Volume 5 Number 22 Thu. June 17, 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 Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Business   No more VAT refund for import of raw materials Move to hit local cos that win international bids Local firms that win contracts for supplying products or services in foreign currency through international tender will be hit hard by a decision of National Board of Revenue (NBR) not to consider such Use of cement can halve road construction costs Researcher tells Holcim seminar Use of cement in road construction instead of bitumen can reduce costs by 50 percent, a Roads and Highways Department (R&HD) engineer who is conducting a research on the technology, told a seminar yesterday.   Tax on FIs initially cut to get ADB loan, only to be reversed Fact-finding mission on $80m capital market dev loan says The government had reduced tax rate for financial companies (FIs) to get a tranche of US$80 million Capital Market Development Programme (CMDP) loan from Asian Development Bank, but the rate was reversed Women's participation in agri-business underscored Women in the country's rural areas can play a vital role in the agricultural sector if they are given proper access to credit facilities and technical know-how, said participants at a workshop.   Bengal Fine Ceramics targets 25pc growth Factory expanded with new machines With a view to achieving a 25 percent growth rate in the next fiscal year, Bengal Fine Ceramics Limited (BFCL) has installed two new 'semi automatic roller head machines' in its factory at Savar. Commercial Bank launches e-banking Bangladesh enters the era of internet banking as Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd, Bangladesh yesterday formally launched 'Combank Online' offering online cash management services to their personal and corporate   Set up childcare centres at garment factories Industry owners urged at seminar Speakers at a workshop yesterday urged the garment industry owners to establish in-house childcare centres for female workers' children.   Exodus of westerners threatens Riyadh's economy Al-Qaeda cells are seeking to destabilise Saudi Arabia further by terrorising expatriate workforce into leaving the country.   Bangladesh to introduce ISPS Code before deadline Bangladesh has completed its preparations much earlier before the expiry of the deadline for complying with a globally applicable unified safety and security code for port and shipping sectors known as   Prime Bank sanctions Tk 5cr loan to MIDAS Financing Prime Bank Limited has sanctioned Tk 5 crore term loan facilities to MIDAS Financing Limited to extend their project finance.   Mercantile Bank okays 25pc stock dividend Mercantile Bank Limited has approved a 25 percent stock dividend for the year 2003 for its shareholders.   China rejects US accusation of unfair trade practices China's vice trade minister Wednesday rejected as without foundation accusations by the United States that Beijing engaged in "unfair and mercantilist trade practices" that are harmful to the US economy.   Oil price falls as Opec boosts production World oil prices slipped Tuesday as an anticipated boost in Opec output helped traders to quickly put aside concerns over a sabotage attack on a key Iraqi pipeline.     Advertisement