The Daily Star: Internet Edition Thu. May 17, 2007

Vol. 5 Num 1051

Thu. May 17, 2007


News
Today's Index
Front Page
Business
Sports
Metropolitan
National
International
Culture
General


Views
Point-counterpoint
Editorial
Write to Editor


Sections


Others
About Us
Contact
Advertisement
Supplements
Archives

Business

New system for cargo handling comes into force at Ctg port
Stevedoring system goes
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) yesterday introduced a new single-point system to replace the old fashioned stevedoring system for cargo handling at Chittagong Port.

FBCCI seeks specific duties on edible oil, baby food, raw materials
Hands over budget proposals to govt
The country's apex trade body yesterday requested the government to impose specific duties on edible oil, powdered milk, baby foods, basic metal and raw materials in the next budget to keep prices ofthe

Govt okays deal with Switzerland to avoid double taxation
The caretaker government approved a ratified agreement between Bangladesh and Switzerland on avoidance of double taxation to further strengthen the existing economic relations between the two countries.

Bangladesh Army, Banglalink sign MoU
Bangladesh Army Overseas Operations Directorate and mobile phone operator Banglalink have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to commemorate the 'United Nations Peacekeeping Day 2007' on May 29.

Indian IT lobby demands more US work visas for tech professionals
India's tech industry on Wednesday demanded more liberal US visa rules for software and computer professionals in response to calls by US lawmakers to limit their entry further.

Migrant labour crucial for Asia: ILO
Migrant workers from developing Asian countries play a critical role in addressing labour shortages in the region's wealthiest economies, the International Labour Organisation told a regional forum here

WTO ministers struggle to salvage talks
Ministers from leading WTO members convene here on Wednesday in a fresh move to spur progress toward a global trade accord, working against the clock after six years of largely fruitless debate.

China pledges currency reforms
Premier Wen Jiabao pledged that China would further reform its currency controls and take steps to resolve problems ranging from the nation's growing trade surplus to its soaring foreign exchange reserves.

EU states, lawmakers strike deal on mobile roaming rates
EU governments and the European Parliament struck a deal on Tuesday to force mobile phone operators to reduce charges for calls from abroad, officials said on Tuesday.

Jakarta to privatise more state firms
The government hopes to add several additional state-owned companies (SoEs) to its privatisation program this year, in a bid to raise more cash to plug the budget deficit, the new state enterprises minister

Mittal's Q1 profits rise 28.8pc
Arcelor Mittal, the world's biggest steel producer, raised net profits by 28.8 percent in the first quarter to 1.717 billion euros (2.35 billion dollars) on strong fundmentals in the steel market.

Oil steady in Asia
Oil prices were steady Wednesday as traders weighed expectations of rising U.S. crude and gasoline stocks against concerns about oil production cuts following protests in Nigeria.

OECD invites Russia, 4 other states, to talk membership
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development invited Russia and four other nations to join OECD membership talks on Wednesday and said it would give priority to southeast Asia in future.

US property downturn to weigh on economy: IMF
Weakness in the US property market will continue to weigh on US growth, which is slowing down, International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky said here on Wednesday.