Vol. 5 Num 236 Thu. January 20, 2005       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business 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 Heavy withdrawal ups call money rate to 50pc Precautionary demand for money creates stress on liquidity: Bankers With the banks going on four-day vacation ahead of Eid, the call money rate yesterday hit 50 percent, a trend usually observed during the pre-Eid periods. Tesco eyes $100m garments in '05 Upbeat about Bangladesh's RMG industry Britain's number one retailer -- Tesco that has 2,380 stores in 14 countries -- has set a target to buy garment products worth US$ 100 million from Bangladesh this year.   Expansion of industrial parks on the cards Says minister The industries minister yesterday said the government is now considering a proposal to expand industrial parks in the country.   Oil prices steady in Asian trade Crude oil prices were steady in Asian trade Wednesday ahead of the release of the US oil stocks report, dealers said. New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, was at 48.   IDLC launches car loan scheme Industrial Development Leasing Company (IDLC) of Bangladesh, a multi-product financial institution, launched 'IDLC Car Loan' scheme at a function in Dhaka yesterday.   Bank of Japan sees continuing economic recovery The Bank of Japan on Wednesday said in a monthly report that the Japanese economy will continue recovering despite some soft patches, leaving its view unchanged from December.   India may import genetically modified oilseeds India, the world's largest importer of edible oils, may allow imports of genetically modified oilseeds (GMO) to meet a domestic shortfall, the country's food minister said on Tuesday.   AB Bank arranges Tk264m loan for Basic Dredging Co Arab Bangladesh (AB) Bank Limited has arranged a syndicated credit facility of Tk 264 million for Basic Dredging Co Ltd to support the land development work in Jhilmil residential project area, Keraniganj,   New MD of First Security Bank Mohiuddin Ahmed took over as managing director of First Security Bank recently. Earlier, he was working as acting managing director of the bank.   China mulls steps to free up yuan convertibility China is considering new steps to partially free-up its strictly controlled currency, state press said Wednesday in one of the clearest signs yet that a change in the system may be near.   Chairman of NCC Bank re-elected M Wazhiullah Bhuiyan has been re-elected chairman of National Credit and Commerce Bank Ltd. The board of directors of the bank also re-elected Khairul Alam Chaklader vice chairman.   EU upbeat in public as budget pact revamp starts EU finance ministers set aside differences to report positive preliminary talks on the European Union's budgetary rules on Tuesday, leaving the hard bargaining for later while keeping their sights ona   EU probes UK telecoms firms over state aid The European Commission said Wednesday it had launched an investigation into whether tax arrangements applied to two British telecommunications companies breach European Union state aid rules.   IBM quarterly profit up 12pc, to $3.04b Computer giant IBM said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit rose 12.2 percent from a year ago to 2.7 billion dollars, topping most Wall Street forecasts. The earnings amounted 1.     Advertisement