BD performs well in terms of HR dev, economic growth

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=156348&date=2011-11-18

UNCTAD report on LDCs launched
BD performs well in terms of HR dev, economic growth
FE Report

Bangladesh has performed well in terms of human resource (HR) development and economic growth compared with many other Least Developed Countries (LDCs), said the UNCTAD Report-2011 on LDCs revealed by a local think-tank in the capital Thursday.

“Bangladesh should take the opportunities of South-South cooperation in order to attain sustainable development and inclusive growth,” it added.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) launched the report prepared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which was released Thursday globally from its office in the city.

CPD Executive Director Prof Mustafizur Rahman said South-South cooperation is essential for LDCs including Bangladesh for their sustainable development.

“The South-South cooperation can be conducive to the emergence of an effective and stronger state in the LDCs,” he said quoting the report.

He said that Bangladesh should get continued duty-free access to the developed countries’ markets with technological and financial support in order to be graduated from the LDC status.

Head of research of the CPD Dr Fahmida Khatun said the major challenges that the LDCs are facing are extreme poverty and GDP growth.

She said the share of total number of people living in extreme poverty in LDCs increased from 18 per cent in 1990 to 27 per cent in 2000.

It reached 36 per cent in 2007 and the real per capita GDP was 2 per cent of that of developed economies at the beginning of 1970s that declined to only 1.5 per cent in 2009.

The report said in terms of economic vulnerability, Bangladesh shows better accomplishment compared with other LDCs.

But in case of real growth of per capita GDP, the performance is average, the same as LDCs and well below the Asian LDCs.

It said the country’s capital formation looks good but the saving-investment gap needs considerable attention.

“Bangladesh remains the largest recipient of remittance among the LDCs. Bangladesh was placed 6th among the top LDC exporters to Southern Partners (SP) in 2009 after Angola, Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar and Equatorial Guinea,” the report said.

It said that Bangladesh’s share of the total LDCs’ merchandise export to SP is 3.2 per cent. Of the LDCs, Bangladesh is maintaining low (among the lowest) external debt GDP ratio.

The report shows the economic ties between the LDCs and other developing countries are increasing rapidly, with US$ 69 billion of exports from the LDCs mainly to China and India. Developing countries account for over half of LDCs’ total merchandise imports.

It also highlighted a number of crucial areas where LDCs including Bangladesh should focus in their attempt to build developmental state in their own countries for strengthening global strengthening of their economies.

South-South cooperation brings forth not only opportunities but new challenges ahead of LDCs in view of differences in geography, population, economy size and capacity of the countries.

It also puts emphasis on the importance of institutions both at regional and national level.

Financial cooperation using Sovereign Wealth Fund through investment in infrastructure, agriculture, capacity building and productive sectors can leverage the development goals of the LDCs which in turn would benefit both the parties.

The report calls for the establishment of an enabling policy framework to harness the growing economic ties within the South with the goal of fostering structural transformation and economic diversification. The UNCTAD study also urges the LDCs to forge a proactive and strategic approach to their integration with developing country partners, leveraging synergies and complementarities across them.

The South-South cooperation should be viewed as a complementary and reinforcing element to North-North cooperation, the report mentioned.

“South-South cooperation should be a complement not a substitute for North-South cooperation,” the report added.

Nearly 4000 books to be made e-books every year

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=212591&date=2011-11-17

Nearly 4000 books to be made e-books every year

DHAKA, Nov 17 (BSS) – Nearly 4000 books of district and divisional level libraries in the country will be made e-books, the electronic version of the books, every year for digitizing the existing cumbersome library management system.

“The e-books to be linked to a central web portal would help creating a knowledge based society ensuring easy access to the readers on it,” National Project Director of UNDP-funded Support to Digital Bangladesh (A2I) Md Nazrul Islam Khan told a daylong workshop held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today.

Over 150 librarians of different government and non- government run libraries of the country participated in the workshop jointly organised by Support to Digital Bangladesh (A2I) of PMO and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Nazrul Islam Khan, also the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, said there are around 400 government and non-government libraries at district and divisional levels across the country.

“I am impressed to see that the librarians who are participating in the workshop have extended their full support to make at least 10 electronic versions (e-book) books of their libraries every year,” he added.

Nazrul Islam said the digitization of libraries and e-books will make available all books, journals and other study resources to the doorstep of common people, which will help enhance practice of knowledge.

“The prime objective of Digital Bangladesh is to ensure people’s access to all public services,” he said adding the initiative to launch online library management system would be another step towards the implementation of Digital Bangladesh.

Nazrul Islam said all the universities of the country would be advised to turn the books having no copyrights into electronic form to connect to the digital system.

“The books with copyrights can also be made e-books with permission from proper authorities,” he said.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Suraiya Begum, Director of Directorate of Public Library Md. Nur Hossain Talukder and Prof Dr M Nasiruddin Munshi of Information Science and Library Management Department of Dhaka University, among others, addressed the workshop.

City Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Ajit Kumar Sarkar and Director General of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Dulal Chandra Biswas were present on the occasion.

Nur Hossain said online library management system will create an excellent opportunity for book lovers of any corner in the country to make enlighten people as well as human resources.

All major libraries in the developed world already have gone online, which have played extraordinary role in disseminating knowledge among the people particularly researchers, teachers and students, Prof Nasiruddin said adding, “Now time has come to make our libraries into digitization. Otherwise we will lag behind in building an educated nation,” he added.

An official of Support to Digital Bangladesh said all the books in the public libraries, schools and universities would be made electronic in phases so people can read those from anywhere.

Lithuania keen to import Bangladeshi vegetable, fish

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=212554&date=2011-11-17

Lithuania keen to import Bangladeshi vegetable, fish

DHAKA, Nov 17 (BSS) – Lithuania, a former part of the then Soviet Union, is keen to import fresh vegetable and fish from Bangladesh considering their high quality and competitive price.

This was apprised to President Zillur Rahman by the newly appointed Ambassador of Lithuania to Bangladesh Petras Simeliunas while presenting his credentials to the President at Bangabhaban here.

Welcoming the new envoy at Bangabhaban, the President expressed his satisfaction over the existing friendly and cordial bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Lithuania.

Through the Ambassador, the President urged the Lithuanian government to recruit skilled and semiskilled manpower from here who could contribute to the economies of both the countries.

President Rahman laid emphasis on increasing trade and commerce relation between Bangladesh and Lithuania.

In this regard, the President urged Lithuanian entrepreneurs to import world standard Bangladeshi products like pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, ceramic and leather and leather goods considering their competitive prices.

Zillur Rahman recalled his consecutive visits to former Soviet Union after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

The new envoy apprised the President that his country is keen to increase trade and commerce relations with Bangladesh.

The Ambassador observed that exchange of high level delegations between the two countries would help to explore new avenues of trade between Bangladesh and Lithuania.

Secretaries concerned of the President’s Office and high officials of the foreign ministry were present on the occasion.

Earlier on his arrival at Bangabhaban, the new Ambassador was given a guard of honour by a contingent of the President’s guard regiment.

Potato to be cultivated on 42,000 hectares in Joypurhat

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=2&id=212780&date=2011-11-18

Potato to be cultivated on 42,000 hectares in Joypurhat

JOYPURHAT, 18 Nov (BSS) – A total of 42,000 hectares of land have been brought under potato cultivation in five upazilas of the district during the current Rabi season with a production target of 9,94,000 tonnes.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, the farmers of the district will cultivate high yielding varieties of potato on 35,000 hectares of land while local varieties will be cultivated on 7,000 hectares this season.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) has taken measures to provide the farmers with high yielding varieties of seeds, fertilisers, insecticides and other inputs for making the programme a success.

Different government and private commercial banks including Rajshali Krishi Unnayon Bank Joypurhat Zonal Office have been disbursing loans among the poor, small and marginal farmers for the purpose, the sources said.

Deputy Director of DAE Delbar Hossain told BSS that all necessary measures have been taken to boost potato production in the district while cultivation of potato on 10,000 hectares of land is already complete.

Honeybee farming may be a ‘big business’

http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=44623&date=2011-11-19

Honeybee farming may be a ‘big business’

Proper attention and technological support can make honey production a million-dollar business for the country, said a researcher on Friday, reports UNB.

“It’s possible to make it [honey farming] a million-dollar business for the country, creating huge jobs. Honey farmers just need technological support and financial assistance,” Prof Mahtab Ali of Rajshahi University told the agency over phone.

He said Bangladesh can even export queen bees, candle and gum which will further contribute to the export. In Europe, each queen bee is sold at 50 euro.

He said many unemployed people can be involved in honeybee farming and the marketing process of honey, which will ultimately help reduce poverty apart from giving a boost to the country’s export earnings.

“During my research on honeybees in England, I came to know how technology can help produce quality honey,” Prof Mahtab said.

He said since the honey growers are poor and not trained and equipped technologically, financial support can help them get familiar with technologies.

“Despite having enormous potentials, Australian and Indian honey is dominating our internal market,” Mahtab said.

He said this is unfortunate that Bangladesh does not have a single honey processing plant though it gets honey from different parts for six months throughout the year, whereas countries in Europe get it only for six weeks.

“Even Nepal has honey processing units,” he said seeking government support for the development of the prospective sector.

Citing an example, he said, “I saw a man in Vietnam producing huge honey from 40,000 bee boxes. The same thing is possible here in Bangladesh.”

He said they met Industries Minister Dilip Barua on Thursday and informed him about the prospect of honey production.

“If the government takes proper steps, honey production will get a boost in the country, ushering in a new opportunity for export,” Mahtab said. Bangladesh can produce 2 lakh tonnes of honey a year.

Minister Barua has already announced that the government would undertake a pilot project to help the honey growers boost their honey production.

SME Foundation will finance the project under which honey growers will be provided training on honey processing and its marketing.

Chairman of Ayurvedia Pharmacy Litd AFM Fakhrul Islam Munshi, who is involved in this sector, said some 4,000 metric tonnes of honey are being produced in the country annually and the production can be raised to 2 lakh metric tonnes using modern technologies.

If the honey production grows, pressure on sugar use will be reduced through substitution, he said seeking government support for development of the prospective sector.

A stride in solar panel manufacturing

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210387

Green Tech
A stride in solar panel manufacturing

A 3D model of the solar panel manufacturing plant in Ashulia, Dhaka. Photo: RAHIMAFROOZ

Suman Saha

Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd (RREL) is set to manufacturer solar panels in the country by next month, to tap growing demand for green energy at home and abroad.

The company has already set up a plant in Ashulia in Dhaka to manufacture 18MW PV (photovoltaic) solar panels a year with technical assistance from Spire Corporation, a US-based solar company.

“We plan to start operations at a cost of Tk 40 crore in December on a commercial basis,” says Munawar Misbah Moin, managing director of RREL.

He says the 20,000 square feet plant is being implementing under the refinancing scheme of Bangladesh Bank’s green fund.

The central bank earlier formed a revolving fund of Tk 200 crore to encourage banks and financial institutions to extend low-cost loans for the fast expansion of green energy.

The company is financing Tk 10 crore and Eastern Bank Ltd is providing the rest under the refinancing scheme.

Moin, who is also a group director of Rahimafrooz, says the locally manufactured panels would be cost-effective and spur expansion of the sector.

More than 1 million solar home systems (SHSs) have been installed so far in different parts of the country and another 1.5 million will be installed by 2014 under IDCOL financing, adds Moin.

He says currently, the annual demand for solar panels is worth nearly 25 MW in Bangladesh.

A total of five other companies also plan to produce solar panels locally with a total capacity of 62 MW.

“We also hope to export solar panels,” says Moin. The company plans to export 50 percent of the production of the plant in the next three years.

About 60 percent of the cost of a SHS is the panel, which is imported from India, China and Japan, say industry insiders.

The chief of the company says the locally produced panels will reduce the cost of each SHS by 5-7 percent. The cost of a locally produced panel is 10 percent lower than imported ones.

Bangladesh is self-reliant in all the accessories needed in solar housing systems, including batteries and wires, except solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity.

The move to build the plant comes as solar power is trying to make an entry into the rural areas left untouched by the national electricity grid.

RREL, a concern of Rahimafrooz Group with annual sales of around Tk 1800 crore, ventures into solar panel assembly as the government focuses on increasing renewable energy not only for the off-grid areas but also for public and semi-government offices under the grid network.

Earlier, the government set a target to meet 5 percent of the country’s total power demand by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020 through green energy.

According to RREL, the plant will help reduce carbon emission by more than 1 million tonnes, generating carbon credit worth $15 million.

suman.saha@thedailystar.net

Local footwear pulls in top world retailers

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210267

Local footwear pulls in top world retailers
Bangladeshi exporters look to brighter days ahead

Shoe production at Apexadelchi Footwear Ltd. Source: http://www.apexadelchi.com/Capacity.html

Sohel Parvez

Bangladesh’s footwear industry has attracted attention of globally known chain retails that now consider buying shoes from here in a bid to diversify their sourcing base.

Global retail chains such as JC Penny, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Wal-Mart, which now buy clothes from Bangladesh, are contacting leading footwear exporters to widen sourcing along with garments, said exporters.

The interest of these buyers has opened up an opportunity for the leather and footwear industry to help propel exports by increasing volumes, reaching new markets and penetrating new segments of products, the exporters said.

“We are in talks with a number of global retail chain stores to make shoes for them,” said Nasir Khan, managing director of Jennys Shoes Ltd that exports to Japan and Europe.

“Top officials in charge of sourcing are visiting our factories. They are talking of buying big volume of footwear of mid to high price range,” said Khan, citing JC Penny, Marks & Spencer and Wal-Mart.

Sector leaders said the brands became interested in Bangladesh as they move to diversify sourcing destination in the wake of rising production cost in the world’s biggest shoe exporter China due to a hike in labour cost there and appreciation of its currency.

The exporters said buyers look for widening sourcing markets to maintain margins without increasing retail prices, which in turn has opened up opportunity for Bangladesh, which now sees rising exports from footwear due to a gradual shift in orders from China.

Availability of raw materials, a duty-free export facility to Europe and Japan, and lower production cost due to cheap labour are the reasons behind the shift in orders and spike in exports from footwear, a sub-sector under the $650 million export earner leather industry.

The leather sector is the fourth biggest contributor to the total export earnings.

In fiscal 2010-11, footwear exports posted a 46 percent growth fetching $297 million, up from $204 million the previous year, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Footwear exports grew 42 percent to $139 million in July-October of 2011-12, compared to the same period a year ago, EPB data shows.

“Consistent exports of leather goods and footwear have helped earn a good image due to our product quality, competitive edge and workmanship,” said Saiful Islam, former president of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB).

Currently, shoe makers export to various established and well-known retailers in Europe, US and Japan including Deichmann of Germany, Macys of the USA, and ABC Mart of Japan, and Timberland and Caterpillar.

“Our lead-time is lower than China which takes three months plus time. For us, it is two months because we have locally available raw materials,” he said.

President of LFMEAB Syed Nasim Manzur said: “Bangladesh has come up in the global map of footwear. It is a positive sign and important development for the entrepreneurs mainly for new entrants in the sector.”

Manzur, also managing director of a leading exporter Apexadelchi Footwear Ltd, said local footwear makers have so far marketed their products directly abroad.

But the interest of the general merchandise retailers, which have sourcing offices in Bangladesh, to buy non-garment items is a positive development, said the official of Apexadelchi.

The company exports to 130 footwear retailers and brands in over 40 countries in Europe, North America and Japan.

“This is an opportunity for Bangladeshi exporters to increase volumes, reach new markets and penetrate new segments. It is interesting to note that footwear and leather goods are regarded as accessories for clothing, hence there is natural synergy for sourcing,” said Manzur.

Islam said orders from retail chains like Marks & Spencer, JC Penny and others will facilitate expansion of the leather industry by creating more jobs and improving quality of footwear further.

sohel@thedailystar.net

The rise of solar power

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210386

Green Tech
The rise of solar power

Munawar Misbah Moin

Suman Saha

Bangladesh has a huge potential to grab the global market for solar home systems (SHS), if it can replicate its domestic success in the off-grid areas in many Asian, African and Latin American countries.

“The success of the SHS is a global opportunity for Bangladeshi companies. We are working to take a lead role,” says Munawar Misbah Moin, managing director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd.

The country has seen a boom in installing the systems in off-grid areas since Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) started its programme in 2003 with financial support from the World Bank.

IDCOL, the non-bank financial institution, has already installed 10 lakh SHSs. It has now set a new target to install a total of 25 lakh SHSs by 2014 in areas where electricity is not available.

According to IDCOL data, it has installed around 12 lakh SHSs till October. A total of its 29 partner organisations are installing around 40,000 SHS a month.

World Bank recently struck a $172 million financing deal with the state-own IDCOL, which will enable the country to install 630,000 solar home systems in rural areas by 2012.

The solar company chief says, “We see a potential of 1.5GW (gigawatt) of SHS globally as around 40 million households in Asia, Africa and South America are still deprived of a grid connection.”

The global solar home system market is worth over $8 billion, says Moin.

“If we can take the success of the Bangladesh SHS model across off-grid areas globally, the country can grab a huge amount of foreign currency,” he adds.

“The country can earn around $25 million in the next three years, if we can export at least one lakh SHS across off-grid areas globally,” says Moin.

Solar systems have become successful in Bangladesh for following sound technical and managerial criteria and government policy support.

In addition, the systems are attractive as maintenance costs are low. The companies also give 20 to 25 years of warranty, say industry insiders.

Rahimafrooz pioneered in the solar sector in Bangladesh in 1985 as a unit of Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd. Following the success of solar energy, the company formed a separate business unit — Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd — in 2006.

The energy company’s main stream business is the solar home system, which is a subsidised project funded by IDCOL. In addition, the company provides customised solutions that include telecom solutions, solar irrigation, drinking water solutions and solar street lights.

The company has so far supplied more than 8 MW of solar systems in Bangladesh including the 33 KW solar system in the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Bhaban.

It has also installed solar systems on the roofs of the prime minister’s office and Bangladesh Bank.

Moin says, “We want to promote the global replication of SHS in least developed countries across the world by participating in trade fairs and using its global network.”

He says the company has exported 50 solar systems so far, at a cost of $215 for each 40 watt-peak system to Pakistan on a trail basis.

“We also exported 250 solar lights worth $ 200,000 to the UNHCR refugee camp in Africa this year to light up the streets of the camp.”

The street lights have automatic dusk to dawn controllers that enable the systems to turn on automatically in the evening and turn off in the morning.

Rahimafrooz, founded in 1954 by Late AC Abdur Rahim as a trading company in Dhaka, now operates in four broad segments — storage power, automotive electronics, energy and retail.

The group today has 11 operating companies, a few other business joint ventures, and a non-profit social enterprise.

The group director of Rahimafrooz says rooftop solar systems and solar powered irrigation would be the next two promising areas in the country.

Moin says the country can generate nearly 100MW of solar electricity from rooftops in Dhaka city.

He says a standard 5KW (kilowatt) rooftop solution requires a space of 500 square feet. So, the government should encourage city-dwellers to install rooftop solar systems by offering incentives.

The government has already made it compulsory to install rooftop solar systems for every new electricity connection in grid areas.

Hailing the government initiative, the solar company chief says, “There are a few problems, such as a lack of standardisation and monitoring as the government does not set technical and managerial criteria to run the rooftop systems.”

“This encourages malpractice,” says Moin.

He says solar power irrigation can be an alternative solution to saving electricity and diesel costs. The country needs to run 1.33 million pumps to irrigate around 120 million acres of rice fields.

“If we run the pumps on renewable energy, it would help save 1200 MW of electricity and 800 million litres of diesel and the government can save up to $80 million subsidy in diesel,” says Moin.

The managing director of the company says, “Renewable energy is not actually expensive. It is the most prudent form of investment as it ensures a sustainable energy solution.”

He says the levelised cost of electricity generation is nearly Tk 18 a unit in conventional electricity and Tk 25 a unit in renewable energy. So there is not a big difference in price.

The price of conventional electricity, however, will increase to Tk 22 by 2014 due to changes in the fuel mix, while the price of solar energy will come down due to large scale operations, says Moin.

He urges the government to give the same incentives, like to conventional forms, to promote renewable energy in the country.

He says the government should use the climate fund to minimise the initial costs to setup renewable energy.

suman.saha@thedailystar.net

Export diversification prospects

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=156051&date=2011-11-16

Export diversification prospects
Syed Mansur Hashim

Encouraging it is to note that Bangladesh is showing some signs of diversification of its export basket that has long been dominated by readymade garments (RMG) and apparels. According to the latest data published by the Export Promotion Bureau covering July to September, 2011 period, the non-RMG sector grew by an approximate 26.1 per cent. The two principal items that drew attention was the massive jump of exports of raw jute by some 53.8 per cent, followed by leather exports growing on an average of 42.2 per cent.

With no end to the economic slowdown in the developed world in sight, it is hardly surprising to note a decline in RMG exports. Given the current global economic gloom slated to sustain over the foreseeable future that will inevitably lead to reduced consumer spending, Bangladesh can hardly afford to remain overly dependent on the sector to bring in the lion’s share of export earnings

Export diversification, thus, has become a matter of policy initiative and there are sectors that show a lot of promise. Jute, the ‘golden fibre’ has long been exported, but primarily in its raw form. Jute products have not been developed sufficiently to take on more established players in the global market, such as India, due to lack of a number of factors. Lack of design facilities, skilled manpower, and dearth in marketing skills has long held back this sector. While Bangladesh has concentrated primarily on producing carpets and handicrafts, there exists nonetheless a high demand for ‘value added’ jute products. Such as geo-textiles for land erosion control, jute-reinforced plastics, jute laminates, pulp and paper, and decorative fabrics.

However, for any non-traditional export sector to bear fruition, effective government policies and promotional efforts are a must. Only State patronage can help create a necessary skilled workforce to make a transformation of the jute industry from a supplier of raw jute to value-added products. Significant investments need to be made in research and development should Bangladesh wish to move out of jute bags and into the more versatile applications of the natural fibre, which include jute geo-textiles and composites.

The other sector that has been making headlines over the last couple of years is the emergence of a private domestic shipbuilding industry that has successfully penetrated the export market in Europe. With exports worth over US$100 million since 2007 by the private shipbuilders, Bangladesh could potentially become a low-cost alternative to the big names in Asia that include such heavyweights as Hyundai of South Korea and Chinese builders. According to the Export Promotion Bureau, the country’s private shipyards have confirmed order for foreign vessels up to 2013 worth US$478 million. Against this backdrop, the country is well-positioned to take a significant chunk out of the projected replacement of some half of the world’s maritime vessels that will require replacement over the next five years due to aging problems. With smaller vessels constituting 55 per cent of the projected 10,000 new vessels that will be required, the country is in a unique position to take advantage of this prospective market.

Yet significant problems hamper this nascent industry from reaching its full potential. The problems concerning putting in place a supply line of sufficient pool of skilled workforce trained along international standards will become obvious as orders start pouring in the coming years.

Ensuring access to affordable raw materials will entail the setting up of an import-friendly regime coupled with storage facilities and transportation networks. The government must make available significant funds to upgrade the infrastructure and financial incentives the industry will need. Existing problems of bank financing, where at present companies have to pay anywhere between 6.0 – 7.0 per cent interest rates, will have to be redressed while poor inland water transport facility serves as another impediment.

The future prospects of this emerging industry are not lost on the administration. Some steps have already been taken to facilitate its growth. Withdrawal of duties payable on import of raw materials and components is a step in the right direction. Allowing the sector the privileges enjoyed by export processing zones would also prove immensely helpful. A recent study by the Danish government came up with some interesting facts. Danish companies have shown interest in setting up joint ventures to help develop deck equipment, windows, generators, hydraulic systems and marine electrical equipment. In addition, Danish naval architect firms are also toying with the idea of helping Bangladeshi shipyards setup their own design houses which could translate into shaving off as much as 10 per cent of production costs. Similarly German interests expressed willingness to setting up production facilities for heavy engine and generator facilities. These are all welcome news, provided it is met with a favourable response from the government in its outlook towards making shipbuilding a thrust-sector.

With a dual push in jute and shipbuilding, Bangladesh could significantly lessen its overall dependence on the RMG sector and help boost exports over the next decade. Both sectors promise hope of creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Given right policy guidelines, the shipbuilding industry and to a lesser extent jute in all its diversified forms could help pave a more secure future for Bangladesh.

Email: mansur_hashim@hotmail.com

ECNEC approves Tk 1,650 crore Bibiana-Dhanua gas pipeline

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=212094&date=2011-11-15

ECNEC approves Tk 1,650 crore Bibiana-Dhanua gas pipeline

DHAKA, Nov 15 (BSS) – The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved four development projects involving Taka 1,971 crore, including Bibiana-Dhanua gas transmission pipeline construction project worth Taka 1,650 crore.

After completion of the pipeline construction project, Dhanua will be a gas hub and will ensure uninterrupted gas supply in the industrial belt of Dhaka. The project is expected to be completed by June 2013.

The approval came at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

“Of the total project cost of Taka 1,971 crore, the government will provide Taka 242 crore from the national exchequer and Taka 79 crore as project assistance while Petrobangla will contribute Taka 1,650 crore from its own fund,” Planning Minister AK Khandker told reporters after the meeting. Planning Division Secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam was present.

The Planning Division secretary said Dhanua would turn into a gas hub and there would be uninterrupted gas supply in the industrial belt in Gazipur on completion of the gas project.

The gas transmission pipeline project aims at supplying an additional over 600 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) fromBibiana and Jalalabad fields to the national gas grid.

UK-based company Chevron Limited will produce this additional gas under a production sharing contract (PSC) with Petrobangla.

Under the project, a 36 inch diameter transmission pipeline from Bibiana of Habiganj to Dhanua of Gazipur would be constructed.

This 137-km long transmission line includes 4,500 metre river ways, which will cross through horizontal directional drilling (HDD) system.

The ECNEC also approved improvement and widening of roads and construction of drainage-cum-footpath of Barisal City Corporation (BCC) project, involving Taka 208 crore.

The project aims at creating improved road network system in 45 sq kilometres of Barisal City Corporation. It would also protect the divisional city from the Kirtankhola river erosion.

Under the project, widening and development work of nearly 3.5 lakh square metre road would be implemented. Besides, four kilometre town protection embankment and circular road, 43 kilometre drainage-cum-footpath, 19 box culverts and 76 metre girder bridge would be constructed.

The project also includes beautification of a park and 33 kilometre street lightening work in the city. BCC will implement the project following the June, 2013 deadline.

Two more projects approved in the meeting are: Multi-sectoral programme for prevention of repression against women (third phase) involving Taka 44 crore and ‘Greater Rangpur agricultural and rural development project (first revised) of Taka 69 crore.

Pragati’s Pajero SUV handed over to president

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/business/40139.html

Pragati’s Pajero SUV handed over to president
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka

Industries minister Dilip Barua on Tuesday handed over the key of a modern Pajero Sports Utility Vehicle, assembled by the local automobile engineers of state owned Pragati Industries Ltd, to president Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban in Dhaka.

On the occasion, the industries minister apprised the president that the Pragati Industries Ltd, an enterprise under the industries ministry, has recently assembled two Pajero SUVs as test run in line with its agreement with world renowned Japanese Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

The minister informed the president that the Pragati Industries was presently working on assembling more 100 Pajero SUVs in Bangladesh to sell those commercially.

The experts of Mitsubishi Motors has issued the certificate of marketing the Pragati assembled Pajero SUVs after conducting detail quality check of the new assembled vehicles.

Dilip apprised the president that Pragati Industries Ltd was also working to assemble Sedan in Bangladesh. ‘We can be able to sell our assemble Sedans in next year,’ he said.

The minister also informed that so far Pragati assembled 30 Pajero CR-45 jeeps and of them 15 were sold to the government organisations.

President Zillur thanked all concerned with the Pragati Industries to assemble modern vehicles locally.

Banglalink Krishibazaar wins global award

http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/others/80127-banglalink-krishibazaar-wins-global-award.html

Banglalink Krishibazaar wins global award

Author / Source : STAFF REPORTER

DHAKA, Nov 16: Banglalink, the second largest mobile operator in the country, has recently won the World Communication Award 2011 under the category of Best New Service: Consumer for its project  ‘Krishibazaar’. The telecom companies around the globe have been getting such a prestigious award since 1999. This year, the event was held in Hotel Hilton in London on November 7, says a press release.

Asher Yaqub Khan, chief commercial officer of Banglalink, said, “This win is not only for Banglalink, but also for Bangladesh. We were successful to uphold the image of the country in front of the whole world and we want to keep working for the betterment of the people of this country to make a difference in their lives.”

In this service, any Banglalink subscriber can dial 2474 to get registered in Krishibazaar and record his or her own advertisement of trading of agro-goods or browse through by listening to other advertisements recorded by other callers to get necessary information, call up that trader instantly using the service and finalise the coveted deal.

The information of the products will be available by categories, prices, locations etc to make the process easier for the targets. The call rate to avail this service is only Tk 1 per minute (excluding VAT).

Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz keen to invest in Bangladesh

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210274

Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz keen to invest in Bangladesh
Unb, Dhaka

Global energy company Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz yesterday expressed its keen interest to invest in large volume in Bangladesh’s gas exploration and power sector.

Gazprom’s interest was conveyed when Eduard Shevchenko, adviser to director general of Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital.

Abul Kalam Azad, press secretary to the prime minister, briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hasina told Eduard that a congenial investment climate is prevailing in the country as the government is strongly committed to maintaining the atmosphere and providing the foreign investors with various facilities.

Zarubezhneftegaz was set up in mid-1998 in pursuant to the resolution by Gazprom and Zarubezhneft and in cooperation with Stroytransgaz in order to reinforce their competitiveness on the international market in expanding international business environment.

Zarubezhneftegaz has been Gazprom’s 100 percent subsidiary since early 2007. On February 11, 2009, Zarubezhneftegaz was renamed as Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz.

PM’s Energy Adviser Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Sheikh Wahid-uz-Zaman and PMO Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman were also present.

Dhaka to showcase ICT achievements in Dec

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210394

Dhaka to showcase ICT achievements in Dec
Star Business Report

The government will organise an information and communication technology event, e-ASiA2011, on December 1-3 to showcase the nation’s achievements in the ICT sector with the rest of the world.

ICT State Minister Yeafesh Osman yesterday announced the event that bears the slogan of Realising Digital Nation, at a press meet at Bangladesh Secretariat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the show at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The government has organised the event to brand Bangladesh as a destination of outsourcing for foreign investors, Osman said.

The event also aims to share the country’s experience with other countries, and find a way to deepen cooperation among Asian countries in tech-driven development through ICT as a tool, he said.

Osman said the show may see 400 to 500 delegates from different countries, including policymakers, senior government officials, industry leaders, international development agencies and investors.

The event consists of a seminar, workshops, roundtables and debates. An exhibition providing opportunities to showcase projects, programmes and initiatives of the government, private-sector agencies and corporations will also take place.

Ninety ICT experts from 30 countries and 60 local experts will take part in the seminar, said Anir Chowdhury, advisor to Access to Information (A2I) Programme.

The government is organising the event with support from the Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies, India; Bangladesh Computer Council, A2I Programme, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, Bangladesh Computer Samity, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh, Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Association of Call Centres and Outsourcing.

E-service center launched in Rajshahi

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=4&id=212097&date=2011-11-15

E-service center launched in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Nov 15 (BSS)- E-Service center has been launched in the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday aimed at making the civic services to public doorsteps for building digital Bangladesh 2021.

The launching ceremony was hosted by district administration marking the inauguration of the countrywide districts E-Service Center and first anniversary of Union Information Service Centers at the conference room of DC office.

Now any information relating to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, irrespective of where it is being sought from, is just a click away through e-mails, said Rajshahi DC Abdul Hannan. When an SMS to 16345 is sent, a return SMS will notify information seekers about the state of his desired application, he added.

With the launching of the district E-Service Center, the public in general will get their expected services easily and quickly through enhancing transparency and accountability in all sections of the district administration.

In this context, he said these information centers, equipped with computers, Internet and offering various online and offline services to people, would ensure transparency and accountability in government offices.

Mayor of Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Prof Zinatun Nessa Talukder, MP, Commissioner of Rajshahi division Abdul Mannan and Additional Commissioner Swapan Qumar Roy were present at the ceremony also attended by other high officials, political leaders, local elites and journalists.

They also witnessed the video conference of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on a big screen at the conference hall.