The Institute of Internal Auditors Bangladesh (IIAB) proudly hosted its inaugural flagship conference, themed “Synergize Audit Experiences: Insights, Innovation, Impact.” This landmark event was held on 30 November 2024, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, in the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Sheraton, Banani, Dhaka. Featuring over 14 prominent national and international speakers, the conference unfolded across four dynamic sessions, attracting more than 120 internal audit professionals from 57+ organizations.

The event was further distinguished by the presence of renowned industry leaders and members of the IIAB Board of Governors, including Mr. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Chairman of Sonali Bank; Prof. Dr. Mohammad Sahadat Hossain, Dean of NSU and Chairman of Prime Insurance Co. Ltd.; Mr. Aameir Alihussain, Managing Director of BSRM; Mr. Md. Kyser Hamid, Managing Director & CEO of BD Finance PLC; Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, CAMS, CGSS, DMD of Dutch-Bangla Bank; and Ms. Prawma Tapashi Khan, FCCA, Country Manager of ACCA Bangladesh.

Other notable attendees Mr. Raihan Shamsi, FCA, Founder & Past President of IIAB; Mr. K. Atique-e-Rabbani, FCA, Past President of IIAB; Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, CIA, CISA, CGIA, Past President of IIAB; Mr. M. Nurul Alam, FCS, CCEP-I, CGIA, Vice President of IIAB; Mr. Nanda Dulal Saha, FCA, Vice President of IIAB; Mr. Ajit Kumar Paul, President of IIAB; and Mr. Amitava Saha, CGIA, Secretary of IIAB, making it a truly prestigious gathering.

In Inauguration session was 9.15 am to 11 am . That was Technical Session 01 on “AI in Audits: A New Era”. Speaker was that session Mr. K. Atique-E- Rabbani, FCA , Past President, IIA Bangladesh. After that Mr. Mohammed Tabarok Hossain, FCCA, CIA, CRMA, Head of Internal Audit, Omera Petroleum Limited. & Ms. Nausheen Ahmed, CIA, CRMA, CISA, AISA, CC (ISC2), Head of Internal Audit and Compliance, BRAC University was present discussion session. 11 am to 1 pm session was Panel Discussion on “Internal Audit Beyond the Horizon”, Chaired by: Mr. Nanda Dulal Saha, FCA, Director, Internal Audit, Brac & after that participants was Mr. Amitava Saha, CGIA, Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management, ACI Ltd., Mr. Tahsinur Rahim, CIA, CRMA , Executive Vice-President & Head of Audit and Compliance, Guardian Life Insurance Ltd. & Mr. Adil Iftekhar, CIA, CISA, GM-Internal Audit, Grameenphone Ltd.

After lunch break 2 pm to 3pm was the Technical Session 02 on “Internal Audit Landscape- Public Sector Bangladesh”. This part Speaker was Mr. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Chairman, Sonali Bank & discussion part joined Mr. Mohammed Iqbal Hossain, CIA, CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CFE, CSX-F, CGIA & Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, CAMS,CGSS, DMD and CAMLCO, Head of ICCD, CCSCMC & NIS, Dutch- Bangla Bank.

Stakeholder Spotlight session Chaired by: Mr. M Nurul Alam, FCS, CCEP-I, CGIA. 3pm to 4pm discussions part joined & discussed Prof Dr Mohammad Sahadet Hossain , Dean, NSU & Chairman, Prime Insurance Co Ltd., Mr. Aameir Alihussain, Managing Director, BSRM. & Mr. Md. Kyser Hamid, Managing Director & CEO, BD Finance PLC. After the networking Break last part was Award Ceremony of Certified (CIA, CRMA) Members & Discussion on the Professional Spectrum.

"This conference is a testament to the growing prominence of internal auditing in Bangladesh, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional excellence while paving the way for a stronger future for the profession."-– Mr. Amitava Saha, CGIA, Secretary of IIAB.

This premier event showcased cutting-edge advancements in internal auditing, providing a comprehensive platform for participants to explore emerging trends, industry best practices, and actionable insights. Attendees enhanced their expertise, embraced innovative and technology-driven approaches, and fostered meaningful peer-to-peer networking, with a special emphasis on increasing the number of Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs).

The central bank will print Tk. 22,500 crore to provide liquidity support to 6 banks, Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansur said.

He said this while talking to reporters on contemporary issues of the country's financial sector at the Bangladesh Bank head office in Motijheel on Thursday (November 28).

Central Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansur said that customer deposits in banks are completely protected; everyone will get their money back.

He also said that temporarily moving away from the decision to print money, Tk. 22,500 crore has been given to 6 weak banks by printing money.

He also said that Bangladesh Bank will stand by them if any bank faces a liquidity crisis.

US-Bangla, one of the country's private airlines, is planning to operate Dhaka-Jeddah Hajj flights in the future. The airline authorities hope that this will reduce the time and suffering of Hajj pilgrims.

US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relations) Md. Kamrul Islam gave this information at a press conference at Hotel Best Western Heritage in Cox's Bazar on Monday (November 25) night.

The General Manager of US-Bangla Airlines said, every year, a problem arises with the schedule of airlines during Hajj. This shows that Hajj passengers cannot reach Jeddah within the specified time. We have already applied to the authorities to start this flight for their convenience. We hope that we will get permission to start flights on this route in the near future.

He said, for our expatriate brothers and sisters in the Middle East, US-Bangla Airlines is currently operating flights to Muscat, Doha, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi. Most recently, US Bangla is operating flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. In Jeddah, we are not only serving our brothers and sisters, but also trying to serve Umrah Hajj passengers. Through this, the airline launched this flight to serve Saudi expatriates as well as those who are going to perform Umrah Hajj.

Kamrul Islam said, every airline has a dream of operating flights to a state in China. US-Bangla Airlines has turned that dream into reality. This airline has been successfully operating Dhaka-Guangzhou flights since April 26, 2018. During Covid, Bangladesh's flights to all countries of the world were closed except for the Dhaka-Guangzhou route. US Bangla operated flights on that route. From there, we brought masks, PPE, and other necessary medical equipment for Covid and supplied them to various hospitals. We are not only doing business, but we have also tried to serve the country and the people from our place.

Another route is Dhaka-Chennai. There were many passengers on this route but there were no direct flights. We were able to operate flights on that route with just a small decision. We used to operate 6 flights on Chattogram-Kolkata. From there, we operate three flights on Chattogram-Chennai. Due to this, people are now able to travel directly from Chattogram to Chennai through this airline.

He also said that a significant country for Bangladeshi workers is Maldives. But there was no direct flight from Bangladesh to Maldives. The authorities have repeatedly asked Biman Bangladesh Airlines to do so, but they have failed. However, more than 150,000 Bangladeshi workers are working in this island country. But since there is no direct flight from Bangladesh, they had to go from Colombo, Chennai or the Middle East. This would have cost more time and money. To alleviate that suffering, we have launched a direct Dhaka-Maldives flight.

We have planned to launch flights on the Riyadh and Medina routes between April and May. For this, we will have to add Airbus-330 to our fleet. We hope that this will be possible by 2025. In addition, US-Bangla Airlines plans to operate flights to various European countries including Rome, Italy, by 2026, and from Dhaka to New York and Toronto, Canada by 2027, the official said.

It is worth noting that on July 17, 2014, US-Bangla started its journey in the airspace of Bangladesh by operating flights on the Dhaka-Jashore route with Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. As per the plan, US-Bangla has strengthened the air connectivity system in the shortest possible time by operating flights to all airports within Bangladesh within the first one year.

It is operating flights to Jashore, Saidpur, Rajshahi. US-Bangla spread its wings on international routes by operating flights on the Dhaka-Kathmandu route on May 15, 2016, within two years of its launch. US-Bangla's international routes include Kolkata, Chennai, Male, Muscat, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Guangzhou.

Currently, US-Bangla has 24 aircraft in its fleet. These include 2 Airbus 330-300, 9 Boeing 737-800, 10 ATR 72-600 and 3 Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft. Since its inception, US-Bangla has a record of operating more than 90 percent on-time flights.

US-Bangla has been able to gain the trust of passengers as a domestic airline by setting a unique precedent in passenger service. US-Bangla currently has about 3,000 officers and employees in the country and abroad; which is also working to solve the country's unemployment problem. Apart from this, it is keeping the wheels of the country's economy moving by paying regular taxes and surcharges. Besides, it is increasing the reputation of the country by operating flights on international routes. It is making the country's economy stronger by earning foreign currency.

US-Bangla has a website and mobile app facilities for collecting tickets. It has more than 40 sales offices in the country and abroad. There is a 'Skystar' program for frequent flyers.

The National Review Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has written to the interim government to appoint a reputable legal and investigative agency to assist in reviewing power generation contracts executed during Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime between 2009 and 2024.

This was announced in a message sent by the press wing of the chief adviser.

The committee, headed by Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury, made this recommendation to the interim government in a resolution on Sunday (November 24). It said that the committee needs more time to further analyze the other contracts.

The review committee is collecting evidence that can lead to the review or cancellation of the contracts in line with international arbitration law and procedures.

“To do this, we recommend the immediate engagement of one or more top-notch international law and investigative agency to assist the committee,” the review committee said.

The committee said it wants to ensure that the investigations are in line with international standards and will be admissible in international negotiations and arbitration.

The Review Committee is currently conducting a detailed investigation of several contracts. These include:

1. Adani (Godda) BIFPCL 1234.4 MW Coal-fired Power Plant

2. Payra 1320 MW Coal-fired Thermal Power Plant

3. Meghnaghat 335 MW Dual Fuel Power Plant

4. Ashuganj 195 MW Gas Power Plant

5. Banshkhali 612 MW Coal-fired Power Plant

6. Meghnaghat 583 MW Dual Fuel Power Plant

7. Meghnaghat 584 MW Gas/LNG Power Plant