Investment in Bangladesh: Grameen Phone

"The Dhaka Stock Exchange(DSE) index almost doubled in value in 2007, despite martial law and the overthrow of a democratic government."-Yahoo finance.

Here in Wrexham, UK I met two Bangladeshi (Now british) citizens have invested in the DSE for couple of months. and their fortune has grown lot.
Unlike many markets in Asia, such as India which has plummeted by a quarter this year, DSE has held on to most of its gains.

Grameenphone, a Norwegian-controlled mobile phone company, is set to become Bangladesh's biggest initial public offering with a domestic flotation worth up to $150m and a preceding share placement of a further $150m.

Citigroup Global Markets has conducted the valuation of the company.

With the listing on the capital market, the company will get 10 percentage point corporate tax exemption from 45 percent.

Capital and Housing market are the growing sectors in Bangladesh, while it's big headache in other parts of the worlds.

Fair, Festival and events in Bangladesh

Fairs, festivals and events have always played a significant role in the life of the citizens of Bangladesh. Some of these are from religious and spiritual Background specially festivals, but some are from cultural background, specially fairs. The fairs have their roots in the very heart of the people, irrespective of religion, caste. There are some national events when people shows their greatest respect and homage with many colourful cultural events. The list of the days , not last, are -

Fairs: Pahela Baishakh,Rabindra & Nazrul Jayanti, Langalbandh Mela.
Days of Event: Independence Day, 21st Feb, the National Mourning Day and World Mother Language Day.
Festivals: Eid-e-Miladunnabi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Muharram, Durga Puja, Christmas

These are public holidays. Eid are the biggest Muslim festival observed throughout the world. Let's have a song from Eid Ul Fitr, after Ramadan. Ramjaner er oi roja'r sheshe elo khushir eid.

Boomp3.com

Bags Full of Diamonds: The story of a Bangladeshi taxi driver

Bangladeshi cab driver in New York Returns Bag Full of Diamond Rings to Passenger Who Tipped Him 30 Cents."I'm not going to take someone else's money or property to make me rich. I don't want it that way," said driver Osman Chowdhury, who is from Bangladesh.

For more details visit
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250814,00.html
http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2007/05/04/profile.htm

The Cyclone in Bangladesh

The cyclone SIDR has severely unsettled the lives of millions; as a nation we need to stand behind this calamity and show our fraternity. People of all walks should really come forward and help to mitigate the giant catastrophe that had swept the nation and thousands have died and/or have been maimed. It is now around a few weeks since the cyclone hit us; the media coverage is slowing coming down, but we need to remind ourselves daily about the devastation that SIDR brought onto us. Let us ignite our moral fabric, grasp the reality of the cyclone affected people and do whatever in our capacity to help our brothers and sister leading tormented, desperate and hungry lives. Let us assuage them for losing their near and dear ones.

It was my recommendation that each institution, village, person and community come ahead to support with food, clothing, shelter and education for the children of these affected community. We saw Bangladesh getting together during this catastrophe and that should that as a nation we have the resolve to move ahead. Now, we need to worry about finding these people work as relief itself can only sustain them for weeks or months but the labor market and the economy of the area has to continue. I have read that electricity in some areas had been severed and that the connections were being slowly given. I would urge the government to give utmost importance to this matter and plan to create jobs for the people of the community. Special efforts by the citizens of Bangladesh may be given to accommodate some of these affected people in business enterprises in the area and even at other industrial areas and larger cities. Let us show our citizens’ responsibility by working alongside the government. I would also like to appeal the corporate sector companies to come forward during these desperate hours in the history of Bangladesh and provide them jobs so that they can once again stand on their own two feet.

Ziaur Rahman
CEO, IITM