Volume 4 Number 345 Wed. May 19, 2004       Advertise with The Daily Star -- Advertising on the Website    Advertising in the Printed E dition-- Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Political Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections StarTech Star Chittagong Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Business   Thrust on better preparation to derive Safta benefits Seminar on follow-up of Saarc Summit decisions told Bangladesh should be better prepared to derive maximum benefits from the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) agreement which comes into effect in January 2006, speakers told a seminar in Dhaka yesterday. Potential for cross-border energy co-op still untapped Speakers tell seminar on Saarc issues Lack of concerted efforts from governments and absence of a catalysing agency is eluding materialisation of cross-border energy cooperation among South Asian countries, a minister said at a seminar yesterday. Garment exporters seek policy support to stay competitive after '04 Garment manufacturers and exporters have sought policy support from the government on reduction of lead-time, setting up of central bonded warehouse and simplified rules of origin to remain competitive   Lift restriction on KSA-bound cleaning, construction workers Overseas recruiters ask govt Overseas recruiters have urged the government to withdraw the restriction on migrating to Saudi Arabia for cleaning and construction jobs.   Italy to take 1,500 workers from Bangladesh this year Illegal workers to be sent back, says Italian envoy Italy plans to frame a manpower policy in consultation with Bangladesh to regularise the flow of workforce as about 1,500 more Bangladeshi workers are expected to be employed in the European country this   WB plans to increase support for mid-income countries The World Bank plans to increase its support for development in middle-income countries to encourage more private sector investment, according to an internal bank report, in a new strategy that couldsee   HSBC, Rancon Motors sign deal on interest-free car loan The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (HSBC) in Bangladesh and Rancon Motors Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dhaka yesterday on selling Mercedes-Benz vehicles to be financed   Emirates SkyCargo gets best cargo airline awards Emirates SkyCargo won the Cargo Airline of the Year Awards in London recently.   STB launches new city tour programme in June Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will launch a city tour programme titled 'Uniquely Singapore Shop and Eat Tours' in June.   EU flexible on WTO farm tariffs, ambassador says The European Union is prepared to abandon a joint EU-US plan to reform global agriculture duties because of opposition by developing countries, an EU official said Monday.     Advertisement