Business


Drishtipat would like to announce the beginning of the Drishtipat Challenge 2008. Drishtipat believes that a robust economy is an essential factor in promoting human rights and social development. Accordingly, through this business development Challenge, now entering its second year, Drishtipat seeks to create employment opportunities by funding promising small businesses.
(more…)

Looking at the discussion around last week’s “BD Investment Conference” in NY, there appears to be an active discussion going on among NRBs, especially fund managers, I-bankers, Analysts, etc as to whether CTG/Army/State Of Emergency/Possibly Delayed Polls (beyond Dec 08) is improving investment scenario in BD.

Reasons:
1. BD tagged as one of the hottest “Emerging Markets” (EM in fund lingo). Goldman Sachs named BD as one of the N-11 countries (next 11 to emerge after BRICs). JP Morgan identifying BD as one of the “next 5″. Telco analysts named BD as one of the hottest telco markets among developing countries (current subs 30mm+)
2. The simultaneous rise of multiple funds dedicated to BD investing, who are simultaneously an indicator, and an enabler of “bullish on BD” scenarios
3. Impending Grameenphone IPO in June (or later), planned AKTel and BanglaLink IPOs later; merger rumors between Telcos;
4. General heat around EM category, and the search for the “untapped EMs” (for fund returns maximization, your biggest bang for buck is an EM that no one has spotted yet– get in cheap and reap max returns) (more…)

What impact will BTRC’s punitive measures against mobile telcos for VoIP have on business confidence? BTRC announced today a new $25 million fine against Grameenphone (the second such fine against them in six months; as well as previous huge fines against Banglalink & Aktel) and court cases against preceding & current Grameenphone executives:
- Former GP officials: CEOs Eric Aas and Ola Ree, Technical Director Thor Randhaug, Chief Technical Officer Yogesh Sanjeev Malik, and Sales and Marketing Director Mehboob Chowdhury.
- Incumbent GP officials: Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Director Khalid Hasan, CTO Md Shafiqul Islam, Sales & Marketing Director Kafil HS Muyeed, CFO Md Aril Al Islam, Head of Revenue Assurance Espen Wiig Warendroph. (more…)