Bangladesh News Bangladesh Economy & Development

[Bilal9]

Revamping a New Identity – Crimson Cup

August, 2020

Crimson Cup, an Ohio based chain coffee shop operating since 2016 has recently opened its fifth outlet at Gulshan Avenue. Team Protibimbo Architects was assigned for the design and execution of its new outlet that is rustic in ambience and gives a sense of cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

The site being located at the rear side of the ground floor of the building created few challenges as well as some advantages while designing. The curtain glass of the west and the south façade creates the opportunity of a clear view of the exterior lawn from every angle of the coffee shop.

The outdoor lawn is used as a smoking zone because of having no dedicated smoking zone room like the other outlets. The layout is prepared with an open-plan concept and highest priority is given to a minimalistic style to ensure the originality of the space, as well as the uncluttered plan, dignifies the spacious ambience.

While entering into the outlet, one can feel the openness of a coffee shop without any visual obstruction of the exterior lawn. A sophisticated mood is tried to be created that permits the customers to perceive the potentiality of the space. Free flow of space and the appropriate use of furniture arrangement with usefulness and straightforwardness are the key design ideas.

“The construction phase took almost twenty days to implement. Maximum effort was given to come up with the excellent workmanship considering the deadline. Double and single-seater Chesterfield sofas are placed at the west and south side respectively to enjoy the outdoor scenario,” says the design team. “Central space is occupied with casual coffee chairs and tables.

A pair of wing-back sofa is also kept at one corner to get some privacy. The counter with white raw brick and the high glossy top is designed meticulously to maintain the proper functional flow from the order taking area to the serving area. The bar tools on the side of the counter act as the gossiping zone”.

The display wall is the main point of attraction of the coffee shop in which the Dhaka city map is engraved on a rustic painted surface where the locations of Crimson Cup outlets are highlighted with the red-coloured-cup logo. The white raw brick surface is kept on both sides of the map wall to give it a feel of canvas. The colour palette of the overall design is dark toned. Using finishing materials such as wood and steel, the consistency of the whole concept is emphasized.

The wooden texture is sensibly used at various elements of the project. The colour contrast of the Chesterfield sofas is also responsible for bringing a vibrant ambience. A combination of black and dark red oxide colour is used on the crisscross metallic panelling on the column. The ceiling is painted black with fully exposed VRF and electrical ducts.

In the case of lighting, warm colour is highly preferred. Pendant light shades are used on the sofa seating area, whereas the hanging extra-warm filament bulbs are used at the central seating area. The circulation space is boldly defined by the hanging ceiling, where mild spotlights are used.

Track channel lights are used for highlighting the wall and panelling surfaces. The site being located at the rear side and as well at the ground floor, the direct daylight doesn’t hit the clear west façade which creates a soothing environment.

Architect Profile
Protibimbo Architects is an architectural consultancy firm, officially run by a group of young and energetic architects striving to design contemporary architecture and interior design since 2017. Within this span of years, they have completed a few opulent projects and further proceeding for augmenting the list.

Asrar Hossain and Ashfaque Hossain, the designers of the Crimson Cup project are the Managing Partners of Protibimbo Architects along with the other two partners.

Protibimbo Architects is an architectural consultancy firm, officially run by a group of young and energetic architects striving to design contemporary architecture and interior design since 2017. Within this span of years, they have completed a few opulent projects and further proceeding for augmenting the list. Asrar Hossain and Ashfaque Hossain, the designers of the Crimson Cup project are the Managing Partners of Protibimbo Architects along with the other two partners.

 

[Bilal9]

A Retro Chic Joint

Naila Binte Zakaria
February, 2020

If you fancy a change of scene from the conventional burger places in Dhaka, head to Farmhouse Burger – the ultimate modern spin on a classic burger joint. The handcrafted menu accompanied by a decidedly retro-chic aesthetic lends this place its inimitable feature.

The snazzy burger joint was conceptualized by the husband-wife duo Nafees Alam and Nadia Khan. With over 15 years of experience in the restaurant business in Dallas, Texas USA, Nafees Alam is a nationally recognized and awarded restaurateur.

• 
• 

Entering a new frontier like the Dhaka food scene was hence an exciting experience for him and his wife. “Until a few decades ago, almost everything that we ate in this country was fresh, free-range, and ethically-grown.

It wasn’t special or high-end, it was just food. Farmhouse Burger’s hope is to help achieve that norm again and make everyday food genuinely good food; connecting people, to their community, and to their right to eat and live well. Farmhouse Burger aims to be a game-changer in the Dhaka food scene”, explains Nadia Khan. Farmhouse Burger brings to the table a never frozen quality beef, freshly made brioche buns and the tantalizing array of sauces made from scratch.

The carefully-curated menu is a total crowd-pleaser, offering something for everyone. “Our commitment to creating the best possible food for our discerning guests affects the price, and the higher cost is a direct reflection of that promise”, Nadia adds.

The best stories and memories are often shared over food and what really sets Farmhouse Burger apart is its attempt to create a space that celebrates people as much as food. One is bound to notice the attention to every last detail that goes into the restaurant: the food, the hospitality, the decor and the overall vibe.

“We wanted to create a space that evoked emotion because food is all about the experience and being able to connect with those who matter the most”, says Nadia.

Conveniently located at the basement of the Bay’s 23 Gulshan Avenue, Farmhouse Burger wears its love for the vibrant retro aesthetic on its sleeve. As you take the stairs that lead you to the underground space, you are immediately transported to a lively speakeasy-style food joint from the 50’s era.

“Retro-chic” is perhaps the best way to describe the interior design of Farmhouse Burger.
The plush leather booths, the glaring neon signage, the framed Texan Longhorns and the gorgeous long marble bar are all elements that make for one stunning burger joint.

The varied styles of seating cater to a wide range of guests- the communal benches work best for large groups of families or friends, the brightly coloured bar stools are fun yet convenient for the quick
solo lunches or dinners. In case you are looking for something a little cosier, the leather booths will serve your purpose. For those who love to sit outside, the ambience couldn’t be more ideal!

The visually stimulating artwork by the renowned graffiti artist Salzar is the perfect backdrop for an amazing selfie and the foosball table adds to the fun.

• 
• 
• 

The restaurant is dimly lit with retro pendant lights and diffused lights while fresh greenery soothes the eyes.

“Farmhouse Burger is easily the most Instagrammed place in Dhaka- you’ve either seen an influencer posting selfies with one of our delicious shakes against the “Shake it like a polaroid” neon sign or playing foosball outside in front of the art piece”, says Tanvir N Chowdhury, the Business Development Manager of Farmhouse Burger.

The owners worked with Bay Developments to design and construct the restaurant. Bay’s ability to create state-of-the-art, intriguing and unique retreats amidst the hustle and bustle of Dhaka city’s landscape is what they are renowned for and this project is no different.

Farmhouse Burger is the ultimate modern spin on a classic burger joint where the food is top-notch and the service is impeccable.

 

[Test7]

@Bilal9 Thank you for introducing Bangladeshi to us and other people. As far as I can see it has talented architects.

 

[Bilal9]

@Bilal9 Thank you for introducing Bangladeshi to us and other people. As far as I can see it has talented architects.

Thanks Brother! Appreciate the kind words.

Mi'mâr (architect) is a long-respected profession in our country.

Like the great Koca Mi'mâr Sinân Âğâ from Ottoman Turkey, who is a role model for our architects.

 

[Bilal9]

A Lavish Experience
Written by K N Deya

Tucked in a popular and easily accessible corner of Dhanmondi, S’MORES CAFE & RESTAURANT offers a classy fine dining option and delivers exactly what they promise. From the first sight, the establishment makes you anticipate luxury and comfort, and in the fewest words that’s the charm that S’MORES builds on.

Restaurants and cafes are dozen a dime in the Metropolitan that Dhaka City is. Happening areas like Dhanmondi, Banani, Baily Road attracts a significant number of foodies due to the variety of cuisine and dining experience they offer. However, fine dining is an opportunity that you’d be hard to come by. That’s the niche that S’MORES decided to capture.

While sampling the local cuisine in different restaurants abroad, the owner noticed a significant difference between food and beverage services in those places and restaurants in Bangladesh. The goal was hence to establish an eatery that resolved these shortcomings and gave a 100% effort to maintain high-quality service. Thus, S’MORES was born. The restaurant was inaugurated in February 2019.

Why is the restaurant named S’MORES? The owner explained that since the food industry is expanding day by day, the restaurant needed a remarkable name that would help it to stand out amongst the crowd. S’MORES is quite a popular food in the USA and hence the name would be useful for marketing and branding.

3rd floor of Rangs Fortune Square is where you’ll find S’MORES. The lift opens right onto its French glass door entrance. Past the entrance, eyes automatically catch on the luminous statement piece, a gemstone butterfly hung on the wooden wall behind the golden couch for waiting customers. Delicate metal shapes hung from the ceiling over the couch, giving the whole space a very whimsical aura. This area is quite popular for photoshoots and is seen as ‘Instagrammable’. After this space, comes the smoking zone offering a view of Dhanmondi, so it’s also quite popular among the customers who are prone to Instagramming. The bar area opens up next to the smoking zone, and from there, the rest of the restaurant comes into view.

 

[TR_123456]

Are you a Mimar,Bilal?

 

[Bilal9]

Well now for a restaurant of a different flavor - meant more for women and children.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Bonding Over Food – O’Play

Naila Binte Zakaria
May, 2019

A dream project of four mothers; an architect, a luxury event planner, a makeup artist, and an apparel executive, O’Play is the new Italian bistro and cafe in town, emulating a sense of homely ambiance with rich accents, plush interior and a sumptuous menu.

The idea of setting up O’Play came into being when three friends Azrin Alom, Sausan Khan Moyeen and Navin Ahmed sensed the lack of a children-friendly eatery in Dhaka. “For long, we had wanted to start a venture together.

One day, as I was taking my kids to grab a bite, I realized that there weren’t any kid-friendly places in Dhaka, where parents could drop by with their children and enjoy a good meal. I discussed this with Navin and Azrin, who agreed with me. As mothers, we wanted to promote the concept of family outings by bringing forth an eatery that offered a play zone and a kid-friendly menu.

That way, both parents and children could enjoy family outings and engage in fun activities. Thus, the idea of O’Play sparked in our mind”, explains Sausan Khan Moyeen.

“Our fourth partner, Samira Musabbir, came as a blessing in disguise. Since all of us were extremely busy with our own separate lines of work, we needed someone who could look after the bistro like her own baby.

We couldn’t have asked for someone better than her!” Located at a quaint spot of Gulshan 2, the bistro captures cosiness, comfort and style; all in the same setting. “We wanted to evoke the feeling of a lavish fine dining restaurant throughout the bistro at a reasonable price so that people could visit with their children whenever they wanted.” says Navin Ahmed.

“Our bistro is the evocative of a luxe and comfortable family picnic spot”, she adds. In terms of food, the menu consists of a tantalizing selection of Italian dishes such as pizzas, pastas, steaks and desserts and a delectable kid’s menu. O’Play also offers a high tea arrangement with a vast array of tea collection. Syphon coffee brewer has also been recently introduced. “Making tea and coffee is a fun activity enjoyed by most of our guests”, says Azrin Alom. With 22 years of experience in Italian cuisine, the chef ensures all the dishes taste as palatable as they look.

Since the owners Azrin Alom and Sausan Khan Moyeen come from architectural background, they designed the bistro with meticulous attention to every detail, keeping the sophistication factor in consideration.

Comprising of an outdoor lawn, different sections of dining space, counter sit-ins and a fun play zone on the 2nd floor, a contemporary mix of colours and materials was attempted. “Every furniture, decorative accent, cutlery and toy was either handpicked or custom-made by us. Our goal was to make every nook very Instagrammable. Each section of O’Play provides the perfect backdrop for an Instagram photo”, exclaims Azrin Alom.

“There is an easy flow between every room as the areas function together, each with distinct but complementary aesthetics.”

Upon entrance, the soothing lavender flowers over the 2- storied building welcomes the visitors. The outdoor lawn has an open air feel to it and is ideal for hosting birthday parties or high tea parties. The indoor dining has different colours to loosely delineate different zones.

Trendy hues like dusky pink, teal, emerald green are predominant in these zones while wooden floors run throughout. Tall casement windows have been painted white to complement the interior impeccably. “There is an easy flow between every room as the areas function together, each with distinct but complementary aesthetics”, explains Azrin Alom.

A stylish affair is knitted out with velvet sofas and chairs, marble table tops and edgy neon signs. The golden brass accents help to give the space a distinct Art Deco vibe which is in trend at the moment. Some areas feature large mirrors that help to bounce the light around the space.

Paired with the vibrant furnishers and wooden accents, plants were placed on top of each table, adding to the colour scheme. A selection of chic hanging lights were installed in the bistro, keeping the private seating area a bit subdued and the rest of the dining area comparatively bright. The overall design reinforces a sophisticated 1920/30’s vibe across the venue.

The play zone of O’Play is equipped with wide array of rides and soft toys, a small library, an outdoor sand pit and many other features. “Every ride here was tried and tested by us, picturing our kids playing in them. We ensured all the rides and toys were safe for kids”, says Samira Musabbir. Each play room has an O’Play appointed nanny and the areas are closely monitored through CCTV cameras. The facilities for children were all well thought out so that the parents could remain stress-free and enjoy a romantic dinner downstairs. If you’re looking for an eatery in Dhaka where fun is compulsory and food is indulgent, then O’Play is the ideal spot for you and your loved ones.

 

[Bilal9]

Are you a Mimar,Bilal?

I studied for it brother. But did not take up the profession due to family reasons.

I still have a lifelong passion for it though, and take quite a bit of interest in it.

 

[TR_123456]

I studied for it brother. But did not take up the profession due to family reasons.

I still have a lifelong passion for it though, and take quite a bit of interest in it.

Do you have some own designs?

 

[Bilal9]

Do you have some own designs?

I developed some while in college but that was a few years ago brother.

Class assignments mostly. This was before all the electronic tools (such as SketchUp) became common.

I was good with CAD but have not used it for a while.

Nowadays I don't follow this professionally, but as a pastime.

I am quite aware of the projects going on in Bangladesh (now and in the past), unless of course if they're defense installations, which are on 'need-to-know' basis only.

 

[Bilal9]

The Dhaka Metro Rail project (Line 6) is one of the major urban transportation projects currently active which is slated to complete late next year. In total, there will be six lines around Dhaka city in the short term, some above ground and some underground, built over the next ten years.

Line 6 (the current one) is mostly above ground. Status is that tracks, transfer switches and ties (sleepers) have been laid, overhead electric catenaries installed and stations+main depot are all under construction.

 

[Bilal9]

A small lake re-development in a North Dhaka Suburb (Uttara)

 

[Bilal9]

I am re-vamping and suggesting to the mods that this thread can carry news solely about the Bangladesh Economy - mods can decide whether to make it sticky. I also invited @Homo Sapiens bhai over here as resident economic affairs spokesperson, hope he joins the forum as a member, unless he already did.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bangladesh Economy Regenerates

Atiur Rahman | Published: September 12, 2020 20:08:53 | Updated: September 13, 2020 22:05:39

Bangladesh continues to surprise the development watchers even during this pandemic. Despite COVID-19 infections persisting, there are visibly ample 'green shoots' in Bangladesh's economic recovery landscape. In many ways, the country appears to be a 'contrarian' even in this world of recovery. The Bangladesh story is yet to be told. It is still unfolding. An incredible story indeed. While the global economy is feared to shrink more than 5 per cent this year, Bangladesh economy is expected to grow 8 per cent-plus this fiscal year. ADB has projected it to be 7.8 per cent for 2020 and 8 per cent for 2021.

A number of economic and social indicators indicate that the country may have already passed the worst part of the storm and is on its way to sustainable recovery. Both macro and micro indicators are pointing out that substantial progress has already been made by its economy despite persistence of the corona virus infections and subsequent deaths. There has certainly been a spike in the level of poverty including the extreme poverty. However, the government moved pretty fast in taking a number of fiscal measures to provide enhanced food relief and expanded social protection including temporary cash support. Simultaneously, it worked closely with the central bank in flooding the money market with enough liquidity by taking a number of quantitative and qualitative regulatory easing measures. Besides reducing bank and policy rates it also allowed increase in advance to deposit ratio for the banking sector. Also the central bank bought aggressively the treasury bonds from the secondary market and forced the yield of the six-month Treasury bills to go as low as 4.48 per cent recently from 7.34 per cent in just three months. The yields of other bills and bonds have also been coming down consistently due to central bank intervention. In addition, the inter-bank rate has also been coming down.

All these have forced the banks and financial institutions to go for investing on the private sector entrepreneurs and hence the private credit growth has recorded 9.2 per cent in July'20. This rate of growth is as good as that in January'20. This may have been made possible due to a number of stimulus packages declared by the government in coordination with the central bank. These include low cost loans with rates of interest heavily subsidised for large industrial and service sectors (Taka 33,000 crore), cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (Taka 20,000 crore , half of which will get refinance from the central bank), refinances for the farm sector (Taka 5,000 crore), underprivileged businesses and firms through linkage programs with Micro Finance Institutions (Taka 3,000 crore which can be revolved) and pre-shipment credit (Taka 5,000 crore). In addition, the Export Development Fund has been raised by 1.5 billion USD to five billion USD. A number of measures have been taken in easing the rescheduling of loans and extending the tenor of loans, both in foreign exchange and domestic currencies. The dominant export earning sectors including RMGs have been given special stimulus like working capital support from the central bank just at a rate of interest of just two per cent to pay three months' salaries to the workers. The EU has come forward to give wage support to those factories which have been either closed down or laid-off. This package may be announced any time by the government.

The bold initiatives taken strategically by the government and the central bank have already started yielding positive results. As told earlier, the private sector credit growth has already picked up. Public borrowing has increased by 51.35 per cent in July 2020 compared to that in July last year. I must appreciate Bangladesh Bank in coming out of its usual shell and providing this support to the government to keep the boat floating by expanding its own balance sheet in the face of dwindling revenue earning due to economic slowdown. The real economy has also started responding positively. For examples, Balance of Payment (BOP) has already come of red zone riding on healthy growth in remittances (+62.7 per cent year-on-year this July) and falling imports (19.42 per cent in this July year-on-year). The current account balance has also turned positive by a surplus of USD 1.965 billion. Exports rose by 0.84 per ent in this July year-on-year. Most of the RMG enterprises are getting back their sale orders to meet the consumer demand around the Christmas.

All this helped reduce the trade gap to USD 86 million this July compared to USD 1.061 billion same time last year. At the end of the day, overall balance has increased by USD 1.1 billion forcing Bangladesh Bank to buy foreign exchange from the market to stabilize the exchange rate leading to substantial increase in our foreign exchange reserve. In the process more liquidity has been injected into the market. A number of other indicators are also signaling that the economy has been making desired turnaround. The financial inclusion indicators have also been very encouraging. The Mobile Financial services have transacted Taka 62,000 crore in last July which was 40.5 per cent higher than that in this June and 68 per cent higher than June last year. The number of MFS active account increased 27.46 per cent to 4.27 crore in July year-on-year. Agent Banking which is mostly catering to the needs of small rural businesses have already registered a 115 per cent year-on-year growth in opening of accounts (a total of 7.4 million) at the end June this year.

The last three months up to June alone witnessed 13.25 percent growth in accounts. Deposits grew by 93.40 per cent to Taka 10,220 crore during the last fiscal year. The Loan disbursement witnessed 203 per cent growth to Taka 720 crore. The Digital Financial Inclusion has been playing a significant role in providing relief and social protection in addition to broad-based financial services to the small businesses for a sustainable recovery in Bangladesh.

However, we still have many more miles to go. In particular, the uncertainty over fully suppressing the corona virus till a credible vaccine is available is still on. The economy may not be fully operational until we have reached that point of inflexion. The informal sector including the services units will have to cross many more hurdles before reaching the pre-Covid-19 position. So both government and the central bank must remain alert if they were to inject more money to create more demand in the economy. In particular, the rural entrepreneurs including the return migrants deserve more stimulus support. The educational institutions are still not opened. There is no question of senior citizens coming out of their dens in the face of the invisible enemy called COVID-19 virus.

However, the quality of health management of COVID-19 patients has significantly improved and our frontline soldiers including health personnel have been showing their courage and resilience in the face of this sudden attack of the unknown virus. While some of the younger population still tend to ignore health prescriptions, most of the office-goers and working population are taking sufficient health measures while coming out of their homes. On the whole, the business confidence is gradually regaining and the disrupted supply chains of agricultural and manufacturing products have already been reframed. As a result, Bangladesh economy has started demonstrating its resilience. And hence the turnaround. One must give well-deserved admiration to the strong leadership provided by the Hon'ble Prime Minister to keep the economic boat floating despite many hurdles including the stubborn presence of infections. This was not an easy choice for her. She took a calculated risk and maintained the fine balance between lives and livelihoods. And this has been paying Bangladesh well compared to her many peers. Thanks to the resilient agriculture which provided the initial strength for the nation to remain hunger-free even during this pandemic. Hats-off to our hard working farmers. The early investment in agriculture by the government made this possible. She was equally mindful of the overwhelming climate challenges and concentrated on desired adaptation plus mitigation wherever needed. Of course, a number of marginal and lower income groups had to struggle hard to adjust to this new normal situation. Even many of the middle and lower middle income groups who were dependent on house rent, incomes from small shops and jobs in the informal sectors had to go through unprecedented ordeals. Indeed, this ordeal is still not over. A huge number of people just above the poverty-line slipped back to the poverty trap. The poor became even poorer. The number of extreme poor increased drastically.

However, the bold initiatives taken by the government and the central bank with hefty stimulus packages and social protection related fiscal support at an early stage of the pandemic helped regain the business confidence of many of the entrepreneurs, particularly export-earning manufacturing units. We still have to do a lot for the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises who are struggling to come back to businesses. Many of them may have already closed down. Others are awaiting the support from the stimulus packages created for them which ought to be implemented as fast as possible. Say for example, only Taka 1.1 crore has been disbursed from the pre-shipment related stimulus package of Taka 5,000 crore.

The small entrepreneurs involved in washing, dyeing, printing, labeling and many other backward linkage industry closely related RMGs sector deserve this stimulus. Together these units employ more than five million skilled and semi-skilled workers. But they are now cash-starved and need immediate support to keep the RMG sector moving as well. Similarly, about BDT 4,120 crore has been disbursed among 46,000 CMSME entrepreneurs out of the total package of Taka 20,000 crore. Same is the story with the farm sector which has received only about 20 per cent of the package targeted for them. On the other hand about 73 per cent of the stimulus package meant for the large industrial units have already been disbursed.

The challenge, however, remains how to take advantages of these emerging opportunities and help the small businesses owned mostly by our young entrepreneurs. They need support in terms of skilling, reskilling and, of course, easy access to finances. The financial sector must come out of its 'large-bias' and focus on these small and medium entrepreneurs who still provide bulk of the employment. They must learn how to 'kiss' the base of the pyramid. Indeed, the small enterprises are central to our fast-track recovery of the economy. Also we must encourage our young entrepreneurs and as well as the financial institutions to push for the green recovery so that our commitment for reduced emission of carbon and better adaptation to climate changes remains in the fore-front.

And this is all the more necessary in the context of the findings of recently published Social Progress Index by Washington based non-profit think-tank Social Progress Imperative. The Report says despite impressive over-performance of Bangladesh in many crucial indicators like child mortality, maternal mortality, gender parity in secondary attainment, access to online governance, access to essential services, life expectancy at 60, quality weighted universities and years of tertiary schooling etc., those related to environment including air pollution are underperforming. And there is a widespread belief (as indicated by a well done recent research over hundred plus countries by Enamul Haque and his time at the East-West University) that corona virus finds a fertile ground in a place where air pollution is very high. Hence the need for a green recovery. So we need to learn from nature and try to nurture it in our quest for sustainable recovery.

In order to see if all this are happening or not and if the money is going to the base of the pyramid. There is no alternative to a robust and transparent multi-stakeholder monitoring of the well-intentioned stimulus packages to accelerate their desired implementation. Development of a digital dash-board using better management of data generated and processed by artificial intelligence including block-chain technology could indeed be a smart move to watch the pace of recovery. The money must reach the real economy at any cost.

Dr. Atiur Rahman is Bangabandhu Chair Professor, Dhaka University and
former Governor of Bangladesh Bank.

 

[Bilal9]

Representation of current interior decor trends in higher middle class level luxury housing in Dhaka. Too many images, will break it up in three posts, this is the first. Note that this unit was done using various tile and decor products from local division of Porcelanosa (Spain), hence the over-abundance of tile surfaces. This is not to my personal liking, but to each his own. Changes in wealth/income come easily, good taste not so much. Clients often force the hand of the interior designer into compromises, but such is life.

 

[Bilal9]

And this is second of the three posts.

 

[Bilal9]

And finally the third and final post with the remainder of the images.

 

[Bilal9]

Aerial and Other Views of ICCB Convention Center in Dhaka showing the monolithic halls amidst a planned landscape expanse.

The design and guided-implementation was the sole work of VolumeZero Architects (Chief Ar. Muhammad Fayez Ullah) - which is a first tier local firm.

Interior

 

[Bilal9]

Scenery along Kemal Ataturk Avenue in Northern Dhaka suburb of Banani.

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh started with a handful of SEZ's or Special Economic Zones (a la Korea, Taiwan, China) some two decades ago all over the country but mainly near the capital and three near the main port Chittagong. Currently there are eight active large SEZ's and a hundred new SEZ's under development in various stages of completion. Half a dozen new ones are almost final - with two/three ready to go online within six months with active factories. Other than SEZ's there are many local assembly plants for consumer electrics/electronics (household items such as TV's, Refrigerators, cellphones, kitchen appliances, white goods), motorcycles, light engineering items such as bicycles. These are sold locally as well as exported under local brands and OEM's. Here are some videos of Chittagong area SEZ's.

One of the companies in the Chittagong SEZ

Aerial footage of Karnaphuli and Chittagong SEZ's

 

[Bilal9]

Latest update on Dhaka Metro Rail Central Depot, right of way and other housing infra construction.