World Defense Forum

BRAC Bank organises Annual Business Continuity Plan Drill 2024
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Dec 20, 2024 19:46
Updated :
Dec 20, 2024 19:46



BRAC Bank has organised Annual Business Continuity Plan Drill 2024 to test and streamline its preparedness in the event of a disaster.

The daylong drill included a simulation in which critical units vital to banking operations, such as Account Services, Asset Operations, Cards Operations, Payments and Transactions, Trade Services, Treasury Operations, Finance, Agent Banking, Call Centre, among others, performed their BAU activities smoothly with minimum disruptions at that site.

According to a press release, the bank has a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure smooth services to customers in case of a natural calamity or elements beyond the bank's control.

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in banking is a framework that outlines procedures and recovery systems to help a bank continue to operate and serve customers during a disaster. A BCP aims to manage the impact of significant disruptions and resume operations within a reasonable time.

More than 100 officials from 26 departments performed several critical tasks identified as vital to bank’s business operations. As per the BCP Drill, these critical tasks would continue uninterrupted, irrespective of any catastrophic situation beyond the bank’s control.

Commenting on the BCP Drill, Ahmed Rashid Joy, Deputy Managing Director & Chief Risk Officer, BRAC Bank, said: “At BRAC Bank, we are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our valued customers in case of natural disaster. That’s why we conduct Business Continuity Plan Drill regularly to offset the risk of future service disruption. This exercise shows our commitment to serving our customers what it takes to continue service during disaster.”​

Threat from illegal foreigners
Tanim Asjad
Published :
Dec 20, 2024 21:23
Updated :
Dec 20, 2024 21:23



A significant number of foreign residents have been living in the country for an extended period, many of them illegally. The interim government has already urged these individuals to legalise their stay, and an official order has been issued to this effect. However, a lack of comprehensive data on illegally residing foreign citizens calls for urgently addressing.

Quoting the official sources, some newspapers reported that around two hundred thousand (two lakhs) foreign citizens are staying in the country with valid visas or prior permission. Of them, around one-fourth or 45,000 are Indian citizens, followed by 13,000 United States (US) citizens, and 10,500 Chinese citizens. So, around two-thirds of the foreign citizens staying legally in Bangladesh are from these three countries. Of course, many US citizens are also citizens of Bangladesh as they hold dual citizenship.

Most foreign citizens come to Bangladesh for business, jobs, tourism, and education. Some stay for a short period, while others stay for longer periods, according to their needs. Alarmingly, some of them also stay after the validity of their visas expires. For instance, at least 7,500 Indian citizens are staying in the country even after the expiration of their travel permission.

What is more alarming is that the number of foreign citizens staying without any valid permission and the number is estimated at 0.40-0.50 million or more than double the legally staying foreigners. A large number of them are from India. The question is how such a big number of citizens of other countries are living in the country and why the law enforcing agencies have so long turned a blind eye to their illegal stay.

As foreign citizens enter the country through border control points, it is crucial to maintain accurate entry and exit records. The advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has made it easier to create and maintain a comprehensive databank. However, the lack of proper planning and necessary measures is hindering the development of a comprehensive and interactive data repository of foreign citizens. Moreover, the past decade has seen many foreign citizens entering and staying in the country without proper documentation, a situation exacerbated by corruption and irregularities in relevant departments. The political support of the Hasina regime, especially for some Indian citizens to stay without proper approval, has also contributed to the increase in the number of illegal foreigners in the country.

Overall, the presence of a large number of illegal foreigners in the country highlights the poor state of governance. Many of these illegal foreigners pose a serious threat to the internal security of the country as they are mostly involved in various crimes in partnership with local criminals. Crimes such as human and drug trafficking to counterfeiting currency notes, gambling, illegal arms dealing and smuggling of gold, different foreign citizens are all committed by the foreign residents staying illegally, the police inform.

Therefore, a well-organised crackdown is imperative to identify, penalise, and deport these illegal foreign citizens. The government also needs to set up a substantial data repository to monitor the entry, presence, and exit of foreign citizens.​

Leave reforms to elected people, announce clear polls roadmap
Says BNP leader Farroque


Photo: UNB

BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Advocate Zainul Abedin Farroque today urged the chief adviser to announce a clear date and roadmap for the national election without delaying the process under the pretext of reforms.

"We will listen to what the chief adviser says. Please, specify the roadmap and election date," he said while addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

Bangladesh Chalak Dal arranged the programme, titled "Election Roadmap and Public Expectation".

Farroque said the people of the country do not want the interim government to delay the transfer of power to the elected representatives in the name of reforms. "No matter who says what, the people's representatives will decide on the reforms," the BNP leader said.

He said the country's people are uncertain when the current interim government will hold elections. "Of course, the chief adviser must listen to the political parties."

The BNP leader said that the government's announcement of a clear roadmap and election date will restore people's confidence in the interim government, democracy and rule of law.

Farroque, also a former opposition chief whip in parliament, also requested the chief adviser to advise members of his advisory council to speak with caution.

"They should refrain from making any comments that could harm your reputation. They should exercise restraint and avoid remarks that could hurt public sentiment."

The BNP leader asked advisers to speak out against the syndicates responsible for hiking the prices of essential items. He lamented the government's failure to arrest the members of the syndicate who made enormous profits and siphoned off money abroad over the past 16 years by manipulating the market.

Farroque also called upon the government to take necessary steps to prevent the manipulation of the market by the Awami League's 'ghosts' during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

He warned the people of the country that another plot was underway to eliminate the nationalist forces and erase the ideals of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman from the hearts of the people.

The BNP leader alleged that the Awami League is plotting to destabilise the country by carrying out attacks on members of the Hindu community.

He said deposed autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina must face trial in Bangladesh and be held accountable for her misdeeds, including killings and repression.​

ICT trailblazers honoured

From left, Rumana Ahmed, director of Logic Software Limited; Kowser Ahmed, managing director and CEO of The KOW Company; Rafel Kabir, managing director of Instasure Limited; Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star; Afeef Zaman, founder and CEO of ShopUp; Selim RF Hussain, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank; Sadia Haque, co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip; Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, group adviser of SSL Wireless; Shahir Chowdhury, founder and CEO of Shikho; and Nazim Farhan Choudhury, chairman of The KOW Company, pose for a photo at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards ceremony at Le Meridien Dhaka today. Photo: Star

Five companies and two individuals were honoured this evening at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the advancement of Bangladesh's information and communication technology sector.

Selim RF Hussain, managing director and chief executive officer of Brac Bank, along with Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, handed over the awards to the winners at a ceremony held at Le Meridien Dhaka, the hospitality partner for the event.

The event, which was organised in association with Brac Bank and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, began with a minute's silence paying tribute to the martyrs and injured of the mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League regime.

Afeef Zaman, founder and CEO of ShopUp, was recognised as the ICT Business Person of the year, while Sadia Haque, co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip, was awarded as the ICT Woman of the year.

Logic Software won the ICT Solution Provider of the year award in the local market focus category and The Kow Company in the international market focus category.

Software Shop (SSL Wireless) was awarded the Digital Commerce of the year, while Shikho and Instasure were the ICT start-ups of the year.

Although ICT has been regarded as the future, it has not been given due importance in Bangladesh, Anam said.

"We haven't given the ICT sector enough support, enough importance, enough legal supportive environment, enough financial incentives for it to flourish."

Only through ICT can Bangladesh catch up with the developed world.

"The application of ICT can advance our health to a much higher standard, provide access to global experts in Bangladesh and connect experts in Dhaka with patients in rural areas. Similarly, in the education sector. Whatever we try, whatever money we spend, we cannot keep our education aligned with the evolution of education in the world except through technology."

Besides, the digitisation of the government system could decrease corruption overnight, Anam added.

There are many who feel that the banking sector should be investing much more in ICT and perhaps there is something to be said about that, said BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain.

"The future does belong to ICT usage and we are confident that banks in Bangladesh will continue to invest in and expand their digital banking capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve customer service, become cost-efficient and fraud detection and prevention."

Going forward, banks will increasingly partner with fintech companies to gain access to new technologies and services to stay competitive in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

"Obviously, this is also an exciting time for banks and financial institutions -- many of them have already significantly upgraded themselves with their digital-first strategies to serve the customers."

The adoption of digital banking channels, implementation of digital onboarding processes (eKYC), use of advanced analytics, development of digital products and services and automation of back-office processes are taking place with great momentum, Hussain added.

Founded in 2010, Logic Software is a leader in providing customised ERP solutions for industries like textiles, garments and leather.

By addressing inventory, production and financial challenges, the company helps businesses streamline operations. The company has processed more than $15 billion in transactions, boosting Bangladesh's economy.

The KOW Company excels in content post-production and 3D innovation.

With over 500 professionals and AI-driven technology, the company processes 32,000 to 35,000 assets daily.

Partnering with global brands like Adidas, it delivers exceptional visual content across industries, setting new standards in media production and creative solutions.

Under Sadia Haque's leadership, ShareTrip has revolutionised travel services in Bangladesh, generating more than $100 million in gross merchandise value.

Her vision has made ShareTrip a leader in the travel industry and digital commerce.

Under Afeef Zaman's leadership, ShopUp raised $174 million in South Asia's largest Series B funding round, driving ShopUp's success.

By focusing on digital credit, logistics and business management, he has transformed the country's e-commerce landscape.

Founded in 2019, Shikho is transforming Bangladesh's edtech landscape by offering localised, interactive educational content in Bengali.

With its mobile app, Shikho provides engaging learning tools for students, addressing education gaps and enabling better retention. The company has secured $6.5 million in funding, expanding its reach and impact.

Founded in 2022, Instasure has pioneered Bangladesh's first embedded insurance platform.

With strategic partnerships and an innovative approach, it offers insurance products at the point of purchase.

By making insurance accessible, particularly for underserved communities, Instasure is reshaping the industry and addressing low penetration rates.

SSL Wireless, founded in 1999, has become a leader in Bangladesh's ICT sector, specialising in digital commerce solutions.

The company's flagship product, Hercules One, integrates over 250,000 merchants, improving business efficiency.

SSL Wireless is also driving Bangladesh's digital transformation and advancing a cashless economy through its innovative offerings.

Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, group adviser of SSL Wireless; Shahir Chowdhury, founder and CEO of Shikho; Rafel Kabir, managing director of Instasure; Kowser Ahmed, MD and CEO of The KOW Company; Rumana Ahmed, director at Logic Software; Afeef Zaman and Sadia Haque received the award.​

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1
Construction, installation work done
M Azizur Rahman
Published :
Dec 20, 2024 01:18
Updated :
Dec 20, 2024 01:18



The construction and installation works at Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) have been completed, Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom said in a statement on Wednesday.

The personnel of the RNPP has started a large-scale test programme for physical start-up, said the statement. The first stage of operation began to bring the reactor plant to the rated parameters on December 18, it said.

During this stage, the operability of equipment and mechanisms will be tested. The reactor coolant pumps (RPC) will be launched and tested for the first time. The reactor plant will be tested at the rated parameters without nuclear fuel. Once the compliance of the equipment with all the design parameters is confirmed, the unit will be ready for the start-up operations, said the statement.

"We have entered the final preparation of Rooppur NPP Unit- 1 for the physical start-up. This is an important stage where we must carry out a large scope of work and tests to prove the operability of the process systems in all the operating modes," said Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy of Rosatom and President of ASE.

"We fulfill all our obligations and guarantee the reliability and safety of our technologies. The first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh will support the country's economy and will work for the benefit of its future generations," he said.

Commissioning of RNPP will ensure supply of environmentally-friendly and safe energy providing for around 10 per cent of the total energy consumption in Bangladesh, the Rosatom statement said.

But the commissioning of the RNPP will face delays as the construction work of the required transmission line to evacuate electricity from the RNPP is not yet completed, said a senior official of Bangladesh's state-run Power Grid Company Bangladesh (PGCB).

Although the construction and installation work have been completed, the commissioning of the RNPP will not be possible without the transmission line, he said.

Building around 16 kilometer (km) of transmission lines over two major rivers - 9.0 km over the Jamuna River and 7.0 km over the Padma River - might be completed within the next several months, he said.

Maintaining frequency in the power transmission system from the RNPP project will be the biggest challenge after completion of the river-crossing power transmission lines, he said.

Fuel loading in the unit will start once construction of the transmission line is complete, the official added.

The PGCB official said that the construction work of the transmission line was halted during mid-July when the mighty river saw huge flow of water. After mid-July, the construction work ceased again due to the mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government on August 5, he said.

The RNPP equipped with two Russian VVER-1200 reactors having the total capacity of 2400 MW is being constructed at Ishwardi upazila in Pabna in accordance with General Contract signed on December 25, 2015.

The VVER-1200 reactors belong to evolutionary Generation III+ design which fully complies with all the international safety requirements. Engineering Division of Rosatom is the General Designer and General Contractor of the Rooppur project.​

BDR Carnage: Genocide case filed against Hasina, aides
M Moneruzzaman 19 December, 2024, 23:54


The families of the BDR carnage victims come out of the International Crimes Tribunal premises on Thursday after lodging a complaint with the chief prosecutor, accusing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, then army chief Moneen U Ahmed and 56 others of committing genocide during the massacre at Pilkhana in 2009. | Md Saurav

The families of 22 victims of the 2009 carnage at then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor on Thursday accusing deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her defense adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former army chief Moneen U Ahmed and 55 others of crimes against humanity and genocide.

The carnage killed 74 people, including 57 army officers including then BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed in February 25–26, 2009.

This is the first case filed with the tribunal against Hasina and her associates for the rebellion of the soldiers of then BDR, now the Border Guard Bangladesh.

Hasina, who fled to India in the face of a student-people uprising on August 5, faces several ICT cases for atrocities committed during the July–August uprising.

The victim families filed the complaint a day after the home affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on December 17 announced that a committee would be formed within the next five working days to ensure justice for the BDR massacre.

The announcement from the government came amid growing calls for justice for the BDR massacre.

Lawyer Uday Tasmir, representing the 22 families of the slain army officers, including Major General Shakil Ahmed’s son Rakin Ahmed and Colonel Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique’s son Saquib Rahman, submitted the complaint to the ICT chief prosecutor in the presence of 15–20 victim family members.

Uday Tasmir told reporters that the killings of the 57 officers constituted genocide and crimes against humanity and Hasina and her associates, including then army chief, home minister, law minister, and intelligence chiefs, were directly involved in the crimes.

‘Our allegations are clear and specific,’ said Tasmir, ‘patriotic, skilled, and brilliant army officers were deliberately targeted to weaken the Bangladesh Army and the BDR, creating a national crisis to jeopardise the country’s independence and sovereignty.’

Then army chief cannot avoid the responsibility, he said.

The complaint accused Hasina of orchestrating a plan to destroy the two key forces to consolidate power and establish a fascist regime.

It alleged that bodies of the slain officers were set on fire and mutilated, family members of the officers were held hostage, their homes were looted, and the killings were premeditated acts of genocide to eliminate opposition within the armed forces.

The complaint said that the victims were buried in mass graves in a bid to hide the bodies of the victims.

Mehrim Ferdowsi, the wife of Colonel Mujibul Haque, also addressed journalists, asserting that the massacre was a calculated attack.

‘Even today, neither we nor our children know why our loved ones were murdered. The truth must come to light through a proper investigation,’ she said.

The families demanded an independent commission to uncover the truth behind the carnage.

In a press release, they alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s government had systematically targeted patriotic army officers, identifying them as obstacles to her autocratic rule.

The release called for the release of innocent BDR members still detained in connection with the carnage, alleging that they were victims of a prolonged conspiracy.

‘The crimes were planned and executed under the direct orders of Sheikh Hasina and her defence adviser Tarique Siddique,’ it said.

The families said that none dared in the past 15 years to stand against the anti-state actions and criminal conspiracies carried out by Hasina and her government.

Victim families have long been demanding justice for the BDR carnage by forming an independent commission.

They also raised key allegations against then Awami League lawmakers Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak.

Two cases, one for murders and another for explosive substances, were filed for the BDR carnage. The explosive case is still pending with the trial court.

On November 27, 2017, the High Court upheld the death sentences of 139 of the 152 condemned convicts of murders of 57 commanders on deputation from the army during the February 2009 BDR mutiny.

Death sentences of seven other BDR soldiers and Md Zakir Hossain, then a local Awami League leader, were commuted to life term imprisonment.

It also upheld the life imprisonment of 146 of the 160 life term recipients. Two of them, including Bangladesh Nationalist party leader Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, died in custody while 12 others were acquitted of the charges.

The convicts’ appeals and the AL government’s appeals against acquittals of BDR members are pending with the Appellate Division.

On November 5, 2013, the trial court convicted 568 accused, mostly BDR members, and sentenced 152 accused to death, 162 to imprisonment for life term and 256 to imprisonment for varying terms.

The court acquitted 278 other accused while four accused had died during the trial.

One of the death row convicts died later.

The High Court called for holding probes to find out why the BDR intelligence agency failed to gather information that a mutiny was brewing to coincide with BDR Week celebrations.

The High Court in the verdict also called the carnage a pre-planned massacre of 57 brilliant army officers, then serving BDR on deputation, by some ambitious BDR soldiers during their 30-hour mutiny.

The High Court said that only 55 army officers died in action during the War of Independence.

Of the 850 accused tried in the murder case, 827 were BDR members and 22 civilians while a lone accused was from the Ansar and VDP force.

Breaking his silence for the past 15 years following the February 25–26, 2009 rebellion, former army chief Moeen U Ahmed in an interview with a newspaper in September 2024 demanded re-investigation into the carnage to uncover the plot and the plotters of the incident in both home and aboard.

‘A fresh probe by forming a new inquiry committee can find out the plot and plotters in both home and aboard in the BDR carnage,’ said Moeen in a video statement on YouTube from Florida in the United States.

The mutineers demanded an end to army control over the BDR, withdrawal of army members, and direct talks with then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Then state minister for local government rural development and cooperative minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, whip Mirza Azam, then home minister Sahara Khatun and then local lawmaker Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh attempted negotiations, entering the BDR headquarters with a white flag.

A rebel delegation met with Sheikh Hasina, who announced an amnesty for the mutineers.

Despite an initial ceasefire, firing resumed in the evening.

Talks between the rebels and government representatives continued late into the night, with assurances of laying down arms.

At about 2:30 am on February 26, some rebels surrendered their weapons, but sporadic gunfire persisted.

BDR soldiers in other districts took positions on highways, leaving borders unprotected.

Hasina addressed the nation at 2:00pm on February 26, urging rebels to surrender, warning of military action if they did not comply. By 6:00pm, army tanks and commandos surrounded Pilkhana, prompting rebels to hoist a white flag and flee.

Control was restored by police and the Armed Police Battalion, ending the ordeal for over 100 hostages.

A mass grave discovered the next day revealed the full extent of the savagery, leaving the nation in shock and mourning.​