X-Ceramics to go for trial production by end of next month

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/07/05/72004.html

X-Ceramics to go for trial production by end of next month

Mehdi Musharraf Bhuiyan

A homegrown real estate conglomerate is aiming to give country’s changing skyline a real shine by locally producing ceramic wall tiles which can be used not only in the buildings’ interior but also on the exterior.

From its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sreepur of Gazipur, X-Ceramics Limited, a Tk 607.32 million project has embarked on a mega project of establishing, what has been termed as ‘the largest ceramic tiles manufacturing facility’ in Bangladesh.

“We are going for trial production by the end of August,” Managing Director of X-Ceramics Limited Mahin Mazher told FE recently in an interview. “To that end, major infrastructure work has already been completed while machinery installations are going on in full swing,” he added.

X-Ceramics is a concern of the decade-old Index group of companies.

“Our plant will produce porcelain and ceramic floor and wall tiles both for interior and exterior use, however production of exterior ceramic tiles will be unique in sense that it is for the first time that tiles made of ceramics intended for external use would be manufactured within the country,” Mahin said.

Although the use of ceramic tiles for the floor and on the interior wall of the building has become the norm in the country for a while now, use of the same on the building’s exterior is still a rare sight.

Mahin says that his company is aiming to tap into this vacuum, as there could be a huge demand for such exterior ceramic tiles in the local market because of their durable resistance against heat and humidity.

“One major benefits of using such exterior tiles are they never fade in the sunlight or in any extreme weather condition, something to which most of the buildings in our country are prone to,” Mahin said.

“In rare cases, various expensive stone types are used on the exterior as a possible way out but that is an expensive idea,” he said, adding, “rather than that, use of such exterior ceramics which could be offered at a competitive price, offers an affordable solution”.

“Apart from that, using the exterior tiles shall protect interior plaster and paints from outside water penetrations while enhancing the building’s look by many folds,” he added.

Index Companies; to which X Ceramics is a subsidiary, has a three decade long legacy of constructing or designing a number of architectural landmarks in the Dhaka city that now houses various top government offices or business houses.

Now, in addition to pioneering the use of exterior ceramics in the country’s booming housing sector, X-ceramics is also aiming to grab a lion’s share of the country’s overall market for ceramics wall and floor tiles.

“The market for ceramics floor and wall tiles in the country is an ever growing one, with the daily domestic output is estimated at one hundred thousand square meter which is worth of around Tk 35 million,” Mahin said.

“To begin with, we will have a daily production capacity of 10,000 square meter, but by the end of the year, it would be increased to 27,000 square meter per day, which would make us the single largest player in the market with 20 percent more output capacity than our nearest competitor and a market share of 25 percent,” he added.

The company received financial support worth Tk 350 million from six private banks. The banks are Prime Bank Limited, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Limited, Social Islami Bank Limited, Southeast Bank Limited and Trust Bank Limited.

X Ceramics boss also says that sooner than later his company would go for the production of tableware like teapot and cups which is another ceramic byproduct with huge demand in the local market.

He informed further that currently his company is also looking to form partnership with an overseas entity (whose name he prefers not to mention) for further sharing of technological know how, to turn it into the ‘first ever European standard multinational joint venture ceramics manufacturing facility’ in Bangladesh.

RAK Pharma makes debut

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/07/05/72006.html

RAK Pharma makes debut

FE Report

RAK Pharmaceuticals Private Limited- the drug-manufacturing arm of the global conglomerate RAK Group has tapped into the country’s booming pharmaceuticals market with the launching of its 13 brand new medicine products Friday.

The UAE-based corporate giant with a substantial presence in the local market for ceramic products, now emerges as the latest player to watch for in the country’s highly competitive pharmaceuticals sector.

The company formally unveiled its whole new range of medicine products through an official launching ceremony at a city hotel this weekend. Minister for Health and Family Planning A F M Ruhul Haque attended the occasion as the chief guest.

Unveiling the product; the health minister in his speech said that the present government is committed from the very beginning for the export facilitation of the local pharmaceuticals industry realizing the high growth potential of the sector.

He also asked the RAK Pharmaceuticals authority to explore international market for their products to turn it into an export-oriented venture.

Chairman of RAK Pharmaceuticals Private Limited Khatar Massad said that the company would extensively capitalize on its experience in pharmaceuticals sector in other countries to make a mark into the Bangladeshi market.

“In the near future, RAK would like to expand its operation into other growing segments in this country including real estate,” he added.

Chief Executive Officer of RAK Pharmaceuticals Private Limited (Bangladesh) A H M Zaker said the newborn company would soon launch 13 more medicine products to cater the local market.

“From our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility set up on 5.3 acre area at Sreepur of Gazipur and built at an expense of Tk. 800 million, we would go all-out to maintain the best quality in our manufactured product,” he added.

Adviser to the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries Mizanur Rahman Sinha also spoke on the occasion.

Established in the 1980s in Ras Al Khaimah- one of the seven emirates of the UAE, the RAK Group is now one of the largest producers of ceramic products while its other concerns include pharmaceuticals, painting and porcelain.

Restoration of Asian Silk Route won’t help Bangladesh

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jul/05/edit.html#1

Restoration of Asian Silk Route won’t help Bangladesh

It is a matter of serious concern that a multilateral lending agency, involved in substantial infrastructure development, especially roads and highways, appears to be advocating a certain position regarding the Asian Highway Network, which would not suit the national interests of Bangladesh. According to a report published in New Age on Saturday, a paper of the Asian Development Bank, titled, ‘Restoring the Asian Silk Route: Toward an Integrated Asia’, points out that Bangladesh stands to gain substantially by reopening the ancient and fabled trade route that accounted for a considerable trade volume in the 13th century.

Although the study, practically conducted by a couple of Indians, fails to project the potential volume of trade that might be generated by restoring this old route, it posits that restoring the route would eventually benefit Bangladesh. A critical look at the study shows that restoration of the Silk Route—which existed over 700 years ago and the dynamics of the region where it existed have changed significantly since— promotes and strengthens the Indian position of linking Bangladesh to the Asian Highway Network through India both on the east and the west. While we have no problem with India to gain certain advantages, we are concerned about the disadvantages that Bangladesh would be exposed to in case of restoration of the Silk route.

Substantial economic gains are among the most compelling reasons for increased connectivity. Increased connectivity expedites and facilitates the potentials for increased trade and thereby increased interaction among the peoples of different regions. We have stated a number of times before in these leaders that increased connectivity among the countries of the subcontinent is imperative for an integrated South Asia. But such integration should come on the back of enhanced trade, increased interaction among the peoples and comprehensive mutual benefits from such interaction and cooperation.

The Asian Highway Network provides such an opportunity for not just South Asia but also the emerging countries of South East Asia with their lucrative markets. Bangladesh should by all means join this highway network and there should not be an iota of doubt that it would be beneficial for Bangladesh. But Bangladesh needs to choose the best option for itself to get connected with the network when three alternative routes are there. Two of the three routes are through India on the east, the Silk Route being one and the third is through Myanmar—which has so far been favoured by Bangladesh, and quite rightly so—in the east connecting both Bhutan and Nepal in Bangladesh’s north-west through India. This route has a far greater potential to increase trade volume since these countries are virtually untapped markets for Bangladesh. We believe the only benchmark to decide on a certain route must be on the basis of comparative economic gains, as well as strategic advantages for Bangladesh. The choice of route must be such that it offers Bangladesh substantially better terms of trade through economic advantages and at the same time help preserve its strategic interest. Of the available routes, the one linking the Asian highway through Myanmar on the east ensures both, and therefore Bangladesh should go for that, in case it cannot wrestle out something better.

Bangladesh-Japan joint venture launched

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jul/03/busi.html#7

Bangladesh-Japan joint venture launched
Staff Correspondent

A new business, jointly ventured by businessmen from Bangladesh and Japan, has been launched with initial focuses on information technology, energy saving equipment and preservatives.

BJ International Company (Private) Limited launched its business on Wednesday night at a local hotel in presence of a minister, bureaucrats, businessmen and leaders of different trade bodies.

Initially, the company would emphasise on video communication and video security technologies, low price internet protocol, power saving LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp and natural preservative to help preserve fruits and vegetables.

The company will gradually extend their businesses to health sector including construction of hospitals and clinics and manufacturing and sales of medicine and healthy food.

Mustafijur Rahman, managing director of the company, told New Age that it would take about 2-3 months to make their products available to the customers.

About the amount of investment in the business, he said, ‘I do not want to specify any figure. All I can say that we have just started with initial investment of $200,000.’

However, Mustafijur, an expatriate in Japan for over two decades, said that the Japanese financiers had huge investment capability. ‘It will not be a problem to invest thousands of crore of taka. Once, we get settled money will keep coming.’

The financiers, who are also president and vice president of the company, are involved in IT and medicine businesses in Japan, he said.

The managing director said that his company is capable to make huge contribution to the country’s telecommunication infrastructure.

About investment in the health sector, he said, ‘Hopefully, within next 6-12 months we will be able to undertake projects to make hospitals and clinics of world standard.’

Jun Tsutsumida, the president of the company, told the launching ceremony that the profits made from the businesses would not be taken to Japan rather it would be invested in Bangladesh.

He said that the use of LED lamp would greatly help the power scarce Bangladesh as the lamp consumes only half of the power that a fluorescent lamp burns. It costs less than the fluorescent lamp but lasts 7-8 times more, he added.

Jun said the state-of-the-art digital security system would provide foolproof security to establishments where it is installed. By installing the internet-based security system, one can even monitor what is happening in one’s establishment from anywhere, he said.

He said that video communication technology will facilitate videoconference and easy and fast transfer of video data. It will greatly benefit the television channels and other organizations transmitting video data.

Speaking as chief guest, the minister for posts and telecommunications, Razi Uddin Ahmed Razu, welcomed the initiative and assured government cooperation.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry president, Annisul Huq, and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Zafar Osman, also assured their cooperation to the newly-launched company.

New technology to save urea, increase yield

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=95333

New technology to save urea, increase yield
Porimol Palma

Bangladesh can become self-sufficient in urea fertiliser and reduce the production cost of rice drastically by using urea deep placement (UDP) technology, agriculturists said.

The UDP technology requires around 50 percent less urea but it can increase the yield by 25 percent more, they noted.

The annual demand for urea is now around 28 lakh metric tons while its annual domestic production is about 18 lakh metric tons. The current annual production of fertiliser would be enough for the country if UDP technology can be widely used, they said.

As a result, there would be no need to import fertiliser and Bangladesh also could produce 8 to 10 lakh metric tons less urea to save natural gas.

Expansion of such a technology is crucial for the country, especially at a time when farmers suffer loss due to high production cost of crops and the country goes through a gas crisis for producing power from the natural gas, they said.

“If UDP technology can be used for 80 percent rice cultivation which is very much possible, then we can save eight to 10 lakh metric tons urea,” said Dr AKM Farhad, director of a government-funded programme–Guti Urea Technology Expansion Technology to Save Urea.

Urea briquette, popularly known as ‘guti urea’, is produced from traditional urea fertiliser using locally made machines. While traditional urea fertiliser is used thrice for a crop, Guti urea is used only once.

On an average, farmers use 300 kgs urea for paddy cultivation per hectare while only 160 to 170 kgs ‘guti urea’ is sufficient for the UDP, said Mofizul Islam, senior agriculturist of International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) in Dhaka.

But one to 1.5 tonnes more rice can be produced using guti urea. If generally 4 tonnes rice is produced in a hectare, then its production will be 5 to 5.5 tonnes with UDP, he said.

“When guti urea is used, paddy plants do not suffer from hidden hunger, meaning that the plants take protein when necessary. But in case of broadcast urea, its amount may be less or more,” Mofizul Islam told The Daily Star.

Besides, a lot of nitrogen goes in the air during the use of broadcast urea, affecting the environment. More weeds grow in the paddy field because of using traditional urea.

Guti urea supplies balanced food to the plants. Farmers can also save their time, as the number of weeds is low because of using the UDP technology.

Barik Master, a farmer of Tangail, said he used only 500 to 600 grams guti urea per decimal during the last Boro season while he used 1 kg to 1.25 kg traditional urea for the same land.

“Surprisingly, the yield was over 27 kgs per decimal last time while it was around 20 kg in the past years,” he said.

Barik said his total cost was Tk 3,000 for 15-decimal land while the yield was over 10 maunds.

Farmers suffer loss or can make a very marginal profit by selling paddy at Tk 480 to Tk 500, Barik said, adding that he could make a good profit if the production cost is reduced.

With the assistance of IFDC and Department of Agriculture Extension, 6.5 hectares of land in 310 upazilas across the country were brought under UDP technology last Boro season. IFDC introduced the technology in the ’90s.

Only in last Boro season, the technology saved around 84,500 metric tons of urea fertiliser, says a calculation.

Dr AKM Farhad said 80 percent land used for rice cultivation could be brought under the technology. Rest 20 percent is not possible because guti urea cannot be used for high, more sandy and clay land.

“We do not need to import urea if all the factories can produce fertiliser,” he said.

Supershield to manufacture PVCu doors, windows

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/07/03/71756.html

Supershield to manufacture PVCu doors, windows

FE Report

Supershield Bangladesh Limited (SBL) is going to manufacture environment friendly PVCu doors and windows which are sound and heat-proof.

Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) will finance the project.

State minister for housing and public works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan inaugurated the operations of the company Wednesday.

Stephen Evans, British High Commissioner in Bangladesh was the special guest of the inauguration programme.

SBL claimed PVCu doors and windows are highly secured, heat and sound proof. They would prevent houses, hospitals, schools, colleges and commercial organisations from sound pollution.

SBL chairman, Koyes Ahmed presided over the programme. SBL managing director Moinul Islam, production director Barry D Schmid, and REHAU director Ajay Khorana among others, spoke in the programme.

Govt should now ask India to recall its envoy

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jul/03/edit.html#1

Govt should now ask India to recall its envoy

THE foreign minister’s realisation that the Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, ‘might have stepped out of line’ in his remarks at a seminar in the capital on June 21 may be belated but is welcome nonetheless. Also, her explanation as to why, despite being present at the seminar, she did not respond to Pinak’s comments – ‘I don’t think it is prudent on the part of a foreign minister to respond to comments of a diplomat’ – tends to indicate that she may have finally begun to realise the gravity and prestige of the post that she holds. Disappointingly though, she tried to pass her criticism of the Indian high commissioner as a ‘personal opinion’. What she apparently overlooked is the fact that when a foreign minister makes a comment in public it ceases to be a personal view and becomes the view of the government that s/he represents. It follows then that, when the foreign minister says the Indian high commissioner ‘might have stepped out of line in his remarks that day’, her words encapsulate the sentiment of the entire government. Naturally, then, it is expected that the government will do what the government of a sovereign state would do in such circumstances – it should ask New Delhi to recall Chakravarty immediately.

The Awami League-led government does appear increasingly fractured on the controversial Indian plan to construct a dam on the river Barak at Tipaimukh in Assam, some 200 kilometres upstream of the Bangladesh border. At one end, several members of the cabinet have publicly proclaimed their faith in Delhi’s assurance that the proposed dam would not harm Bangladesh in any away and that there might actually be benefit for Bangladesh to be had from the dam. At the other end, at least two cabinet members voiced, in public, their opposition to the controversial project – one on Wednesday and the other before the AL-led government came to power. Also on Wednesday, at the same function, three parliamentarians of the ruling alliance also demanded that the government should take immediate actions to stop construction of the Tipaimukh dam. Thus far, the prime minister and the foreign minister have taken the middle road in the debate and insisted that the government will make its decision in this regard on the basis of the findings and recommendations of a team of parliamentarians and experts due to visit Tipaimukh soon and in the best interest of the country.

Divergence of views is the signature of democratic governance, and it is indeed refreshing that such an issue of national interest as Tipaimukh is debated in different public forums, with the parliamentarians of the ruling alliance joining in, both in favour and against. However, with regard to the remarks of the Indian high commissioner, there is hardly any space for such divergence, for those were not only disrespectful of the country’s leading water experts but also indicative of the Indian establishment’s inclination to arm-twisting the Bangladesh into submission to its whims and wishes. Hence, the AL administration needs to publicly condemn the remarks and ask its Indian counterpart to immediately recall Chakravarty; failure to do so would only be perceived as its unwillingness or inability to exercise the authority befitting the government of a sovereign state.

Solar-power system can provide 300mw power for national grid: Experts

http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=131927

Solar-power system can provide 300mw power for national grid: Experts

UNB, Dhaka

Nearly 300 megawatts of power can easily be generated from solar energy to feed the hungry national grid if solar-power systems are installed on rooftops of 20,000 multistoried buildings in Dhaka, experts say.

They said only coordinated efforts both by the government and non-governmental organisations with the participation of academics and professionals, working on this sector, in government’s Renewable Energy Policy can bring the success in introducing solar-power system in urban areas.

“We appreciate government initiative and budgetary measures to ensure easier access to solar-power system and the government should implement it as there is no alternative other than proceeding towards renewable energy,” Prof Dr NC Bhowmik, Director of Renewable Energy Research Centre, Dhaka University, said at a press briefing yesterday.

He said government’s Renewable Energy Policy adopted in December last should be successfully implemented. “For successful implementation of the policy the government should involve renewable energy-based academics and professionals to avoid wrong steps from non-professional and amateur guidance.”

Prof Bhowmik said the government would have to come forward with 50 per cent subsidy on solar pump and bank loan with minimum interest rate to cut dependence on the national grid as nearly 760-megawatt power is being utilised each year for irrigation purpose.

Earlier, reading out a written paper, Prof Dr Saiful Huque, Secretary of Bangladesh Solar Energy Society, urged the government to make arrangement for easy-term loan with small interest from banks for self-financed renewable-energy projects.

He said the government can purchase additional generated power for national grid at high rate so that people feel encouraged to install solar-power systems in urban areas.
Prof Saiful demanded making all equipment of renewable energy, including battery, either produced locally or imported, tax-free. He also demanded special allocation for research and development on renewable energy, including allocation for university-level training and popularisation of renewable energy.

Earlier, Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech proposed withdrawal of all types of TAX and VAT on renewable-energy equipment for the next fiscal budget.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Bank declared a revolving fund of Tk 200 crore with 5 per cent interest on renewable-energy projects.

Bangladesh Solar Energy Society considers these steps as progressive and time-worthy, says Prof Saiful Huque. “If the government fulfils this tax-withdrawal policy, there is a realistic chance of achieving targeted goal of 10 per cent electricity from renewable energy by the year 2020,” he told the journalists.

It is learnt that nearly 300,000 solar-power systems are now meeting power demand in rural areas, of which 240,000 systems are installed by Grameen Shokhti alone.