Vol. 5 Num 232 Sun. January 16, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Business   Dhaka for best use of Japanese GSP facilities In the face of huge bilateral trade gap, Bangladesh yesterday sought Japanese help to make use of the GSP facilities offered by Japan to develop high-value garment products and increase exports there.   Hide traders likely to get Tk 220cr in loan this year The nationalised commercial banks (NCBs) are likely to extend Tk 220 crore in loan to hide traders for the Eid-ul-Azha.   Repo bids hit record 10pc interest rate Interest in repurchase agreement (Repo) hit record 10 percent yesterday as Bangladesh Bank (BB) went strict on the special loan arrangement to commercial banks.   Oil prices near six-week highs on supply worries Oil prices hovered close to six-week highs on Friday amid renewed worries over US winter fuel reserves, the prospect of Opec production cuts and supply problems in the North Sea.   India, US poised to ink open skies deal next month India and the United States should be ready to sign a far-reaching open skies agreement to liberalise air travel between the two countries as early as next month, a report said yesterday.   3 million Chinese come out of poverty in 2004 China said it has cut the number of people living in poverty by three million in 2004, state media reported Saturday.   Tallu Spinning Mills declares 5pc dividend Tallu Spinning Mills Ltd declared 5 percent cash dividend for its shareholders. The declaration came at the 15th annual general meeting of the company held in Chuadanga recently, says a press release.   Emirates launches hotline for Hajj pilgrims Emirates airline has introduced a round the clock phone service in Saudi Arabia to give hassle-free customer services during the Hajj. Gillette launches 'Bend It With Beckham' contest Gillette Bangladesh Pvt Ltd yesterday launched a promotional campaign titled 'Bend It With Beckham' to market its new triple blade shaving razor in Bangladesh.   WB to raise grant aid to poorest countries The World Bank is set to dramatically increase the amount of aid it issues in grants to its poorest borrowers, the lender said Friday, amid US pressure and concerns over countries' debt burdens.   IMF concerned over India's fiscal deficit The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday expressed concern over India's high fiscal deficit and urged the government to carry out far reaching reforms to sustain high growth rates, a report said.   Canada ready to retaliate against US on lumber row Canada told the World Trade Organisation on Friday it was ready to take 200 million Canadian dollars (166 million dollars, 126 million euros) in retaliatory action against the United States in a longrunning   Russia, India to deepen energy cooperation One of Russia's biggest oil and gas players said Saturday the country offers fuel-hungry India vast potential to meet its energy demands.   Oracle cutting 5,000 jobs Oracle Corp will cut 5,000 jobs as it combines with PeopleSoft Inc., the business software rival it acquired for $10.3 billion after a bitterly fought takeover battle, the company said on Friday.   New MD of AB Bank Kaiser A Chowdhury has been made president and managing director of Arab Bangladesh Bank Limited with effect from January 10. Chowdhury started his career with ANZ Grindlays Bank Ltd in 1975.   F1 Auto Fair in February Event management and advertising firm F1 is going to arrange the second 'F1 Auto Fair 2005' on February 11 at Gulshan in Dhaka.   ‘Marshall Plan’ may cost Africans jobs Free trade may sound like a great way to boost Africa's fledging exports and tackle poverty, but it could end up putting tens of thousands of Africans out of their jobs.   3 local cos to take part in Germany paper fair Bangladeshi entrepreneurs will participate in five-day Paper World Trade Fair-2005, the biggest international trade fair of handmade paper, beginning on January 26 in Frankfurt, Germany.   New chairman of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum Sajjatuz Jumma has become the chairman of Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF). Jumma was elected chairman at the 17th general meeting of IBCF held in Dhaka on Monday, says a press release.     Advertisement