Bangladesh News Bangladesh Economy & Development

[Isa Khan]

RIYADH: Bangladesh is in talks with Saudi energy company ACWA Power to develop a large solar project which would supply Southeast Asian nations with one gigawatt of electricity as it shifts towards more clear energy sources, an official said.

The country is also engaging in early talks with ACWA Power, in which the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF holds a 44-percent stake, about a potential green hydrogen project, Salman Fazlur Rahman, adviser to the Prime Minister, told Arab News.

“We've been talking with ACWA power for solar. In fact, ACWA power people were there in Bangladesh recently and they met our ministry of energy and they are negotiating a large solar project, a one gigawatt solar project. So, that's under negotiation,” he added. “We hope to conclude it soon and they will be signing an agreement pretty soon.”

Bangladesh has an installed capacity of 2.4 gigawatt, Rahman added, and the country needs more energy to expand the economy and to attract investors.

The drive for the hydrogen comes as a result of the country’s plan to establish a terminal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG). The same terminal can import green ammonia, which can be converted into green hydrogen.

“We are developing, with the Japanese government, a deep-sea port in Bangladesh where we are going to put an onshore LNG terminal and LPG terminal. So we are now thinking that this is the right time, because this is in the planning stage that we should also have an onshore ammonia terminal,” Rahman said.

ACWA Power is one of three partners in Saudi Arabia’s first green hydrogen project along with NEOM and US-based Air Products. The venture plans to export its first green ammonia project in early 2026 and it is looking for long-term off takers of the fuel.

“We are talking to ACWA power on green hydrogen as well, but that's a longer-term project because at the moment, even that technology is not perfected yet and the cost is still pretty high,” Rahman said.

Bangladesh in talks with Saudi ACWA Power for 1GW solar project, potential green hydrogen deal

RIYADH: Bangladesh is in talks with Saudi energy company ACWA Power to develop a large solar project which would supply Southeast Asian nations with one gigawatt of electricity as it shifts towards more clear energy sources, an official said. The country is also engaging in early talks with ACWA...

www.arabnews.com

 

[Isa Khan]

Train service from Dhaka to Bhanga will be started in December next year, said Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Monday.

Visiting the project area along with the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Railway Ministry on Monday, the minister said, "The Bridges Division has not yet handed over the railway section of the Padma Bridge. They will not be able to hand it over before March next year as work on the gas pipeline is being delayed."

As the construction of the Mawa-Bhanga portion is 71% completed, the railways' ministry wants to launch a train on this part, to cross the bridge by train, on the day of the opening of Padma Bridge for road transportation in June next year.

However, it would not be possible if the Bridge Authority cannot hand over the railway part of the Padma Bridge in time.

The minister said if crossing the bridge by train is not possible on the first day of opening the bridge, train service from Dhaka to Bhanga will be started in December next year.

"Once the rail portion of the bridge is handed over to us, it will take another six months to complete the rest of the work. In this case, it will not be possible to operate a train on the bridge in June," he added.

The minister said, "People will get no benefit if the train is operated from Bhanga to Mawa. On the other hand, if it is operated from Dhaka to Bhanga, the people can be provided with a meaningful service."

"Initially the work of the project was hampered due to various complications. With all the complications resolved, work is now going on in full swing," Sujan said, adding that the deadline for completion of the project is June 2024.

Under the ongoing Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, a 169km railway line will be constructed at a cost of Tk39,247 crore.

Intending to develop the internal rail connectivity, the government is constructing this Dhaka to Jashore railway via the Padma Bridge.

Exim Bank of China is financing Tk21,037 crore for the project while China Railway Group Limited is working on the biggest package of this project.

Dhaka-Bhanga train service to open in December 2022

As the construction of the Mawa-Bhanga portion is 71% completed, the railways' ministry wants to launch a train on this part

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[Isa Khan]

An RMG sector giant is looking to turn Bangladesh into the next chip-making hub​

Industry insiders estimate that Bangladesh’s budding chip-design industry currently earns up to $5 million annually while neighbouring India is earning around $60 billion. TBS sits down with the country’s leading chip-design company to find out what’s holding Bangladesh back from being the next chip-design powerhouse​

Uday Hasan, a graduate from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) with a major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), took up an unusual job four years back that his friends and family understood little of.

He designed very-large-scale integration (VLSI) chips for internationally renowned chipmakers.

"Every day, technology is advancing. The size of a mobile phone remains the same but its performance and speed keep getting better, thanks to advancements in VLSI chips," said Uday, now a senior design engineer, sitting at his desk at the Neural Semiconductor Limited office in Uttara.

VLSI chips are made of transistors. Even a one-centimetre chip is filled with billions of transistors. Engineers design such chips with the help of tools or software like Cadence, Synopsis, etc. These chips are mainly used in mobile phones, laptops, computers, washing machines, smartphones and even cars. Millions of products rely on computer chips.

Over the last few months, the media has been rife with stories about how different industries have been suffering from an acute shortage of computer chips largely as a result of the pandemic. The global semiconductor industry, estimated at $481 billion in 2018, is dominated by companies from the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Netherlands. The pandemic-induced lockdowns and restrictions over the last year and a half drove down production in these countries, which has in turn triggered a supply shortage in vehicle, mobile phone and other electronic device industries.

Neural Semiconductor Limited, a Bangladesh-based company, ventured into designing VLSI chips in 2017 for global semiconductor manufacturing companies. The company is a sister concern of DBL Group, one of the largest RMG exporters in the country.

Neural Semiconductor Limited is now working on 20 projects for its clients. They do not design the whole chip, but some parts of it.

The company is now providing services like analogue-mixed signal design, digital verification, physical design and design for testability and process automation. Company officials said it takes between one and two years, at least, to design a semiconductor, with the help of 100 to 150 design engineers.

Because of non-disclosure agreements, Neural could not name the companies for which they work. However, they said they are working for companies that are among the world's top five chipmakers.

There are mainly three companies - the oldest Ulkasemi Limited, PrimeSilicon Limited and Neural Semiconductor Limited - who are leading the nascent VLSI design industry in the country.

Industry insiders estimate that Bangladesh is currently earning upto $5 million from the industry in a year while neighbouring India is earning around $60 billion annually.

"The main focus of DBL Group is to develop the sector"

DBL Group Managing director, MA Jabbar, said many students who graduate from Bangladesh go to developed countries like the US and work on designing VLSI chips. That is where DBL saw an opportunity.

However, Bangladesh needs to train its workforce properly to take advantage of it.

"There are many engineering universities in our country. But they make little to no contribution to the VLSI sector. The country's industry is yet to flourish even though our engineers are doing the same job abroad," said MA Jabbar. "Then I thought, why not try for ourselves?"

"I want some more entrepreneurs to come to the sector and help the industry grow. My main goal now is not profit," Jabbar explained.

Shakhawat Hossain, the Chief Operating Officer of Neural Semiconductor Limited, is very optimistic about the industry's future prospects in Bangladesh.

The positive side of the industry is that the market is still untapped. He said that annually Bangladesh earns $40 billion from its main export item, RMG, while India earns $60 billion dollars from VLSI design only, annually.

"The main focus of DBL Group is to develop the sector. We want to develop a backward linkage and an ecosystem in the country. VLSI designing is very knowledge-intensive. We will have to develop an intelligent workforce for it," Hossain explained.

"Around 50 lakh workers are involved in the RMG sector and earning $40 billion dollars. But if we can bring only one lakh engineers into the VLSI design sector, we will be able to earn around $40 billion," Hossain added.

He pointed out that chip giants like Intel had set up offices in India in the 1980s and now India has gone way ahead of Bangladesh.

"Now is the time to develop our human resources. If we have enough engineers, chip giants will show interest in opening an office in our country to access cheap labour," Hossain explained, adding that three of his former employees are now working with Intel Malaysia and Cadence in the US.

For every 20,000 engineering graduates, only 30 join VLSI industry

On average, 20,000 students come out of university studying Computer Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) subjects in the country. But, only around 30 people come to the VLSI industry.

"We are now doing webinars and talking with the top-level public and private universities in the country to get students interested in this field," Hossain said. "We are also suggesting to universities they change their curriculum to integrate VLSI-related topics."

"If a large project comes to Bangladesh requiring 500 engineers, we will not be able to provide 500 engineers instantly," Hossain further added.

Even though people are gradually coming to this industry, the number is quite low. Four years back, the company had only 20 engineers but now the number of engineers in the company has increased to 80.

Cadence costs $400,000

Industry insiders said that the tools for designing VLSI chips are very expensive. The price of Cadence, which is being used for only training purposes, is $400,000.

"As far as I know, Cadence now is not used in Bangladesh for commercial purposes. The use of Cadence for commercial purposes is really expensive," said Ismail Hossain, the Program Manager at Neural Semiconductor Limited. For commercial use, Bangladeshi engineers use their client's licence.

As the software is too expensive, except for a few universities including BUET, the tools are not available in other universities.

"We want every university that has a Computer Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department to have access to Cadence tools," said Shakhawat. "Then we can get a trained workforce."

But there is good news too: people showing more and more interest in the sector. At the beginning of Neural Semiconductor Limited in 2017, the company had published a circular for the workforce and got around 100 applications.

"Recently we have published another circular on our website and it has gotten over 1,200 applications so far," Hossain added.

An RMG sector giant is looking to turn Bangladesh into the next chip-making hub

Industry insiders estimate that Bangladesh’s budding chip-design industry currently earns up to $5 million annually while neighbouring India is earning around $60 billion. TBS sits down with the country’s leading chip-design company to find out what’s holding Bangladesh back from being the next...

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Asphalt carpeting works on the roadway slabs of the long waited Padma Multipurpose Bridge have officially begun.

China Major Bridge Engineering Company (MBEC) started paving asphalt from the Jajira end of the bridge at around 9:40am on Wednesday.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Dewan Md Abdul Quader, executive engineer of the main bridge project, said, "First we are going to pave 300 metres of the bridge. It will take us at least four months to complete the whole bridge.

"This will only be possible if we can work without any interruption."

"Carpeting started from Pillar No. 40 of the Padma Bridge. The initial asphalt layer is 2.5 inches thick. Another layer of 1.5 inch

"Besides, we will start installing the street lights of the bridge from next month," the engineer added.

Earlier on 13 July, authorities paved 60 metres of the bridge's roadway on a trial basis.

According to sources, the progress of physical works of the main structure of the Padma Bridge is 95%. The overall progress of the bridge construction now stands at 88.75%.

Padma Bridge is the biggest project in Bangladesh the construction work of the bridge began in December 2014.

On September 30, 2017, the first span was installed on the 37th and 38th pillars.

The last span was installed in last year's December.

A total of 2,917 road slabs and 2,959 railway slabs have been installed on the 6.15km-long bridge.

The roadway will be up to 22 metres long and 2 to 2.15 metres wide.

The final road slab was laid on 23 August.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of the main bridge in December 2015.

As per the revised proposal, the project is expected to finish by June 2022.

Carpeting works on Padma Bridge begins

The overall progress of the bridge construction now stands at 88.75%

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[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh Railways (BR) is refurbishing 57 stations in both the east and west zones to improve passenger service and ensure a comfortable train journey.

The renovation work includes raising the height of the station platforms 2.3 feet so that passengers can more easily board trains without risk.

The modernisation of platforms with adequate waiting rooms and installing access control fences to reduce the number of passengers hitching free rides without tickets is also in process.

Some of the platforms have already been renovated on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Jamalpur routes and the rest are in progress.

"We are working to complete the project by the end of this fiscal year," Md Shubaktogin, chief engineer for the East Zone of Bangladesh Railways, told The Business Standard.

"This project has been taken up to provide comfortable rail services to commuters as part of Bangabandhu's birth centenary programme."

The East Zone will renovate 28 of 57 stations.

East Zone officials said some station platforms are very low and commuters, especially the elderly, often find it difficult to get on board trains.

Once the height of the platforms is raised, passengers will no longer face trouble getting on trains.

On 21 October, six such refurbished stations were inaugurated on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Jamalpur routes, and some other stations are scheduled to open at the end of this week.

As part of the renovation, the waiting rooms at the railway stations will be modernised, adding adequate washrooms, sitting arrangements, and other such facilities.

Apart from this, access control fences will be built at all stations to reduce the number of people getting on trains without paying ticket fares.

Under the project, around 850km of old railway tracks and 100 passenger coaches will be renovated in the east and west zones of the railway system.

At present, there are 228 stations in the East Zone and 255 in the West Zone.

Railway renovating 57 stations for better service

Six stations have already been inaugurated and more are to open this week

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[Isa Khan]

The public administration ministry has taken an initiative to build an integrated public office complex in port city Chattogram on a 110-acre char, which is equivalent to around 83 football fields, by the river Karnaphuli.
The complex, to be designed similar to Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya, is being called "Mini Secretariat for Chattogram" and will have as many as 44 government establishments such as offices of the divisional commissioner, deputy commissioner and rest house.

The authorities say the complex will be constructed within the next three to four years at Bandar mouza in Chattogram's Chandgaon ward.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mominur Rahman said a top-level government meeting at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the last week of November agreed to study the project design and finalise it.

The shift will help save "Parir Pahar"

The deputy commissioner said shifting public offices to the new complex from their current location at "Parir Pahar" – which literally means "Fair Hills" and the heart of Chattogram's administrative and judicial activities built by the British rulers – will help save the age-old hills and ease the daily pressure on the surrounding areas.

"Dotted with too many offices, Parir Pahar has become risky. It is now bearing establishments four times more than the tolerable limit," Mominur Rahman told The Business Standard.

The prime minister has already approved shifting the risky and old offices from the hills and asked that no new ones be built. Subsequently, the public administration ministry started shifting the public establishments, including the offices of the divisional commissioner and deputy commissioner, from the hills.

Around two months ago, Chattogram district administration and Chattogram lawyers engaged in a face-off over the constructions of two establishments at Parir Pahar. Amid the stalemate, the district administration proposed announcing the 130-year-old court building as a heritage site.

The cultural affairs ministry also said it is considering announcing the site as an archaeological site.

All public services at the same place

The mini-secretariat is only seven kilometres away from Chattogram city zero point. Apart from the 44 offices, it will have a hospital for government staff, circuit house, training centre, convention centre, shopping mall, multi-storey car parking, school and college, nursing institute, transport pool, petrol pump, memorial, novo theatre and mosque.

"People will get all public services at the same place," Mamnoon Ahmed Anik, assistant commissioner (AC Land, Chandgaon Circle), told TBS.

"Land acquisition appears as a major challenge for government projects. But this project does not have that issue since khas land is already ready out there," Anik added.

He said a development project proposal is currently being formulated for the integrated office complex.

Visiting the project site last Wednesday, this correspondent noted that the district administration has already identified 73 acres of land at the strip on the Karnaphuli foreshore. The site has the river flowing on one side while the Marine Drive has been taking shape through a flurry of construction activities on the other side.

The project site is blessed with scenic natural beauty.

Locals call the swathe "Char Hamid", which emerged from the river around 100 years ago. There had been paddy and vegetable cultivation on the land even five years ago.

The district administration now has 73 acres of land under its ownership and hopes ownership issues over the remaining land will be resolved soon.

Focus also on future

Md Towhidul Islam, senior assistant commissioner and executive magistrate of Chattogram district, said the project design has room for more than 44 government establishments so that new offices, if required, could be built there in the next 40 years.

"The number of new public departments is constantly increasing. The biggest advantage of this project is that the newly formed departments will not have to spend additionally on office construction," AC Land Anik told TBS.

Deputy Commissioner Mominur Rahman said the project site currently has two roads. But considering the future, five types of alternative communication systems, including a Marine Drive and a Link Road, will be constructed in order to be connected to the integrated office complex.

Disaster prevention measures

A number of geological surveys of the char have been completed. The surveys suggest that the stretch of land is stable. However, the construction process will take up added measures to shield the complex from natural calamities, such as rising sea levels, cyclones and flooding.

At the same time, the natural environment will be kept intact, said Deputy Commissioner Mominur.

He said, "As the project area is on the river bank, there will be embankments so that the land can withstand natural disasters. There will be a planned drainage network to channel out rainwater."

Experts still sceptical

Urban engineer Subhash Chandra Barua expressed concern over the measures. He said, "Chattogram is a coastal area prone to natural disasters every year. The sea level is rising gradually. Against this backdrop, I do not think the government should implement such an important project on the river bank."

Civil engineering expert Delwar Hossain Majumder said shifting public offices from Chattogram city certainly will ease the pressure on traffic. He described the initiative as promising.

"But if all the government offices are moved to a single place, traffic pressure on the hub might appear as a new problem," said the engineer.

He suggested moving interrelated offices only to the new complex to have the traffic pressure spread out on the city.

Karnaphuli char to have Putrajaya-like administrative hub

All public offices at the same place will ease pressure on Chattogram and offer all public services at the same place

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Highlights:

• Transmission line needed for evacuating electricity from Rampal power plant is not ready yet
• The Power Grid Company plans to transfer Rampal power plant's electricity to Khulna
• One year will be needed to bring the electricity generated at Payra and Rampal to Dhaka
• Coal for Rampal power plant's test run will be imported from Indonesia

---

When the coal-fired Payra 1,320MW Thermal Power Plant in Patuakhali cannot use half of its capacity due to lack of a transmission line, another coal-based power plant in Rampal, Bagerhat is going to start operation from next year.

The Rampal power plant, also known as Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, has two units, each with 660MW production capacity. They plan to start the test–run in January 2022 and start commercial operation in June that year.

The project authorities have already informed the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), the power evacuating entity, about their progress and the date of starting commercial operation.

However, sources at the Power Development Board said the PGCB could not assure the Rampal power plant authority about power evacuation and signaled a delay in the process for an indefinite period.

Kazi Absar Uddin Ahmed, managing director at Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Pvt Ltd (BIFPCL), told The Business Standard, "We have informed the PGCB of our progress, so that they can set up the transmission line. The PGCB said there will be a little delay in setting up the line across the Padma River."

Golam Kibria, managing director at PGCB, told TBS, "We already established the 24km Mongla-Khulna 230kv transmission line to evacuate electricity from the first unit of Rampal power plant. And for the second unit, our Gopalganj-Maowa transmission line will be prepared by the end of 2022."

"So, the power plant won't remain idle for the lack of transmission line," he said.

Although the PGCB claimed that their system is ready to evacuate the electricity from the 1st unit of the Rampal power plant to Khulna, sources at the Bangladesh Power Development Board said Khulna does not need 660MW electricity as a power plant already exists there.

After the test run, the power plant would have to wait for one year to start operation fully if the power evacuating transmission line across the Padma river is not ready, said officials with direct knowledge of the matter.

The BIFPCL authority said around 86% of the construction work of the first unit of the Rampal coal power plant has been completed and the total progress of the project including the second unit is around 70%.

"We wanted to start the test run on 16 December, the 50th victory day of the nation. But due to unusual rain, our work and preparation is going a little slower. So, if starting the test run on 16 December is not possible, it will be started from January next year," said BIFPCL Managing Director Kazi Absar Uddin Ahmed.

Apart from that, some materials and manpower from India are yet to reach the plant site, he added.

Coal to come from Indonesia for a test run

For the month-long test run, the BIFPCL is going to import three lakh tonnes of coal from Indonesia. However, they have not disclosed the coal price and the name of the supplier company yet. The next board meeting to finalise the issue is scheduled to be held this month.

Another tender is also under evaluation to import 72 lakh tonnes of coal for running the power plant for three years.

The BIFPCL is constructing the 1,320MW Rampal plant, a joint venture of India's NTPC Limited and the Bangladesh Power Development Board, at a cost of $2 billion.

Spread over 1,834 acres of land, the power plant is situated 14 kilometres north of the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, also a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) world heritage site.

Rampal power plant test run likely in January, operation in June next

The power plant would have to wait for one year after the test–run to start operation fully if the transmission line across the Padma river is not ready

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Bangladesh has shown a surprising performance in mango export by earning $0.66 million in the first three months of FY 2021-22, which is a massive rise from $40,000 in the 12 months of FY 2020-21.

During July-September of the last fiscal, Bangladesh exported mangoes worth only $10,000 to Singapore. However, in the same period this year, mango was exported to more than 14 countries in Asia and Europe.

Although Bangladesh globally ranks seventh in mango production, it was at the bottom in terms of export earnings from this delicious fruit. Many countries are earning huge amounts of foreign exchange from mango export by producing fewer mangoes than Bangladesh.

Bangladesh produces around 1.5 million tonnes of mangoes with a market value of Tk10,000 crore every year. But the amount of export is very little compared to production.

In 2020, Thailand exported mangoes worth $73.40 crore, which was the highest in the world. In the same year, India and Pakistan exported mangoes worth $13.70 crore and $10.10 crore respectively.

According to people concerned, one of the major problems in mango export from Bangladesh is the lack of exportable varieties. Most of the local varieties have a very short shelf life as they rot very fast. Lack of good agricultural practice and packaging of an international standard are also behind the low mango export.

There has been no branding as well of Bangladeshi mangoes in the international market, they say.

Exporters say that in the last season, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent mangoes to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan as gifts. This news in the international media has played a major role in creating new branding for Bangladeshi mangoes.

They note that export orders for Bangladeshi mangoes from different countries have been increasing since then.

Manjurul Islam, advisor of Bangladesh Fruits and Vegetable Exporters Association, told The Business Standard, "Only two tonnes of mangoes were exported from Bangladesh last year. This year we have exported 1,800 tonnes, which is a sign of great progress."

"Despite being delicious, Bangladeshi mangoes were not known in the international market. As a result, there were very little export orders. The Prime Minister's step toward making a gift of mangoes to her counterparts in India and Pakistan was a game changer here. It helps a branding of Bangladeshi mangoes. As a result, mango export has increased a lot this year," he added.

Manjurul Islam said the government has set a target of exporting one lakh tonnes of mangoes in the next three years.

Nazmul Haider Bhuiyan has exported mangoes to Italy, Switzerland and London. He has exported Himsagar and Amrapali varieties this year. The highest price he obtained is Tk400 per kg.

"There is a huge demand for Bangladeshi mangoes in European countries. But we could not export much due to problems related to airlines. Pakistan exports more than one lakh tonnes of mangoes. If the problem of airlines is solved, we will be able to export more mangoes than we do now," he said.

In 2020-21 FY, most of the mangoes were exported to Italy ($16,892) and the United Kingdom ($12,105). Besides, in that fiscal year, Bangladesh exported mangoes worth $5,615 to the Netherlands and worth $5,398 to Austria.

However, in the first three months of 2021-22 FY, mangoes worth $5,06,487 were exported to the United Kingdom and worth $71,874 to Kuwait.

Besides, Bangladesh has also exported mangoes to the UAE, Canada, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, India, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Nepal, Sweden and Singapore.

Meanwhile, along with an increase in mango export, the country has started to export lemons to Europe after seven years. These have contributed to the rise in fruit exports from the country.

In July-October 2021-22 FY, export earnings from fruits exceeded $3 million. During the same period in the previous fiscal, it was only $0.58 million.

"Every year we export 150-200 tonnes of jackfruits, but this year the amount is 3,700 tonnes," said Manjurul Islam.

Speaking about the huge potential for export of Jara lemons to Europe, he said that the demand for this lemon is increasing day by day and the prices are also good.

Abul Hossain, a lemon exporter, said, "I am exporting lemons to Finland, Germany and England. Its market is quite promising. Due to good export potential, its production is also increasing in the country."

Without even any branding, mango export sees big jump

Bangladesh produces around 1.5 million tonnes of mangoes with a market value of Tk10,000 crore every year

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Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan today told the Parliament that the proposal to increase manpower by recruiting 47,637 people in railways has been approved.

In reply to lawmakers' queries, the minister said that at present there are 1,460 employees working in the Ministry of Railways, against the sanctioned manpower of 2,516 in the commercial department.

The number of vacancies here is 1,056 (42%).

"Recently, an approval has been received for the new manpower structure of 47,637 people of the railways," the minister said in a scripted answer.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the question and answer session of parliament.

In reply to another question, the railways minister said that at present, the railway has 283 locomotives, of which 191 are meter gauge and 92 are broad gauge.

The total economic life span of 175 (61%) including 132 meter gauge engines and 43 broad gauge engines has passed.

Currently, work is underway to procure 100 meter gauge and 40 broad gauge new engines under various projects, the minister said.

Responding to a question, the railways minister claimed that the number of railway accidents is gradually decreasing, adding that a total of 145 train accidents took place in 2020.

On the other hand, as of September 2021, 106 accidents have taken place.

Proposal to increase manpower by 47,637 in railways approved: minister

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan today told the Parliament that the proposal to increase manpower by recruiting 47,637 people in railways has been approved.

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Almost 90% work of Uttara-Kamalapur Metro Rail construction in the capital has been completed and various tests are now being carried out with seven sets of metro trains brought from Japan.

After completing the tests by September next year, the government wants to start operating metro rail from Uttara to Agargaon in December, the month of victory.

MAN Siddique, managing director at the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the implementing agency of the metro rail, presented the progress before journalists at a function in Diabari, Uttara.

"Currently, the Covid situation is normal. It will be possible to operate the metro train in December next year if there are no new external challenges," he added.

Representatives from various Japanese contractors highlighted the details of the Metro MRT Line-6 project at the function organised at Diabari Depot Metro Rail Exhibition and Information Center.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki said a single metro rail line would not play a major role in reducing traffic congestion in the Dhaka metropolis.

In view of this, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is financing ART Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (North) projects, he added.

The Japanese envoy said that once the work of Metro Rail is completed, the appearance of the Dhaka metropolis will change.

Japanese technology will change the way people live in the city, he added.

Yuho Hayakawa, chief representative of Jica, said Bangladesh is now a model of steady economic growth.

"The country will play a good role in the global supply chain. The country needs better infrastructure and good public transportation. The metro rail is very important for Bangladesh to achieve the new stage of development," added the Jica official.

After a briefing, journalists visited the metro train at Uttara North Station.

Former national cricket team captain Habibul Bashar Sumon, former cricketers Abdur Razzak and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were also present on the occasion.

Then, the metro train left Diabari depot and travelled at 100km per hour to cross the Uttara North station.

The train stopped at the North station after returning at a speed of 25kmph via Pallabi station.

The representatives from DMTCL, the embassy of Japan, Jica and contractors boarded one of the bogies of the six-car train.

ABM Arifur Rahman, manager at (CP-08) of the MRT Line-6 Project, said the bogie could carry 370 passengers and has a seating arrangement for 48 of them. This means that most of the passengers have to travel standing.

At the event, Habibul Bashar Suman said traffic jam causes barriers to following the timing and termed the metro rail project as a fantastic work.

"The people in the city will be able to make their work plans, knowing that they will reach a place by the metro rail on time. The project will make the life of the city dwellers easy."

90% of Uttara-Agargaon Metro Rail completed

The Japanese envoy said that once the work of Metro Rail is completed, the appearance of the Dhaka metropolis will change

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[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh on Friday successfully field-tested its first-ever locally manufactured full-fledged combine harvester, rekindling hopes to substantially reduce its import dependency for agricultural machineries.

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Janata Engineering jointly designed and manufactured the combine harvester, capable of reaping, threshing, gathering, winnowing and packing paddy right on the fields in quick time.

The combine cuts up to 70% of costs the farmers have to, otherwise, bear for accomplishing the same tasks manually.

The modern combine harvester, or simply combine, is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops. The name derives from its combining a number of separate harvesting operations — reaping, threshing, gathering, winnowing, packing — into a single process. Combine harvesters are one of the most economically important labour-saving inventions, significantly reducing the fraction of the population engaged in agriculture.

Under the government-provided farm mechanization subsidy program, Bangladeshi farmers bought 2,300 farm implements in the last financial year, and 1,762 of them were combine harvesters. But all of the combines were imported and costly, and farmers still had to bear a substantial cost to manage 50% matching fund upon getting the other half as government subsidy.

The government has a plan to help farmers procure as many as 50,000 farm machines by 2025 under the current farm mechanization subsidy program, but high costs of imported combines remain a big concern as farmers can ill-afford the matching fund.

Both BRRI and Janata Engineering now hope if they get necessary policy support and financial support from the government, Bangladesh can manufacture the combines at much cheaper prices, meet domestic demand and also export abroad.

They say the successful manufacturing of the one unit that was pressed into operation on a trial run on Friday is a clear demonstration of Bangladesh’s capacity to manufacture world-class combines.

Customized to suit Bangladesh’s fragmented tilling lands and muddy rural roads of the Haor region, the BRRI-Janata built combine is more efficient in terms of its maneuvering capacity, and comparable to any of the imported ones when it comes to its crop harvesting efficiency.

The next step

Md Ole Ullah founded Janata Engineering in Chuadanga back in 1992 and steered it through many odds over the last three decades, finally earning for his farm machinery manufacturing unit an ISO standard and Bangabandhu Agriculture Award last year.

Ullah told Dhaka Tribune on Saturday that Janata had been trying to develop a locally built combine since 2015 and had some success already by 2019 but thanks to BRRI supports and collaboration that since January this year together they worked hard to finally build a full-fledged combine harvester, which can reap and process paddy of each acre of paddy field in just one hour.

Janata Engineering Managing Director Md Ole Ullah has firm conviction that if the government diverts even a third of its over Tk3,000 crore farm mechanization subsidy to finance the farm implement manufacturers, they will be able to procure capital machineries, build modern manufacturing unit and start commercially producing the combines meeting not only the local demand but also export some surplus.

Ullah, also an executive body member of the farm implement manufacturers association, said he is also in favour of resource-pooling and manufacturing combines in collaborative manners by multiple manufacturers together.

BRRI Director General Dr Shahjahan Kabir was present, among others, to witness the field trial of the combine held on Friday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation’s (BADC) farm in Noornagar, Chuadanga.

Dr AKM Saiful Islam, who heads the "Strengthening Farm Machinery Research Activity for Mechanized Rice Cultivation Project" and serves as a principal scientific officer at BRRI, spearheaded the combine harvester manufacturing initiative.

He told Dhaka Tribune on Saturday: “We field-tested it on Friday and got a very good result. It’s efficient and has a comparative advantage over the imported ones when it comes to adapting to Bangladesh’s fragmented tilling plots.”

“The one we developed has a cutting width of 1.5 metre and can move freely in small land areas, the percentage of grain damage is hardly 1%, while unthreshed grain percentage is also less than 1%,” added Dr Saiful.

Both Ole Ullah and Saiful said in a rough estimate that once manufactured in bulk commercially, the combine will cost somewhere in between Tk16 lakh and Tk20 lakh.

Currently, some of the combines that are being imported from China and sold here cost in the range of Tk28 lakh to Tk30 lakh and farmers have to bear half the price even after government provided subsidy covers the remaining half.

Bangladesh manufactures cost-saving combine harvester

Local manufacturers say they can export surplus after meeting local demands if govt provides policy, funding supports

www.dhakatribune.com

Gone are the days when youths in Rajshahi had to scramble for jobs with hardly any employment opportunities in their own "city of education".

They had to flock to different industrial cities and towns – Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chattogram in particular – in search of jobs.

Rajshahi has now been growing as a hub of start-up founders and freelancers centring on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park, thanks to ceaseless efforts on the part of the Information and Communication Technology Division.

Monjurul Morshed, Khairul Alam, Mahfuzur Rahman are a few names – starting from scratch, they have come up through the ranks and now own businesses worth crores of taka. More than 2,000 freelancers have now been engaged in outsourcing jobs under them.

Local people have already started popularising Rajshahi as a "digital town".

Jashore is also following in its footsteps with the making of start-ups and freelancers in the town based on Sheikh Hasina Software Park.

Likewise, Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centres in Natore and Magura are driving down unemployment by imparting freelancing training to educated youths.

With the development of such IT infrastructure across the country, the government is now on the road to materialising its "Digital Bangladesh" dream.

In 2016, Monjurul Morshed, chief executive officer of MD Infotech based in Rajshahi, a fast growing outsourcing firm, started outsourcing as a freelancer. The man, who initially worked in web design and digital marketing, is currently working on customer service, operations, accounts and product development for companies such as Amazon and Walmart.

He is also working on developing necessary software for robotics and automation. His company has currently employed over 600 freelancers and is earning Tk400-Tk500 crore a year.

Talking about his success, Monjurul said, "I have gone through a lot of hurdles in my life to reach this position today.

"Initially when I started in Chattogram and later shifted to Gaibandha, I did not get enough work orders for not having a permanent office and government recognition. After coming to Rajshahi Hi-Tech Park, my company has expanded with many big orders flowing in because of all necessary logistic support."

His IT firm is also enjoying a seven-year tax break, he noted.

Md Khairul Alam, chief executive officer at Fleet Bangladesh – another Rajshahi-based IT firm, said, "I quit my job at Nitol Niloy Group with a salary of Tk48,000 and ventured into freelancing to become an entrepreneur. I could easily open an office in Rajshahi Hi-Tech Park. At present, I spend Tk2.5 crore on staff salaries per month."

However, freelancers and IT entrepreneurs say they are still facing many problems, such as a slow Internet speed, disruption in work owing to power outages and also a slow pace in IT infrastructure development work.

Besides, there is a lack of skilled people in the country for advanced level work, such as software development, making of 3D animation, and gaming. The government must give priority to these issues, they think.

Work on the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-tech Park project, which was supposed to be completed between 2016 and June 2021, has not finished yet. The project tenure has been extended to December 2022. Besides, its allocation has also escalated from Tk287 crore to Tk335 crore.

Monjurul said, "The number of orders our company has can employ 15,000 freelancers. We need more space to manage such a large team. But in the park in Rajshahi, I have only 1,500 square feet. So we will have to take office elsewhere. "

"As many of our freelancers work from marginal areas, we are finding it very difficult to maintain time in completing our work because we have to deal with slow Internet speed in these places," he added.

Freelancer Association of Bangladesh's Secretary and Rajshahi Tech's Chief Executive Officer Mahfuzur Rehman said, "We lack skilled people. Moreover, for outsourcing, we have to spend a lot of money abroad on marketing or creating game apps and promotions. Moreover, sending dollars abroad is quite difficult, which needs to be made easier."

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, "In order to build a digital Bangladesh, we have emphasised on providing high-speed Internet across the country at affordable prices. But we are still lagging behind in Internet speed."

The situation will improve if the ongoing projects are implemented, he also said.

He further said, "ICT education has been made compulsory in schools and colleges. We are now giving preliminary IT education and working to give more advanced level education."

The Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited is working to ensure high-speed Internet supply at affordable prices. Two submarine cable landing stations have been set up under this company and one more in the pipeline, the state minister said.

Besides, several private companies are providing Internet services. In 2007, the price of 1 megabits per second Internet was Tk78,000, which is now only Tk200.

According to the ICT Division, optical fibre cables have been installed to bring 3,800 union parishads out of 4,554 under broadband Internet.

Junaid Ahmed Palak said, "Our main goal is to install optical fibre to spread broadband internet across the country."

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina Software Park in Jashore started its journey in 2017. Some 56 IT entrepreneurs have invested in the park. Of them, 47 are conducting activities. The park has employed about 2,000 young people.

Two other large hi-tech parks are Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Gazipur and Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park in Sylhet. Besides, there are nine software technology parks, 12 IT parks and 13 Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centres across the country.

There are also a number of free online training programmes for freelancers, such as learning and earning development.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, said, "We started from scratch. We want to build a hi-tech industry in the country in the style of Malaysia. We need time for this."

"Bangladesh's ICT export amounted to $1.3 billion in FY21, while it was only $26 million in 2008. We want to boost our ICT exports to $25 billion by 2041," he added.

IT, hi-tech parks fuelling start-ups in Rajshahi, Jashore

Local people have already started popularising Rajshahi as a "digital town"

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https://www.facebook.com/JicaBangladesh/posts/4536372553118202

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[Isa Khan]

The government is planning to form a company for implementing its plan to build an underground railway network in the capital and adjacent areas.

An initiative has already been taken for enacting a law to determine the formation, works and other issues of the company, officials said.

"Formation of a company for the subway is at planning level," Abu Bakr Siddique, executive director of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), told The Daily Star yesterday.

BBA is currently carrying out a feasibility study for building the subway network, and it is expected to be completed by February next year.

The project's draft feasibility study, submitted in March, proposed an underground railway network, with 258 kilometres of tracks in Dhaka, with an aim to ease traffic movement,

There will be 11 subway routes in the city and its outskirts, and the 50-year plan will be implemented in three phases.

Four routes, which will run for a total of 102 km, will be constructed in the first phase. In the second and third phases, lines running for a total of 85 km and 71 km will be constructed.

There will be a 29.35 km route called "O" from Jhilmil Project area in Keraniganj to Tongi. It will be the first to be implemented, at an approximate cost of USD 8 billion, officials said earlier.

Some experts, however, while talking at different platforms earlier questioned the feasibility of the mega project in an unplanned city like Dhaka.

Besides, the proposed subway routes will run parallel to metro rail lines in many areas, which is another problem, they said.

The government is developing a 128.74 km elevated and underground metro rail network, comprising six metro rail lines, in the city and adjacent areas, which is supposed to be completed by 2030.

Although the subway has long been in discussion, it was not included in the revised strategic transport plan for Dhaka, approved in 2015, reportedly because it is not feasible, they added.

However, project director Kazi Md Ferdous, at a programme in March, said they would build the subway to organise the city's traffic.

BBA had sent the proposal to Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority to incorporate the subway in the strategic plan, sources said.

The project's consultants said the metro network should be complemented by the subway system for better coverage and connectivity.

THE SUBWAY COMPANY

The issue of forming a state-owned company, like Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL), was discussed at the monthly coordination meeting of the Bridge Division last month.

DMTCL was formed in June 2013 to establish, operate and maintain the under-construction metro rail network.

At the meeting, officials informed the meeting that preparation of a master-plan for the subway is at the final stage, and a separate company is required for construction.

The meeting, presided over by Abu Bakr Siddique, also secretary of the division, decided to take initiative for enacting a law for forming the subway company.

Instructed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, BBA started the feasibility study in September 2018.

Although the study was supposed to be completed in October this year, officials later extended the deadline to February next year.

Subway in the works

The government is planning to form a company for implementing its plan to build an underground railway network in the capital and adjacent areas.

www.thedailystar.net

The government is set to undertake a nearly Tk 3,500-crore project to construct an 11-kilometre elevated road over haors in Kishoreganj to connect the northeastern backwater to the mainland.

The initiative is expected to add vigour to tourism in the country's northeastern region.

The project also aims to support agricultural production and marketing by facilitating an overall communication system in the haor areas by developing haor-condition tolerant infrastructure.

The project -- Development of Elevated Way and Infrastructure in Haor Area -- proposed by the local government division will be placed at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) today.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is the implementing agency.

According to LGED sources, the Dharmapasha, Tahirpur, Biswambharpur and Jamalganj upazilas of Sunamganj district and Barhatta upazila of Netrokona district would come under an improved communication system through the development project.

In addition to the 10.8km elevated road, a 97.86km all-season upazila road and 20.27km union road will be developed under the project as well.

Besides, a 16.53km upazila submersible road, 22.86km union and village submersible road, 57 bridges and 118 culverts will be constructed.

The Bangladesh University of Technology and Engineering (Buet) carried out the feasibility study on the proposed elevated road.

Md Hadiuzzaman, professor of the department of civil engineering at the Buet, hoped that vehicular movement on the proposed elevated road would be possible by 2026.

Haor areas remain isolated as a vast amount of agricultural land gets submerged during the rainy season every year.

To make matters worse, people face communication issues even in the dry season due to the lack of roads, said Hadiuzzaman, a member of the team that conducted the feasibility study.

Once the project is implemented, the development of physical infrastructure in the haor areas will facilitate fast and easy transportation of goods, agricultural products and fishery resources throughout the year. As a result, rural economic activities will accelerate.

Moreover, at least six to seven two-storey towers will be built on either side of the elevated road to offer tourists a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of vast haors.

Including the elevated road project, a total of 10 projects will be placed at the Ecnec meeting.

Among others, the China-funded Tk 5,883 crore digital connectivity project will seek approval. It is among 27 projects that will be implemented under financing from Beijing. China assured $20 billion in loans for the projects during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Dhaka in October 2016.

The project aims to equip every corner of the country with the latest ICT infrastructure, turning almost all government services digital and increasing the use of ICT at field levels.

Under the project, the government will establish 109,244 broadband and user connections, 10,000 digital labs, 57 specialised labs, a central cloud platform, IT infrastructure, and training facilities.

Govt to build 11km elevated road over Kishoreganj haors

The government is set to undertake a nearly Tk 3,500-crore project to construct an 11-kilometre elevated road over haors in Kishoreganj to connect the northeastern backwater to the mainland.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared the first revision of Matarbari 2X600 MW Ultra Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Project, raising its cost by Tk15,870 crore.

The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting held virtually with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The prime minister joined the meeting from her official residence Ganabhaban, while others got connected from the NEC conference room.

“The meeting approved ten development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk29,344.27 crore (only additional costs of revised projects counted),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the total cost, Tk11,003.30 crore will come from government funds while the rest of Tk18,932.04 crore from foreign sources as loans, he added.

The minister also said of the approved projects, seven are new while three are revised ones.

The cost of the Matarbari project now stands at Tk51,854.88 crore against the original amount of Tk35,984.46.

The project deadline has been extended till December 2026 from June 2023.

Regarding the project, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the prime minister suggested forming a development authority in Matarbari for the overall management since various development operations are being carried out there centering the coal-fired power plant.

About the additional cost involvement of Tk15,870.42 crore in the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, Planning Commission Member Sharifa Khan said the additional cost would mainly ensure deep seaport facilities there.

Around 98% of the additional cost there would be utilized for ensuring deep seaport facilities, she added.

She also mentioned there is no problem of coordination regarding implementation of the project while the power plant is expected to go into operation in 2024.

According to the project factsheet provided by the Planning Commission, the reasons behind the project’s revision include the rise of costs for the channel, jetty, land development and power plant construction alongside an increment of costs against other civil works like Turbine, Boiler, Coal & Ash Handling and Trial Run.

Besides, the costs against consultancy firm, VAT and import duty, rehabilitation and compensation, rural electrification and township construction and expansion of works are among other reasons.

Among the new projects, Ecnec approved the “Establishing Digital Connectivity” project involving Tk5,883.74 crore, aiming to transform the government services into e-services to render these easily and quickly for the people across the country.

Another objective of the project is to intensify the use of ICT by the construction of ICT infrastructure.

The big project will be implemented to establish broadband internet connectivity across eight divisions, 64 districts, all upazilas and unions and even up to village-level throughout the country by June 2025.

Of the cost, Tk2,505.16 crore will come from government funds, while the remaining Tk3378.58 crore from the Chinese government as project assistance.

Matarbari coal-fired power project cost rises by 15870C

The cost of the project now stands at Tk51,854.88 crore

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[Isa Khan]

The representatives of the government visited Armenia at the end of last month to discuss the opening of an Armath Engineering Laboratory in the capital in 2022.

The laboratory is expected to be launched in the spring of 2022 at the Dhaka Air Force School in cooperation with the DIP (Development Innovation Platform) Foundation, reported Public Radio of Armenia.

The joint delegation of Bangladeshi partners of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) visited Armath Lab in Yerevan and in the regions during their official visit from 29 October to 4 November.

The Bangladeshi delegation consisted of 7 representatives of the Bangladeshi High Tech Park Authority (Ministry of Information Technology and Communication) and 3 representatives of the DIP (Development Innovation Platform) Foundation.

The delegation expressed confidence that the opening of an Armath Lab in Dhaka will greatly contribute to the professional orientation of the youth after they visited an Armath Airborne UAV lab in Dilijan, where they had an opportunity to meet the students of the Monte Melkonian Lyceum.

"The purpose of the visit of the representatives of the state and public sphere of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was to transfer the positive experience and the applicable result of the educational project created in Armenia and to reveal the features of implementation. The visits to schools and laboratories helped the decision-makers to get a general idea about the purpose and the implementation of the Armath project. The representatives of the Bangladeshi delegation pointed out that they will present Armath to their High Tech Park Authority, and will pursue the issue of implementing Armath in the Republic of Bangladesh," said Shamam Gevorgyan, director of UATE educational programs.

It was decided that the two Bangladeshi teachers would visit Armenia before the opening of the lab in Dhaka to undergo relevant training on the Armath methodology and gain working knowledge.

The prospect of opening Armath Labs in other parts of Bangladesh will be considered in the near future.

The UATE started the process of exporting the Armenian educational model years ago, registering practical success, opening Armath Engineering Laboratories first in India and now in Bangladesh. The latter's delegation visited Armenia in 2019, during the days of the annual DigiTech Expo when they and their counterparts from Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Morocco were hosted at the Armath Lab in Agarak. There they got acquainted with the peculiarities of the program, the successes registered and the projects of the students of the lab.

It's noteworthy that at the moment around 600 Armath Engineering Laboratories operate on the territory of Armenia (including Artsakh), Georgia and India, where around 15000 students get free engineering education.

Govt to set up Armenian Armath Engineering Lab in Dhaka

The representatives of the government visited Armenia at the end of last month to discuss the opening of an Armath Engineering Laboratory in the capital in 2022. The laboratory is expected to be launched in the spring of 2022 at the Dhaka Air Force School in cooperation with the DIP (Development...

www.tbsnews.net

Nokia G-series handsets are now being made at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City at Kaliakair of Gazipur.

HMD Global Bangladesh today announced the launch of the smartphones in Bangladesh market with the introduction of the G10 and the G20 models.

The launching event titled "Made in Bangladesh" took place at Sheraton Hotel in Banani of the capital.

Farhan Rashid, head of business, HMD Global Bangladesh, Raquibul Kabir, managing director, Union Group and Alvee Rana, Director, Union Group unveiled the phones.

Alvee Rana said, "Being a partner of a Global brand like Nokia is a big honour for us. We have set up the factory following the European standards set by HMD Global. The made is Bangladesh handsets will certainly help us to gain more market share in the smartphone market as well as providing consumers more affordable handsets."

Ravi Kunwar, General Manager Pan Asia, HMD Global said "The launch of the Bangladeshi assembled handsets along with the introduction of the factory is a milestone in our journey"

Both G10 and G20 have three-day battery life – the longest yet on a Nokia smartphone.

The Nokia G20 is supported by Android with three years of monthly security updates and two years of OS updates. It has face and side fingerprint unlocks, 6.5" teardrop display, 48MP camera, ample storage and OZO surround audio.

Nokia G10 has a triple rear camera and advanced imaging with AI-enhanced shooting modes.

Vibrant Software (BD) Ltd, a joint venture of UK-based Vibrant Software and Union Group of Bangladesh, has set up the first factory to manufacture the Nokia smartphones in Bangladesh.

The two-storied factory has been constructed in Block-5 of Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City at Kaliakair, Gazipur. It is equipped with advanced technology and multiple quality control systems, both automated and human-operated, to ensure the highest quality of finished products.

Initially, the factory will process 300 units of smartphones every day through six production lines of which four are for assembling and two for packaging. The plant is facilitated with all required infrastructure, including its own testing laboratory and employs around 200 workers.

The price for the locally produced Nokia smartphones will be 30% cheaper compared to the imported handsets. The G10 model will retail at Tk13,499 and the G20 will be sold at Tk14,999.

The local mobile handset manufacturing industry began its journey back in 2017 with Walton launching their production in Bangladesh.

Since then, a total of 10/12 manufacturers have begun manufacturing here, including big smartphone brands like Samsung, Symphony, Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi. These brands are responsible for 85%of local smartphone production and 55% of local demand for both smartphones and feature phones.

According to the BTRC, the total number of phones manufactured and imported in the country in the fiscal year 2019-20 was 29.48 million units. Ten businesses produced 16.21 million units locally whereas 13.27 million were imported.

Nokia launches ‘Made in Bangladesh’ smartphones

Locally produced Nokia smartphones to be 30% cheaper than imported handsets

www.tbsnews.net

Locally-manufactured products are dominating country's television-market, holding 52 per cent of its total market share whereas, just a decade ago, Bangladesh was almost fully dependent on imported television to meet its demand.

Of the 52 per cent, Walton holds a lion’s share of 25-27 per cent while Singer (9 per cent) Minister (4 per cent), Vision (3 per cent), Jamuna (2 per cent), Nova (2 per cent) and other local manufacturers occupy the rest percentage, according to a survey, conducted by Marketing Watch Bangladesh (MWB), A Dhaka University based non-profit organisation.

The findings of the research were unveiled Wednesday at a press briefing held at the conference room of Dhaka University Marketing department.

The research team was consisted of Marketing department chairman and also co-founder of the MWB professor Mizanur Rahman and another MWB co-founder associate professor Md Nazmul Hossain.
The study said the size of Bangladesh television in 2020 reached US dollar 636 million and is expected to grow to US dollar 687 million in 2021.

Home-made products will be able to occupy 70-80 per cent of total market share very soon, if the grey market can be brought under control through taking proper action and formulating rules and regulations as it has been reaming as a concerning issue for whole industry, said the study.

The grey market products-holding estimated market share of 20 per cent- consist of counterfeit (sticker-based) Chinese products and brands coming through unauthorised channels by false declaration which make the active players in the industry very much uncomfortable and a bit scared.

The study said local brands are now getting popularity in the country's television market as a result of increased investment of some home-grown companies, especially the giant Walton.

Currently, Walton TV is the market leader in the industry, holding more than 25-26 per cent market share while the market is highly fragmented, competitive, and saturated as a wide range of international brands have also penetrated the market and made the market intensely competitive along with some counterfeit (sticker-based) Chinese brands.

Among all the international and local players, Samsung is highly likely to emerge as a potential competitor in the upcoming years because of its special focus on R and D and competitive advantage of TV production in the domestic plant.

Among the local brands, the Vision is likely to do well in the upcoming days due its strong distribution networks, although its current market share is not up to the mark, said Prof Mizanur Rahman.
"Once used to prefer foreign brands but he situation has changed as local television companies have been getting popular for the last 20 years for many reasons including bringing down the prices of the local brand television devices," he added.

The researchers came to the result after conducting direct interviews of 2439 television users from eight divisions while 2273 citizen reactions from the websites of five Television company and 496 feedback from a closed group 'Electronics Product Review Bangladesh' were taken for sentiment analysis.

The television industry in Bangladesh has seen a rapid growth since the last two decade and the tendency of purchasing television has increased at a large scale in both rural areas and urban cities, for affordable price.

Locally-made television dominating country's market: Survey

Locally-manufactured products are dominating country's television-market, holding 52 per cent of its total market share whereas, just a decade ago, Bangladesh was almost fully dependent on imported television to meet its demand.

en.prothomalo.com

 

[Isa Khan]

https://www.facebook.com/madeinrussianfederation/posts/2085998068220538

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[Isa Khan]

The government is formulating a mega plan to construct eight expressways connecting the country's seaports and a few land ports to develop strong connectivity with neighbouring countries.

The Roads and Highways Department, which is preparing the plan, says five expressways would be constructed to connect the southern and northern regions of the country while three others will connect the eastern and western regions.

The total length of the proposed four-lane expressways to be constructed on new routes instead of the existing ones will be 2,352 kilometres, officials say, adding only long-distance passenger and freight vehicles will be allowed to use the expressways paying tolls.

Dhaka has been left out of the proposed expressways.

The construction cost of the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway, the only expressway so far built in Bangladesh, was Tk200 crore per kilometre. From this count, the total cost of constructing the proposed 2,352 kilometres of expressways will be Tk4,70,400 crore at the current market price. The cost is likely to increase manifold in the future as prices of construction materials and land will most likely increase.

As a result, financing the construction of this huge network of expressways is likely to be a major challenge, feel people concerned.

Even though some experts are doubtful whether all the proposed expressways will bring about economic benefits to the country, those involved in formulating the master plan say these throughways will be the mainstay of Bangladesh's economy in the future.

Mentioning that many countries and regions in the world, including Dubai, are now reaping the benefit of well-planned-out road infrastructure projects implemented earlier, they say the foundation of Bangladesh's economic backbone – the proposed expressways – needs to be laid now taking lessons from other parts of the world.

As the expressways would allow long-distance vehicles to reach their destinations bypassing Dhaka's traffic congestion, it would reduce traffic pressure on the capital as well, they further observe.

The first expressway to connect the northern and southern regions would be constructed from Sylhet's Tamabil land port to Cox's Bazar's Gundum. It will also connect Chattogram and Matarbari seaports.

Another expressway from Mymensingh's Gobrakura land port will be divided in two parts in Kotalipara, Gopalganj – one will go to Mongla port and another to Payra port. The construction of the second Padma Bridge has been proposed at Manikganj-Rajbari point for this expressway.

The expressway from Bhomra land port in Satkhira will split into two parts at Jaldhaka in Nilphamari – one towards Panchagarh's Banglabandha land port and the other towards Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat.

Meanwhile, in the East and West, an expressway has been proposed from Benapole land port to Cumilla's Laksam that will be connected to the Tamabil-Gundum expressway including a bridge over the River Meghna at Chandpur-Shariatpur point. Another expressway is supposed to connect the Tamabil-Gundum expressway in Brahmanbaria with Chapainawabganj's Sona Masjid land port. One more expressway has been proposed from Tamabil to Joypurhat including a bridge over the River Brahmaputra.

Officials at the Roads and Highways Department said regional connectivity is common in Europe and a few other regions while Asia is still far behind in this regard.

Nevertheless, some Asian countries including those in South Asia have, of late, emphasised building roads and highways eyeing future regional connectivity. Bangladesh also is planning the expressways to keep pace with other Asian countries, they said.

The officials also noted that the government has several other plans for regional connectivity, including Asian Highway Connectivity, South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (Sasec) Road Connectivity, and Saarc Connectivity etc.

The new expressways have been proposed considering that using the existing road network of the country for regional connectivity would increase the pressure on the roads and discard economic benefits, they continued.

Officials of the Roads and Highways Department said, a strong connectivity not only strengthens the intra and inter regional trade but also generates higher income and prosperity. Increased connectivity between South and South-east Asia can play an important role in achieving efficiency and enhanced productivity. Transport connectivity along with trade facilitation measures may spur regional trade and commerce by reducing cost of transportation and logistics.

"The routes for the proposed expressways have been selected through survey, although the government is yet to make a final decision in this regard. The list of expressways can be even shorter," Md Zakir Hossain, additional secretary (planning wing) at the Road Transport and Highways Division, told The Business Standard.

He said, "The government wants to elevate Bangladesh to the status of developed countries in 2041. The expressway is being planned keeping that in mind. The construction of some of the expressways is expected to be completed before 2041."

Md Shamsul Hoque, a communication expert and a professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), said, "This is the right time to construct expressways in Bangladesh. If we do not construct expressways now, it would not be possible in the future as Bangladesh's population is huge compared to its land area. So, land should be acquired now."

Some of the neighbouring countries have already built expressways, he mentioned, adding, "There are 11 expressways in Pakistan, 22 in India and 37 in Malaysia. But we have not made any progress in this regard. Our only expressway is the Dhaka-Mawa one."

The government has adopted the strategy to build expressways connecting the northern and southern regions, and eastern and western regions to establish a strong communication system among all parts of the country, said Shamsul Hoque who has worked closely with the government in formulating the expressway master plan.

In India, the master plan for the construction of expressways in the north-south, east-west and peripheral areas was passed 25 years ago, which has been implemented in phases later, the noted communication expert told TBS.

"In Bangladesh, the conditions of national highways have remained like that of local roads as there are markets and other establishments adjacent to the highways and slow-moving vehicles ply them. This is why an outline of expressway construction is required now. Even if these expressways do not yield much economic benefit right away, the benefits will be huge in the future."

The expressway plan

The Tamabil-Gundum expressway would be the longest among the proposed expressways with a length of 545 kilometres. It will run from Tamabil to Cox's Bazar via Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla and Chattogram.

The expressway would be linked with the two countries at the border – India and Myanmar. The Gundum border with Myanmar is expected to create opportunities for greater trade with Asean or Southeast Asian countries.

The expressway would also increase interest among other neighbouring countries to use the Chattogram and Matarbari ports.

The Gobrakura-Payra port expressway would run through Mymensingh, Sherpur, Tangail, Manikganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Barishal, Patuakhari, and Baraguna with a length of 375km including the proposed second Padma Bridge in Rajbari-Manikganj point.

Meanwhile, the bridges division is surveying the possibilities of constructing a bridge at Chandpur-Shariatpur point on the expressway. The survey is expected to be completed next year.

The authorities have proposed to connect Gobrakura-Payra port expressway with Mongla port. For this, another 75km expressway from Kotalipara in Gopalganj to Mongla port will be constructed.

The expressway would connect various districts including Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Barishal and Patuakhali and Barguna with Mymensingh, Tangail, and Manikganj.

The length of Burimari-Bhomra expressway will be 432km from Lalmonirhat's Burimari land port at Patgram border to Bhomra land port in Satkhira.

It would also connect the northernmost land port of Banglabandha. To this end, another 85km expressway from Banglabandha to Jaldhaka in Nilphamari has been proposed.

According to people concerned, Burimari and Banglabandha land ports are playing an important role in Bangladesh's trade with India, Bhutan and Nepal. The expressway would increase the volume of trade with these countries by connecting these two ports.

With a length of 294km and a bridge over the River Meghna the Benapole-Laksam expressway would reduce the distance of Chattogram with the districts in Khulna division by more than 200 kilometres.

It would be connected with the Gobrakura-Payra port expressway at Faridpur, and with the Burimari-Bhomra expressway in Jashore.

The length of the Sonamashjid-Brahmanbaria expressway would be 310km. It will also be connected with the Tamabil-Gundum expressway. The expressway will reduce the distance of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions with Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The Joypurhat to Tamabil expressway would be connected to Gobrakura-Payra port and Burimari-Bhomra expressways in Mymensingh and Joypurhat respectively with a length of 226km.

The plan is being prepared under the Technical Assistance for the Sub-Regional Road Transport Project Preparatory project.

Arguments over economic viability

There are doubts whether all of the proposed eight expressways will yield economic benefits.

Even though everyone concerned is quite sure the 545km Tamabil-Gundum Expressway will be economically viable for Bangladesh because of its location to use port facilities and trade and commerce facilities, whether the 432km Burimari-Bhomra Expressway will bring any economic benefits remains questionable.

Asked about the economic benefits of the proposed expressways for Bangladesh, Dr Shamsul Haque of Buet said in building expressways, countries around the world attach more importance to strategic reasons than the cost-benefit issue. "Had the cost-benefit analysis been taken into consideration, many expressways in Australia would not have been built. This is because no car can be seen on some expressways in the country even in 30 minutes."

Developed countries build expressways taking into account the integrity of the State, its economic development, regional connectivity, and the future development of the region concerned, he noted, adding not all expressways become popular in any country.

He further said the Burimari-Bhomra Expressway would facilitate easy communication between the north-western part and the south-western part of the country. "This will also facilitate road communication among different states of neighbouring India. The expressway will ease building connectivity of Nepal and Bhutan with other countries in the region."

Because of their geographical locations, such expressways are likely to benefit Bangladesh in the future, he continued.

At the beginning, the metro rail projects in Dubai yielded little benefits compared to their costs, Shamsul Hoque said, adding, "As the population of the city was only 55 lakh, there was not much hope of getting benefits immediately. But now Dubai has seven times more tourists than its population. They are now reaping the benefits of the well-planned metro projects."

Mohammad Yunus, senior research fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said Bangladesh needs to construct these expressways in its own interest of strengthening communication between different parts of the country.

Not all expressways will bring about the same economic benefits if regional connectivity is taken into account, he observed, adding, "But in overall consideration, the country is likely to benefit from all the expressways in the long run. Even though some expressways aimed at establishing regional connectivity will not be economically feasible for the country, they might help to improve trade as well as diplomatic relations.

"Hence, the potential economic benefits should not be the only consideration in the case of the proposed expressways. The other factors should also be taken into account."

He, however, suggested building the expressways on existing roads considering the construction costs and a scarcity of land in some areas.

8 expressways by 2041 – to boost regional connectivity

Experts say the proposed expressways will be the backbone of the country’s economy in the future

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

 

[Isa Khan]

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant's physical protection system (PPS) construction project was inaugurated in Pabna on Wednesday.

Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafes Osman introduced the event, said a press release.

According to the press release, the project is being constructed to ensure a conducive environment for safe and secure power generation for the next 100 years.

Lieutenant General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan, Chief of General Staff at the Army Headquarter, Ruslan Bycurin, foreign project head of Russian State Corporation Rosatom attended the programme.

Russian company JSC Eleron is constructing the project, under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology and management by the Nuclear Security and Physical Protection System Cell (NSPC) of the Bangladesh Army.

Rooppur Plant: PPS construction project inaugurated

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant's physical protection system (PPS) construction project was inaugurated in Pabna on Wednesday. Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafes Osman introduced the event, said a press release. According to the press release, the project is being constructed to...

www.tbsnews.net

The USA-based subscription streaming service and production company Netflix has received the Value-Added Tax (VAT) number from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The Web streaming giant on Wednesday received the business identification number registration from the Dhaka South VAT Commissionerate.

Netflix used its Singapore address and received the registration with the name of Netflix PTE Limited, Singapore.

The matter was confirmed to The Business Standard by SM Humayun Kabir commissioner, Custom, Excise, and Vat Commissionerate Dhaka South.

He said PricewaterhouseCoopers will be their local consultant. Netflix will now pay a 15% VAT on revenue derived from Bangladesh from December.

NBR made it mandatory for tech giants to either set up offices in Bangladesh or appoint agents so that the government can collect VAT on the advertisements and other services provided by them to local firms in July 2019.

Netflix is a subscription-based business model making money with three simple plans: basic, standard, and premium, giving access to stream series, movies, and shows. The company is profitable, yet it runs on negative cash flows due to upfront cash paid for content licensing and original content production.

As of October 2021, Netflix has over 214 million subscribers worldwide, including 74 million in the United States and Canada, 70 million in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 39 million in Latin America, and 30 million in Asia-Pacific. The company posted a net income of $2.761 billion during its 2020 Fiscal Year, which ended 31 December 2020.

Netflix has a large number of subscribers in Bangladesh. Earlier in this financial year, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft obtained their business identification number from the National Board of Revenue. These multinationals are now paying VAT regularly to NBR.

Netflix gets VAT registration in Bangladesh

Netflix used its Singapore address and received the registration with the name of Netflix PTE Limited, Singapore

www.tbsnews.net

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge

 

[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh's export earnings saw 31.26% year-on-year growth to $4.04 billion in November this year compared to the same month of the previous year.

The improvement has been largely credited to the performance of apparel shipments while frozen and live fish, agricultural products, leather and leather goods, home textile, jute and jute goods also showed moderate growth throughout the month.

However, the earnings are about $686 million lower than the incomes of October this year, according to the latest provisional data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) released Thursday.

Engineering products export saw 18.09% negative growth in November.

In October, Bangladesh posted an exceptional growth with around 60% to $4.73 billion, which was the highest ever in a single month.

According to the EPB data, the country's export earnings were $3.57 billion in November 2020.

EPB data showed that $3.23 billion export earnings came from the readymade garments (RMG) sector.

The latest export data published by EPB for the period Jul-Nov of FY2021-22 shows 22.9% growth in RMG export, compared to Jul-Nov of FY2020-21.

For the month of November, the export of RMG increased by 32.34%. For knitwear the growth is 33.05% and for woven the growth is 31.48%.

Mohiuddin Rubel, a director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, "If we also look at the export value for November 2021, it shows that we exported $3.24 billion of RMG in spite of having a 32% growth."

This means export in November 2020 was much less which is $2.44 billion, he added.

Rubel also highlighted that the price of the raw materials including textile, dyes and chemicals has gone up.

"The freight cost has reached a record height. So obviously export value accommodates the inflation of input cost, so the growth in export is rather nominal, not absolute," he said.

Export earnings keep on impressive growth

Bangladesh rakes in $4 billion export earnings in November

www.tbsnews.net

 

[Isa Khan]

Bangladesh aspires to join the prestigious “nuclear club” of 31 nations by embarking on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (R-NPP) – the most ambitious project ever undertaken in the country’s development history. Originally conceived in 1961, even before the birth of Bangladesh, this maiden nuclear plant is now at the final stage to kick-off. Although the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed deep satisfaction with the safety measures adopted by Bangladesh, critics oppose this nuclear move, raising concerns over energy costs, environmental issues, management and safety issues. Some people dubbed this project a “white elephant” and “premature” while others termed it as a “grand fantasy.”

How Safe Is R-NPP?

Despite having the potential to become a major player in the future energy mix, nuclear energy has a negative image because of its association with nuclear weapons, Cold War propaganda, radioactive waste, and two high-profile nuclear accidents, Chernobyl and Fukushima.

It’s worth looking at those previous accidents in more detail. The Chernobyl accident occurred because of an unusual experiment by some engineers who were neither familiar with its safety system nor had enough knowledge on reactor physics and engineering. The R-NPP will solely be a power generation facility, and no experiment of any kind will be allowed. Meanwhile, the Fukushima accident was triggered by a tsunami. Rooppur is less vulnerable to such massive natural disasters. Besides, the nuclear industry is now banking on next-generation technologies – e.g., Small Modular Reactors – that make nuclear power plants safer than before. Today’s regulatory requirements mean that plants should be built in a way that even if there is any accident it must be limited to the plant.

From the very outset, Bangladesh is following the safety standards of the IAEA and other internationally approved guidelines. For example, Russia’s initial proposal to use the latest technology, the VVER-TOI, was rejected as it failed to receive an international license. This reflects Bangladesh’s strong commitments toward ensuring the highest safety. The government approved two projects worth $6.075 million to address Design Basis Threat (DBT) as well as cyberattacks by potential external and insider adversaries. R-NPP incorporates defense-in-depth protection, a multilayer protection system, to ensure nuclear safety and radiological protection. The five-layer barriers of this system are designed to prevent any kind of radiation exposure and keep the radiation emitted within internationally acceptable limits.

Will R-NPP Help to Combat Climate Crises?

One of the gravest challenges of the present time is to ensure energy security with zero impact on the environment. Nuclear energy, with minimal carbon emissions, can be part of a sustainable solution to the global energy crisis. Nuclear power produces more than half of the world’s carbon-free energy and protects air quality by reducing harmful atmospheric pollutants that are responsible for smog and acid rain. An analysis conducted by MIT concluded that it would be almost impossible to decarbonize the world without nuclear power. In one COP26 event, nuclear power was held up as a vital instrument for decarbonization.

Bangladesh has set an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 21.85 percent by 2030 in response to climate change. These emissions come mostly from fossil fuel-based power plants. Nuclear power is an irreplaceable response to the climate emergency, especially for Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Besides, Bangladesh has wisely addressed another crucial concern, nuclear waste disposal, by signing an agreement with Russia to send spent fuel abroad to avoid risks. Bangladesh is a densely populated country with a limited land footprint and would struggle to safely dispose of such waste at home.

Is It Too Expensive to Afford?

Whether R-NPP is too costly is ultimately a matter for the market to decide. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nuclear energy has the highest capacity factor – the percentage of time power plants can produce electricity – generating power more than 93 percent of the time. This is 1.5 to 2 times more than coal and gas-based plants, and about 2.5 to 3.5 times more than solar and wind-based sources.

Although the upfront cost of a nuclear power plant is very high, its lengthy lifespan, low fuel costs, and economies of scale resulting from large-scale production minimize the cost of electricity generation over the long term. The modular and compact design of the Russian flagship technology, Generation III+ VVER-1200, would reduce overall plant costs. The $12.65 billion R-NPP, 90 percent of which is funded by Russia, is expected to add 2400MW of electricity to the national grid by 2023. This project, which will have a service life of more than 60 years, is expected to recover its construction costs within the first 20 years of operation.

Nuclear power generation costs in Bangladesh will be comparatively lower compared to Belarus and Hungary where Russia is building similar reactors with comparable investment. In Bangladesh, the per megawatt-hour power generation cost from coal is $96.18; gas is $31.71, and nuclear power is expected to be $47. This demonstrates that R-NPP is more cost-effective than a coal plant. Although the power generation cost from gas is lower than nuclear sources, Bangladesh cannot rely on it because of its limited reserves. It is also important to consider the hidden “environmental cost,” which is almost zero in a nuclear power plant.

Does Bangladesh Have the Right Human Resources?

The optimum output of nuclear technology depends on a country’s ability to equip its population with the needed skills to confront technical and institutional challenges. In order to enhance competencies for operating and maintaining R-NPP, Russia will train 1,950 Bangladeshis. Bangladesh also signed a cooperation deal with India, as it has similar experience with Russia, for assistance in capacity building through training and experience sharing. Moreover, the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Dhaka University started its journey in 2012, five years before the initiation of R-NPP, to create nuclear scientists locally.

Why Bangladesh Is Going Nuclear

Bangladesh has a plan to take its power generation capacity to 60,000 MW from 25,235 MW now to cater the long-term energy needs of its people. Energy-hungry Bangladesh has been looking for an alternative option to minimize its dependency on gas and imported petroleum for electricity. Due to limited natural gas reserves, the country switched to coal-based power plants, which were criticized by climate activists for environmental pollution. Besides, this option is not financially viable due to higher transportation costs and increased cost of fossil fuels. Bangladesh cannot consider hydropower as an alternative solution since sufficient water flow is not available throughout the country. Renewable energy production – e.g., solar and wind power – in Bangladesh has grown significantly but is still not enough to meet increased national demand for electricity.

That leaves nuclear power as an option, and Bangladesh is far from alone in pursuing that. According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear energy is being used in over 50 countries. Many developed countries are now undertaking nuclear projects; for example, France will invest 1 billion euros in the industry by the end of this decade.

With zero carbon emissions, minimal operating and maintenance costs, less sensitivity to fuel price fluctuations, and lower power generation costs, nuclear power is attractive to Bangladesh as an alternative solution to energy shortage. R-NPP will not only reform the energy sector but also contribute to socioeconomic development by generating employment and enhancing competitiveness of the economy. Moreover, nuclear energy contributes directly to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 7, access to affordable and clean energy; Goal 9, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, Goal 13, climate action.

Constructive debate should center on how Bangladesh can enhance the nuclear plant’s safety against potential risks, ensure timely implementation, check cost escalation, and combat corruption, not on why Bangladesh has undertaken nuclear initiative. After all, the energy policy of Bangladesh emphasizes the need to ensure energy security, keeping all power generation options open.

Bangladesh’s Nuclear Power Plant: Economic Blackhole or Energy Backbone?

Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has sparked intense debate, but it’s hard to see a better option for the country.

thediplomat.com

 

[Isa Khan]

The government is planning to set up two vapour heat treatment (VHT) plants to safely process 35,000 tonnes of fresh mango and vegetables per annum – a move aimed at increasing export agricultural products and finding an entry into countries, including Russia and Japan, that currently do not allow their imports from Bangladesh.

According to the initial plan of the planning ministry, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) will set up the plants in Savar and Rajshahi, respectively, at a total cost of Tk50 crore. BADC would also set up an Auto Conveyor machine in Savar for making a packaging line.

According to BADC officials, Bangladesh currently exports mango to some countries in Europe and the Middle East on a small scale.

However, a demand for Bangladeshi mangoes was created in different countries during last mango season, they said, adding the international chain shop Walmart has shown interest in several varieties of Bangladeshi mango. Russia has also expressed interest in importing mangoes from Bangladesh.

Mentioning that Bangladesh cannot export mango and many other fruits and vegetables to a number of countries as the mandatory standard processing method for exporting such products to those countries is not practiced here, they said the proposed VHT plants would help to overcome the limitations.

Experts say various insects lay eggs on the skin of mango which infect the fruits when they are ripe. As a result, it is not possible to store the mangoes for a long time after maturity. A VHT plant removes the eggs and thus prevents rapid decay of mango. The same happens in case of fungus and bacteria.

VHT is a system for steadily killing eggs and larvae of fruit flies parasitising inside the fruit with vapor and heat without injuring fresh fruits.

In this system, fruits are exposed to heat at specified temperature – 40°C to 50°C – and humidity – 40% RH and above – levels, increasing its internal temperature. As a result, parasites are killed while heat injury to the fruit is avoided.

Officials concerned told The Business Standard that the two proposed VHT plants – to be built at an estimated cost of Tk50 crore – will have a cumulative capacity to process 10,000 tonnes of mangoes and 25,000 tonnes of vegetables per year by removing fungus, bacteria and insects in a chemical-free way.

They would also increase the brightness of the agro-products and separate exportable ones by grading and sorting, they added.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh exported 1,700 tonnes of untreated mango this season. The country also exported vegetables worth $119 million in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The authorities have set an annual target to export 1,400 tonnes of mangoes, treated at the VHT plants. For this, various training would be provided to the farmers and traders to increase their capacities and to set up entrepreneur groups.

The Planning Commission, at a recent meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), however, recommended that one plant be built by one of the proposed implementing agencies at a time instead of building two plants by the two organisations concurrently. The commission also suggested lowering the project completion tenure to two years from three years.

At the meeting, the Planning Commission also said product processing, packaging, etc are mainly the activities of the private sector. As the private sector of the country has the capacity for these infrastructures, it is necessary to highlight the rationale for government investment in this regard.

In addition to increasing exports, promotional campaigning in the domestic market should also be considered, the commission added.

According to the BADC, the Ministry of Agriculture will select an organisation as per the recommendation of the Project Evaluation Committee. The revised plan would be then presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting for approval.

Md Ferdous Rahman, head of the planning department of BADC, told The Business Standard, "The Ministry of Agriculture is working on some minor changes regarding the project. The revised plan would be sent to the Planning Commission as soon as possible."

Govt to set up treatment plants to boost agro exports

The two plants – to be built in Savar and Rajshahi – will process 10,000 tonnes of mangoes and 25,000 tonnes of vegetables annually

www.tbsnews.net

The performance test between Uttara and Agargaon, the first phase of metro rail line, is expected to be conducted on December 12.

MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, confirmed the matter to The Daily Star yesterday.

He said that as per their previous announcement, they have completed a performance test between Uttara and Mirpur 10 within November.

On November 29, the metro rail travelled to Mirpur 10 for the first time.

They are now planning to carry out a performance test between Uttara and Agargaon, he said.

Replying to another question, he said preparation for the performance test on this section is almost done and the section will be ready for the test by December 10.

While inaugurating the performance test on the viaduct of the first metro rail train on August 29, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced that the first phase of metro rail would be opened for the public in December 2022.

The Mass Rapid Transit Line 6 or MRT Line 6 is being constructed between Uttara Third Phase to Motijheel at the cost of around Tk 22,000 crore.

Metro rail performance test from Uttara to Agargaon on Dec 12

The performance test between Uttara and Agargaon, the first phase of metro rail line, is expected to be conducted on December 12.

www.thedailystar.net

 

[Isa Khan]

DP World, a Dubai-based multinational logistics company, will invest $1 billion in Bangladesh’s supply chain infrastructure, including ports, rail network and inland container terminals, reports UNB.

This is within the scope of the government-to-government agreement entered into in 2019 for public-private participation on infrastructure projects, said a press release of the company on Tuesday.

The assurance came when a high-level delegation of the Bangladesh government led by state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, visited Jebel Ali Free Zone and the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai on 21-23 November.

The delegation included Sultana Afroz, secretary and chief executive officer for Public-Private Partnership Authority, Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, secretary, ministry of shipping; and Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority and other senior government officials.
During the tour, they also visited the DP World Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

The visit represents a key step in reinforcing DP World’s commitment to partner with the government of Bangladesh in enhancing its supply chain infrastructure and processes, it said.

The delegation met Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, Mohammed Al Muallem, executive vice president – office of the chairman DP World, and Rizwan Soomar, CEO and managing director, DP World Subcontinent; and other DP World officials.

The delegation was also briefed on DP World’s range of products and services, which covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks, as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

The delegation members witnessed demonstration of BoxBay, the new intelligent High Bay Storage (HBS) system, toured the Jebel Ali Free Zone and visited the DP World Cruise Terminal.

Visitors to the five-floor DP World Flow pavilion, which has four main galleries, have an opportunity to explore the movement of commerce around the world that drives the global economy, giving a unique insight into the innovative technology of supply chains.

The pavilion’s FlowLive event programme brings together leaders of governments and commerce to shape the future of world trade, while its education programme seeks to inspire young people to join the logistics industry.

Dubai-based DP World to invest $1b in Bangladesh

DP World, a Dubai-based multinational logistics company, will invest $1 billion in Bangladesh’s supply chain infrastructure, including ports, rail network and inland container terminals.

en.prothomalo.com

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the government has undertaken a mega project for industrialisation on both sides of the Teesta River.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already passed the project worth Tk85billion, the minister said at a scholarship distribution ceremony of late members of Rangpur Division Journalists Association (RDJA).

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, the commerce minister also said that gas connection activities are going on in Rangpur.

Munshi said that work for transforming Saidpur Airport into an international standard one was ongoing, adding the economy of Rangpur was moving forward with various economic activities.

An agriculture university was going to be established soon in Kurigram, he mentioned.

The commerce minister further said that giving scholarships to the children of late journalists was an exceptional initiative.

"I appreciate the initiative taken by Rangpur Division Journalists Association, Dhaka (RDJA). I don't know whether any other journalists' organisations have such initiatives."

Export Readiness Fund General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam echoed the minister's sentiments.

RDJA president Moksedur Rahman Masud said, "We stand beside the family of our late members with a small capacity. We want those capable to support us in this great work".

After coming to receive a scholarship, former RDJA member late Shafiul Alam Raza's wife Zakia Sultana said journalists can't leave anything behind for their families.

"After the death of my husband, I, along with my children, have gone through sufferings. The RDJA is standing beside us at such a time. I convey my best wishes to such a humanitarian initiative by the RDJA," she said.

Former Dhaka Reporters Unity president Shafiqul Karim Sabu also spoke at the occasion.

The scholarship money was handed over to 10 children of late members in the programme. Under the scholarships, each child of late RDJA members will be given Tk 3,000 per month. The scholarship will continue until the end of their educational programmes.

Govt undertakes Teesta development project worth Tk85b: Commerce minister

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the government has undertaken a mega project for industrialisation on both sides of the Teesta River. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already passed the project worth Tk85billion, the minister said at a scholarship...

www.tbsnews.net

To mitigate costly import expenditure on liquefied natural gas (LNG), the government is eyeing to boost gas supply by adding the gas wells in Bhola to the national grid.

The Energy and Mineral Resource Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resource has planned to build a pipeline from the fields in the island district of Bhola till the nearby Feni district.

The production capacity of the operational wells in Bhola is around 120million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas per day, whereas the district has a demand of only 60mmcf per day.

This means, the 60mmcf, which lies unused, can be added to the national grid.

The government-owned Petrobangla has already appointed German firm ILF Consulting Engineers to conduct the feasibility study for the pipeline.

If the findings show the pipeline is feasible, then an around 115 kilometre pipeline would be built between Bhola and Feni, including a 15km subsea pipeline in the Meghna River.

Confirming the development, engineer Ali Iqbal Md Nurullah, director (Planning) of Petrobangla, told The Business Standard that the study was expected to be completed by January 2022.

Petrobangla sources said that Bhola has around 1,092 billion cubic feet (BCF) probable reserves in its two zones – Bhola north and Bhola south.

Of these, five wells in the south zone have probable reserves of 642BCF gas, while one well in the north zone has a 450BCF reserve.

The actual reserves could be higher.

Currently, the government is importing costly LNG to meet the growing energy crisis in industrial areas of Dhaka and other divisions.

The government would have to spend Tk3,842 crore per year to import 60mmcf gas per day for a year if the LNG price was $20per Metric Million British Thermal Unit.

A source at the Petrobangla said that the government could save this money by making the pipeline from Bhola to Feni, which wouldn't cost more than Tk2,000crore.

Meanwhile, the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), the state-owned lone gas transmission company, has been tasked with finding a convenient route to bring the island's gas to the national grid.

In a discussion meeting, GTCL's Managing Director Engineer Rukhsana Nazma Eshaque informed the ministry that there were two routes.

The first gas transmission pipeline could be from the Bhola North Gas Field to Feni ICS of the national gas grid.

The alternative route could be from Bhola North Gas Field to the Khulna Gas grid, via a pipeline through Barishal.

The GTCL, however, opined that the Bhola to Feni route would be more convenient.

Following the GTCL's opinion, State Minister of Power Energy and Mineral Resource Nasrul Hamid, in a meeting held on October 19, directed Petrobangla to conduct the feasibility study by appointing the German firm.

Earlier in 2018, the GTCL had proposed a 110km pipeline from Khulna to Barishal at a cost of Tk1,150cr, but this did not come to fruition.

At present, the government imports around 650mmcf LNG per day which costs around Tk30,000cr annually.

Govt mulls Bhola-Feni pipeline to boost gas supply

The government-owned Petrobangla has already appointed German firm ILF Consulting Engineers to conduct the feasibility study for the pipeline.

www.tbsnews.net

The number of merchant ships anchoring at the Mongla seaport continues to increase despite the pandemic, thanks to soaring imports for some megaprojects, developing infrastructure of the port, enhancing coordination between customs and port authorities, and growing pressure at the premier seaport in Chattogram.

The second largest port in the southern region of the country received a total of 313 ships in the first four months of the current 2021-22 fiscal year, up by 10 in number compared to the corresponding period last year, pushing up its cargo handling activities and revenue earnings, according to the Mongla Port Authority.

In the July-October period this year, the port, located in Bagerhat, saw a substantial year-on-year growth, 29% to be exact, in cargo handling. It handled 38 lakh tonnes of goods, mostly raw materials and equipment of Rooppur nuclear power plant, metro rail project and Rampal coal power plant, coal, fertiliser, cement clinker and ceramic materials. Besides, it received 11 ships carrying different types of vehicles.

"We are operating the port with a target of earning Tk349 crore in revenue this year. If the current performance continues, we will be able to achieve it. Ship arrival and cargo handling will also hit a record," said Rear Admiral Muhammad Musa, Chairman of the Mongla Port Authority.

He hopes that ship anchoring will reach 1000-1200 in number at the end of the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, during the pandemic-induced lockdowns and restrictions, the port remained open and received a record number of ships, 970 to be precise, in FY21, bagging TK340 crore in revenue. It was an all-time high in the history of the port.

Port activities have also been on the rise over the last couple of years.

In FY20, the port witnessed the arrival of 903 foreign ships and earned Tk338 crore in revenue, while it saw 912 vessels and Tk329 crore in FY19, 784 ships and Tk276 crore in FY18 and 623 ships, and Tk226 crore in FY17.

"The port's revenue has naturally increased as ships, cargo, cars and container handling have gone up," said the port chairman.

Analysts believe increased imports for megaprojects and developed port facilities have contributed to the increase in the port's performance. The growing port activities, as a result, also help the local economy grow further.

"The construction of the Padma Bridge has positively impacted investment in the southern area of the country around Mongla Port. Several cement factories and other industries have started operations in the area," said Md. Mostafa Aziz Shaheen, a faculty member of the Port and Shipping Management Department at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University.

"Besides, the extended facilities of the port were another driver behind the improving performance," he added.

Meanwhile, a port official, wishing to be unnamed, said that the authorities were trying to improve the quality of services for notching up a position on the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" index.

In addition, coordination between the port authorities and customs authorities has also increased.

To provide quality services, he added, the port has already ensured necessary facilities, including capital dredging in the Pasur River and bringing in 42 containers and cargo handling machines.

Ship anchoring at Mongla seaport continues to increase

More than 1,000 vessels are expected to be anchored at the seaport this fiscal

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The government is planning to set up 100-bed burn units jointly with Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) at five medical college hospitals each outside Dhaka to provide speedy treatment of burn injury.

The project would add 500 burn unit beds at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Each of the 100-bed units would include 10 incentive care units (ICU), eight high-dependency units (HDU), 10 cabins and 36 beds, two operation theatres and one emergency operation theatre.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, told The Business Standard, "The project is expected to be discussed by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on 8 December. The estimated cost of the project is Tk253 crore."

Meanwhile, in a letter sent on 25 November, the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance directed the Ecnec to take necessary steps to approve the project soon.

According to the letter, a loan agreement worth $30 million was signed between the government and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) on 7 October 2017 to implement the project with a grace period of five years.

The letter further mentioned that the government is losing the benefits of the grace period as the DPP of the project has not been approved even after four years of signing the agreement.

Besides, if the implementation of the project is delayed, the expenditure will increase, the letter said.

The loan agreement would expire on 31 December 2022.

However, on 28 September, the DPP was sent to the Ecnec from the Planning Commission for approval.

Meanwhile, Planning Commission sources said that the project has been put on the preliminary list to be presented at the Ecnec meeting to be held on 7 December.

People concerned said the project would reduce suffering of burn patients at the divisional level as there are not enough burn unit beds there.

At present, Covid-19 patients are being treated in the burn unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and burn patients are being treated in 14 beds of the surgery ward.

Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani, director of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, said, "We cannot treat burn patients because of infrastructural problems despite having enough doctors and nurses. We refer these patients to the Burn Institute. But the new 100-bed burn unit would solve the problem."

The 50-bed burn unit in Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital was run by only one doctor. But the unit was closed after the death of Dr MA Azad Sajal, the head of the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, on 28 April last year. Now, the hospital has to refer burn patients to Dhaka.

Meanwhile, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital currently has a 12-bed burn unit, Rangpur Medical College Hospital has a 16-bed burn unit of which four beds are currently unusable. Faridpur Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital has no burn unit.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen said, "Burn patients from all over the country come to our hospital. The first 24 hours after the burn incident is very important for these patients. We call this time the Golden Hour. Deaths can be prevented if there are burn units at the division or district level."

5 hospitals outside Dhaka to get 500 burn unit beds

Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance directed Ecnec to take necessary steps to approve the project soon

www.tbsnews.net

Absorbing pandemic shocks, the country's paper manufacturers are making a comeback on growing demand following the reopening of the economy, and educational institutions.

Most listed paper firms witnessed a higher profit in the July-September quarter of the current fiscal year.

A leader of the industry at the Bangladesh Paper Mills Association (BPMA), seeking anonymity, said the paper industry had faced a big blow following the Covid outbreak in the country, but it is now bouncing back following the reopening of the economy.

"Although the scenario is not like the pre-pandemic level, the industry hopes to recover by next year if another disaster does not hamper the business again," he added.

As educational institutions were closed for a long time following the Covid-19 outbreak, the paper companies had witnessed a blow due to declining demand for the products.

Sources in the industry said, due to the closure of educational institutions, and the prolonged general holidays, paper manufacturers plunged into deep trouble for lower demand for their products.

But those who have manufactured paper, and paper products like tissues and hygiene products had done well despite the crisis in the paper segment, the sources added.

As per data available with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), six firms, including market leader Bashundhara Paper Mills, are listed on local stock exchanges.

The four paper companies have posted higher profits in the first quarter of the 2021-22 fiscal year compared to the same time a year ago.

Two firms are incurring losses for lower sales in the July-September period.

One firm's factory has been shuttered down temporarily following a court order to freeze all of its bank accounts.

Bashundhara continues good sales and profit

Despite a business halt in the 2020-21 fiscal year, Bashundhara Paper Mills (BPML) – a concern of Bashundhara Group – has posted an 8% growth in revenue.

It has continued its growth in revenue, and profit in the July-September quarter.

During this period, its revenue grew 1% and profit 31% on increasing sales of products.

Its profit rose to Tk6.81 crore from Tk5.18 crore from the same time of the previous fiscal year while the earning per share (EPS) stood at Tk0.39, which was Tk0.30.

"After reopening the educational institutions, our businesses grew significantly," M Mazedul Islam, company secretary of Basundhara, told The Business Standard.

"We hope the company will recover from the pandemic shock very soon."

Sonali paper profit boost from other income

Sonali Paper & Board Mills – a concern of Younus Group – has posted a 28% growth in revenue.

Its unaudited financial reports say the net profit climbed 957% riding on big jumps in other income from realised, unrealised, and cash dividend income.

Its profit rose to Tk12.18 crore from Tk1.15 crore in the July-September quarter of FY21.

Besides the income from product sales, its revenue is boosted by other income.

Its net profit rose to Tk12.18 crore, which was Tk1.15 crore for the same period the previous fiscal year. In its profit, the other income segments added Tk12.03 crore.

Monospool Paper and Paper Processing post big jumps

Bangladesh Monospool Paper Manufacturing Company and Paper Processing & Packaging posted higher profit in the July-September quarter this year.

During the period, Monospool Paper's profit rose 163% and its EPS stood at Tk0.29 from Tk0.11 at the same time a year ago.

On the other hand, Paper Processing & Packaging posted a 3,850% higher profit.

Its EPS rose to Tk0.79 from Tk0.02 in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Two firms incur losses

Two paper manufacturing firms Hakkani Pulp & Paper Mills, and Khulna Printing & Packaging Limited incurred losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

Hakkani Pulp & Paper was in profit in the July-September period of fiscal 2020-21, but this fiscal year, it fell into losses.

The loss per share stood at Tk0.49 at the same period of the previous fiscal year and its EPS was Tk0.022.

Khulna Printing & Packaging has temporarily closed down its factory after the court had ordered the authorities to freeze all bank accounts of its chairman and the company.

The loss per share of the company stood at Tk1.03 and in the same period of the previous year, it also incurred losses.

Paper industry bouncing back

The four paper companies have posted higher profits in the first quarter of the 2021-22 fiscal year compared to the same time a year ago

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Bangla Trac Rental Services Ltd is going to become the first company to locally manufacture and assemble cutter suction dredgers to achieve technological edge and bring the price of the machines down.

The leading construction equipment company of the country has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Narayanganj-based shipbuilder Highspeed Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd (HSEC) for equity partnership in the planned manufacturing facility currently owned by the shipbuilder, BanglaTrac said in a statement.

Bangla Trac has chosen Italian dredger builder Italdraghe S.p.A as its technology partner and the foreign partner would provide full technical support to local manufacturing.

So far, dredging has been a business of the two state agencies in Bangladesh – the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation and Bangladesh Water Development Board. In recent years the government has engaged a number of private companies to keep up with the planned pace of its multi trillion taka dredging master plan for the next decade. The country needs to double its dredging capacity.

Bangla Trac's Head of Marine Division Arifur Rahman told The Business Standard that right now there are around 200 dredgers in the country deployed by the private sector. Two-thirds of those were bought in the last 4-5 years.

The dredger market grew 3-4 times in the last three years as currently 25-30 units are being sold in the country each year, making an estimated annual market of Tk500 crore.

He forecasts that at least 200 more private sector owned dredgers would join the national fleet to serve the country's river dredging needs in the next 5-6 years, while the government is also planning to buy 70 more dredgers to add to its existing fleet of 100.

Local manufacturing would help reduce unit prices by around one-fourth, and that would save a lot of foreign currency for the country, said Arifur.

For example, an imported European or American 20-inch cutter suction dredger now costs Tk28-30crore in Bangladesh and BanglaTrac is working to bring it down to Tk20-21cr.

Around 95% of the dredgers are powered by Caterpillar engines and as the distributor and after sale service provider of Caterpillar, Bangla Trac has a long association with the dredging industry, Arifur Rahman added.

Apart from the engine, some sophisticated equipment and accessories, the core structure and a number of parts of the Italdraghe-branded dredgers would be locally-manufactured under strict quality control and maintaining international standard, he said.

"The manufacturing venture would help Bangla Trac acquire technology," he said.

"ISO 9001 certified and in line with IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) standards will guarantee the highest quality to meet the market's needs. After-sales service together with a well-stocked warehouse are there to make spare parts available. A qualified technical department is at disposal 24/7 ready to solve any complexity," Bangla Trac said in a press statement.

The manufactured brand is from Italy which is globally known for dredgers, dredging solutions and marine equipment, reads the press release.

Currently, a few companies assemble imported completely knocked down dredgers and Bangla Trac is paving the way to take the industry to the next level.

The dredger manufacturing facility, subject to over a hundred crore taka in investments, would be in operation by September next year.

Bangla Trac to manufacture dredgers to cut price, acquire technology

Bangla Trac Rental Services Ltd is going to become the first company to locally manufacture and assemble cutter suction dredgers to achieve technological edge and bring the price of the machines down. The leading construction equipment company of the country has signed a Memorandum of...

www.tbsnews.net

The country’s bicycle industry is looking forward to a leap amid a rise in local demand and export orders for bicycles amid the global Covid pandemic.

The demand for bicycles is growing as the vehicles are environment-friendly, social distance-friendly and safer mode of communication.

The market is fast growing and the share of locally manufactured bicycles is increasing.

According to the Bangladesh Bicycle Merchant Assembling and Importers Association, the local market demand for bicycles is estimated at units worth Tk 1,200 crore a year with a significant increase in the annual demand.

Kamaruzzaman Kamal, marketing director of local bicycle maker Pran RFL, said bicycle is safer and environment-friendly than public transport.

‘Now-a-days, traffic jam is increasing. That’s why people are using bicycles as an easy mode of communication,’ he said.

Per capita income is increasing, so is the purchase power of people, he said, adding, ‘So, students are using bicycles to go to their educational institutions and the rate of the use is increasing day by day.’

Currently, the Bangladeshi domestic market is dominated by imports from India and China, with 60 per cent of the bicycles being imported to meet the local demand.

However, exports of bicycles from the country have been rising significantly in the recent years.

Manufacturers exported bicycles worth around $130 million in the financial year 2020-21, which is 50 per cent higher than that of the previous year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau data.

‘We are not able to build the backward linkage industry which is very necessary and if we can do it, export volume of bicycles will increase,’ Kamaruzzaman said.

Now, there are three major exporters in the bicycle industry with Meghna Group being the largest.

Pran-RFL Group also exports its bicycles under the brand name Duranta Bikes. Pran-RFL is relatively new in the market having started in 2015.

The other major exporter is Alita Bangladesh, which is a Taiwan-based company in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone.

Manufacturers are hopeful of expanding and diversifying their range in export, particularly to the European markets.

The European Union countries are one of the biggest markets for bicycles, where consumers buy around 18 million units a year.

The European Union’s statistical wing, Eurostat, said that in 2017, Bangladesh became the third-largest exporter of bicycles to the UK and the EU.

AHM Ferdous, general manager of Alita Bangladesh Limited, said that the prospect of the industry was very bright due to manifold benefits of bicycles.

The industry got a significant attention of people after the government imposed restrictions on using public transports amid the Covid outbreak.

Traffic jam is also one of the factors for growing demand for bicycles, he said.

A rise in raw material prices on the international market has slowed down the business in recent times, he added.

According to the BBMAIA, about 30 to 40 per cent of the raw materials for making bicycles in Bangladesh comes from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The import duties on the raw materials range from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, which leads to a higher price for the consumers, it said.

The duty of spare parts is even high and parts such as brakes, gears and chains have an average duty of 55 per cent, it said, adding that there were a few items such as bicycle frame, tyre, rim and spoke being made locally.

The local manufacturers are having a difficult time as they are competing with foreign competitors on the domestic market, an official of the association said.

‘As China has imposed anti-dumping duty, we have good opportunities to grab the Europe market. After the coronavirus outbreak, European countries are importing more bicycles,’ he said.

The industry is under the heavy industry category. So, it requires huge investments for a bicycle manufacturing plant, he said.

To grab the foreign market, the industry needs policy supports from the government, he said.

Bicycle industry in Bangladesh expects a leap as demand rising

The country’s bicycle industry is looking forward to a leap amid a rise in local demand and export orders for bicycles amid the global Covid...

www.newagebd.net

 

[Isa Khan]

The foundation stone laying ceremony of a 150MW power plant was held at Sreepur upazila in Gazipur on Tuesday.

Max Infrastructure Limited, a sister concern of Max Group, will construct the power plant under the management of BR Powergen.

Muhammad Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, the lawmaker from Gazipur-3 constituency, laid the foundation stone of the proposed BR Power Plant.

Engineer Ghulam Mohammad Alamgir, chairman of Max Group, was present as the special guest at the inaugural ceremony presided over by Mohammad Fakhruzzaman, managing director of BR Powergen.

Engineer Alamgir said Max Group has been working tirelessly for the development of the country all the time. The construction of the power plant will be completed within the next 15 months. Max Infrastructure Limited is in overall charge of the project (EPC).

The duration of the project is 20 years. The proposed BR power Plant has received environmental clearance. BR Powergen has appointed Max Infrastructure to design and construct the power plant as per government policy.

Iqbal Hossain Sabuj said that if the project is implemented, the long-standing demand for electricity in the Boromi union will be met and the electricity generated from here will be supplied to the national grid.

Construction of 150MW power plant starts in Gazipur

Max Infrastructure Limited will construct the power plant under the management of BR Powergen

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The government has approved the Enhancing Digital Government and Economics project to set up an online digital cloud platform to store data of government and non-government agencies.

The cost for this has been estimated at Tk2,541crore, of which Tk34cr will come from government funds and the rest from World Bank loans.

Cloud computing is a secure online security system for storing data.

The approval for the platform was given at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually joined the meeting from her Ganabhaban residence. Other members of

Ecnec, including various ministries and secretariats, joined the meeting at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Minister for Planning MA Mannan briefed the media on the projects approved at the meeting. State Minister Dr Shamsul Haque, among other members of the planning commission, were present during the briefing.

Besides data protection, the Enhancing Digital Government and Economy project will lead to employment for about one lakh youths after giving them training.

The Bangladesh Computer Council will be the implementing agency of the project, which is expected to be completed by 2026.

Besides this, 10 other projects worth Tk7,447cr were approved at the meeting.

At the press conference, the state minister said that the PM had cautioned them about the quality of the work done. She said not only spending money, the work has to be implemented maintaining standards.

The PM at the meeting reiterated that the name of the proposed Cumilla division would be Meghna division and the division centring Faridpur would be called Padma division.

Meanwhile, the Ecnec meeting also approved a project to set up burn and plastic surgery units in five hospitals outside Dhaka.

The five hospitals are Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital and Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College.

It will cost Tk456cr to set up a burn unit of 100 beds in each of the five hospitals. The fund for this will come from the Saudi Fund for Development.

The 100-beds include 10 ICUs, eight HDUs, 10 cabins and 36 beds for men and women. The burn unit will also have two regular operation theatres and an emergency operation theatre. The implementation of the project will be completed by June 2025.

Dr Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, told The Business Standard that burn patients have to be treated within 24 hours, otherwise they cannot be saved or suffer from great bodily harm. For this reason, the project of setting up a burn unit outside Dhaka was very important.

Project for digital cloud platform gets govt nod

Ecnec meeting also approved a project to set up burn and plastic surgery units in five hospitals outside Dhaka

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The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday cleared the 'Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE)' project involving a huge amount of Tk over 25.41 billion, aiming to turn Bangladesh into a digital economy.

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division will implement the project in the country by December 2026 with the World Bank's finance of Tk over 25.07 billion and the government's finance of Tk 345.9 million.

The approval of 10 projects placed by eight ministries came from the ECNEC meeting held with ECNEC chairperson and prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The PM joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others were concerned from the NEC conference room in the city.

"A total of 10 projects –-five new and five revised ones -- were approved in Tuesday's meeting. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk over 74.47 billion (only additional costs of revised projects were counted here)," said planning minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the total cost, Tk over 36.82 billion will be borne from the government fund, while Tk over 1.53 billion will come from the funds of an organisation concerned and Tk over 36.10 from foreign sources as soft loans, he said.
Talking about the EDGE project, planning commission's member Nasima Begum said the remaining works of building Digital Bangladesh will be done under the project.

The main project objective is to create a digital economy-friendly environment and provide policy support for development of the digital economy and thus face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution by designing the strategies and action plans as well as creating skilled manpower and employment scopes.
The major operations of the EDGE project include procurement of ICT technology, software, office equipment and vehicles; procurement of consultancy services; training and research on digital economy and block allocation for facing post-Covid situation.

ECNEC clears Tk 25.42b project

The main project objective is to create a digital economy-friendly environment and provide policy support for development of the digital economy and thus face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution by designing the strategies and action plans as well as creating skilled manpower and...

en.prothomalo.com

 

[Isa Khan]

China-based Canves Environmental Investment Company Limited has got the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase to set up a waste-to-energy plant in Gazipur City Corporation area.

The Chinese company will construct, operate and maintain the power plant while the Gazipur City Corporation will supply waste alongside providing land for the project.

The plant would generate 42.5MW of electricity, which the Power Division would buy for $0.215 per kilowatt under a 25-year contract, said Shamsul Arefin, additional secretary to the Cabinet Division, after the cabinet committee meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

Shamsul Arefin said, "If the value of $1 is Tk80, the tariff of the electricity generated at the plant will be Tk17.20 per kilowatt. The tariff will change with changes in dollar price."

According to the Power Division, the power plant will be set up in the Kaultia area of Gazipur city.

The Chinese company will arrange the entire Tk14,408 crore of estimated cost for the construction and operation of the plant. The city corporation will supply more than 3,000 tonnes of waste daily.

The cabinet committee meeting on Wednesday approved the contracts to build a 50MW solar power project in Chuadanga and another 60MW solar project at Sujanagar in Pabna by Singapore-based Cyclect Energy PTE Ltd, and a 3MW solar-battery-diesel hybrid power plant at Manpura in Bhola by Western Renewable Energy (Pvt) Ltd.

The committee also approved the signing of an agreement to purchase power from a 60MW solar park at Sujanagar in Pabna and another 68MW solar park in Sirajganj, established by Bangladesh-China Renewable Company.

Apart from the two city corporations in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chattogram city corporations are also planning to set up waste-to-power plants, according to officials.

Local Government Minister Mohammad Tajul Islam last week said that said all divisional cities and municipalities that produce more than 600 tonnes of waste a day would be allowed to build such power plants.

Shamsul Arefin said Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Company will set up a 60MW solar park in Sagarkandi union of Sujanagar upazila at a cost of Tk1,689 crore. The Power Division will buy the electricity generated at the plant at $0.108 (Tk8.48 when $1=Tk80) per kilowatt.

Besides, the same company will implement a 68MW solar park project in Sirajganj Sadar upazila at a cost of Tk1,798 crore. The government will buy electricity generated there at $0.102 (Tk8.12 when $1=Tk80) per kilowatt for 20 years.

Western Renewable Energy Pvt will construct the 3MW hybrid power plant in Bhola at an estimated cost of Tk459 crore. The government will buy electricity generated at the plant at a rate of Tk21.25 per kilowatt for 25 years.

Additionally, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Directorate of Primary Education to purchase 41,000 laptops and 41,000 speakers from Walton Digi-Tech Industries for distribution in government primary schools, involving an estimated cost of Tk216 crore.

Chinese firm to build 42.5MW waste-to-power plant in Gazipur

The Chinese company will construct, operate and maintain the power plant while the Gazipur City Corporation will supply waste alongside providing land for the project

www.tbsnews.net

https://www.facebook.com/rusembdhaka/posts/4533344906773039

 

[Isa Khan]

https://www.facebook.com/nokia/photos/a.338008237396/10158151466952397

Nokia on Thursday announced that it had been selected by Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd (Teletalk) to deploy a 5G network in Bangladesh for the first time.

The deal supports the government’s digital agenda to drive automation, digitalization, and Industry 4.0 in Bangladesh underpinned by 5G, said a press release.

The new network will drive faster speeds, lower latency, and reliability and support the intelligent transformation of industries including education and healthcare.

In the initial phase of deployment, Nokia will provide equipment from its latest ReefShark System on Chip-powered AirScale equipment portfolio including its 5G AirScale Digital Baseband Unit with a plugin capability to add capacity where it is needed.

It will also supply its high-performance 64TRX AirScale massive MIMO Adaptive Antennas to cover all deployment scenarios including dense-urban environments and wide-area coverage.

Teletalk is launching its 5G network to coincide with Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of Independence celebrations. Teletalk is upgrading its network including support for rural areas as well as the introduction of 5G networks to the main city areas.

Nokia and Teletalk have been partners since 2004 with the joint deployment of 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. Nokia also supplies transport and core solutions and signed a network expansion and modernization deal.

Md Shahab Uddin, managing director of Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd, commented, ‘This initiative is important for the future of Bangladesh and in building a digital society underpinned by 5G networks. Our ongoing collaboration and partnership with Nokia are key to us delivering a state-of-the-art network and delivering superior communications services to our customers.’

Mark Atkinson, senior vice president, Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia, said, ‘We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Teletalk and take it into the 5G era. Teletalk and the Bangladeshi government have broad ambitions to drive societal change through a foundation of 5G networks. The network expansion and modernization initiative will help Teletalk attract new subscribers in the rural region and reduce churn in the urban areas. Our global experience will enable Teletalk to offer enhanced customer experience to its subscriber.’

Nokia selects Teletalk to deploy 5G network in Bangladesh

Nokia on Thursday announced that it had been selected by Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd (Teletalk) to deploy a 5G network in Bangladesh for the first time....

www.newagebd.net