Private security printing press starts functioning

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=80036

Private security printing press starts functioning

Salim Prodhan, chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Security Printing & Papers Ltd, speaks at a press conference in Dhaka recently. Photo: JBSPPL

Bss, Dhaka

A private security printing press, established in the country in January this year, is now functioning to meet the domestic demand for printing commercial and educational materials.

“We are printing all types of materials, including bank cheques and certificates of educational institutions,” Salim Prodhan, chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Security Printing and Papers Limited (JBSPL), said at a press conference at a city hotel yesterday.

Prodhan said Bangladesh has a big market for the commercial security printing of worth about Taka 4,000 crore annually, but its major portion is done by foreign companies. At present, the government security printing press is meeting only 20 to 30 percent of the total demand, he added.

The JBSPL will also try to explore the foreign markets by 2012 when a security paper manufacturing mill, now under construction, will be completed, he added.

Prodhan said the the sector is expanding due to the increasing economic and educational activities.

The demand for printing goods, including demand drafts, pay orders, share certificates, marksheets and tickets, is increasing day-by-day. It indicates that a vibrant national economy is in the offing, the JBSPL chairman said.

The JBSPL, a sister concern of Japan-Bangladesh Group (JBG), has already been working with Prime Bank, Exim Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited and Social Islami Bank, he said.

Vice Chairman of JBG Masamichi Taniguchi was present.

Locals, NRBs join hands to produce power in Sylhet

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/17/61473.html

Locals, NRBs join hands to produce power in Sylhet

A Z M Anas

A private sector entrepreneur will invest over Tk 4.5 billion to produce power in Sylhet region, the company said Monday.

Backed by Bangladeshi diaspora, the Sylhet-based Barkatullah Electro Dynamics Ltd (BEDL) will add 51 megawatt electricity to the national grid by May with plans to add another 50 MW by early next year, managing director Gulam Rabbani Chowdhury said.

“We want to bring about a renaissance in private power generation,” Mr Chowdhury said.

“The first leg of the project is budgeted at Tk 1.83 billion. We hope to run the Fenchuganj unit by May with a generation capacity of 51 MW. The total cost will be nearly Tk4.5 billion,” he told the FE in an interview.

The parent company of BEDL has interests in real estate and agricultural tools manufacturing in the country.

Royal Homes, its sister concern, is the biggest real estate company in the Sylhet division. The company’s parent group is also involved in manufacturing of agricultural machinery since early 1980s.

BEDL, 53 per cent owned by five local entrepreneurs and the rest by Bangladeshi diaspora, is believed to be the first power producer to attract investment from the overseas.

So far, the Bangladeshi overseas community has investments in airlines, hotels, real estate business, amusement parks and superstores.

The company’s investment should be seen as a welcome step, given the chronic power shortage that has plagued the nation for years.

The country’s power generation capacity is nearly 3600 MW, far short of the daily demand of 5000 MW.

It is also one of 11 rental power units contracted out by the state-run Power Development Board to supply electricity to the national grid.

According to the World Bank, pervasive power outages rob the country of an estimated 2.0 percentage points of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Based on the power and energy sector master plan, the global lender has estimated that Bangladesh needs $1.5 billion a year through 2015 in energy and power sectors to keep the country’s growth momentum.

The economy has been growing 6.0 per cent over the last six years, underscoring demand for more electricity.

Power sector experts say if commissioned, the new plant would emerge as the major challenger to Summit and United, the leading private players.

Summit Power, the country’s first private electricity generator, is still the biggest player with a combined capacity of 230 MW.

United Group jointly operates the 110 MW Khulna Power Company Limited.

Officials said BEDL with an authorised capital of Tk1.0 billion would build and operate the plant over the next 15 years.

Last year, company officials said, it signed a power purchase agreement with state-run Power Development Board and gas supply contract with Jalalabad Gas Transmission Company.

“The power plant comprises 19 units of brand new General Electric gas engines. We have also engaged a Thai company to oversee operation and maintenance,” Mr Chowdhury said.

Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), a government-owned infrastructure lender, became the lead financier for the project, doling out Tk 500 million to the company, its officials said. It also arranged Tk 1.25 billion in syndicated loans.

“We need policy support and guaranteed supply of gas. Then we can sell power at a competitive rate,” the company chief said.

Company officials said the bulk of the investment went to gas engines, auxiliaries, land purchase and land development cost, building and civil construction. Cost per megawatt of installed capacity is US$0.53 million, they added.

Local co to invest $2.501m in Comilla EPZ

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/17/61426.html

Local co to invest $2.501m in Comilla EPZ

FE Report

Etasia Interlinings Limited, a Bangladeshi company, will set up an interlining manufacturing industry in the Comilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ), said a press release.

The 100-per cent local owned company will invest US$ 2.501 million to set up their plant and will produce interlining items.

The company will create employment opportunity for 94 Bangladeshi nationals.

In this connection, an agreement was signed between Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Etasia Interlinings Limited at BEPZA Complex in the city Monday.

BEPZA Member (Investment Promotion) Prasanta Bhushan Barua and Chairman of Etasia Interlinings MD Mohammed Ismail Khan signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Other officials from both the organisations were present in the signing ceremony.

Japan- Bangladesh Security Printing starts its function

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/03/17/news0292.htm

Japan- Bangladesh Security Printing starts its function

BUSINESS REPORTER

Japan- Bangladesh Security Printing and Papers Ltd has started its functioning to produce bank cheque, demand draft, pay-order, share certificate, certificates and mark sheets of educational institutions and other sorts of security printing materials with utmost care and safety.

Japan-Bangladesh Group Chairman Salim Prodan disclosed it a press briefing at a local hotel in the city. Tk 130 crore has been invested in this project. Another some Tk 780 crore will be inveted within the year of 2012. It creates another job opportunities of 70 thousand people, he added. There are nearly 8 hundred employees in this factory who engage into work on the shift basis at Rupganj factory in Narayanganj, he said.

Replying to a query he said 30 percent of total investment of this factory belongs to Japanese and rest 51 percent belongs to local entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneurs are interested to invest in this country as the pays and related materials are cheaper in Bangladesh that that of Japan, he added.

The workers and employees are receiving training first and later engage themselves into the factory. As a result the efficiency of the workers are excellent one. Group’s Vice-Chairman Masamichi Taniguchi said his security printing factory is eager to install a training centre in Bangladesh.

It is essential to increase the number of trained manpower in this sector as the number of skilled manpower in this sector are decreasing, he added.

Quality product must for industrial development

http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=118738

Quality product must for industrial development
ECONOMIC REPORTER

Manufacturing quality product is very essential in ensuring industrial development” observed  Ryota Saito, a Japanese volunteer who is working as instructor in Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) for the last six months.

Born in one of the most treasured urban areas on the planet -Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, Saito lived here ordinarily and as an altruist he engaged himself in teaching Bangladeshi technical students.

He drew together modern technologies. Students say they are getting tremendous benefits from him.

“Our learners are learning how to make something at a cheaper price with advanced technologies,” he said.

“In Japan people work from 8 am to 10 pm and everyone tries to produce something of quality. But, here everyone thinks anything you produce will do. That’s why no one tries to produce something even better,” he observed.

He works with the students with theories, mathmatics, technical drawing, measuring tools, safety and maintenance, and basic tool design.
“I help the students of BITAC to learn some basics to produce quality machinery,” he said.

As an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Industries, BITAC has been rendering vital support to industries for over four decades.

Founded in 1962 as PITAC to provide technical assistance to industries and renamed BITAC after independence, the centre plays a catalytic role in promoting industrial development of the country.

BITAC conducts technical training of industrial personnel and private individuals for increasing efficiency.

Besides conventional trades, BITAC provides extensive training on use of modern technologies like Computerised Numerical Control (CNC).

The centre runs attachment programs, industrial training for various technical as well as engineering educational institutions. It also provides technical assistance to public and private sector industries.

BITAC draws together modern technologies by sending its engineers abroad for training. Knowledge on the emerging technologies acquired through such training are then transferred to local industries through seminars, symposiums, training programs and demonstrations.

It conducts research activities to improve productivity and implements new technologies and methods.

Thus saves foreign exchange by promoting use of local raw materials and indigenous technologies through research.

Born on January 8, 1984 Saito is second of four brothers and sisters. His father Seiichi is an engineer. After his graduation from Tokai University, Saito worked in a Japanese industry. For the last two years he is in Bangladesh and worked one and a half year for German technical and now with BITAC as volunteer.

Bangladesh to export bamboo-shoot soon

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/17/61451.html

Bangladesh to export bamboo-shoot soon

Bangladesh will become a bamboo- shoot exporting country soon as Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) has taken initiatives to promote bamboo cultivation in the country through introducing scientific methods and motivating farmers, reports BSS from Chittagong Monday.

Officials of the BFRI, country’s lone research organisation in forest sector told the news agency that the country could fetch huge foreign exchange by exporting bamboo-shoots and other products made of bamboos as there was huge demand for the products in international market.

After necessary processing, various types of tasty foods can be prepared from bamboo-shoot, a soft upper part of mature bamboo saplings and the foods have a good demand internationally, including in USA, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and some European countries.

“At present we need to motivate farmers and private entrepreneurs to cultivate bamboo and to make them acquaint with modern technologies for the farming” Md. Jashim Uddin, Director of a BFRI project for the bamboo cultivation promotion said.

BFRI sources said around 200 acres have already been brought under bamboo cultivation in Chittagong and the three hill districts. The land areas with bamboo farming are likely to be doubled by the middle of next year.

Bangladesh received Tk 13.7 million from International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBER), a global body to promote and finance bamboo and cane production through China-based International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR).

The INBER gave the fund to popularise bamboo and rattan cultivation and introduction of modern technologies in Bangladesh.

For proper utilisation of the fund, the BFRI has taken a project to promote bamboo cultivation through motivating farmers and private entrepreneurs as well as to provide them with technical support for processing various exportable products of agri-outputs.

Project Director Md Jashim Uddin said a treatment and scientific processing plant for bamboo-shoots will be set up in Fatikchhari Upazila by June next.

The machinery for the plant is expected to reach by April next.

An agreement was singed to this effect between the BFRI and the ICBR in September 2008.

Under the agreement ICBR would provide necessary technologies for bamboo-shoot processing and other marketing support from China free of cost.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the BFRI and the BRAC last year to promote bamboo cultivation and export.

Tk 300cr logistics yard set for launch

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Tk 300cr logistics yard set for launch

A view of the inland container depot of KDS Group in Sitakundo.

Refayet Ullah Mirdha

KDS Group, a leading apparel and accessories maker, is set to launch a Tk 300 crore logistics yard in Chittagong to provide off-dock services, Khalilur Rahman, chairman of the group, said yesterday.

KDS Logistics Ltd that claims to be the biggest inland container depot (off-dock), located in Sitakundo, will come on stream on March 21.

The latest arrival will take the number of private off-dock operators to 14 in a Tk 1,000 crore sector.

KDS expects Tk 80 crore in annual turnover from logistic business.

“If everything goes according to plan, we expect to break even in five years,” MA Quiyum, executive director of KDS Logistics, told The Daily Star.

KDS Logistic started trial operations with empty containers on June 18, 2008.

“Our vision is to be a leading global logistics enterprise, distinguished by the quality of its services,” Quiyum said.

The off-dock facility is spread over 14, 65,600 square feet and designed to handle both empty and laden containers.

Quiyum said the inland container facility has a laden container yard area of 2,22,400 square feet, empty container yard space of 6,52,600 square feet, warehouse space of 1,60,000 square feet, jute shed and import space of 14,000 square feet, office buildings space of 36,000 square feet, workshop space of 12,500 square feet and truck parking area of 52,500 square feet.

The facility has a capacity to stack laden containers of 3,420 TEUs (twenty equivalent units). It can also stack empty containers at a capacity of up to 21,168 TEUs, he said.

According to an estimate, the facility can store 10,000 TEUs in off-dock capacity on any given day.

KDS Logistics aspires to provide an assortment of storage programmes and services to customers and to offer a one-stop solution for storage, repair, transportation or handling of chassis.

KDS Logistics is located on a 40-acre site and paved, fenced and lighted to Chittagong Custom specifications, computerised inbound/outbound, provides activity reports and daily site inventory, gate interchanges and damage assessment.

Quiyum said it is equipped with high-speed internet to provide real-time cargo information.

The inland container depot (ICD) is equipped with modern fire fighting equipment, CCTV, standby power generation (650KV) and other necessary cargo and container handling equipment.

He said the company is facilitated to know the real time tracking system for truck unloading/loading, container stuffing/un-stuffing and web access to check client cargo position check, as per requirements.

Bangladesh handles 25,000 TEUs a month in export business. In import business, the private off-dock operators handle 10,000 TEUs out of the total 50,000 TEUs a month.

Shipping Minister Afsarul Amin is scheduled to inaugurate the state-of-the art off-dock yard. Other ministers and elected MPs are also expected to be present.

reefat@thedailystar.net

Thai investors to import jute, set up hotels, resorts worth Tk 30b

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/16/61332.html

Thai investors to import jute, set up hotels, resorts worth Tk 30b

FE Report

Thai investors will import 10 million pieces of jute sacks from Bangladesh and also set up a number of hotels and resorts valued around Tk 30.00 billion in Bangladesh.

It was disclosed at a meeting between members of Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) led by its President MA Momen and visiting Thai delegation led by Krishna Chandra Prabha, Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand held at Westin Hotel in the city recently.

Apart from the members of the board of directors of BTCCI, eminent business personalities of Bangladesh among them Samson H Chowdhury, Chairman of Square Group and Director of BTCCI, Matiur Rahman, Chairman of Uttara Group of Companies and former President of DCCI and BTCCI past presidents RM Khan and Habib Sattar were present at the meeting.

The meeting discussed various ways and means to improve the existing business volume of Bangladesh and Thailand, which was currently valued at US$ 600 million although very much in favour of Thailand.

The leader of the Thai delegation Prabha stressed on strengthening the role of both the countries under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Framework.

The Thai ambassador detailed out the success of holding in Bangladesh the Made in Thailand programme which included holding of the Thai food festival and cultural shows that helped to brand Thailand’s product and services all over the world.

He mentioned that Thai government had granted already over 250 items duty free access to Bangladesh and hoped that the balance of trade would improve on the side of Bangladesh gradually in the near future.

He introduced in the meeting two investors from Thailand who were keen and would soon sign a contract for importing jute goods from and also set up a number of hotels and resorts.

The leader of the delegation expressed hope that both Bangladesh and Thailand being members of BIMSTEC would strengthen their roles to improve and increase their trade and investments in the region.

A multimedia presentation was made by Dr Winai Dahlan, Director of Halal Science Center of Chulalongkorn University signifying the importance of Halal food as a scientific and hygienic exportable product not only for Muslims but also for all universal consumers in the present world.

Dr Wanai suggested that Bangladesh could obtain a lot of information and take advantage from their institute to help elevate its position as an exporter of Halal foods, which is accepted as a new practice and concept all over the world.

BTCCI President MA Momen emphasized the importance of such meetings and knowledge sharing and vowed its commitment to improve Bangladesh’s trade and investment opportunities with Thailand in the coming days.

He said areas like tourism, health, backward linkage industries, infrastructure, ICT, agro based industries and business had great potentials for exploration to benefit both the countries.

All members present felt that economic relations depended greatly on give-and-take policies based on equilibrium and reciprocity. The BTCCI leader pledged to act as a private sector bridge to help promote bilateral business relationship with both the countries’ governments and business people.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks conveyed by the BTCCI Senior Vice President Salahuddin Abdullah followed by a dinner hosted by the BTCCI in honour of the visiting Thai delegation and Royal Thai Embassy representatives in Bangladesh.

Also present on the Thai side were Chalermpol Thanchitt, Ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh, Usa Wijarun, Minister Councilor and Head of Thai Trade Center in Dhaka, Rapipong Banchong, First Secretary of Royal Thai Embassy and Karnchana Theparuck, Assistant DG of Department of Export Promotion under Ministry of Commerce, Thailand.

Bangladesh’s share in US RMG market widens

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Bangladesh’s share in US RMG market widens

Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Bangladesh’s share in the US apparel market is getting larger as cheap clothing (basic garment items) sales in that market are increasing in global recession, market operators said.

Recession-hit retailers in the US and Europe are purchasing garments from Bangladesh in enhanced volume as the cost of the item is less here because of cheap labour and the better state of economy, reported some Indian dailies recently.

The strong presence of locally made garment items in US market, the largest importer, has surpassed even India, a stronger competitor, for the first time.

Bangladesh has now taken the fifth position, which was previously occupied by India, on the list of largest garment-exporting countries to the US.

While Bangladesh’s share increased by 10 per cent, India’s share went down by 3 percent in the US market in August 2008, as some newspapers in India report.

The US imports of knitwear and woven garment from Bangladesh during July-December 2008 were more than $558 million and $1.21 billion respectively, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

USITC (United States International Trade Commission) says the total import of knitwear from the world in the US was 1.56 percent down during June-December in 2008, whereas knitwear imports from Bangladesh marked a 24.87 rise in the same period.

When global woven imports in the US for this period were 3.72 percent down, the item’s import from Bangladesh increased by 12.02 percent.

The 5.1 percent rise in February 2009 retail sales of Wal-Mart, globally known for cheap clothing, reflects a strong presence of Bangladesh RMG products in the US.

However, the entire US retail sales of clothing marked a 2 percent drop during July-November in 2008, compared to the same period a year earlier.

The USITC data show a 5.60 percent decline in the US imports of knitwear from Cambodia in the July-December period, 4.60 percent increase from China, 0.13 percent decline from India, 12.56 percent increase from Indonesia, 2.38 percent decline from Pakistan, 0.06 percent increase from Sri Lanka, 10.93 percent decline from Thailand and 23.56 percent increase from Vietnam.

During the same period, the import of woven items by US from Cambodia declined by 6.30 percent, 5.13 percent increased from China, 9.51 percent declined from India, 8.25 percent declined from Indonesia, 4.33 percent increased from Pakistan, 3.85 percent declined from Sri Lanka, 6.57 percent declined from Thailand and 7.79 percent increased from Vietnam.

US imports more than US$70 billion garment items annually from all over the world. The world’s export market of readymade garment (RMG) items is $410billion where Bangladesh’s market share is only 2.0 percent.

Meanwhile, EPB data show that Bangladesh’s RMG exports reached US$6.05 billion during the first half of the current fiscal year 2008-09, registering a 24.18 percent growth.

Of the total export target, $12.267 billion has been fixed for the two main sub-sectors of RMG.

Of this amount, US$6.583 billion is for knitwear, 19 percent up from its last year’s export performance, and $5.684 billion for woven, 10 percent up from the last year’s figure.

Bangladesh fetched $10.7 billion from RMG exports in the same period of 2007-08.

BKMEA President Fazlul Hoque said Bangladesh has large factories than many other countries and they are more productive and have low labour cost, which is helping them in attracting buyers from the US and Europe.

Bangladesh is the only country that can produce textile items at least 20-30 percent cheaper than China, Hoque said.

“We are more competitive than others, as we have cheap labour, less production costs and we could establish strong capacity base of textile and clothing items,” said the chief of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

reefat@thedailystar.net

RMG export may reach $19.72b by 2013 if 13pc growth ensured

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/12/61024.html

RMG export may reach $19.72b by 2013 if 13pc growth ensured

FE Report

The country’s RMG export may reach US$ 19.72 billion by 2012-13 if a 13 per cent annual growth is ensured in the industry, leading economists said.

Bangladesh exported $ 10.7 billion in 2007-08 fiscal year.

They predicted that during the period the number of factories would reach 5495, employing 3.31 million labour forces against its current number at around 4400.

They further said the RMG export may reach $25 billion by 2012-13 if an 18.5 per cent growth rate is ensured.

Country’s leading economist MA Taslim presented a keynote paper on ‘RMG growth: Capacity constraint’ and Abu Eusuf presented another paper on ‘Role of RMG sector in attaining the Vision 2021′ at a discussion meet organised by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at a city hotel Tuesday.

City’s leading businessmen including president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Annisul Huq, eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossian, noted economist Mozaffar Ahmed and former FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain were present on the occasion.

Besides, former president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Latifur Rahman, former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry ASM Quasem and editors of leading dailies were also present, among others, at the programme.

The economists said the RMG export may reach $ 42 billion by 2020-21 if a 10 per cent growth is ensured during the period.

“It may be $ 32.6 billion if the growth rate is ensured at 6.5 per cent annually by 2020-21,” MA Taslim said.

They said the industry will employ over 4.5 million labour forces during the period.

They said more than two thousand new firms and additional two million workers will be needed to achieve the desired growth of RMG sector by 2020-21.

“This cannot be done by the private sector alone as major investment in public services will be necessary,” said MA Taslim.

He also said the government and the RMG entrepreneurs must address the major capacity constraints quickly if the RMG sector is to realise its full potential.

He said RMG manufacturing units need to be relocated to specially earmarked industrial parks or RMG villages with all infrastructure services including power.

He said there is a good opportunity to develop the economically backward northern and southern belts of the country with abundant supply of cheap labour.

Mr Abu Eusuf, who presented the keynote paper on behalf of economist Atiur Rahman, said according to Vision 2021, 89.25 million people would be provided with employment.

“In order to achieve that goal RMG sector and associated businesses have to absorb at least 22.59 million people,” he added.

He said: “This is possible, provided the sector gets adequate government support in infrastructure, finance, human resource development, peaceful labour market etc.”

He also said government should form a special body to keep the labour market cool for smooth operation of RMG factories.

He said internal CSR activities should be encouraged through adequate incentives.

Impact of global financial crisis on RMG sector should be regularly monitored and necessary corrective measures be taken quickly, he added.

Bicycle export 60 pc up

http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/archive/March%2009/12-3-2009.htm#back%20page

Bicycle export 60 pc up
Staff Correspondent

Earnings from the country’s bicycle export rose by more than 60 percent in the first eight months of current fiscal year mainly due to rise in value and increase in demand, industry people said.

Local bicycle manufacturers fetched US$52.74 million from export of bicycle in the first eight months (July-February) in the current fiscal year over the same period of last fiscal, according to the Export Promotion Bur-eau (EPB).

Bangladesh exported $64.28 million worth of bicycles in 2007-08, which was 18.93 percent up from that of 2006-07. The value addition is about 20-25 percent after spending foreign exchange on imports of raw materials.

Local bicycle manufacturers said their earnings significantly increased mainly due to the rise in value of bicycles and increase in sales.

Local bicycle manufacturers are now selling bicycles at a price higher by 10 percent over the previous rate, but they said Bangladesh is still in a better position over price competitiveness.

Halim Khan, executive director of Bangladesh’s premier bicycle manufacturing company Meghna Group, said “There is still potential as demand for our bicycles in the European markets is on the rise due mainly to price competitiveness.”

Local manufacturers said China, the world’s main bicycle exporting country, is now converting its industries into high-end products and this is helping Bangladesh’s bicycles industry.

“We have also potentials as global bicycle manufacturing leader China is not at all encouraging investment in such light engineering venture like bicycles in the country,” they said.

They said low cost labour and availability of latest technology helped Bangladesh compete with Thailand, Vie-tnam, by manufacturing fashionable bicycles.

According to industry sources, some 15 local companies, employing over 3,000 workers, are manufacturing and assembling sport bicycles for export.

Currently, some of the world’s leading companies, including Raleigh, PCM and Motor and Sports of the UK and Aldi of Holland, Bacht-enkirch Interbike of Germany, M&F De Schee-maeker and Formula Cycling of Belgium are importing bicycles from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh manufactures mountain bikes, city bikes, free styles, trekking, folding, beach cruiser and kid bikes. Industry insiders said the country can export around 2.0 million pieces of bicycles a year.

Strawberry eyes Tk 10cr a year

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=79462

Strawberry eyes Tk 10cr a year

A woman works at a strawberry field in Rajshahi. Growers and traders of the fruit are expecting a Tk10 crore annual turnover, as they launch its commercial cultivation this year.Photo: STAR

Anwar Ali, Rajshahi

Strawberry growers and traders in Bangladesh are expecting Tk 10 crore in annual turnover, as they go into its first-ever commercial cultivation this year.

Rajshahi University teacher Dr Manzur Hossain, who developed the fruit nearly a decade ago, expects nearly 25 tonnes of output from about 8.5 acres of land in 45 districts until April.

Growers claim the cultivation of this money-spinning, nutritious, delicious foreign fruit will spin nearly Tk 10 crore worth of trade a year.

“The initial commercial production will meet 50 percent of the gross annual demand for the fruit. At present, the demand for the fruit stands at 50 tonnes,” said Hossain, also the general secretary of Bangladesh Strawberry Farmers Association, which monitors the fruit’s cultivation in the country.

Production will continue to increase significantly from next year, as the growers taste success, he said.

Meanwhile, horticulturist Quamruzzaman in Natore has successfully grown two American varieties of strawberry this year, a major breakthrough in its cultivation. The variety is of optimal weight, better taste and colour.

Each strawberry nearly weighs 75 grams, three times higher than the usual 25 grams. The new varieties are becoming popular, especially among buyers, said Quamruzzaman.

“I have been experimenting on the export quality camarosa and festival varieties for the last few years. This year, it proved to be a success,” he said, adding that each plant bears some 15 fruits with an average weight of 750 grams.

Many young businessmen have taken the fruit to urban markets in Dhaka, cashing in on lofty sales.

Although growers get between Tk 500 and Tk 750 per kilogram, the fruit is sold for Tk 850 to Tk 1300 per kilogram, said people familiar with the matter.

As the fruit gains popularity and cultivation increases, the price will come down, said traders.

“The strawberry trade is quite lucrative as it provides employment opportunities for many,” said ASM Mizanur Rahman, who intends to take a tonne of the fruit to Dhaka from Rajshahi.

“So far, I sold 250 kilograms of the fruit. I also employed several youths to give me a hand at marketing the strawberries. The fruit is receiving good responses in markets,” said Rahman, a private jobholder in Dhaka.

Many are currently involved in collecting strawberries at Tk 650 from the farmers and selling at an average Tk 850 per kilogram.

Dr Hossain of Rajshahi University, who recently travelled to many districts to study the cultivation of the fruit, said it is gaining popularity at a good pace. It is growing best in Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Dhaka and Chittagong.

He said each strawberry plant bears around 250 to 300 grams of fruit and some 6,000 plants can be grown on one bigha of land. A farmer can easily do business worth Tk 6 lakh, by a yield of 2,000 kilograms of fruit on a bigha of land at an expense of Tk 20,000.

“Even if strawberries sell at Tk 100 per kilogram, a farmer can earn Tk 2,00,000,” said Hossain.

M Shamim Ali cultivated strawberry on a small piece of land at Yousufpur, Charghat. He hopes to sell nearly 150 kilograms this season.

“I spent only Tk 9,000 on cultivation and I fetched profits of Tk 1,00,000. I sell 3 kilograms of strawberry per day. I will cultivate it on a bigha next year,” he said.

Sector people said the country meets its current demand of 50 tonnes of strawberries via imports from different countries, including the USA, Thailand and Australia.

Strawberries are eaten as it is and used in preparing ice-cream, jam, jelly, pickles, chocolates, biscuits, cake and milk shakes.

Growers urged the government to take immediate steps to support the export of the fruit. With a great export potential, the sweet and attractive fruit will open a new horizon for farmers, if it gets government patronisation, they said.

anwar.ali@thedailystar.net

$43.8m HK-Taiwan joint venture co in Karnaphuli EPZ soon

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/03/12/60971.html

$43.8m HK-Taiwan joint venture co in Karnaphuli EPZ soon

FE Report

Hong Kong-Taiwan joint venture company Bangladesh Pou Hung Industrial Ltd will manufacture finished leather, footwear, leather-goods and related components in Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone.

This wholly foreign-owned company will invest US$ 43.799 million in setting up their unit. The company will create employment opportunity for 3582 person including 57 foreign nationals.

An agreement to this effect was executed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and the Bangladesh Pou Hung at BEPZA Complex in the city recently, says a press release.

BEPZA Executive Chairman Jamil Ahmed Khan and other officials from both of the organisations were present on the occasion.

IFC wing, BKMEA to conduct study to set up Knit Village

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=79331

IFC wing, BKMEA to conduct study to set up Knit Village
Star Business Desk

IFC Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (IFC-BICF) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have recently signed a cooperation agreement to conduct a pre-feasibility study for setting up a special economic zone styled ‘Knit Village’ for the knitwear sector, said a statement.

The objective of the partnership is to help the BKMEA develop the Knit Village based on a proper feasibility study, which includes market demand forecast, and financial and economic viability.

Fazlul Hoque, president of the association, and from IFC-BICF, Thomas Davenport, senior manager of the Foreign Investment Advisory Services of World Bank Group, and James Crittle, head of IFC in Bangladesh, were present at the signing ceremony.

Hoque said knitwear is the biggest export earning sector of the country where the current growth rate is 27 percent. Bangladesh’s knitwear export volume is in the third position and only China and Turkey are ahead of the country in the global market, he added.

More then three hundred new factories join the sector each year, Hoque said, adding that Bangladesh has a great potential for becoming the top knitwear exporter in the world, and needs to plan ahead and maximise output through public-private partnership.

James Crittle said the basic criteria for an economic zone are the site, access to transportation, utilities, benchmarking, financial and economic analysis. IFC has extensive global experience in providing such technical assistance and has already completed a feasibility study in Sylhet, Crittle said.

Economic zones are not a choice between agriculture and industry, but an excellent tool to integrate industrial, agricultural and services sectors, said Davenport.

The proposed Knit Village will house all kinds of knit-related factories in a selected area. These factories will be eligible to complete all the production stages such as knitting, printing and dyeing at the same place, reducing cost and time.

A common effluent treatment plant will be constructed in the area and a separate energy plant would provide uninterrupted power supply to the entire village.

Farmers harvest bumper pulses production in N-region

http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/archive/March%2009/12-3-2009.htm#national

Farmers harvest bumper pulses production in N-region
BSS, Rajshahi

The farmers have started harvesting of lentil and Chickpea (gram) with expectation of bumper production everywhere in the northern region during the current season.
Officials said, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has fixed a target of producing 1,04,415 tonnes of pulses including lentil, gram and mashkalai from around 1.04 lakh hectares of lands in the country’s 16 northern districts under Rajshahi division.

Sources said here today that 50,313 tonnes of lentil, 5,812 tonnes of gram and 48,290 tonnes of mashkalai would be produced during the current Rabi season in the region and harvesting of maskalai and mug-bean were completed. Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), DAE and several NGOs have taken necessary steps to make the cultivation of pulses a success in the region.

Under the programme, the farmers soon after harvesting the transplanted Aman paddy had brought 95,112 hectares of lands under pulses production in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Joypurhat districts under the Rajshahi Agriculture Zone during the current season. Similarly, a total of 9,303 hectares of lands were brought under the farming in eight other districts of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts under the Rangpur Agriculture Zone.

Adequate training, technical assistances, inputs, high quality imported and locally produced seeds and agri-loans were provided to the farmers under various programmes of different government and non-government organizations.

The officials said, special steps, taken in recent years to produce pulses, helped increase production of pulses to keep the price of these food items within tolerable limit.
On Farm Research Division (OFRD) of the BARI has been implementing the field-level research programmes styled “Reduction of Yield Gap of Gram” aimed at making the gram farming popular at the growers’ level through applying modern method. OFRD Senior Officer Shafiqul Islam told BSS that the research programmes have already created a positive impact among the target groups and said the prospect of gram cultivation in the high lands is bright.

“Chickpea seeds should be sown in lands under the arrangement of insufficient irrigation within two to three days after the harvest of Aman paddy,” he said. Under the programme, the OFRD provides all sorts of inputs like seed and other technical know-how to reduce the yield gap at the farmers’ level.

In the developed method, Islam said, if the gram farming among farmers could be made popular, the government can save huge hard- earned foreign currencies being spent for importing this item. Additional Director of DAE Abul Basher said emphasis is being given on increasing production of high yielding seeds through the farmers’ level extension and application of the high yielding varieties. Farmers are being habituated with the modern cultivation method along with using quality seed through establishing projection plot of improved technologies for enhancing pulse output.

Chief Scientific Officer of Regional Agriculture Research Station at Ishwardi under BARI Dr. Jalal Uddin said BARI and BINA have developed 11 high yielding varieties of lentil and gram and said required steps were taken to increase production of the varieties by providing modern technology to the farmers.

He said, the farmers are being imparted training on Inter-cropping of lentil and gram with sugarcane and the method has become popular in many places in the region.

To remove the crisis of quality seed, Dr Jalal said, step has been taken to establish seed-village with farmers’ participation for enhancing production of breeder seed.

Considering the agricultural environment and socio-economic condition of the region, the rice-gram crop-diversification method should be promoted at the grassroots as it has been adjudged as profit making, cost-effective and timesaving.

Referring to the immense prospect of the crop, he said, if the yield could be enhanced to the expected level through expansion of modern cultivation methods the nation could save the hard-earned foreign currency.

Experts said, importance should be given on formation of farmers group in block system instead of personal initiative. Such, the existing prospects in the agriculture sector could be made realistic. Senior agro-experts of DAE, BADC and BARI said pulse import would be reduced further next year if its production target were achieved.