Vol. 5 Num 215 Fri. December 31, 2004       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Environment World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Business Prioritise ICT sector for country's development Speakers say at Computer Fair CityIT 2004 Business leaders called for development in information and communication technology (ICT) sector to ensure overall outgrowth of the country through the use of science and latest technology.   BB plans tough rules to cut default loans The central bank is planning stringent regulations for banks next year to further minimise default loans.   IBBL reduces profit rate on investment from tomorrow The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has further reduced its average profit rate on investment and also deposit rate with the guidelines of Bangladesh Bank.   Nat'l flower exhibition begins tomorrow The tenth national flower exhibition begins in Dhaka tomorrow with a view to wooing foreign importers.   Euro hits record high against yen The euro hit a record high against the yen on Thursday and remained within striking distance of this week's all-time peak versus the dollar. Its bull run looks set to continue in 2005.   Alltex okays 10pc dividend Alltex Industries Limited has approved a 10 percent dividend for its shareholders for the year that ended on June 30, 2004.   Metro Spinning okays 12pc dividend Metro Spinning Limited has declared 12 percent dividend for its shareholders for the financial year 2003-2004.   MCCI president re-elected Kutubuddin Ahmed, a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, has been re-elected the president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka for the year   DHL becomes air express service provider of UCBL DHL Worldwide Express has become the exclusive air express service provider of United Commercial Bank Ltd (UCBL).   Insurance stocks stabilise after tsunami worries A growing perception that leading insurers will not be hit hard by claims related to the tsunami catastrophe in south Asia provided a floor under European insurance shares yesterday.   Emirates to operate 3 flights a week to Seychelles Emirates will operate three flights a week to Seychelles, the Indian Ocean islands, from January 2 next year.   Premier Bank branch opens in Gazipur The 21st branch of Premier Bank was inaugurated at Chandana Chowrasta in Gazipur yesterday. Chairman of the bank HBM Iqbal formally opened the branch, says a press release.   New president of ICAB Sheikh Abdul Hafiz has been elected the new president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).   ‘Persistent dollar weakness a concern’ Persistent US dollar weakness is a concern and stability in foreign exchange markets requires a correction of global economic imbalances, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was quoted as saying on Monday.   Taiwan to hike key interest rates Taiwan will raise key interest rates by 0.125 percentage points in a bid to keep inflation stable, the central bank said Thursday.   India allows more domestic sales of sugar in January The Indian government has asked millers to sell 9 percent more sugar in the domestic market in January than this month to ensure adequate supply, a government statement said.     Advertisement