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April 2015

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Reading Time: 2 minutes Bangladesh is slowly coming out of obscurity. It is now growing in popularity among investors who seek Southeast Asian fortunes. The status of Bangladesh as an emerging country on a strong growth trajectory was recently cemented during the recent OpEd, a large scale investors’ summit, which was a first to take place in the country. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, emphatically announced: “They have gathered at a place that is seeking to develop itself into a land of investment; a land that can provide rich manpower.” Some of the biggest multinational companies in the world like Unilever and Standard Chartered were represented at the summit. Many were proud to announce that almost all of their employees are now Bangladeshi. When big businesses come to town, they need to keep costs down, that is, of course, their main strategic reason for relocating in the first place. In Bangladesh, with…

Reading Time: 3 minutes If you live in Bangladesh and you have an interest in art, you will be familiar with the name SM Sultan Shishu Swarga. While his name is a masterpiece of alliteration–his paintings are masterful works of art. Born in 1923, SM Sultan is recognized as a preeminent artist of his time, with his depictions of Bangladeshi peasants, giving a voice to the working class. The news that his art learning center in Narail is at risk of closing due to a lack of teaching staff has been met with great disappointment from the local community. SM Sultan At one point in his life, Sheikh Mohammed was on the path to becoming a mason following in his father’s footsteps. But the urge to become an artist was always bubbling under the seams. Sultan came from a modest, working-class family in Machimdia village, in the Narail District. He desired to study art…

Reading Time: < 1 minute Thrift store mirrored planter boxes. Purchase beveled mirrors from a cheap local store and borrow a hot glue gun from a friend. Combine the mirrors into a box shape and glue the edges together. And there you have it, an elegant glass planter box for your bed stand. For the step by step process, click here. Add an antique rug. Adding some eastern influence can take your bedroom to another level. Handmade rugs from silks are the best. Unique photo display. Tack a coat rack on a wall and hang your family portraits from the hooks. Turn plain curtain into fashion beads. Buy plain drapes and convert them into fashion beads. You can purchase fashion beads from any craft store. You will need beads that are mixed with glue. For a detailed walkthrough click here. Wall art. You can get a cheap gift paper from a local supermarket made from…

Reading Time: 2 minutes The natural beauty of this country is sometimes eclipsed by the more negative news currently in the papers, but one needs to be grateful for the wonderful beauty that surrounds the country. There are numerous stunning beaches and lush forests. Not only that, but these towns are full of rich culture, vibrant local communities, and long interesting historical foundations. Sonargaon Known as the city of gold, Sonargaon was once Bengals center for commerce and a key maritime center. At just 29 kilometers from Dhaka, the town draws tourists trying to escape the densely populated capital city. This is one of the oldest cities in the world and the people are warm and welcoming. A company called Tiger Tours organize very informative day trips from Dhaka. If you have time, you could hire a boat from the Boidder Bazar and enjoy the views of the river. Checking out the royal palace…

Reading Time: 2 minutes Bah humbug- declared Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dicken novel, A Christmas Carol. Hopefully, Mr. Scrooge isn’t reading this, the last thing he would want is a list of gifts to buy for Christmas. Regardless of Ebenezer, we have assorted a list of perfect gifts suitable for those who have recently moved into a new home or those that just need some essentials. Steak Knife Set A lot of people enjoy cooking, but they struggle on with whatever equipment they happened to inherit in the drawers. An old adage goes that ‘a workman always blames his tools’; but, when it comes to knives, I think there is a point to that blame. A blunt knife can be torturous to work with, adding a lot of time and effort to the food preparation process. When you come home from work you want to be able to cut through the vegetables and…

Reading Time: < 1 minute Today, the 11th of January 2016, the world has lost one of the finest artists of all time, Mr. David Bowie. His songs brought joy to the masses with genius albums such as The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. To mark the day, this post will be about singers that speak about homes. Take Me Home, Country Roads Artist: John Denver Year: 1971 Album: Poems, Prayers, and Promises Memorable Lyrics: Radio reminds me of my home far away, driving down the road I get a feeling, that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday. Two of Us Artist: The Beatles Year: 1969 Album: Let it Be Memorable Lyrics: We’re on our way home, we’re on our way home, we’re going home. Burning Down the House Artist: Talking Heads Year: 1983 Album: Speaking in Tongues Memorable Lyrics: I don’t know what you expect staring into…

Reading Time: 2 minutes Key Facts: -Bangladesh has a young demographic of 160 million. -Bangladesh also benefits from low oil and gas prices. An Investor’s Outlook: Bangladesh is slowly emerging as an investor location. The country is blessed with a very large population of 160 million people, where the median age is now 26. GDP per capita is rising year after year and currently stands at USD 1,000. These demographics alone demand attention and offer significant opportunities. One thing you notice as you move through passport control in Bangladesh is that the “foreign line” is close on empty. You can stroll through in minutes. This is a sign that as of yet, the country is not really on the map for many investors, except those linked to the garment industry, and this presents opportunities. The garment industry is driving the Bangladesh economy. Last year USD 26 billion worth of garment were exported; 82 percent…

Reading Time: 2 minutes Searching for an apartment can be a torturous process. The popular places tend to disappear as soon as they are listed, forcing you to spend hours of your day, trudging through a labyrinth of listings. There are ways to streamline the process and with the following information from Bproperty, you can save a lot of hassle. What is the best month to search? It appears that November is the most preferable month to look for a place. In fact, avoiding the summer months is the secret. The summer housing frenzy is partly due to university graduates starting new jobs and one year leases from previous graduates coming to an end. The cycle repeats itself each year. Rental rates slide upwards from July to September so if you are looking to move in September, expect to pay a premium. If you happen to be looking for a place in the summer,…

Reading Time: 2 minutes Now is a great time to visit Dhaka. A lot of change has transformed the city into a must-visit destination. One that is for sure you will not be bored. The throngs of people will see you as somewhat of a novelty, but rest assured, their curious eyes are friendly. Sadarghat Boat Terminal The best way to see Dhaka is by boat. As the country is seeing an increase in visitors every year, there are now more organized tours you can take. The best thing to do is make your way to the Sadarghat Boat Terminal and ask around to get the best price. A cruise down the river Buriganga will leave you feeling alive, due to the frenetic pace of one of the world’s largest river ports. Address: Ahsanullah Road Price Tk 120 Old Dhaka Day Tour The tour which can be arranged from the website Viator.com will start…

Reading Time: 3 minutes The market is saturated with real estate companies advertising in papers, magazines, and on billboards. You need to think outside the box to get your company noticed. We have put together a list of innovative approaches to getting your brand noticed in a clustered environment. Make a video Actress Melanie Griffith, the Golden Globe winner used a selfie-promo video to sell her house in Aspen. The home, which is on the market for $8.9 million, is a super luxury villa in a prized location. But to ensure she sells it for the highest amount, she has made a video to go with the listing. So far, more than 100,000 people have viewed the one minute-professionally shot video. The old adage that you should depersonalize your house before listing it, may be on the way out. Highlight a key feature The heart plays as big a role, as does the head,…