Bangladesh News Bangladesh Economy & Development

[Isa Khan]

The government has taken up an ambitious project to extend the runway at Cox’s Bazar airport by reclaiming land from the sea.

Once completed, the new 10,700-foot runway will allow much larger aircraft to take off and land at the airport, paving the way for it to operate international flights.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the construction work of the project on August 29.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) inked the deal for the project with the Chinese joint venture of Changjiang Yichang Waterway Engineering Bureau (CYWEB) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) on February 9, 2021. The estimated cost of the project is Tk1,568.86 crore.

According to the project documents, the deadline to finish construction is May 10, 2024. However, a spokesperson for the contractor said they would be given additional commission if they could finish construction before November 14, 2023.

Under the agreement, the contractor will extend the existing 9,000ft runway by 1,700ft towards the Maheshkhali Channel through coastal land reclamation.

Representatives of the contractor said CYWEB-CCECC JV had mobilized personnel at the site immediately after the signing of the contract with CAAB. The detailed design and construction of temporary facilities, including a site office, road networks, jetty, and concrete batching plant had been substantially completed.

CAAB officials said the main construction work would begin after the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the project.

“The latest technology will be used to build a spectacular runway by reclaiming coastal land. It will include the installation of an airfield ground lighting system, installation of instrument landing systems, construction of safety walls and a bridge over the Bakkhali river,” officials said.

The project was approved by the government on November 4, 2018.

Md Mahbub Ali, minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, said various development projects were underway to turn Cox's Bazar into an international tourist destination. The runway extension project is one of the most crucial of these projects.

“The dream is to transform Cox’s Bazar Airport into an airline hub. People can directly visit Cox’s Bazar as a tourism destination once the extension is completed,” he told Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh to get first maritime runway in 2024

Runway at Cox’s Bazar airport to be extended by 1,700ft, effectively turning it into an international airport

www.dhakatribune.com

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[Isa Khan]

The government today signed an agreement for two packages under South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (Sasec-2) for the development of road connectivity in the country’s northern region.

Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Abdus Sabur and Farhana Momen of package-5’s construction company Abdul Momen Limited and Zhou Libo, authorized representative of package-13’s construction company, China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Limited, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader joined the agreement signing ceremony at Roads and Highways Department here through videoconferencing.

Under package-5, around 13.5 kilometres highway from Elenga in Tangail to east part of Bangabandhu Bridge will be upgraded to four-lane.

A flyover, eight bridges and two underpasses and 10 culverts will be constructed under the package at a cost of Tk601 crore.

Under package-13, an international standard separate-grade modified cloverleaf interchange will be constructed.

Besides, a highway service area will be built for taking rest for drivers and passengers of long-route vehicles. The works will be done at a cost of Tk743 crore.

The two construction companies will bear defect liability for one-year and provide maintenance facilities for six years after completion of construction works by three years.

Under SASEC-2, around 190 kilometres of highway is being upgraded to four-lane from Elenga to Modern intersection in Rangpur. The cost of the project is around Tk16,662 crore.

Once the project is implemented, strong road connectivity will be built between Dhaka and northern region of the country.

Deal inked under Sasec-2 to develop roads in northern region

Once the project is implemented, strong road connectivity will be built between Dhaka and northern region of the country

www.dhakatribune.com

The economy of Bangladesh is seeing continuous growth because of the entrepreneurial spirit of its people and the ever-increasing investment from the industrial sectors to expand into new business frontiers, said Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, principal secretary to the prime minister.

While addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of DBL Industrial Park – to be constructed at Shreehatta Economic Zone in Moulvibazar – on Sunday, he also said the government has taken up a comprehensive development plan under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for advancing towards more export-oriented economy to boost the growth.

Under the plan, the Beza economic zones will play a pivotal role in building successful manufacturing hubs, he expected.

The industrial park – to be established on 167.6 acres of land – is expected to create employment for 5,630 people and generate $500 million yearly turnover.

A total of 10 manufacturing units will be set up in the industrial park featuring state-of-the-art technology. These are textile, spinning, recycled polyester, ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, ceramic frit, floral glass, glass processing, dry mortar and faucet units.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the launching ceremony of the industrial park was held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, instead of the original venue located in Moulvibazar. The industrial park will be constructed by DBL Group, one of the leading business conglomerates of the country.

Besides creating a good number of employment opportunities, this industrial park will manufacture raw materials and finished products for domestic and export markets, the company stated.

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus attended the foundation laying ceremony as the chief guest while Shaikh Yusuf Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, was the special guest.

DBL Group Chairman Abdul Wahed, Managing Director MA Jabbar, Vice Chairman MA Rahim, Deputy Managing Director MA Quader, and Senior Secretary to Youth and Sports Ministry Akther Hossain, among others, also attended the event.

Yusuf Harun said, "Beza is working to establish 100 economic zones across the country. DBL Group, one of the largest business conglomerates of Bangladesh, has joined this journey of economic expansion.

"It will surely fulfill the goals of creating world class quality products and materials which would contribute to the country's national economy. This investment will make foreign investors more confident about investing in our country."

DBL Group Managing Director MA Jabbar said: "Today, Bangladesh is at the cusp of growth led by innovation and huge investment. We are witnessing an age where technology is being effectively integrated into infrastructure at an increasing rate. Our aim is to fast forward this progress through a revolutionary change in the industrial sector of Bangladesh."

"At DBL Group, we challenge conventional manufacturing methods and move the industry towards an efficient and automated platform. The launch of DBL industrial park is an important step towards achieving our vision of pushing forth the next phase of Bangladesh's growth through world-class infrastructure," he added.

At the park, DBL plans to build a world-class textile mill to produce 43.5 tonnes of fine cotton yarn and rotor yarn per day, to cater for the diverse needs of the textile industry.

The unit will be further expanded by the same capacity in future. The park will have a recycled polyester unit also which will produce 18 tonnes of staple fiber per day as a raw material for the spinning factory.

In the industrial park, DBL aims to produce over 40,000 square meters of ceramic tiles per day in its ceramic factory unit.

In another ceramic facility they will produce 90-99 tonnes of ceramic frit per day, which is a major ingredient of ceramic glaze used widely in the ceramic industry.

The park will also feature float glass manufacturing, glass processing, faucet manufacturing units. The dry mortar facility of the industrial park is expected to generate $8.8m revenue per year.

DBL's biggest initiation at the industrial park is the Jinnat Textile Mills Limited with two spinning factories, which will be a vital part of DBL's vertically integrated textile composite.

These manufacturing units will cater to existing renowned buyers such as H&M, George, Puma, Esprit, G-Star, Decathlon, Tom Tailor, MQ Retail, NEXT, M&S, Bench, Gymboree, LIDL, C&A and Target.

Total investment on the first factory will be $83.35 million with a yearly revenue of $70 million. Jinnat Textile Mills Limited will be expanded in future with 43.5 tonnes per day totaling $140 million revenue per year.

DBL Industrial Park looks to grow big with huge investment

The industrial park – to be established on 167.6 acres of land – is expected to create employment for 5,630 people and generate $500 million yearly turnover

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[Isa Khan]

All of the 2,917 roadway slabs of the Padma Bridge have been installed, which means vehicles will be able to travel the bridge’s full length without any interruption after it is paved with asphalt.

The final roadway slab was installed on Monday, said the project’s Executive Engineer Dewan Abdul Kader.

“The final slab between Pier No. 12 and 13 was placed around 10.20am while two others were installed the previous night,” he said.

According to project documents, as of July 2021, the progress of construction work of the main bridge stands at 93.5% while that of river training work stands at 83.5%.

Paving the roadway slabs with asphalt had started this July but due to heavy monsoon rains, the project authorities were forced to postpone the work.

Executive Engineer Kader told Dhaka Tribune last week that they had paved at least 60 metres of the bridge with asphalt last month. “However, due to the monsoon season, we had to stop. We are hopeful of resuming carpeting work from November-December.”

Meanwhile, installation of railings, street lights, and bitumen molding on top of the road slabs is expected to be finished by January-February, 2022, according to officials.

The rest of the work, such as road surface marking and putting up traffic signs, is expected to be completed between March and May 2022, as the government plans to open the Padma Bridge for public use in June, Bangladesh Bridge Authority Chief Engineer Quazi Mohammad Ferdous told Dhaka Tribune last week.

“Once all the slabs are installed, all forms of vehicles will be able to easily travel the whole length of the bridge. Besides, all the railway slabs – in total 2,959 – have already been installed,” Ferdous added.

Some 24,000 vehicles to cross Padma Bridge every day

In 2009, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted a study on how many vehicles would cross the Padma Bridge annually.

The findings stated that if the bridge was inaugurated at the start of 2022, then in that year, on average, around 24,000 vehicles would cross the bridge every day.

Of those vehicles, 8,238 are predicted to be buses, 10,244 trucks, and 5,000 microbuses and cars.

As per ADB findings, by 2025, the number of vehicles crossing the bridge will be 27,800 per day.

By 2030 the number will go up to 36,785 and in 2040, the number of vehicles crossing the bridge daily will stand at 51,807.

Around 67,000 vehicles on average could cross the bridge every day of 2050.

The Bridges Division had earlier re-fixed the target for opening the bridge to traffic in December 2021, to mark the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.

But the plans hit a snag following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March last year.

The PMBP has missed deadlines three times – 2014, 2018, and 2019.

The project has involved costs to the tune of Tk301.19 billion.

The Padma Bridge is expected to boost the country's GDP by 1.2% once it is opened to the public.

Padma Bridge roadway slab installation complete

Vehicles will able to ply on the 6.15km-bridge after the slabs are paved with asphalt

www.dhakatribune.com

Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) has entered into the local ceramic sector with its brand Fresh Ceramic.

The MGI has invested nearly Tk 500 crore to set up ceramic manufacturing facilities at Ashariar Char in Narayanganj's Sonargaon area and has created around 1,000 jobs in its factory.

The demand of ceramic tiles has been increasing thanks to the growing urbanisation, which encouraged the group to invest in ceramic sector, the group said in a statement.

The MGI started construction of its ceramic production facility in January 2019 and now it has started commercial production in full swing.

Meghna Group enters ceramic sector

Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) has entered into the local ceramic sector with its brand Fresh Ceramic.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Nilgiri]

Understanding the economy in a deeper way, it would be relevant to Bangladeshi economy too:

How can Artillery Numbers today relate to Universal Education yesterday?

How can Artillery Numbers today relate to Universal Education yesterday? Analysis on the Guns versus Butter impact over time. By: "Nilgiri" Prelude https://defencehub.live/threads/indian-army-artillery-archive.1564/page-4 "Crixus": 100 (Vajra SPH) is too less if you compare the eastern...

defencehub.live

@Isa Khan @rainmaker and others may find it useful read in matter of economic development.

 

[Isa Khan]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a $1.78 billion multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) to improve mobility, road safety, and regional trade along the Dhaka-Sylhet trade corridor in Bangladesh.

The SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project will be delivered in four tranches, according to the global lender.

The $400 million first tranche of the MFF will help finance the initial works of the major contracts for the widening of about 210 km of National Highway 2 along the Dhaka-Sylhet corridor from two to four lanes. It will include 60 km of footpath, 26 foot bridges, and 13 overpasses.

Its design will have features responsive to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and the differently abled, as well as disaster and climate risks.

The government will fund $911 million of the total project cost of $2.69 billion. Apart from the MFF, ADB will also provide a $1 million technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund and an additional $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, financed by the Government of Japan, to support capacity building of the Roads and Highways Department on road safety and maintenance, climate change, and gender equality and social inclusion.

The Dhaka-Sylhet corridor, once complete, will support a new trade route connecting Chattogram port with India's northeastern states through the three land ports of Akhaura, Sheola, and Tamabil, and from there to Bhutan and Myanmar.

The corridor is also the centerpiece of the Bangladesh government's planned Northeast Bangladesh Economic Corridor, which aims to promote key industries in the area, such as energy generation and production of construction materials, and to better integrate them with the rest of the economy in the country.

ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Satomi Sakaguchi said that Bangladesh's export-driven economic growth has shown its unique potential of becoming a regional transport and trade hub. To sustain this growth, the country's transport infrastructure needs to be improved.

"The project is the main part of Road Corridor 5 under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme. Its improvement will reduce logistics costs, increase competitiveness, and help expand regional trade with neighbouring South Asian countries, apart from providing safe accessibility to the community members."

"By doing so, the investment project will contribute to the government's goal of achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development," he said.

Transport and trade facilitation are among the priorities of SASEC members, which since 2001, have invested more than $14.3 billion in projects in the region, including 43 transport projects worth $11.4 billion.

ADB okays $1.78 billion for Dhaka-Sylhet trade corridor

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a $1.78 billion multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) to improve mobility, road safety, and regional trade along the Dhaka-Sylhet trade corridor in Bangladesh. The SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project will be delivered in four...

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It was a regular day for Pallabi storekeeper Toriqul Islam until he heard the overhead wheezing in the morning. It took a few moments for the stunned man to realise the noise was coming from a train.

He rushed to the Pallabi metro station to join a crowd that had already been there to witness the test run of the much-anticipated metro rail service.

From the Diabari depot at Uttara, the train with six coaches was put on the main track for the first time around 6am Friday. The speed was kept very low since the train had been running on the line for the first time.

With intervals at the Uttara North, Uttara Centre and Uttara South stations, the train stopped at the fourth station Pallabi.

The trial met with huge crowds on both sides underneath the viaduct though there was no official announcement regarding the trial. People standing at windows in nearby buildings also cheered at the first run of the metro train.

"The official performance test of metro rail is slated for 29 August, while Friday's run was a trial for that," ABM Arifur Rahman, manager (CP-08) of MRT line-6, told The Business Standard.

"The train left the Diabari depot at 6am. The run on a patch with four stations was successful," Arifur Rahman said, adding, "Since the trial covered all the details, it took a long time."

MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), earlier said the performance test of the much-anticipated project will take place at 10am on 29 August.

He said the set of coaches that arrived in Dhaka in April this year will be put to the official performance test.

The third phase of the metro rail project connecting a 20.10km stretch from Uttara to Motijheel was taken up in 2021 as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is funding the Tk22,000 crore mega-project.

The rail construction was later decided to expand to Kamalapur. With the extension, the length of the metro infrastructure will be 21.26km.

Until 31 July, the Uttara-Agargaon phase of the fast-track project logged 88.18% overall progress, while the Agargaon-Motijheel phase registered 66.74% progress. The total progress of the entire project was 68.49%.

Sources at the DMTCL said 24 trains will carry passengers on the Uttara-Motijheel route as four trains have arrived in the country from Japan so far. The fifth set is set to arrive in the second week of September.

A special day for Mirpur dwellers

Dhaka's Mirpur earned a name for notorious traffic as the metro rail project had narrowed the key roads of the area. The project appeared synonymous with traffic gridlock, noise and dust pollution to Mirpur residents.

A report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) revealed 69% of businesses in Mirpur faced revenue fall as the metro rail work hampered regular activities.

But Mirpur has started to return to its previous look as the project is nearing end. The metro rail performance test on Friday was greeted by the locals.

Take Toriqul who had to shutter his business for a couple of months due to the project. After reopening, the regular business turned dull.

"We embraced the sufferings for the sake of development. After all, we are happy now as the metro rail is about to begin the commercial services," he added.

Pallabi resident Ekhlas Hossain has to commute to Motijheel regularly for his office. "I often had to set off at 6:30am to be in the office at 9am. Diversion, detour and road blockades stretched the one-hour trip to three hours," he recalled.

Ekhlas now feels hopeful as the train route is near his home.

Cheers as metro train takes first test run

The official performance test of the metro rail will take place on 29 Aug

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The country's foreign exchange reserves witnessed a new record crossing the $48 billion mark following the $1.45 billion financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In addition to remittances sent by expatriates, the IMF aid mainly contributed to the surge in forex reserves.

Foreign exchange reserves in Bangladesh have reached new heights due to the positive trend of remittances sent by expatriates and the addition of loan assistance from the IMF, said a Bangladesh Bank official.

By international standards, a country has to have reserves equal to three months of import expenditure. With the amount of reserves that Bangladesh has now, it is possible to pay the import cost for more than 8 months at the rate of $6 billion per month.

The reserve crossed the $46 billion-mark on 28 June while $45.01 billion-mark on 3 May and crossed the $44 billion mark on 24 February this year and touched the $40 billion-mark on October 28 last year.

Forex reserves cross record $48 billion mark

The country's foreign exchange reserves witnessed a new record crossing the $48 billion mark following the $1.45 billion financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In addition to remittances sent by expatriates, the IMF aid mainly contributed to the surge in forex reserves...

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The government is going to develop the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive by increasing the width of a 32km stretch from 3.7m to 7.3m, an effort to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and agro investments.

Besides, new bridges will be constructed on the road and its various defects will be repaired.

Marine Drive to widen to boost tourism, agri

The width of the first 32km stretch of the road will be increased to 7.3m from 3.7m

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The inland container depot (ICD) project in Gazipur's Dhirashram area is finally going to be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model as the government is considering making Dubai-based terminal operator DP World a partner in the venture.

Officials of the Public Private Partnership Authority Bangladesh said DP World has already agreed to work on the project. Now, discussion is going on to fix the terms and conditions of the final agreement.

Govt mulls partnership with DP World for Gazipur railway ICD

The project could cost up to $300 million, says the railways authorities

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[Isa Khan]

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has completed its first C-check (servicing) on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

"Biman saved 6 lakh USD by performing the C-Check on the new generation of aircraft," State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali said on Sunday.

Biman, on the eve of its 50th anniversary and Golden Jubilee celebrations, launched the C-Check operation under its own management on 17 August.

C-Check is a long-term, complex and high-tech check to make the aircraft airworthy after detailed inspection and maintenance.

The C-check of Boeing-787 model Dreamliner needs to be completed every three years.

As part of this process, Biman started the first C-Check of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner 'Akashbina' from 17 August.

Very few airlines in the world have the capability to C-check sophisticated aircraft like Boeing-787.

This is a milestone in the capacity building of the Directorate of Aviation Engineering and Materials Management.

So far, the first C-check for any new type of aircraft has been done through a foreign MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul Organization).

In the past, it took a huge cost to complete a C-check by a foreign company.

The airline's engineers, after receiving advanced training from abroad, acquiring technical knowledge and skills, started the C-check operation of the aircraft's ultra-modfern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner 'Akashbina' at the hangar complex.

Biman performs its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner servicing

It saved 6 lakh USD, State Minister

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[Isa Khan]

Air Astra, a new private air operator, is set to spread its wings from January next year.

This will be the third private airline in Bangladesh.

Apart from the national flag carrier – Biman Bangladesh Airlines – two other private airlines, namely US-Bangla and Novoair, are currently operating flights.

"We are hoping to launch flight in different domestic destinations from January," Imran Asif, Chief Executive Officer of Air Astra, told The Daily Star.

We are planning to operate flights on all seven domestic routes. If we can collect at least 4 aircraft by January, we will be able to operate flights to all the domestic destinations," he added.

As per the rules, airlines will get permission to operate flights on international routes after operating flights on domestic routes for at least one year.

Air Astra, newest Bangladeshi airline, set to take the skies in Jan 2022

Air Astra, a new private air operator, is set to spread its wings from January next year.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The government is all set to inaugurate four new power plants and an upgraded one, which will have the capacity to produce 779 megawatts of electricity.

The new plants are: Bibiyana-III 400 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Habiganj, Jhulda 100 MW Power Plant Unit-2 in Chattogram, Meghnaghat 104 MW Power Plant in Narayanganj, and Modhumoti 100 MW Power Plant in Bagerhat.

Sylhet 150 MW Power Plant has been upgraded to 225 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant.

All five plants are already connected to the national grid, according to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the plants through videoconferencing from Gono Bhaban in Dhaka on September 12, Saiful Hasan Chowdhury, director for public relations at BPDB, told The Daily Star.

"The government is working to provide people with an uninterrupted electricity supply," said Habibur Rahman, power secretary.

Bangladesh currently has an electricity generation capacity of 25,235MW, including captive power, Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a news agency.

Five power plants add 779MW to national grid

The government is all set to inaugurate four new power plants and an upgraded one, which will have the capacity to produce 779 megawatts of electricity.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The first consignment of 50,000 tonnes of genetically modified (GM) soyameal from Bangladesh has reached India via the land port of Petrapole in West Bengal.

This is the first time since independence that India has allowed import of GM raw material, which will be used for making poultry feed, reports The Indian Express.

Soyameal refers to the protein-rich solid left after oil is extracted from the seed. It forms the protein component of poultry feed.

An acute shortage and resultant escalation in prices of soyameal had prompted the Indian poultry industry to seek import of the item.

The industry has been given till 31 October for importing 12 lakh tonnes of soyameal.

Majority of the imports would come to India from Vietnam as larger consignments from Brazil, Argentina or USA by sea.

After October, the domestic production will also arrive in Indian local markets, which would lead to softening of prices.

India has reported sowing over 121 lakh hectares as against the 119 lakh hectares of last year. Maharashtra alone has reported sowing over 45 lakh hectares, the highest ever in the state.

Bangladesh exports 50,000 tonne GM poultry feed to India

The first consignment of 50,000 tonnes of genetically modified (GM) soyameal from Bangladesh has reached India via the land port of Petrapole in West Bengal. This is the first time since independence that India has allowed import of GM raw material, which will be used for making poultry feed...

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The government would save Tk 8.0 billion annually by cutting the carrying cost of petroleum products from outer anchorage to fuel tankers once the SPM (single-point mooring) project is complete.

An estimated 63.53-per cent work on the overall SPM project has already been completed.

"We're expecting to initiate the operation of the SPM project by August 2022," said Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) chairman ABM Azad.

He was talking to the media on the project site at Moheshkhali under Cox's Bazar district recently.

The state corporation is implementing the project at Tk 65.68 billion.

Of the total cost, the government is providing Tk 12.19 billion, the BPC 6.85 billion and the remaining Tk 46.63 billion is being provided as project aid.

As part of the project work, approximately 135 kilometre (km) offshore pipeline and 58-km onshore pipeline have already been installed.

Work on the Construction of the pumping station and tank firm are almost completed, and six storage tanks are nearing completion.

Of the six, three tanks will able to store crude oil with 50,000 cubic-metre capacity each and the rest be able to store diesel with 30,000 cubic metres each.

The Netherlands-based Blue Water completed the construction of SPM 'Boya' which is awaiting shipment to the project site.

The China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co Ltd is currently building the country's maiden SPM system.

The 'Installation of Single Point Mooring (SPM) with Double Pipeline' project is being implemented with Chinese concessional loan of around $554 million.

Of the total loan amount, China is providing $467.84 million as preferential buyers' credit and the remaining $82.5 million as soft loan.

The Exim Bank of China is providing the money to be repaid within 20 years at an interest rate of 2.0 per cent per annum with five years' grace period.

Once the SPM is built, Mr Azad says, the BPC will be able to unload petroleum products from a 100,000-deadweight tonnage tanker within 48 hours, which now takes 11 days.

No lighterage would be required to carry fuel from mother vessel, which is now moored at the outer quay, after implementation of the project, he said.

The BPC currently pays $5.50 per tonne to lighterage or small vessels, owned mainly by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, to ferry petroleum to its onshore tanks from larger mother vessels.

The SPM will save the cost of the BPC.

Bangladesh annually imports around 6.0-million tonnes of crude and refined oil-1.3-million tonnes are crude oil and refined petro products the remaining.

Single-point mooring to save govt Tk 8.0b per annum

The government would save Tk 8.0 billion annually by cutting the carrying cost of petroleum products from outer anchorage to fuel tankers once the SPM (single-point mooring) project is complete. An estimated 63.53-per cent work on the overall SPM project has already been completed. "We're expecti

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

The Institute of Marine Technology (IMT) is going to be established for the first time here to develop skilled manpower for shipbuilding industry.

All are set to construct IMT on the bank of Karnafuli River, adjacent to Kalpalok residential area at Bakalia Thana in the city.

Land acquisition has already been completed in this regard, sources said.

The institute will be conducted by the Manpower Employment and Training Bureau under the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

The students of the Institute will be able to make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's emerging shipbuilding industry and increasing foreign remittances after completing studies at a very lower cost.

Chattogram District Employment and Manpower Office sources said it will be constructed under a project taken to set up 40 technical training centers in 40 upazilas and one Institute of Marine Technology (IMT) in Chattogram.

The cost for the project has been estimated at Tk 1,667.7 crore.

Chattogram district administration has already acquired 2.5 acres of land in city's Bakalia area and formally handed over to the Chattogram District Employment and Manpower Office on August 25 last.

The Department of Housing and Public Works will start construction work on the acquired land soon.

Sources also said such an institute was set up in the area adjacent to Bandar Thana on the east bank of Shitalakshya River in Narayanganj. Its name is Bangladesh Institute of Marine Technology (BIMT).

BIMT started its journey on 10 acres of land in 1958 with nearly 2250 students currently studying.

It is a government engineering institute, offering a four-year Engineering Diploma in Marine and Shipbuilding Technology.

BIMT also offers four separate courses in the engineering department.

Manpower Employment and Training Bureau of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment conducted and regulated it.

Students will get the opportunity for higher education abroad at lower cost after completing study here.

After studying, they will get job opportunities in the world especially in Singapore, Germany, Japan, England, Qatar, Australia and Dubai.

Apart from this, they will also get job in foreign and domestic ships, shipyards and dockyards, power plants, design sections and cement factories.

Talking to BSS, Mohammad Zahirul Alam Majumder, Deputy Director at District Employment and Manpower Office, Chattogram, said that the main target of construction IMT is to create skilled manpower for ocean-going ship of the country.

He said they formally received the acquired land from district administration.

Ratan Kumar Ghosh, project director, told BSS that the Department of Housing and Public Works will begin construction of the building on the acquired land very soon.

"We hope to complete the project by 2022," he added.

Ctg gets marine technology institute for first time

The students of the Institute will be able to make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's emerging shipbuilding industry and increasing foreign remittances after completing studies at a very lower cost

tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

A long-awaited railway project for setting up a direct rail line between Bogura and Sirajganj, ultimately shortening Dhaka-Bogura travel distance by 112 kilometres and time by three hours, has finally seen some progress.

Bangladesh Railway has been able to select consultants for the Tk 5,579.70 crore project. It is set to sign a contract later this month with an Indian joint venture firm for updating the project's feasibility study, detailed design, and preparing tender documents, sources aware of the development confirmed to The Daily Star.

The development comes around three years after the government approved the project for constructing the 86.51km dual gauge rail line from Bogura to Shaheed M Mansur Ali Station in Sirajganj.

The project authorities now hope to begin the project's physical work within the first half of 2023, meaning the current deadline, which is June 2023, will have to be extended by at least two years, said sources.

The existing railway distance from Dhaka to Bogura is 324km and once the proposed rail line is built, the distance will be cut short to 212km, said project officials.

It will also cut the distance and travel time between Dhaka and other northern districts, including Gaibandha, Rangpur, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat, they said.

This is one of the six projects being implemented under the Indian Line of Credit. India would provide Tk 3,146.59 crore or 56.39 percent of the total project cost in soft loans.

Under the project, seven new stations would be built at Kalia Haripur, Krishnadia, Raiganj, Chandaikona, Sherpur, Aria Bazar and Ranihat. Besides, the new line will connect three existing stations -- Shaheed M Mansur Ali, Kahaloo and Bogura.

BR Director General Dhirendra Nath Mazumder said the contract with the Indian joint venture is likely to be signed on September 27. However, it will depend on the arrival of officials from the Indian side, he said.

The rail line will significantly reduce the travel time between Dhaka and northern districts like Lalmonirhat and Rangpur, he also said.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami are expected to join the programme, said BR sources.

WHY THE PROJECT?

Construction of a direct line between Bogura and Sirajganj has been in discussion for the last three to four decades as the current route is a lengthy and time-consuming one.

Currently, if anyone wants to go to Bogura from Sirajganj, they have to travel via Iswardi, Santahar and Kahaloo.

The BR did a feasibility study and then a final local survey in the early 1990s to establish the direct link. A follow-up study conducted by CANARAIL in 1996 also recommended the establishment of the direct line, showrailway documents.

Call for the direct line got louder when the rail link between Dhaka and BR's west zone was established with the construction of Bangabandhu Bridge in 1998. However, no project for setting up the direct line was taken until October 2018 over unknown reasons.

Asked about the reasons, railway sources said many believe a strong syndicate of bus owners could be behind the delay. The sources did not go into the details.

Around 20 passenger trains are being operated on the Sirajganj-Iswardi-Santaha-Bogura route, BR sources said.

On October 30, 2018, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project and the work was supposed to be completed between July 2018 and June 2023.

But the project authorities have so far been able to select consultants following lengthy tender and approval processes involving several authorities from both Bangladesh and India. The Covid-19 pandemic only aggravated the delay.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on July 29 approved a proposal for selecting an Indian joint venture company, led by RITES Ltd, as consultant at a cost of Tk 72 crore.

As per the proposal, the firm will update the feasibility study within six months of signing of the contract and prepare a detailed design within the next seven months, project sources said. The tender process for hiring the contractor will start then.

"So, we hope to start the physical work within 18 months after signing of the contract, meaning within the first half of 2023," a BR official said wishing not to be named.

However, starting the physical work would depend on how quickly they would be able to complete the bidding process, he added.

Once the contraction work starts, the consultant would provide services for two and a half years as construction supervisor, he said, meaning the construction work would take at least two and a half years to complete.

In that case, the project deadline has to be extended. "Yes, the project deadline has to be extended for sure. However, it is not possible to say whether the project cost would go up or not," the official said.

Detour no more

A long-awaited railway project for setting up a direct rail line between Bogura and Sirajganj, ultimately shortening Dhaka-Bogura travel distance by 112 kilometres and time by three hours, has finally seen some progress.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Exports and imports through the Chattogram port have reached pre-pandemic levels, riding on an ongoing recovery in global trade.

In August this year, the country's premier port handled 2,76,690 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers in contrast to 2,41,867 TEUs in the same month a year ago, according to the Chattogram Port Authority.

In January-March 2020, the number was 2,59,000 TEUs on an average before the pandemic had hit the country.

Md Omar Faruk, secretary of Chattagram Port Authority (CPA), told The Business Standard, "The export-import activities through the port are returning to normal. Container handling has already reached the pre-pandemic levels. We hope that our business volume will increase further if no further new wave of Covid-19 gets in the way."

Chattogram customs house's revenue collection crossed Tk4,410 crore in August 2021, up from Tk3,265 crore a year ago and Tk2,927 crore in 2019.

Mohammad Fakhrul Alam, commissioner at the Chattogram Customs, told TBS, "We are very much happy to have achieved nearly 35% growth."

CPA Secretary Omar Faruk said container handling will increase by 4.5 lakh TEUs next year when the construction of the Patenga container terminal will be completed.

Businessmen said they are relieved the country's export and import activities through the port made a turnaround after a long hold-up.

Port activities were about to get normal this January when container handling reached 2,80,222 TEUs – just shy of a few thousands from a year ago, but the advent of the second wave then played spoilsport, taking businesses to a halt, according to port authorities and Chattogram customs.

Now, with the Covid-19 situation improving both locally and internationally, activities at the port have got back on track, they said.

Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Vice-President Syed Mohammad Tanvir said, "All over the world the Covid-19 situation is improving, business activities resumed and exports and imports through the Chattogram port also increased."

In April 2020, container handling dropped to 1,32,921 TEUs from 2,85,979 TEUs in January after the government had declared a countrywide shutdown to contain Covid-19.

Chattogram Customs Commissioner Fakhrul Alam said, "Our team is working to create an honest and business-friendly environment. We have made utmost effort in maintaining consistency in revenue collection. As a result, it has been possible to achieve growth. We will try to maintain this trend till the end of the financial year."

CCCI President Mahbubul Alam said, "Positive growth is good news for our economy. It has been proved that we are recovering from the pandemic-induced losses month by month. This success must be sustained. For this, all stakeholders will have to work sincerely."

Trade thru Ctg port reaches pre-pandemic level

Chattogram customs house’s revenue collection crossed Tk4,410 crore in August 2021, up from Tk3,265 crore a year ago and Tk2,927 crore in 2019

tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The country's dream to produce nuclear energy has come a step closer as the reactor pressure vessel installation for the first unit of the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant started on Tuesday.

The reactor pressure vessel installation work in the first reactor building will continue for the next 15 to 20 days, said officials of the nuke plant construction project.

With this, the physical work on the first unit – that has 1,200 megawatts of power generation capacity – will be completed and the power plant is expected to commence power generation from December 2022.

Dr Md Shawkat Akbar, project director at the nuclear power plant, told The Business Standard, "We will formally install the reactor pressure vessel after the prime minister inaugurates it next month."

The nuclear power plant in Pabna that consists of two units with a capacity of 1,200MW each is the country's maiden power project of its kind.

The project's construction cost, including manpower training, amounts to Tk1.13 lakh crore and 90% of it is being funded by Russia.

As per the agreement, Russian contractor Atomstroyexport will complete the first unit of the nuclear power plant in 2022 and the second one in 2023.

The nuclear power plant will start trial production by loading fuel uranium from 2024.

Once the project is completed, the country will get a large volume of environment-friendly, low-cost and reliable electricity for a long time. The project will help the government generate electricity without emitting carbon into the atmosphere.

With the first concrete pouring at the project site, work on the first unit started on 30 November 2017.

Within two years into the first concrete pouring, the construction gained momentum as the reactor support truss was installed in the design position and the third layer of the reactor building inner containment was erected at the power unit-1.

Earlier in July this year, the sixth tier of the inner containment dome of the reactor building was installed at the power unit-1.

The metal structure has been installed in its regular place on the cylindrical part of the reactor building containment.

At present, 22 organisations, including 14 from Russia, and 20,968 personnel are engaged in the construction.

The project authorities have a plan to increase the workforce up to 22,105 by the end of 2021.

Professor Dr Ashoke Kumar Paul, member (Bio-Science) at Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, at a seminar on Tuesday said the Rooppur project will play a vital role in providing decarbonised, low-cost and reliable electricity.

According to the Power Sector Master Plan 2016, the government has set a target to build a capacity to produce 60,000MW of electricity by 2041. Of which, 10% or 6,000MW capacity will be built through nuclear energy.

At present, the country can generate 22,000MW of on-grid electricity.

Rooppur nuke plant: Reactor pressure vessel installation kicks off

The reactor pressure vessel installation work in the first reactor building will continue for the next 15 to 20 days

tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Jamalpur is ready to get busy with industrial activities as a 436-acre economic zone is ready for investors with all modern facilities.

Nine companies have already presented proposals to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) for investing more than Tk350 crore in the Jamalpur Economic Zone.

Employing 3,675 people, these companies will produce agro-based products, medical and surgical items, woven bags and PVC flex banners, etc, in the economic zone.

So far 11 companies have signed agreements with Beza on leasing 88 acres of land in the economic zone.

The authorities have already handed over land to five of the companies that expect to start production soon.

Experts say that the economic zone will help alleviate poverty in the district by expanding economic activities as it expects to employ around 32,000 people.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 52.5% people in Jamalpur district live under the poverty line.

In August, Color Style Bangladesh Ltd was allotted six acres of land to invest $11.76 million in setting up RMG, dyes and textiles chemicals factories. The company expects to employ 1,235 people.

Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, managing director of Color Style Bangladesh, said the company will start production soon.

Sheikh Yusuf Harun, executive chairman of Beza, told The Business Standard, "The economic zone in Jamalpur will be a suitable place for processing food and agricultural products. It is part of a planned industrialisation process across the country."

"This will involve the local population with the country's mainstream economy and set a new example in macroeconomic development," he added.

Bioleap Agro Industry and Bioleap Industry, two subsidiaries of Reliance Solution Ltd, were allotted two acres of land in the economic zone. The company will build an agro-based factory on one acre of land with an investment of $1.15 million.

The other half of the land will be used for manufacturing medical and surgical items where the company will invest $1.73million.

Max Infotech Ltd will set up an agro processing food and beverage factory on two acres of land. It will invest $2.68 million. Silken Sewing Ltd has allotted six acres of land in the economic zone.

Besides, Noble Navigation and Shipping Lines will build a woven bag industry on two acres of land investing $4.74 million. Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals will invest $3.49 million to produce cosmetics, probiotic fish feeds, poultry and fish feeds on four acres of land.

Step Media Ltd will invest $9.63 million to build a six-acre PVC flex banner manufacturing industry.

PPS Plastic Industries Ltd will build a factory on five acres of land with an investment of $7.92 million. The company will manufacture uPVC pipes, HDPE pipes, uPVC doors, uPVC fittings, hangers, corrugated pipes and PVC garden hose pipes.

Earlier this month, Silken Sewing Ltd was allotted six acres of land in the Jamalpur Economic Zone. The company will set up an export-oriented knitted dyed fabric factory with an investment of $9.00 million. The company hopes that this will create employment for at least 1,012 people.

M Enamul Haq, managing director of Silken Sewing Ltd, said, "We will start construction of the factory soon. The factory will produce jersey tops, nightwear, sweaters and hoodies."

However, BSCIC has been allotted 50 acres of land in the economic zone. Besides, a letter of allotment has been issued to BITAC to provide five acres of land.

Development of the project

Work on the Tk330 crore Jamalpur Economic Zone project got underway in 2016. The duration of the project will come to an end this year.

According to Beza, construction of a gas connection line, 33/11 KVA power sub-station, water supply line, and land development have already been completed.

Around 80% of electricity connection work and 90% of road connection have been done. However, the construction of office buildings, dormitories, entrances and boundary walls is 80% complete.

Beza says the Jamalpur Economic Zone is ready to provide all kinds of facilities to investors.

The economic zone will host companies which will produce jute and jute-based products, RMG products, pharmaceuticals, spices, leather products, ceramic products, etc.

Developed and undeveloped land in the economic zone is available on a 50-year lease. Beza is responsible for developing the land, building utilities and access roads before handing over the plots. However, it hands over land after payment of the full amount.

Beza is working toward establishing 100 economic zones across the country by 2030. The goal is to create employment for 10 million people directly as well as indirectly. It also expects to produce and export products worth $40 billion annually in and from these economic zones.

Jamalpur Economic Zone ready for investors

Nine companies have presented proposals for Tk350 crore investment in the economic zone

tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Matarbari Deep Sea Port

Cox's Bazar Railway Station.

Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan has said that the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar railway track will be operational from 16 December 2022.

The minister made the disclosure after inspecting the progress of Dohazari-Cox's Bazar rail track construction works in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday.

He stated that the inauguration of the railway track was scheduled for June 2022 but the Covid-19 pandemic and land acquisition hurdles for the project hampered the progress.

The railway minister mentioned that if the Cox's Bazar railway line is inaugurated, there will be a huge influx of tourists and it will boost economic growth in the region.

The minister added that a new 18-km new railway line would be constructed from Chakaria to Matarbari to further enhance the connectivity of those areas with Cox's Bazar.

Highlighting various facilities of the iconic station that is to be constructed in Cox's Bazar city, the minister said that passengers can stay here and even arrangements have been made to store their luggage.

Nurul Islam said that this rail track is a part of the Trans-Asian Rail link and if Myanmar decides to bridge the rail connection between the two countries, the rail line will be extended till Gundum near Myanmar.

It may be mentioned that with the first phase of the Asian Development Bank funding, a 100-km new single track dual gauge railway line is being constructed from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar. At present the overall progress of this project is 62%.

Railway line in Cox’s Bazar to open in December 2022: Minister

The project was delayed due to difficulties in working during the Covid-19 pandemic and problems in getting land for some government installations on time

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The Payra Bridge over the River Payra in the Lebukhali area of Barishal district would be opened to traffic in October, road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader said Wednesday.

‘The Payra Bridge in the Lebukhali area is like another Padma Bridge for the people of the southern region, and the bridge will be opened for traffic next month,’ he said.

The minister said this while inaugurating 11 bridges in three districts virtually from the office of the additional chief engineer of Barishal Roads and Highways division.

’75 per cent construction work of Bekutia Bridge in Pirojpur district is complete, while the government has approved the construction work of Nalua-Baherchar Bridge in ECNEC. We should introduce a culture of completing work within stipulated time and that too after maintaining quality,’ he said.

Quader inaugurated 11 bridges, involving Tk 83,23,98,000, in Barishal division.

The bridges include 28.78m-long Babuganj Bridge, 31.828m-long Khasherhat Bridge, 31.828m-long Nababer Haat Bridge, 31.828m-long Kauria Bridge and 15.74m-long Khasherhat Bridge in Barisal district.

Besides, 44.02m-long Gurudhan Bridge in Jhalakati district, 69.898m-long Kheyaghat Bridge on Kathalia-Koikhali-Banaihat Road, 44.02m-long Banglar Jar Bridge on Paran Talukdarhat-Borhanuddin-Charfashion-Charmanika regional highway in Bhola district, 44.02m-long Debichar Bridge on Debirchar-Najirpur-Lalmohon-Mangalshikdar-Tajumuddin regional highway were inaugurated.

Two more bridges — 63.798m-long Hetalia Bride on Charkhali-Tushkhali-Mathbaria-Patharghata Road and 75.978m-long Madarsi Bridge on the same road in Pirojpur district — were also inaugurated.

Additional chief engineer of roads and highways department Tarek Iqbal and supervisor engineer Mintu Ranjan Debnath were also present on the occasion.

Payra Bridge to be opened to traffic in October: Quader

The Payra Bridge over the River Payra in the Lebukhali area of Barishal district would be opened to traffic in October, road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader said Wednesday...

www.newagebd.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Amid fears of a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised Bangladesh’s economic growth forecast to 6.8% for the current fiscal year of 2021-22, down from its 7.2% projection from the April outlook.

In the latest update of its flagship economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, it also said that inflation is expected to slightly edge up to 5.8% and the current account deficit to narrow down to 0.6% of GDP in FY22.

The GDP, a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a country in a specific time period, was 6.1% in the previous financial year.

The growth projection for the current fiscal reflects a strong recovery supported by strengthening manufacturing, continued expansion in the global economy and effective government recovery policies, the regional lender said in the outlook released on Wednesday.

However, FY22 growth is expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels, it said, adding the main risk is the re-escalation of Covid-19 infections in Bangladesh or major advanced economies, clipping domestic and external demand.

“The government’s policies for saving lives while protecting livelihoods underpinned the recovery process in Bangladesh, making it one of the few countries in the world sustaining commendable economic growth in recent difficult times,” said ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

He said that prudent macroeconomic management, and efficient implementation of stimulus measures and social protection programmes have helped. "Continued efforts for job creation, quick vaccination, and improving domestic resource mobilization will further accelerate the recovery process."

Appreciating recent initiatives in the areas of financial inclusion, and expanding social protection, Parkash said: “Sustained reforms to increase business competitiveness, foreign investment, export diversification, skills development, and technology adoption will stimulate private sector investments and hasten economic recovery."

In FY22, the report said, improving consumer confidence and the government’s fiscal and monetary stimulus measures are expected to boost private and public investment.

The central bank’s expansionary and accommodative monetary policy is expected to support the projected growth while keeping inflation contained. Strong remittances will stimulate private consumption, said the ADB -- which currently has 51 projects with around $12 billion around Bangladesh.

Inflation is expected to edge up to 5.8% in FY2022 reflecting recovery in economic activity. Continued implementation of the increased fiscal and monetary stimulus measures is expected to create inflationary pressures, it added.

A good crop outlook, consumer caution and underutilized production capacity should mitigate any upward pressure on prices. Domestic administered prices for fuel may cushion the impact of increased crude oil prices, the report said.

Growth forecasts for other countries

In the Asian Development Outlook 2021, ADB also predicted a 7.1% growth rate for developing Asia.

As of 2021, the projection for India has been revised down to 10% from 11.0%, with an improved outlook for next year of 7.5% from 7.0%.

China's growth forecast remained at 8.1%, the same as in April.

The growth outlook for the Maldives has been revised to 18% from 13.1%, owing to more favourable international tourism prospects.

The improvements in the response to the pandemic and government stimulus led to an increase in Pakistan's economic growth from 2% to 3.9%.

For Sri Lanka, ADB lowered the growth to 3.4% from 4.1%, and to 2.3% from 3.1% for Nepal.

The regional lender did not forecast any growth rate for Afghanistan in this September outlook. But, in the previous April outlook, it had predicted 3% economic growth for the country.

ADB revises Bangladesh's GDP outlook down to 6.8%

However, Bangladesh remains one of the few countries to achieve commendable economic growth amid the pandemic, says ADB

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[Isa Khan]

Construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is progressing in full swing, with officials saying that parts of the much-awaited project will be visible by December this year.

Already 22 percent of the construction work has been completed and it is expected to gain momentum now that Covid-19 transmission in on the wane, informed the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

"Construction of the terminal would be completed on time as progress of the work is satisfactory," CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Mafidur Rahman told UNB.

"The project will be visible within December this year," he said.

The terminal, designed by renowned architect Rohani Baharin, will match the world's most modern airports," said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali.

Rohani is famous for her work with Changi International Airport's Terminal-3, Wuhan Tianhe Terminal-2, Guangzhou Baiyun New International Airport, Ahmedabad International Airport, New Islamabad International Airport, Can Tho and Phu Quoc international airports.

The state minister said the construction work is moving faster than the draft plan which makes them hopeful that it can be inaugurated before the scheduled time, which is 2023.

During the onslaught of Covid-19, construction work didn't stop for a single day and around 4,000 national and international workers are working on the project.

"Once completed, the world-class terminal can serve twice the number of passengers that Dhaka Airport is handling currently," the minister hoped.

After completion of the project, HSIA will be able to provide service to over two crore passengers every year, said the CAAB chairman.

The Ashkona Hajj Camp will be connected by a tunnel to facilitate pilgrims' direct transfer from the camp to the airport and the metro rail will be connected to this terminal, he added.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on October 24, 2017. The construction of the terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 29 in 2019.

According to project sources, the terminal is being constructed on 542,000 square metre of land and will have a floor space of 230,000 square metre, 115 check-in counters, 64 departure and 64 arrival immigration desks.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the construction work. Simuji of Japan and Samsung of Korea are jointly implementing the project called Aviation Dhaka Consortium (ADC).

3rd terminal of Dhaka airport to be visible by Dec: CAAB

Construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is progressing in full swing, with officials saying that parts of the much-awaited project will be visible by December this year.

www.thedailystar.net

Beximco's direct to home TV service empowers millions of Bangladeshi households with its innovative digital media offering offerings.

Beximco Communications is breaking new ground in Bangladesh’s entertainment and media sector by leveraging its position as an innovation leader and a pioneer in digital content viewing.

In May 2019, the company launched AKASH—the country’s first-ever direct to home (DTH) television service—with the vision to build a world class digital entertainment ecosystem for Bangladesh. That’s a breakthrough for a country where only 63% of households, or about 23.4 million, have TVs, more than 95% of which are analogue.

“This service has changed the face of the television landscape by allowing every person in a primarily analogue landscape to have access to premium quality digital entertainment,” says Shayan F. Rahman, Chairman of Beximco Communications. “This access to more programming and new content choices will provide support in the continued development and transformation of the nation in the fields of education, health, culture, sports, employment and many other areas.”

With superior picture and sound qualities, AKASH DTH offers a wide range of popular Bangladeshi and foreign TV channels including the world’s biggest sporting events. Beximco will continue to add quality local and foreign content going forward, as well as introduce services such as video on demand and over-the-top media services.

AKASH allows its subscribers the convenience of managing their own accounts for content they wish to subscribe to at their fingertips, while giving them real-time access to customer support 24 x 7. The service is a fully prepaid platform, which means customers don’t have to deal with post-paid billing and payment hassles which is not possible with traditional pay TV operators. This also ensures that the right amount of taxes are paid on all connections and that no tax revenue is lost to the government.

Access To Remote Areas​

Being the first operator of DTH service Bangladesh, Beximco has made significant capital outlay to establish a country wide distribution network, while at the same time marketing the service and building strong brand recognition and product/service loyalty for AKASH.

As consumers increasingly shift towards high-definition and 4K televisions, Bangladeshis

won’t fully experience the potential of these advanced products unless they subscribe to AKASH. The DTH service can bridge this gap by offering a technologically superior digital connection that can deliver the picture and sound quality that consumers desire. AKASH is the only player in Bangladesh PayTV industry which offers true HD picture & Dolby audio.

With its satellite-based coverage, AKASH can reach all parts of the country, including remote geographies that pose logistical challenges for conventional cable TV operators. The company has also been working to create a skilled service and distribution infrastructure to service deep rural areas with no access to cable TV services.

To enhance the customer experience, AKASH offers customised packages that cater to all customer segments. The service comes with features such as value-for-money offerings, personal video recording, parental controls and program reminders.

Robust Digital TV Demand​

“There is vast scope for expansion and growth especially in the rural and cable dark areas,” says Rahman. “With the government’s commitment to Digital Bangladesh and subsequently making the digitalization of the television network compulsory, demand will only accelerate and AKASH DTH is perfectly positioned to be the digital broadcasting platform of choice.”

The future looks bright for AKASH DTH with the PayTV segment in Bangladesh projected to be a multi-billiondollar industry in the next five years. The number of TVs per household is expected to grow substantially due to differing content preferences across gender and age groups, resulting in a corresponding rise in the number of connections per household.

Beximco Group BrandVoice: Beximco Communications Delivers A New World Of TV Entertainment To Bangladesh

Beximco's direct to home TV service empowers millions of Bangladeshi households with its innovative digital media offering offerings.

www.forbes.com

 

[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with the South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe-6 (SEA-ME-WE-6) Consortium for the construction and maintenance of the country's third submarine cable.

Md Afzal Hossain, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division and chairman of the Board of Directors of Bangladesh Submarine Company Limited (BSCCL), signed the agreement at InterContinental Dhaka on Thursday.

The member organisations of the consortium will sign a similar agreement on behalf of their countries and send it to the temporary headquarters of the consortium in Singapore by 30 September this year.

The 15 companies participating in the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium include Singtel (Singapore), BSCCL (Bangladesh), Telekom (Malaysia), SLT (Sri Lanka), Dhiraagu (the Maldives), Ni2i (India), TWA (Pakistan), Djibouti Telecom (Djibouti), Mobilink (Saudi Arabia), China Mobile International, China Telecom Global Limited China, China Unicom, Microsoft (United States), Telecom Egypt, and Orange (France).

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, the chief guest at the programme, said the third submarine cable will be launched by 2024.

"SEA-ME-WE 6 will make an unimaginable contribution to establishing uninterrupted connectivity with the digital world by meeting the growing demand for digital connectivity in the coming days," said the minister.

Referring to the submarine cable as one of the most essential telecommunications infrastructure in the country, Mustafa Jabbar said, "The then government refused the proposal of setting up the submarine cable connection to Bangladesh for free in 1992, leaving Bangladesh behind in the world of information technology for 14 years."

He said only 8 Gbps Internet was used in the country in 2008 and there were only seven lakh users. But currently 11 crore people in the country are using the Internet and 2,700 Gbps bandwidth is being used. The third submarine cable connection for Bangladesh is another historic achievement for the country.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder and SEA-ME-WE 6 Project Director Kamal Ahmed spoke at the programme presided over by BSCCL Managing Director Mashiur Rahman.

BSCCL Managing Director Mashiur Rahman said, "Today, more than 2,700 Gbps international bandwidth is being used in the country, of which the BSCCL alone is providing about 1,650 Gbps bandwidth."

By 2024, the country will need more than 6,000 Gbps of international bandwidth, he said.

Work on the implementation of the third submarine cable started in 2019. Three proposals for laying submarine cables were initially shortlisted and approved at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council's meeting in December 2020.

But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the selection of suppliers by the consortium was delayed. As a result, the consortium's proposed activities, scheduled to be launched by December 2020, were also postponed.

Bangladesh's first submarine cable was launched in 2006 and the second in the first quarter of 2017.

Besides supplying bandwidth to the country, the BSCCL is also exporting bandwidth to neighbouring countries. The BSCCL has signed a new agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, a state-owned company in India, to export 10 Gbps bandwidth.

Bangladesh signs contract for setting up third submarine cable

Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said the third submarine cable will be launched by 2024

tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The government is setting up a new software technology park at Karwan Bazar in the capital. The construction of the 12-storey building with a space of 1.2 lakh square feet will cost around Tk150 crore.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has allocated 0.47 acre land in favor of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority for setting up the software technology park on Thursday at a programme organised at the Vision 2021 Tower-1 (formerly known as Janata Tower) Software Technology Park.

The authority is constructing the new "Vision 2021 Tower-2 Software Technology Park" just beside the Vision 2021 Tower-1.

Speaking as the chief guest at the programme, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, "There is a huge demand for space in software technology parks among the companies investing in the IT sector. A new software technology park is being built to meet this demand. It will be constructed in compliance with all the conditions for construction of green buildings."

He said, "Around 1,000 employment opportunities are created in 19 companies in the Vision 2021 Tower-1 Software Technology Park and 15 startups are working here."

Speaking as the special guest at the event, ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha, said, "International standard buildings will be constructed here to take the IT sector of Bangladesh forward. Domestic and foreign IT companies and potential startups will have the opportunity to run their activities here. This will create huge employment opportunities in the country."

ANM Safiqul Islam, project director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, said Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority has undertaken a project called "Digital Entrepreneur and Innovation Ecosystem Development" involving around Tk353 crore from the government funding and World Bank loan. The project's main objective is to encourage private investment and create employment by building an innovation ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Additional Secretary of the ICT Division Dr Khandoker Azizul Islam was present as a special guest at the programme, where Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Project Director (Joint Secretary) Syed Zahurul Islam and others participated.

Govt to set up new software technology park in Karwan Bazar

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has allocated 0.47 acre land in favor of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority for setting up the new software technology park

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