The International Herald Tribune (IHT), one of the world's leading daily newspapers, has beefed up efforts to broaden its presence in Bangladesh. As part of this initiative, IHT Bangladesh Ltd, which will soon start printing the global paper in Dhaka, has appointed 360i Limited as Media and Marketing Consultants. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed in the city Thursday. The IHT's 32nd site will be in Dhaka where the subscribers will be handed fresh copies of Herald Tribune early in the morning. Now imported copies are delivered in the evening local time. A K M Delwar Hussain, Managing Editor of IHT Bangladesh Ltd and Nazmul Ameen, Managing Director of 360i, signed the MOU at a ceremony in a city hotel on the day. A large number of media professionals joined 360i Chairman Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP and IHTBD Chairman Syed Raziur Rahman Chowdhury to witness the ceremony. "We are glad to partner with a company such as 360i that has a fantastic group of professionals experienced in the field of media and creative work," IHTBD Chairman Syed Raziur Rahman Chowdhury said. "The decision to print IHT in Dhaka is a resounding statement from the paper's publishers… It means that the IHT and its owners New York Times believe Bangladesh is important," he said. His 360i counterpart hailed the arrangements as highly challenging. "Herald Tribune is a global brand, but Bangladesh is a different proposition. I am sure my colleagues will love the challenge," said Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, also a former commerce minister. The 360i Chairman said his team of professionals would use their knowledge of the local market and customised marketing tools to promote "this fastest-growing and most cost-effective international title" in Bangladesh. IHT Executive Editor Walter Wells was quoted by the IHT Bangladesh Chairman as saying: "Our goal is to make the International Herald Tribune not just the most loved newspaper in the world…but also an indispensable business tool." "There lies its strength. It's global. It gives international perspective," said Raziur Rahman Chowdhury. IHTBD Managing Editor Delwar Hussain, a former additional information secretary, said all legal and regulatory formalities had been completed and that the stage was almost set for the paper to be printed in Dhaka. International Herald Tribune uses its distribution network and many printing sites around the world to enhance its international circulation and ensure delivery in more than 180 countries every day.
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