17-08-2022

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
8
Bank Asia Ltd observed "National Mourning Day" on Monday with daylong activities. The activity
started early in the morning with half-mast hoisting of national flag and singing of national anthem
at the premises of Bank Asia Tower, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Then tree plantation activity was performed
at the same premises. A virtual discussion meeting was held to recall the great life, work and
unforgettable memories of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The
meeting was chaired by the President & Managing Director (CC) Adil Chowdhury where Additional
Managing Director Shafiuzzaman, Deputy Managing Directors Md. Sazzad Hossain, Mohammad
Ziaul Hasan Molla, S.M. Iqbal Hossain, Alamgir Hossain, Head of different divisions and branches
were present. Around 1,000 employees joined the meeting virtually. At noon, A Doa Mahfil and food
distribution program were taken place in an Orphanage and Madrasa for visually impaired children
at Matuail, Jatrabari of the capital city.
Photo : Courtesy
Mining giant BHP
records decade-high
profit, buoyed by coal
SYDNEY : Australian
mining firm BHP revealed
Tuesday that its profits
jumped nearly 40 percent in
the past year despite falling
iron ore prices, bolstered by
unprecedented demand for
coal and copper.
The company recorded
US$23.8 billion in
underlying attributable
profit after a busy year in
which it completed a merger
with petroleum giant
Woodside.
BHP's stellar resultswhich
will see shareholders
paid a full-year dividend of
US$3.25 per share-outpaced
analysts' expectations as
many others in the mining
sector face tough times.
Rival miner Rio Tinto
recently reported that its
profits fell sharply in the past
year and halved its dividend.
BHP's coal business drove
its strong results, with both
metallurgical and energy
coal prices hitting record
levels after Russia's invasion
of Ukraine.
Copper was also a boon to
the company's fortunes,
despite some recent price
drops.
"These strong results were
due to safe and reliable
operations, project delivery
and capital discipline, which
allowed us to capture the
value of strong commodity
prices," BHP chief executive
Mike Henry said.
However, BHP warned
conditions may soon cool:
"Growth momentum has
slowed across many key
regions, and caution
remains due to geopolitical
uncertainty as well as
COVID-19."
It pointed to advanced
economies in particular,
where many central banks
are trying to rein in
inflation.
"We expect to see a
slowdown in advanced
economies as monetary
policy tightens, as well as
ongoing geopolitical
uncertainty and
inflationary pressures,"
Henry said.
BHP also revealed in its
results that the impact of
Covid-19 on its operations
was US$1.5 billion, largely
due to constraints on
labour and supply.
A. B. M. Mokammel Hoque Chowdhury, Managing Director& CEO of Union
Bank Limited placed a floral wreath on the eve of 47th Death Anniversary
and National Mourning Day on yesterday at the portrait of the Father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmanin Bank's Head Office,
72, Bahela Tower, Gulshan-1, Dhaka and organizedTree plantation & distributed
food in the different Orphanage & Madrasha. Additional
Managing Director ofthe bank Md. Habibur Rahman,Deputy Managing
Director Md. Nazrul Islam and Divisional Heads& Executives of the Head
Officewere present at the program. A Doa-Mahfil was also organized on
the occasion.
Photo : Courtesy
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited organized discussion and doa program
to observe the National Mourning Day and the 47th martyrdom
anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman at virtual platform on 15 August 2022, Monday. Professor
Md. Nazmul Hassan, Ph.D, Chairman of the bank addressed the program
as chief guest. Presided over by Mohammed Monirul Moula,
Managing Director and CEO of the bank, the program was addressed
by Professor Dr. Md. Salim Uddin, FCA, FCMA, Chairman, Executive
Committee, Mohammad Solaiman, FCA, Chairman, Audit
Committee, Major General (Rtd.) Engr. Abdul Matin, Chairman, Risk
Management Committee of bank as special guest. Md. Joynal Abedin
and Professor Dr. Qazi Shahidul Alam, Directors of bank addressed
the program. Professor Dr. Mohammad Gias Uddin Talukder,
Chairman, IBBL Shari`ah Supervisory Committee conducted Doa-
Munazat. Professor Dr. Md. Sirajul Karim, Professor Md. Kamal
Uddin, Ph.D, Syed Abu Asad, Quamrul Hasan, Professor Dr.
Mohammad Saleh Jahur, Professor Dr. Md. Fashiul Alam, Khurshid-
Ul-Alam and Mohammed Nasir Uddin, FCMA, Directors of the bank
attended the program. Muhamad Qaisar Ali, Md. Omar Faruk Khan &
J Q M Habibullah, FCS, Additional Managing Directors also
addressed the program. Top executives of Head Office, Zonal Heads,
Branch incumbents and Officials of the Bank also attended the program.
Besides, 16 Zonal Offices and 384 Branches of the Bank also
organized discussion and Doa Program separately on the occasion of
National Mourning Day on August 14, 2022. Photo : Courtesy
Colocity brings Microsoft Azure stack hub hybrid cloud to Bangladesh
DHAKA : Colocity, service partner of Dell Technologies
and Microsoft cloud, has brought Microsoft Azure stack
hub hybrid cloud to Bangladesh to help local businesses
increase productivity by protecting data at an affordable
cost, a press release said.
Emaad Ispahani, managing director of Colocity,
said many companies in the country are not ready
to move from traditional institutional
infrastructure to the public cloud. Organisation
owners want complete control of their data. "Also,
according to the law of the country, some
information, including financial information, has to
be kept within the country. So, cloud capabilities
can create great opportunities for businesses in the
country," he added.
"Microsoft's Azure Stack Hub can be trusted. And
Colocity is the first tier-3 quality commercial data centre
in Bangladesh."
Oil prices extend
losses in Asia,
equities rise
HONG KONG : Oil prices
extended losses Tuesday
after weak US and Chinese
data reinforced recession
expectations, though
equities won support from
hopes the figures will allow
central banks to temper
their pace of interest rate
hikes.
Stock traders tracked a
Wall Street advance led by
tech firms thanks to an
increase in bets that the
Federal Reserve will not lift
borrowing costs by 75 basis
points for a third straight
meeting next month.
Both main crude contracts
dropped in early Asian
business, having lost around
three percent the day before,
as demand expectations are
lowered in light of a string of
soft economic indicators in
major economies.
Signs that Iran is moving
towards a nuclear deal
added to the downward
pressure on prices, with an
agreement seen allowing the
country to restart sales into
the world market.
Analysts said Tehran
could provide 2.5 million
barrels a day, giving a muchneeded
shot in the arm to
supplies, which have been
hammered by sanctions on
Russia in response to its
invasion of Ukraine.
Libya has also boosted
production, helping prices
drop to six-month lows and
wiping out the gains seen
after the Ukraine war
started. But analysts warned
that there might still be
some way to go on an Iran
agreement owing to
upcoming US elections.
Cyber firm Darktrace
shares surge on
possible takeover
LONDON : Shares in British
cyber security firm
Darktrace soared almost a
fifth Tuesday, reflecting a
possible takeover worth
several billion pounds by a
US private equity firm.
Darktrace stock rallied
nearly 18 percent, valuing
the group at more than o3.4
billion ($4.1 billion), after
announcing it was "in the
early stages of discussions
with Thoma Bravo" to take it
private under a cash offer.
AJ Bell financial analyst
Danni Hewson noted that
"Darktrace is in one of the
hottest areas of the tech
world, with demand for
cyber security increasing
amid concern over Russian
cyber warfare linked to the
conflict in Ukraine".
But Darktrace has faced a
rocky time since floating on
the London stock market in
April last year.
"The wild swings in the
share price, while linked to
instability in the tech space
and wider markets, do
suggest that UK investors
have struggled to get to grips
with this complex tech
story," said Hewson. "The
controversy surrounding its
co-founder Mike Lynch
hasn't helped Darktrace, as
he continues to fight
extradition to the US on
fraud charges," she added.
Arif Quadri, Managing Director & CEO of United Commercial Bank
Limited handing over the Integrity Award to A. S. M. Saruar Jahan, Junior
Officer, Chinispur Branch, UCB on Tuesday at UCB Corporate Office along
with the presence of Additional Managing Director of UCB & Chairman of
Ethics Committee Syed Faridul Islam; Additional Managing Director of
UCB Nabil Mustafizur Rahman; Additional Managing Director of UCB
Abul Alam Ferdous; Deputy Managing Director of UCB& Focal Point of
Ethics Committee N. Mustafa Tarek; Deputy Managing Director of UCB&
member of Ethics Committee Mr. Md. Abdullah Al Mamoon; FVP of UCB&
Joint Focal Point of Ethics Committee Shireen Sultana and FAVP of UCB&
member of Ethics Committee Yaomun Nahar.
Photo : Courtesy
As a part of observing the 47th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman & National Mourning Day,
Standard Bank Limited organized a luncheon for over 1000 underprivileged
children of Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage, Chhotamoni Nibas&
Child Day Care Centre, Nurul Uloom Nahuis Sunnah Madrasa &
Orphanage, Jamia Saidia Arabia Madrasa, Emdadia Arabia Madrasa in
Dhaka and Bhavanipur Girls Orphanage & Madrasa, Gazipur on 15 August
2022,. A doamahfil was held before startingthe luncheon and prayers were
offeredfor the forgiveness of departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman,his family members & other martyrs of August 15, 1975
and prayers were offered for enlivening the ideals of Bangabandhuin our
heart at all stages of our national life.High officials of Standard Bank and
teachers & employees of the madrasa & orphanages were present at the
moment.
Photo : Courtesy
Walton signs agreement with Microsoft
Microsoft and Walton will jointly provide
software and hardware service in
Bangladesh. The country's first 'Made in
Bangladesh' tagged computer manufacturer
Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited has
signed an memorandum of understanding
(MoU) in this regard with American techgiant
Microsoft, a press release said.
Under the agreement, Microsoft will
provide software along with hardware
serivces at affordable prices through Walton
Digi-Tech in Bangladesh. The American tech
giant will also contribute in the country's
education sector through Walton.
Customers can enjoy the the services of
Microsoft through Walton laptop and
desktop.
The MoU was signed recently at Walton
Corporate office in city. Sook Hoon Cheah,
General Manager of Microsoft's Southeast
Asia New Markets was present as chief guest
at the signing ceremony.
The agreement signing ceremony was
attended among others by Walton Digi-Tech
Industries Limited's Chairman S.M. Rezaul
Alam, Deputy Managing Director Engineer
Liakat Ali, Corporate Sales Director of
Microsoft's Southeast Asia New Markets
Zahid Alkadhi, Chief Partner Officer Anh
Pham, Walton Digi-Tech's Chief Business
Officer Towhidur Rahman Rad, Chief
Financial Officer Mohammad Abdus Salam.
Guests at the Microsoft-Walton MoU signing ceremony at Walton Corporate Office.
Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTB)and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) have recently
organized a series of interactive and informative sessions under an integrated event titled 'IUBians
meet the Bank' for the students of IUB at the Multipurpose Hall on the university campus. The Bank
showcased its Student Banking services and products such as Graduate Account, Cards, Edu Finance
and Student File Services. At the event, the IUB students got the opportunity to discuss various areas
of their concern such as studying abroad, career preparation, managing finance. Besides, industry
experts from the student agencies, PFEC Global and Mentors', gave them tips on how to plan and
prepare studying abroad. Masud Mushfiq Zaman, Head of Group HR, MTB,and Sharmeen Islam,
Assistant Director of Career Guidance & Placement Office, IUB, shared their experiences and views
on a separate career talk. From MTB, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO, Md.
Shafquat Hossain, Head of Retail Banking, Tahsin Taher, Head of Retail Segments & Strategy and
Azam Khan, Head of Communications Department along with other officials were present during
the event.
Photo : Courtesy