the budget was placed in June last year, many economists had said the revenue growth target would not be met as it

was overly ambitious.

The non-NBR revenue will also be downsized to Tk 20,000 crore from the original amount of Tk 32,350 crore.

To meet the budget deficit, the government typically borrows from banks and savings instruments. But in the last few years,

most of the borrowings were made by way of the relatively costlier option of savings instruments, even though the banks are

sitting on excess liquidity.

The trend will continue in the current fiscal year, said a finance ministry official.

In the first seven months of fiscal 2016-17, the government's total non-bank borrowing including savings instrument stood at

Tk 29,997 crore -- already surpassing the whole year's target of Tk 22,610 crore.

http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/pms-trip-delhi-thirty-deals-india-finalised-1385569

The target for borrowing from banks was Tk 38,938 crore but in the first seven months the government has not borrowed a

single taka. Rather, it has repaid Tk 17,675 crore.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/budget-be-revised-down-74pc-1385362

Remittance slumps for 9th month The inward remittance decreased by $1.86 billion or

16.86 per cent in the July-March period of the current

financial year 2016-17 compared with the corresponding

period of FY16 as inflow dropped for the ninth month in

a row this FY.

The country received $9.19 billion in remittance in July-

March of the current FY against $11.05 billion in the

same period of last FY.

Experts and bankers said many non-resident

Bangladeshis opted for illegal channels like hundi to send

their money home because of a lower rate of the US

dollar against the taka in the banking sector.

The monthly remittance inflow on year-on-year basis also dropped in March, for the ninth month in a row, according to the

latest Bangladesh Bank data.

The country received $1.07 billion in remittance in March, down by 16.19 per cent from $1.28 billion received in March 2016.

Experts and bankers said the remittance inflow continued to drop because of illegal hundi, an informal system for transferring

money, as there has been a large US dollar-rate gap between the banks and the curb market for long.

BB officials, however, said the exchange rate gap between the banks and the curb market has recently decreased with easing

of cash dollar crisis in the banking sector.

But, the persons who are involved in the international cartel of hundi have introduced a door-to-door service for sending

money to the relatives of expatriate Bangladeshis, which has made the NRBs prefer the illegal channel, they said.

The BB officials said the recent effort of the central bank to cut down

hundi, especially in the name of mobile banking, was yet to have any impact on the remittance inflow situation.

There are allegations that different quarters allure the NRBs to send money through mobile banking, mostly bKash. But the

quarters never send the money home, their agents in Bangladesh pay receivers cash in the form of taka instead.

Against the backdrop, the BB has recently tightened ceiling on transactions through the mobile financial services and

identification process of clients to tackle hundi and money laundering using the services.

Two inspection teams of the central bank have recently visited four countries — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, Malaysia

and Singapore — to unearth the real cause of decline in the inward remittances.

The inspection teams are yet to submit their reports to the central bank’s high ups, a BB official told New Age on Sunday.

Besides, the BB has planned to place a proposal before the government to give cash incentives to non-resident Bangladeshis

who send up to $200 in remittance to Bangladesh to tackle hundi cartel, he said.

Bank Asia managing director Md Arfan Ali told New Age on Sunday that the central bank should take initiative to eliminate

harassment the NRBs face in remitting their money.

The scheduled banks should take measure to provide the door-to-door services to the relatives of remitters so that they will

receive the money sitting home, he said.

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/budget-be-revised-down-74pc-1385362

The BB and the scheduled banks should take initiative to decrease the exchange rate gap between the banks and the curb

market to encourage the remitters to send their money through the legal channel, he said.

The inward remittance will increase if the banks charge the NRBs less for sending their money through the banking channel,

he added.

Former interim government adviser AB Mirza Azizul Islam told New Age that the exchange rate gap between the banks and

the curb market was still high, which fuelled the hundi business.

The government and the BB should take measure to prevent the illegal channel to increase the inward remittance, he said. –

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/12595/remittance-slumps-for-9th-month

BPC forced to import octane on emergency basis Demand for octane has increased following the rise in price of CNG, prompting the government to move for importing the

high-value petroleum on an emergency basis, in view of reductions in local production as well, reports UNB.

According to official sources, the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation recently had to import 15,000 metric tons

of octane from Indonesia after a two-year break.

The government didn't have to import octane from abroad in the last two years, with domestic production enough to meet

the local demand.

But recently, it was found that the demand for octane was growing at a fast pace and the BPC had to resort to importing octane

on emergency basis to keep the local supply normal.

This was revealed in the Energy Division`s proposal seeking the Cabinet Purchase Committee`s approval for the import of the

15,000 metric tons of octane from Indonesia.

The BPC officials submitted that the recent hike in CNG prices has prompted some car owners to use octane instead of CNG,

which ultimately led to the rise in demand for octane.

The government raised price of CNG per unit price to Tk 38 from Tk 35 with effect from March 1. The BPC, however, said the

constraint in getting octane from local sources was also a major reason for its move to import 15,000 mt of octane from

Indonesia.

The BPC outsources octane production to two private local refineries and one public refinery (ERL), which produce octane by

using the locally produced condensate coming from different gas fields.

The BPC gets about 225,000mt of octane to meet its locals demand. Its estimated daily demand is 452mt and monthly demand

is 13,560mt. But recently, the demand has increased by 2730mt per month.

But adequacy of local supply became uncertain when ERL announced plans for shutdown of its production for more than a

month, said a BPC official.

The BPC calculated that the country was operating on just 13 days' reserve supply of octane. To tackle the situation, the BPC

on emergency basis moved to import the 15,000 mt of octane, said the officials.

Source: http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/88293

ICT firms to be allowed to remit abroad $30,000 a year Bangladesh Bank on Thursday said that the owners of ICT and software firms, who are members of Bangladesh Association of

Software and Information Services (BASIS), will be allowed to remit abroad $30,000 in a calendar year from the earlier ceiling

of $25,000 to meet their business purpose.

Within the limit of $30,000, the owners of ICT and software firms will be allowed to refill $6,000 at a time from the earlier limit

of $2,500.

http://www.newagebd.net/article/12595/remittance-slumps-for-9th-monthhttp://www.theindependentbd.com/post/88293

The facility is not linked with the export retention quota (ERQ) of the ICT businesspeople and it is remittable through wire

transfer or international credit card within the limit.

The BB issued four circulars to banks to relax the foreign exchange rules for the ICT sector so that the inward remittance will

increase through the sector in the days to come.

The exporters of the ICT sector will also be allowed to keep their 70 per cent export earnings with their ERQ accounts.

Both members and non-members of BASIS will enjoy the facility.

The exporters of the ICT sector were earlier allowed to keep 60 per cent of their export earnings with their ERQ accounts.

The BB clarified that the banks will be able to issue any virtual cards for $300 in a calendar year to individual software

developers and freelancers.

The individual software developers and freelancers will be allowed to keep the money with their debit, prepaid or credit card.

The central bank issued a separate form-C for the exporters of ICT sector to boost their business.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/12597/ict-firms-to-be-allowed-to-remit-abroad-30000-a-year

Leather sector fears loss of Tk1,100cr export orders As the saga of tannery relocation continues, industry people fear that the country may suffer a loss of over Tk1,000 crore

export orders of leather goods.

“The tanneries at Hazaribagh are going to be closed from April 6 as per the Supreme Court order. But Savar is not ready yet to

start operation of tanneries though the people related with process placed false information before the court,” said

Mohiuddin Mahmud Mahin, president of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association

(BFLLFEA).

He was speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Sunday, attended by leaders of 14 leather sector associations.

The associations placed six demands including a judicial inquiry into Bangladesh Small and Cottages Industry Corporation

(BSCIC) which is accused of “misinforming” the court about the preparedness in Savar Tannery Estate.

They gave an ultimatum to the government to meet their demands by April 6.

Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) President Md Shaheen Ahmed said they will organise a mass rally in Savar on April 8 if

the demands are not met by April 6.

The tanners’ demands included providing immediate connection of gas and electricity to Savar Tannery Estate, giving plots to

those who has not got plot yet in the Estate, quick completion of ownership deed registration of the plots, withdrawal of

embargo on passing design plan at the tanners’ land in Hazaribagh and immediate completion of the relocation process to

Savar providing all facilities and revealing “truth” to the people against “BSCIC’s misinformation.”

While reading out a written statement, BFLLFEA President Mohiuddin Mahmud Mahin said: “The BSCIC had submitted false

information before the court saying that the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at all the factories in Savar is ready. But

we found only 50 of 154 tanneries having CETP facility while other ones are to dispose unrefined liquid waste to nearby

Dhaleshwari River. This is again an environmental concern.”

He said 120 tanneries had submitted a demand note to BSCIC for gas and another 144 for electricity connections, which are

yet to be met.

“Without gas and electricity, we cannot start production,” he said.

Mahin said the plot registration has not been complete yet. “But we have invested Tk2,200 crore in Savar Tannery Estate. As

the BSCIC is yet to hand over plots to us through registration, we cannot apply for bank loans.”

BTA President Md Shaheen Ahmed said: “We kept our voice low in the past as environmental hazards in Hazaribagh. We felt

guilty. Taking this chance, BSCIC had submitted false information about us and relocation process before the court.”

http://www.newagebd.net/article/12597/ict-firms-to-be-allowed-to-remit-abroad-30000-a-year

“We will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 10, if the relocation process is not completed,”

he added.

Efforts were made to contact Ziaur Rahman, project director of Savar Tannery Estate. Despite repeated phone calls and text

messages, the Dhaka Tribune failed to reach him for his comments on the matter.

On March 30, the Supreme Court asked the owners of Hazaribagh tanneries to stop all kinds of operations there by April 6.

In July last year, the Appellate Division asked every tannery to pay Tk10,000 per day for damaging and polluting the

environment.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/leather-sector-fears-loss-tk1100cr-export-orders/

Growing Ctg port cargoes far surpass capacity Bangladesh's biggest seaport fails to keep pace with growing containerized cargoes as

its holding capacity and other transportation logistics did not expand proportionately.

Official sources said the capacity of Chittagong port has expanded around 8000

Twenty-foot-Equivalent Units (TEUs) in five years while the number of cargo-handling

equipment remained almost the same.

In a marked contrast, the container traffic increased by nearly 1.0 million TEUs to 2.3

million TEUs over a period of five years, starting from January 2012.

Port-insiders said the seaport has an annual capacity of holding 1.7 million TEUs.

This mismatch might cause disruption to supply chains, leading to rise in consumer

goods prices. The economy as a whole may also suffer.

To cope with the reality, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) many times forced the

port-users to take back both laden and empty containers quickly outside the port yards to clear the port space for the new

arrivals.

They also force incoming vessels to wait in bay for four to five days following space constraints on the port premises.

Users hinted that under such situation the port may face huge troubles with the forthcoming cargos meant for meeting the

demand for the month of Ramadan at a time when all kinds of goods pour in.

They also fear that the transportation and handling of containers may get into difficulties in the coming monsoon because of

its ageing equipment which go out of order when the terminals get submerged during incessant rain.

According to statistics, Chittagong port has now the capacity of holding 36,357 TEUs at a time in its different setups. But it

handles more than 40,000 TEUs more often than not.

Similarly, the container growth is over 10 per cent on a year-on-year basis but the procurement of logistics remained stalled

for long. The spaces for accommodation increased meagerly.

"There was no big terminal in five years," admitted a port official working at its planning unit, but many projects are in the

pipeline.

Officials who work in port's procurement section told the FE that they had a restriction on procurement of fresh equipment

by the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Shipping (MoS).

It made a move to procure 62 heavy-to-light pieces of equipment in 2014 at a cost of Tk 11.20 billion.

But the parliamentary panel argued that the CPA should not make such procurement as it does not operate terminals.

Currently, private berth operators manage container handling by using port equipment.

However, a committee formed by the MoS has cleared the way and the port authority has floated tender for some of the

equipment.

http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/leather-sector-fears-loss-tk1100cr-export-orders/

Sahed Sarwar, a senior official at Tokyo-based shipping firm styled K-Line, told the FE that they had been asking the CPA for

long to improve the situation as they were victims of the situation.

"We raised the issue during a meeting with Port chairman recently," he said.

He mentioned that now both container and break-bulk carriers wait at outer-anchorage for lack of spaces in the port yards,

which contributes to rise in their operating costs and ultimately the consumers pay for it.

Mr Sarwar, also a senior leader at the Shipping Agents Association, said a break-bulk carrier which carries goods in bulk is the

worst sufferer while the container carriers wait on average three days at bay before entering port terminals.

On the other hand, Captain AS Chowdhury, country head of Singapore-based Seacon shipping line, told the FE that the port is

failing to cope with a growing load of containers.

He said they were trying to ensure "economy of scale" by using large vessels instead of small-sized ones.

The coming monsoon may cause a huge trouble as the ageing equipment often become out of order at a time when there

occurs incessant rainfall and submersion of the terminals.

Mahbubul Alam, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "The capacity of the port remained almost

static during past few years."

Mr. Alam, also vice-president of the country's apex chamber-body FBCCI (the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of

Commerce and Industry), also said they had also been demanding the capacity building for long.

The leading businessman, however, said there is no alternative but to increase the space and the equipment of the port to

cope with the situation.

Jafar Alam, a member of the CPA, told the FE that they had taken measures to build the port's capacity.

He said the capacity will be enhanced shortly as the work for building terminals is on.

The Chittagong port, one of the ancient in the region, has now several dedicated terminals to handle containers, starting since

late 1970s.

They include Chittagong Container Terminal, the first-ever fully dedicated terminal for containers. Its cargo operations were

inaugurated in 1992.

Later, New Mooring Container, built sometime in 2008, also is now in operation after eight years. But it is yet to be

operationalized fully for lack of logistics.

It had also built a small terminal in front of its hospital, named New Container Yard.

The CPA now mulls over building three terminals -- Potenga Terminal, Laldiar Char Terminal and Karnaphuli Terminal. But all

require time to be implemented -- three to five years.

Currently, Chittagong Port has four gantry cranes to load and unload container from the vessels. It has 19 units of rubber-tyred

gantry cranes used in intermodal operations to ground or stack containers.

It has 38 units of straddle carrier, a non-road-going vehicle, for use in port terminals and intermodal yards used for stacking

and moving containers.

The port is equipped with 17 units of reach stacker--a vehicle used for handling intermodal cargo containers in small terminals

or medium-sized ports.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/04/03/65889/Growing-Ctg-port-cargoes-far-surpass-capacity

Labor issues to be top on TICFA meeting agenda Workplace safety and worker rights issues would be high on the agenda for the 3rd meeting of Bangladesh-United States Trade

and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement to be held on May 17 in Dhaka, commerce ministry officials said.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/04/03/65889/Growing-Ctg-port-cargoes-far-surpass-capacity

According to senior officials of the commerce ministry, Bangladesh would brief the US authorities about the progresses it has

made in line with the action plan provided by the United States Trade Representative in 2013 for the restoration of the

generalized system of preferences.

The US has suspended Bangladesh’s GSP facility in its market since June 2013.

In the presentation, Bangladesh would make an appeal for restoring the GSP benefits, the officials said.

They said labor rights issues would get priority in the TICFA meeting as the review meeting of Sustainability Compact which

includes the European Union, the Bangladesh government, the US government and the International Labor Organisation would

be held at the same time in Dhaka to assess the progresses of labor issues since the Rana Plaza building collapse.

Following the Rana Plaza incident, that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly readymade garment workers, Bangladesh was

suspended from GSP eligibility in the US market in June 2013 based on worker rights concerns and the US provided 16-points

action plan for restoring the trade facility.

At the same time, the EU, the US, Canada and Bangladesh adopted the Sustainability Compact and the initiative provided

separate action plan for Bangladesh to improve its worker safety and rights.

The US was the single largest destination for Bangladeshi export products mainly readymade garments.

In 2016, Bangladesh’s export earnings from the US were $5.49 billion including $5.30 billion from RMG products.

Recently, the EU has threatened Bangladesh of GSP suspension if the country fails to address the worker rights issues as per

the recommendation of the ILO.

In March, the US in its Trade Policy Agenda said that Bangladesh needed more progress in respect of labor rights for the

restoration of GSP.

‘Although Bangladesh has made some progress on these issues, especially with respect to workplace safety, more progress is

necessary before GSP benefits can be restored, particularly with respect to rights of association, union registration, and the

protection of labor leaders from violent reprisals,’ the US Trade Policy Agenda said. It also said that the USTR would continue

its efforts to promote stronger respect for workers’ rights in Bangladesh in 2017.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/12596/labour-issues-to-be-top-on-ticfa-meeting-agenda

COTTAGE, SMALL SECTOR BUSINESSES, Banks can give more than Tk 10 lakh in loan Bangladesh Bank on Sunday said that the banks would be allowed to disburse loan more than Tk 10 lakh to new entrepreneurs

of cottage, micro and small sector by taking credit under the refinance schemes operated by the central bank.

The BB issued a circular to managing directors and chief executive officers of all banks saying that the banks would disburse

the loan under the bank-customer relationship.

The entrepreneurs will enjoy the loan without placing any collateral securities, but will have to give personal guarantee to

enjoy the loan, the BB circular said.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/12600/banks-can-give-more-than-tk-10-lakh-in-loan

Women entrepreneurs to get Tk25 lakh collateral-free loan Bangladesh Bank has directed banks to provide Tk25 lakh loan to a woman entrepreneur without any collateral.

The new entrepreneurs will also get collateral-free Tk10 lakh loans.

Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Sunday to ease the process of the SME loans to the women and new entrepreneurs.

SME loans will be disbursed on the basis of bank-client relations and types of products and services.

http://www.newagebd.net/article/12596/labour-issues-to-be-top-on-ticfa-meeting-agendahttp://www.newagebd.net/article/12600/banks-can-give-more-than-tk-10-lakh-in-loan

Bangladesh Bank data showed that the local banks and financial institutions are going to disburse Tk23,500 crore loans to

create new entrepreneurs to promote sustainable development of the country.

The figure is 20% higher than that of the previous year and most of the loans will be given to small and medium enterprises in

rural areas.

Bangladesh Bank has made it compulsory for banks and financial institutions to disburse SME and agricultural credit at low

interest rates.

New women entrepreneurs are going to get Tk1,657 crore as SME loans this year.

In 2016, the banks and financial institutions fixed the target of disbursing SME loans at Tk1,13,503 crore. But they were able

to achieve more than the target. They were able to disburse Tk1,41,935 crore.

This year the new entrepreneurs will get Tk21,794 crore as SME loans. Last year the amount was Tk18,128 crore.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/women-entrepreneurs-get-tk25-lakh-collateral-free-loan/

MTB inks deal with SEL Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTB) recently signed an agreement with The Structural Engineers Ltd (SEL). at a simple ceremony

held at SEL Centre in the city.

Under this agreement, the customers of The Structural Engineers Ltd (SEL) will enjoy special benefits on MTB Home Loan.

Engr. Md. Abdul Awal, Managing Director, The Structural Engineers Ltd (SEL) and Syed Rafiqul Haq, Deputy Managing Director

& Chief Business Officer (CBO), MTB signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Md. Shajahan Mia,

General Manager & Head of Marketing & Finance, A.K.M. Shafiuddin (Shahin), Assistant General Manager, Sales of The

Structural Engineers Ltd (SEL), Tarek Reaz Khan, Head of Retail & SME Banking of MTB along with other senior officials of both

the organizations were also present on the occasion, said a statement.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/04/02/65869/MTB-inks-deal-with-SEL

Coca-Cola launches project to finance women entrepreneurs The Coca-Cola Company Bangladesh on Sunday announced initiative to provide access to finance for women entrepreneurs in

the country.

Shadab Ahmed Khan, managing director of Coca-Cola, came up with the statement while he was launching the ceremony of

third phase of its Women Business Centre (WBC) in Dhaka.

The company has targeted to create 5 million women entrepreneurs in the country by 2020 through sustainable development

under the project Economic Upliftment of Rural Women Entrepreneurs.

The Coca-Cola will create 100 trained entrepreneurs who will work for benefits of more than 20,000 women in many different

ways with a fund of US$1,50,000.

These benefits include providing affordable business services like mobile phone recharge, photo copy, printing, internet access,

selling agri inputs, mobile money banking services and free health care services.

The WBC, launched in January 2015, now is active in Jamalpur, Khulna and Bagerhat districts.

In Bangladesh, WBC pioneered by Coca-Cola Bangladesh Ltd, in partnership with Concern Universal, is working for rural women

to increase their income by providing technical skills and support to enhance their entrepreneurial capacity.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/coca-cola-launches-project-finance-women-entrepreneurs/

http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/women-entrepreneurs-get-tk25-lakh-collateral-free-loan/http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/04/02/65869/MTB-inks-deal-with-SELhttp://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/coca-cola-launches-project-finance-women-entrepreneurs/

অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ ও অর্থায়ৈ, ভারিলক তিলেষ সুতিধা তিলে বিজা েীৈ ও জাোলৈর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে প্রতিষ্ঠার বেলে শুধত জতম িরাদ্দ বিয়ার কাজটতকুই কলরলে িাাংোলিে অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে কিতথেে ( বিজা) । তকন্তু ভারলির বেলে িযিযয় ঘলটলে তৈয়লমর। এলেলে তিলেষ সুতিধা োলে বিেতট। ভারলির কাে বর্লক ঋণ তৈলয় েট্টগ্রালমর তমরেরাইলয় বিেতটর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ ও অর্থায়ৈ করলি োইলে বিজা। একইভালি িালেরহালটর মাংো ও কুতিয়ার বভড়ামারায় ভারিলক এরই মলধয িরাদ্দ বিয়া অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে দুতটরও উন্নয়ৈ করলি যালে োংস্থাতট। এ িািি বৈয়া ঋণ সুিেলমি আিার ব রি তিলি হলি ভারিলকই। েররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণােলয়র এক োংতিি েূলে এ ির্য জাৈা বেলে।

বিজার ঊর্ধ্থিৈ এক কমথকিথা িলেৈ, বিজা হলো অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের কিতথেে। িারা অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের কাযথিম েযথলিেণ করলি। একই েলে যালির অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের তৈিন্ধৈ বিয়া হলয়লে, িালির উন্নয়ৈ কাযথিমও িিারক করলি। োোোতে অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের িাইলরর অাংলের েড়ক বযাোলযাে োড়াও েযাে, োতৈ, তিদুযত্েহ অন্যান্য বেিার অিকাঠালমােি উন্নয়লৈর কাজতটও বিজা বিখ্লি। অন্যতিলক ৈকো অনুলমািৈ ও িিারতক োড়া অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের বভিলরর বকালৈা উন্নয়ৈকাজ বিজার করার কর্া ৈয়। এজন্যই েরকাতর- েরকাতর, েরকাতর- বিেরকাতর িা বিেরকাতর েযথালয় তিতভন্ন বিে তকাংিা িযিোয়ীলির অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে প্রতিষ্ঠার োইলেন্স অর্িা অনুলমািৈ বিয়া হলে, যালি িারা তৈলজরাই এেি অঞ্চলের বভিলরর অাংে উন্নয়ৈ কলর বৈয়।

তকন্তু ভারিলক িরাদ্দ বিয়া অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের বেলে এর িযতিিম ঘটালে বিজা। োংতিি েূে জাৈায়, েট্টগ্রালমর তমরেরাইলয় অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্য এক হাজার একলরর বিতে জতম বেলয়লে ভারি। এরই মলধয িাাংোলিলের বেলরাতেয়াম করলোলরেলৈর ( তিতেতে) েলে এখ্ালৈ বযৌর্ তিতৈলয়ালের আগ্রহ জাতৈলয়লে ভারলির রাষ্ট্রায়ত্ত প্রতিষ্ঠাৈ ইতন্িয়াৈ অলয়ে। এরই তভতত্তলি তমরেরাইলয় ভারলির অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ কাজতট কলর তিলে বিজা। এলেলে অর্থায়লৈর জন্য ভারলির কাে বর্লক ঋণ বৈয়ার কর্া ভািলে োংস্থাতট। এজন্য প্রধাৈমন্ত্রী বেখ্ হাতেৈার আেন্ন ভারি ে লর বিেতটর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্য ১০ বকাতট িোর ঋণ বেলয়লে বিজা। অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে িািি বৈয়া ঋণ ভারিলক সুিেলমি ব রি তিলি হলি।

জাৈা বেলে, প্রধাৈমন্ত্রীর আেন্ন ভারি ে লর িতিীয় এেওতেলি ( রাষ্ট্রীয় ঋণ) ৫০ বকাতট িোর েহলযাতেিা বেলয়লে বিজা। এর মলধয ১০ বকাতট িোর িযয় হলি তমরেরাইলয়র অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্য। এজন্য বৈয়া প্রকলের েম্ভািযিা যাোইলয়র কাজও তেেতেরই বেষ হলে। ঋণ িািি বৈয়া িাতক ৪০ বকাতট িোর িযয় হলি বিলের অন্যান্য অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্য। এোড়া িাাংোলিে- ভারি তিিীয় এেওতের আওিায় মাংো ও বভড়ামারায় ভারলির দুতট অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্যও প্রকে বৈয়া হলয়লে। এলি িযয় ধরা হলয়লে ৮ বকাতট ৮০ োখ্ িোর িা ৭০৪ বকাতট টাকা। এ িযয়ও তৈিথাহ করা হলি ভারলির কাে বর্লক বৈয়া ঋলণই। প্রকলের েম্ভািযিা যাোইলয়র কাজও এরই মলধয বেষ হলয়লে।

এ তিষলয় জাৈলি োইলে বিজার তৈিথাহী বেয়ারমযাৈ েিৈ বেৌধতরী িতণক িািথালক িলেৈ, তমরেরাইলয় হাজার একলরর ওের জতম বেলয়লে ভারি। এর তভতত্তলি িাাংোলিে- ভারি িতিীয় ঋণ েততিলি বেখ্ালৈ অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈর জন্য ১০০ তমতেয়ৈ িোর োওয়া হলয়লে। এখ্ালৈ িাইলররেহ বভিলরর অিকাঠালমাও উন্নয়ৈ কলর বিলি বিজা। িলি অিকাঠালমার বেলয়ও জরুতর তিষয় হলো, কি তেেতের ভারি বর্লক তিতৈলয়াে তৈলয় আো যায়। এখ্ালৈ িাাংোলিলেরও অাংেীিাতরত্ব র্াকলি।

জাৈা বেলে, েীলৈর জন্য েট্টগ্রালমর আলৈায়ারায় ও জাোৈলক োজীেতলরর শ্রীেতলর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে প্রতিষ্ঠার অনুমতি তিলয়লে েরকার। েীলৈর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে উন্নয়লৈ েমল ািা স্মারক ( এমওইউ) স্বােরও করা হলয়লে। বিেতটর েরকালরর েলে অঞ্চেতট উন্নয়লৈর কাজ করলে োয়ৈা হারিার ইতিতৈয়াতরাং বকাম্পাতৈ। এজন্য জতম বিয়া হলে ৭৭৪ একর। েীলৈর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলে িাাংোলিলের মাতেকাৈা র্াকলে ৩০ েিাাংে। অন্যতিলক জাোৈ অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের জন্য জতম িরাদ্দ বিয়া হলে ৬০০ একলরর তকেত বিতে। বিেতটও এ অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ করলি তৈজ উলিযালে। েীলৈর মলিা জাোলৈর অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলেও ৩০ েিাাংে মাতেকাৈা র্াকলে িাাংোলিলের। এোড়া মাংোয় ও বভড়ামারায় ভারিীয় অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে প্রতিষ্ঠার জন্য িরাদ্দ বিয়া হলয়লে যর্ািলম ২০৫ ও ৩৭১ একর।

ভারিলক িরাদ্দ বিয়া এেি অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলে িাাংোলিলের অাংেীিাতরত্ব কিটতকু হলি িা আলিৌ র্াকলি তকৈা, বে তিষয়তট এখ্লৈা তৈতিথি ৈয়। এ তৈলয় স্বােতরি এমওইউলি িো হলয়লে, েমিা ও োরস্পতরক সুতিধা এিাং দুই েলের আলোেৈার তভতত্তলি অঞ্চেগুলোয় িযিো স্থাতেি হলি। এোড়া অঞ্চে েতরোেৈার বেলে মালকথট তপ্রতন্সোে অনুেরণ করা হলি। অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের উন্নয়ৈ ও োংতিি তিতভন্ন তিষলয় দুই বিলের ওয়াতকথাং গ্রুে কাজ করলি।

২০১০ োলে প্রণীি িাাংোলিে অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে আইলৈ বিজার িাতয়ত্ব ও কাযথািতে তৈতিথি কলর বিয়া আলে। এলি িো রলয়লে, কিতথেে অিকাঠালমােহ স্থাৈীয় েম্পলির প্রােযিা, েড়ক ও বযাোলযাে সুতিধা, ভ্রমণ ও িযাাংতকাং সুতিধা এিাং িে জৈিলের প্রােযিার তভতত্তলি গুেৈীতির আলোলক ভূতমর অতধকির িে িযিহার তৈতিি করলি। এজন্য তেে এোকার িা অন্য খ্ালির এোকার জন্য ভূতম তৈিথােৈ ও তেতিিকরণ করলি কিতথেে। তৈজস্ব উলিযালে িা েরকাতর ও বিেরকাতর অাংেীিাতরত্বমূেক উলিযালে তেতিি অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের জন্য ভূতম অতধগ্রহণ করা এিাং েরকালরর েে বর্লক অতধগ্রহণকতি ভূতমর িখ্ে গ্রহণ করলি কিতথেে। অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের অিকাঠালমা উন্নয়লৈ তৈজস্ব ও অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে বিলভেোলরর কাযথিম েতরিীেলণর মাধযলম কিতথেে কিতথক তৈধথাতরি েমলয়র মলধয

উন্নয়ৈ তৈতিিকরলণর কাজ করলি কিতথেে। অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে তহলেলি বঘাতষি এোকাগুলোলক তেেৈেরী, কততষতভতত্তক তেোঞ্চে, িাতণতজযক এোকা, েযথটৈ এোকা তহলেলি উন্নয়ৈিলম িযাাংতকাং খ্ালির তিতৈলয়ালের মাধযলম অর্থনৈতিক বকলে রূোন্তর কলর প্রতেতেি শ্রতমক ও িে বেিা প্রিাৈ েহজেভয করলি কিতথেে।

আইলৈ আলরা িো আলে, অতধগ্রহণকতি ভূতম ও িার তিতভন্ন প্রকার অিকাঠালমা উন্নয়ৈ ও িযিস্থােৈার জন্য প্রতিলযাতেিার তভতত্তলি অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চে বিলভেোর তৈলয়াে করলি কিতথেে। তৈজস্ব উলিযাে িাস্তিায়ৈ ও িযিস্থােৈার জন্য অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের অিকাঠালমা উন্নয়ৈ েতরকেৈা প্রণয়ৈ ও অনুলমািলৈর জন্য েভতৈথাং বিািথ েমীলে উেস্থােৈ করলি কিতথেে। এোড়া তৈজস্ব উলিযাে িাস্তিায়ৈ ও িযিস্থােৈার জন্য তেতিি ও অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলে তেে ইউতৈট, িযিোতয়ক ও বেিামূেক প্রতিষ্ঠাৈ স্থােলৈর েলেয, তৈধথাতরি েদ্ধতিলি, আলিিৈপ্রার্থী তিতৈলয়ােকারীলিরর কালে প্রতিলযাতেিামূেক িযিোতয়ক তভতত্তলি ভূতম, ভিৈ িা স্থাৈ িরাদ্দ, ইজারা তকাংিা ভাড়া প্রিাৈ করলি োরলি কিতথেে।

Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2017-04-03/112518/

বেেল াৈ ইন্টারলৈট বেিা, মূেযহার তৈলয় তিতটআরতের িযাখ্যা বেলয়লে মন্ত্রণােয় বেেল াৈ অোলরটরলির িাটাতভতত্তক বেিার তিিযমাৈ মূলেযর বযৌতিকিা েম্পলকথ িাাংোলিে বটতেলযাোলযাে তৈয়ন্ত্রণ কতমেলৈর ( তিতটআরতে) কালে জাৈলি বেলয়লে মন্ত্রণােয়। এ তিষলয় তৈয়ন্ত্রক োংস্থালক েিকাে একতট তেতঠ তিলয়লে িাক ও বটতেলযাোলযাে তিভাে।

জাৈা বেলে, বিলের বেেল াৈ অোলরটরলির িাটাতভতত্তক বেিার িয়মূেয ও তিিয়মূলেযর মধযকার িযিধালৈর বযৌতিকিা যাোই কলর িা জাৈালৈার জন্য কতমেৈলক অনুলরাধ জাতৈলয়লে মন্ত্রণােয়। তিতটআরতে েতেি বমা. েরওয়ার আেম জাৈাৈ, ইন্টারলৈট বেিার তিিযমাৈ মূলেযর যর্ার্থিা েম্পলকথ জাৈলি বেলয়লে মন্ত্রণােয়। তিষয়তট খ্তিলয় বিখ্লি কাজ করলে তৈয়ন্ত্রক োংস্থা। বেেল াৈ অোলরটরলির িাটাতভতত্তক বেিার মূেয তৈধথারলণ তিতটআরতে এরই মলধয উলিযাে তৈলয়লে। বেিাতটর কস্ট মলিতোংলয়র জন্য একজৈ তিলেষজ্ঞ তৈলয়াে তিলি ইন্টারন্যােৈাে বটতেকতমউতৈলকেৈ ইউতৈয়লৈর ( আইতটইউ) কালেও অনুলরাধ করা হলয়লে। তেেতেরই এ তিষলয় কাজ শুরু করলি োংস্থাতটর একজৈ তিলেষজ্ঞ বিলে আেলিৈ।

উলেখ্য, েি েতৈিার িতণক িািথায় বেেল াৈ অোলরটরলির িাটাতভতত্তক বেিা েম্পলকথ একতট প্রতিলিিৈ প্রকাে হয়। এর েতরলপ্রতেলিই মন্ত্রণােয় বর্লক তিতটআরতের কালে বেিাতটর তিিযমাৈ মূলেযর বযৌতিকিা যাোইলয়র অনুলরাধ করা হলয়লে।

প্রকাতেি ওই প্রতিলিিৈ অনুযায়ী, প্রতি তেোিাইট িাটা তকৈলি বেেল াৈ অোলরটরলির িযয় হয় ২৬ েয়োর কম হলেও িা গ্রাহলকর কালে ২০০ টাকার বিতে িালম তিতি করলে অতধকাাংে অোলরটর। িলি ইন্টারলৈট িাটার মূেয িািি গ্রাহলকর কাে বর্লক বিতে অর্থ আিালয়র তিষয়তট মাৈলি রাতজ ৈয় অোলরটররা। িালির িাতি, িাটাতভতত্তক ইন্টারলৈট বেিার জন্য গ্রাহলকর কাে বর্লক বয টাকা বৈয়া হয় , িার মাে ১- ৩ েিাাংে হলো িযান্িউইিলর্র মূেয। তোংহভাে অর্থই প্রতিষ্ঠালৈর মূেধতৈ ও েতরোেৈ িযয় িািি আিায় করা হয়।

Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2017-04-03/112514/

মাে প্রতিয়াজািকরলণ ৩% হালর ভিতথতক বিলি েরকার রপ্তাৈীমতখ্ী মাে প্রতিয়াজািকরলণ ৈেি েহায়িােহ ভিতথতক তিলে েরকার। েেতি মূেধৈ ঋলণর সুিােলের ৩০ েিাাংে ব্লক তহোলি স্থাৈান্তর কলর আোমী ৮ িের ৩ েিাাংে হালর এই ভিতথতক বিওয়া হলি। েম্প্রতি অর্থ মন্ত্রণােলয়র িযাাংক ও আতর্থক প্রতিষ্ঠাৈ তিভাে এ োংিান্ত একতট তৈলিথেৈা বকেীয় িযাাংকেহ োংতিি ১৪তট িযাাংলক োতঠলয়লে। তৈলিথেৈায় িো হয় , তহমাতয়ি তোংতড়েহ রপ্তাতৈমতখ্ী মাে প্রতিয়াজািকরণ কারখ্াৈার েেতি মূেধৈ ঋলণর সুিােলের ৩০ েিাাংে ব্লক অযাকাউলন্ট স্থাৈান্তর কলর ১ িেলরর তকতস্ত মওকু সুতিধা বিওয়া হলি। যা েলর ৮ িের ত্রেমাতেক তকতস্তলি েতরলোলধর সুলযাে োলিৈ গ্রাহক। এরই মলধয েতি সুিিাহী ব্লক ঋলণর িায় এ সুতিধার আওিায় েতরলোধ করা যালি।

এলি আরও িো হয় , োংতিি কারখ্াৈাগুলোলক বিওয়া েেতি মতেধৈ ঋলণর তিেরীলি তিিযমাৈ সুলর ওের েরকার ৩ েিাাংে হালর ভিতথতক বিলি। রপ্তাতৈকারী কারখ্াৈা অিতেি সুি িহৈ করলি।

েেতি মূেধৈ ঘাটতিলি প্রতিয়াকরণ কারখ্াৈাগুলো েরম োংকলটর মলধয েময় োর করলে। অলৈক কারখ্াৈা িলন্ধর উেিম হলয়লে। যা কাতটলয় উঠলি িারেয োংকট িূরীকরলণ েরকালরর েিলেে বেলয় তেতঠ বিয় িাাংোলিে বরালজৈ তিে এক্সলোটথাে অযালোতেলয়েৈ।

http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2017-04-03/112518/http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2017-04-03/112514/

এরই েতরলপ্রতেলি ত্রিতিক অর্থনৈতিক মন্দার প্রভাি বমকালিোয় অর্থ মন্ত্রণােয় এ তেদ্ধান্ত তৈলয়লে িলে জাৈাৈ িযাাংক ও আতর্থক তিভালের উেেতেি বমা. ত লরাজ উতদ্দৈ খ্তে া।

তৈলিথেৈায় আরও িো হয় , ৈিতৈ এ আতর্থক সুতিধায় উলিযািারা িারেয োংকট কাটালি েেম হলি। একই েলে ঋলণর অতজথি সুলির মলধয েরকার প্রলিয় অাংলের িযয়ভার িেলর প্রাা্য় ৯. ৪৪ বকাতট টাকা হালর ৮ িেলর আনুমাতৈক ৭৫. ৪৯ বকাতট টাকা হলি; যা িালজলট োংরতেি প্রলণািৈা েযালকজ হলি বিওয়া হলি।

Source: http://www.arthosuchak.com/archives/330927/

International News ইউলরালে বরািট রপ্তাতৈ করলি টাটা বমি ইৈ ইতন্িয়া বরািট ইউলরালে রপ্তাতৈ করলি ভারলির টাটা বমাটরে। েিকাে রতিিার কম্পাতৈর ির বর্লক িো হয় , কম্পাতৈর অেপ্রতিষ্ঠাৈ টাে মযানু যাকোতরাং ‘তেই’ োতটথত লকট অজথৈ কলরলে। এর মাধযলম কম্পাতৈ বমি ইৈ ইতন্িয়া বরািট ‘ব্রালভা’ ইউলরালে রপ্তাতৈ করলি োরলি। এ বরািট মানুলষর তিকে তহলেলি িাতণতজযক প্রলয়াজলৈ িযিহার হলি।

এক তিিততিলি টাটা বমাটরে জাৈায়, ইউলরালের িাজালর টাে ব্রালভা বরািট রপ্তাতৈর জন্য বযেি েিথ েূণথ েূরণ করা প্রলয়াজৈ িা করা হলি। তিলেষ কলর ইউলরােীয় স্থাস্থযেি তৈরােত্তা, েতরলিেেি িাধযিাধকিা ইিযাতি েি প্রতিয়া তৈতিলির মাধযলমই এ বরািট রপ্তাতৈ হলি।

ব্রালভা ভারী তজতৈে উলত্তােৈ িা রাখ্া, যন্ত্রাাংে োংলযাজৈ এিাং কযালমরা ও তভেৈতভতত্তক তিতভন্ন কাজ করলি। তিলেষ কলর এতট তেে-কারখ্াৈায় কাজ করলি মানুলষর তিকে তহেলি। তিেজ্জৈক, একলঘলয়তম িা তিরতিকর কাজগুলো এ বরািট মানুলষর স্থোতভতষি হলয় কলর ব েলি। তিিততিলি িো হয় , টাে মযানু যাকোতরাং ব্রালভা ত্রিতর কলর তিলেষ কলর েতড় োংলযাজৈ, েতজতস্টকে, খ্ািয, েযালকতজাং, ামথাতেউতটকযােে এিাং অন্যান্য তেেলক গুরুত্ব তিলয়।

িিথমালৈ টাে মযানু যাকোতরাং বর্লক বযেি কম্পাতৈ ব্রালভা বরািটথ িয় কলর িার মলধয রলয়লে টাটা বমাটরে, মাতহো অযান্ি মাতহো, িায়লিাল্ড, তেতেতজ ইন্িাতিজ, হাইলরালমতটক, এেতজলক ইন্িাতিজ, আরতটএ স্পা ইিাতে, তিআইতিটএে দুিাই কযাম্পা ইিযাতি।

Source: http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/industry-business/2017/04/03/482170

Iraq has pledged to fully comply with oil cut deal: Opec chief Iraq has assured Opec it will fully comply with an agreement to cut oil supply in order to bolster crude prices, Opec Secretary

General Mohammed Barkindo said on Sunday.

Compliance with the deal agreed by Opec and non-Opec producers at the end of last year to cut supply is "encouraging",

Barkindo told an energy conference in Baghdad.

General compliance with supply cuts by the oil producers was 86 percent in January and 94 percent in February, he said.

"The focus is now to rebalance the market," he added. Opec ministers will meet in May to decide whether or not to extend

the oil supply curbs beyond June.

Barkindo described as "very constructive" meetings he had on Saturday with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi

leaders in Baghdad.

He saluted Iraq's "flexibility" in the talks that helped bring about an agreement between the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries and non-member oil producers.

Iraq is Opec's second-largest producer, after Saudi Arabia.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/iraq-has-pledged-fully-comply-oil-cut-deal-opec-chief-1385296

http://www.arthosuchak.com/archives/330927/http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/industry-business/2017/04/03/482170http://www.thedailystar.net/business/iraq-has-pledged-fully-comply-oil-cut-deal-opec-chief-1385296

Germany criticizes Trump orders on trade deficits, import duty evasion US President Donald Trump's executive orders on trade deficits and import duty evasion are a sign that Washington plans to

move away from free trade and international agreements, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday.

Trump instructed his administration on Friday to study the causes of US trade deficits and clamp down on countries that abuse

trade rules in two executive orders he said would open a new chapter for US workers and businesses.

Zypries said that while the executive orders were initially only reviews, "they show, however, that the US obviously wants to

move away from free trade and trade agreements."

"We must seek constructive dialogue and explain that the reasons for the US trade deficit are not just abroad," the minister

said, adding that she would raise the issue in talks with US counterparts during a trip to Washington in May.

For years, the United States has been importing more goods from Germany than it exports to Europe's biggest economy, due

to the relatively strong competitiveness of German firms and the high demand among US customers for 'Made in Germany'

goods.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/germany-criticises-trump-orders-trade-deficits-import-duty-evasion-1385299

US trade orders should respect international rules: China China called on the United States to respect international trade rules and improve cooperation and dialogue in reaction to two

new orders by US President Donald Trump calling for an investigation into trade abuses.

Any US trade enforcement measures should comply with generally accepted international trade rules and differences between

the two countries should be handled properly, an unidentified spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said in a speech

on Saturday.

"China is willing to cooperate with the United States on a basis of equality and mutual benefit," the spokesperson said in the

speech released on the ministry's website.

Trump signed executive orders on Friday aimed at investigating possible abuses causing large US trade deficits and stopping

import duty evasion.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/us-trade-orders-should-respect-international-rules-china-1385290

UK trade delegation heads to India after Brexit trigger British finance minister Philip Hammond will head a business delegation to India next week in an effort to boost international

trade as Britain begins the process of leaving the European Union.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will be joined by International Trade Minister Mark Garnier and Bank of England

governor Mark Carney for the high-level talks in New Delhi and Mumbai.

“As we leave the EU and embark on an exciting new phase of our economic history, looking to boost our trade and investment

beyond the borders of Europe and strengthening our relationships with the world’s most vibrant economies is more important

than ever,” Hammond said in a statement.

Nine months after the shock referendum vote in favor of Britain exiting the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May on

Wednesday formally activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown for quitting the bloc.

May insists that Britain will pull out of the European single market to control EU immigration as part of her Conservative

government’s Brexit plans.

Britain is now looking to strike new trade deals over the coming years with non-EU countries, although it cannot do so while

still a member of the bloc.

Next week’s talks form part of the annual UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue and Hammond’s delegation will include

leaders from the field of UK financial services.

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/germany-criticises-trump-orders-trade-deficits-import-duty-evasion-1385299http://www.thedailystar.net/business/us-trade-orders-should-respect-international-rules-china-1385290

India’s “finance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with new payment firms, small finance banks and insurance

players entering the field”, the Treasury statement said.

“This shift presents enormous opportunities for the UK to work much more closely with India’s own exciting Fintech sector.”

The statement added: “The trip is also a significant opportunity, following the triggering of Article 50, for the chancellor to

discuss Britain’s new role in the world, as it prepares to revitalize its links with friends and allies, opening up new markets and

new opportunities for British businesses.”

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/uk-trade-delegation-heads-india-brexit-trigger/

http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/04/03/uk-trade-delegation-heads-india-brexit-trigger/