Bangladesh Economy: News & Updates

[Arthur]

ডিসেম্বরে পায়রা বন্দরে পণ্য খালাস শুরু
নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক, বিডিনিউজ টোয়েন্টিফোর ডটকম
Published: 2015-10-29 Updated: 2015-10-29

এজন্য বন্দরের ন্যূনতম অবকাঠামো উন্নয়নে বৃহস্পতিবার জাতীয় অর্থনৈতিক পরিষদের নির্বাহী কমিটির (একনেক) সভায় একটি প্রকল্প অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়েছে।

এই প্রকল্পের আওতায় ওয়্যার হাউস, ক্রেইন, পন্টুন, পাইলট বোট, টাগ বোট, বয়া লেইয়িং ভেসেল, সার্ভে বোট ও প্রশাসনিক ভবনসহ বন্দর কার্যক্রম পরিচালনার জন্য ন্যূনতম অবকাঠামো গড়ে তোলা হবে।

একনেক সভার পর পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী আ হ ম মুস্তফা কামাল সাংবাদিকদের বলেন, এ বছরের ডিসেম্বর থেকে পায়রা বন্দরের পণ্য খালাস শুরু হবে। বন্দর ব্যবস্থা পূর্ণাঙ্গভাবে গড়ে না ওঠা পর্যন্ত বহির্নোঙ্গরে বাণিজ্যিক জাহাজ থেকে পণ্য উঠা-নামা করবে।

প্রকল্প বিষয়ে তিনি বলেন, “১৬ একর জায়গার উপর সীমিত ভৌত অবকাঠামো যেমন- পন্টুন, ক্রেইন, নিরাপত্তা ভবন ইতোমধ্যে নির্মিত হয়েছে। বড় আকারের জাহাজ থেকে ছোট জাহাজে লাইটারিং করার জন্য প্রয়োজনীয় কাজ শেষ হয়েছে। আগামী কয়েক মাসের মধ্যেই আরো কিছু নির্মাণকাজ সম্পন্ন হলে ক্ষুদ্র আকারে বন্দর কার্যক্রম শুরু হয়ে যাবে।

“প্রাথমিকভাবে এ বন্দর দিয়ে খাদ্য-শস্য, সার ও সিমেন্টসহ অন্যান্য পণ্য ওঠা-নামা করা হবে। এজন্য ১ লাখ বর্গফুট ধারণক্ষমতার একটি ওয়্যারহাউস তৈরি করা হবে। পণ্য পরিবহণের জন্য প্রায় ৬ কিলোমিটার দৈর্ঘের ৪ লেনের সড়ক তৈরি করা হবে। একইসঙ্গে নাব্যতা বজায় রাখতে প্রায় ৯৪ লাখ ঘনমিটার ড্রেজিং করা হবে।”

মুস্তফা কামাল বলেন, ২০২৩ সালে পায়রা বন্দরের কার্যক্রম শুরু হলে সাত হাজার ৫০০ কন্টেনারের স্থান সংকুলান হবে। বর্তমানে চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরে এক হাজার ৫০০ কন্টেনারের স্থান সংকুলান হয়। এর ফলে কার্গো হ্যান্ডেলিংয়ের খরচ বর্তমানের চেয়ে ৩০০ শতাংশ কমে আসবে।

“২০২৮ সাল নাগাদ এ বন্দর দিয়ে চার কোটি টন কয়লা খালাস করা হবে। ভবিষ্যতে এখানে এলএনজি টার্মিনালও হবে।”

চট্টগ্রামের সোনাদিয়ায় গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর হবে কি না- তা জানতে চাইলে মন্ত্রী বলেন, “চট্টগ্রামের মাতারবাড়িতে জাপানের অর্থায়নে একটি গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর হচ্ছে, সোনাদিয়ায় আর হবে না। পরবর্তীতে বড় ধরনের প্রকল্প নিয়ে পায়রা বন্দরকে গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দরে উন্নীত করা হবে।”

পটুয়াখালী জেলার কলাপাড়া উপজেলায় রামনাবাদ চ্যানেলের পশ্চিম তীরে দেশের তৃতীয় সমুদ্র হিসেবে পায়রা গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর ২০১৩ সালের ১৯ নভেম্বর যাত্রা শুরু করে। প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা এ বন্দর উদ্বোধন করেন।

এক হাজার ১২৮ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ে পায়রা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ ২০১৮ সালের জুন নাগাদ ‘পায়রা গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দরের কার্যক্রম পরিচালনার লক্ষ্যে প্রয়োজনীয় অবকাঠামো-সুবিধাদির উন্নয়ন’ শীর্ষক প্রকল্পটি বাস্তবায়ন করবে।

পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী জানান, প্রকল্পটিসহ সভায় ৬ হাজার ৩৮৭ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ের মোট ৮টি প্রকল্প অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়। এর মধ্যে সরকারের নিজস্ব তহিবলে থেকে ৪ হাজার ১৯৭ কোটি টাকা সংস্থার নিজস্ব অর্থায়ন ২৫ কোটি টাকা এবং প্রকল্প সাহায্য হিসেবে ২ হাজার ১৬৫ কোটি টাকার যোগান দেওয়া হবে।

যমুনা ও ব্রহ্মপুত্রের তীর রক্ষায় গৃহীত একটি প্রকল্প অনুমোদনের জন্য বৈঠকে উপস্থাপন করা হলেও প্রকল্পটি অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়নি।

এ বিষয়ে মন্ত্রী বলেন, “প্রকল্পটিতে ড্রেজিংয়ের জন্য বরাদ্দ কম ধরা হয়েছিল। বৈঠকে নদী দুটি খনন করে সেই মাটি দিয়ে বাঁধ নির্মাণ করার নির্দেশনা দেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী। সংশোধন করে শিগগির প্রকল্পটি একনেক সভায় উপস্থাপনের নির্দেশও দিয়েছেন তিনি।”

মন্ত্রী বলেন সভায় অনুমোদন পাওয়া অন্য প্রকল্পগুলো হল- ১৮২ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ে চট্টগ্রাম এবং খুলনায় বিএসটিআইয়ের আঞ্চলিক অফিস স্থাপন ও আধুনিকীকরণ, ৪৬৮ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ের বৃহত্তর পাবনা ও বগুড়া জেলার গ্রামীণ অবকাঠামো উন্নয়ন, ১৬৮ কোটি ৪৭ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ে ডাল ও তেল বীজ উৎপাদনের মাধ্যমে টেকসই পুষ্টি নিরাপত্তা জোরদারকরণ, ১০৫ কোটি ৮৮ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ের পরিকল্পনা কমিশনের কর্মকর্তা কর্মচারীদের জন্য আবাসিক ভবন নির্মাণ, ৪৫৮ কোটি ৬২ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ে ঢাকাস্থ মিরপুর পাইকপাড়ায় সরকারি কর্মকর্তা-কর্মচারীদের জন্য ৬০৮ টি আবাসিক ফ্ল্যাট নির্মাণ ও ৪৮ কোটি ৮৪ লাখ বাংলাদেশ প্রকৌশল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে শিপ মডেল টেস্টিং সেন্টার স্থাপন প্রকল্প।

ডিসেম্বরে পায়রা বন্দরে পণ্য খালাস শুরু -
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[Arthur]

ডিসেম্বরে পায়রা বন্দরে পণ্য খালাস শুরু
নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক, বিডিনিউজ টোয়েন্টিফোর ডটকম
Published: 2015-10-29 Updated: 2015-10-29

এজন্য বন্দরের ন্যূনতম অবকাঠামো উন্নয়নে বৃহস্পতিবার জাতীয় অর্থনৈতিক পরিষদের নির্বাহী কমিটির (একনেক) সভায় একটি প্রকল্প অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়েছে।

এই প্রকল্পের আওতায় ওয়্যার হাউস, ক্রেইন, পন্টুন, পাইলট বোট, টাগ বোট, বয়া লেইয়িং ভেসেল, সার্ভে বোট ও প্রশাসনিক ভবনসহ বন্দর কার্যক্রম পরিচালনার জন্য ন্যূনতম অবকাঠামো গড়ে তোলা হবে।

একনেক সভার পর পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী আ হ ম মুস্তফা কামাল সাংবাদিকদের বলেন, এ বছরের ডিসেম্বর থেকে পায়রা বন্দরের পণ্য খালাস শুরু হবে। বন্দর ব্যবস্থা পূর্ণাঙ্গভাবে গড়ে না ওঠা পর্যন্ত বহির্নোঙ্গরে বাণিজ্যিক জাহাজ থেকে পণ্য উঠা-নামা করবে।

প্রকল্প বিষয়ে তিনি বলেন, “১৬ একর জায়গার উপর সীমিত ভৌত অবকাঠামো যেমন- পন্টুন, ক্রেইন, নিরাপত্তা ভবন ইতোমধ্যে নির্মিত হয়েছে। বড় আকারের জাহাজ থেকে ছোট জাহাজে লাইটারিং করার জন্য প্রয়োজনীয় কাজ শেষ হয়েছে। আগামী কয়েক মাসের মধ্যেই আরো কিছু নির্মাণকাজ সম্পন্ন হলে ক্ষুদ্র আকারে বন্দর কার্যক্রম শুরু হয়ে যাবে।

“প্রাথমিকভাবে এ বন্দর দিয়ে খাদ্য-শস্য, সার ও সিমেন্টসহ অন্যান্য পণ্য ওঠা-নামা করা হবে। এজন্য ১ লাখ বর্গফুট ধারণক্ষমতার একটি ওয়্যারহাউস তৈরি করা হবে। পণ্য পরিবহণের জন্য প্রায় ৬ কিলোমিটার দৈর্ঘের ৪ লেনের সড়ক তৈরি করা হবে। একইসঙ্গে নাব্যতা বজায় রাখতে প্রায় ৯৪ লাখ ঘনমিটার ড্রেজিং করা হবে।”

মুস্তফা কামাল বলেন, ২০২৩ সালে পায়রা বন্দরের কার্যক্রম শুরু হলে সাত হাজার ৫০০ কন্টেনারের স্থান সংকুলান হবে। বর্তমানে চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরে এক হাজার ৫০০ কন্টেনারের স্থান সংকুলান হয়। এর ফলে কার্গো হ্যান্ডেলিংয়ের খরচ বর্তমানের চেয়ে ৩০০ শতাংশ কমে আসবে।

“২০২৮ সাল নাগাদ এ বন্দর দিয়ে চার কোটি টন কয়লা খালাস করা হবে। ভবিষ্যতে এখানে এলএনজি টার্মিনালও হবে।”

চট্টগ্রামের সোনাদিয়ায় গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর হবে কি না- তা জানতে চাইলে মন্ত্রী বলেন, “চট্টগ্রামের মাতারবাড়িতে জাপানের অর্থায়নে একটি গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর হচ্ছে, সোনাদিয়ায় আর হবে না। পরবর্তীতে বড় ধরনের প্রকল্প নিয়ে পায়রা বন্দরকে গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দরে উন্নীত করা হবে।”

পটুয়াখালী জেলার কলাপাড়া উপজেলায় রামনাবাদ চ্যানেলের পশ্চিম তীরে দেশের তৃতীয় সমুদ্র হিসেবে পায়রা গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দর ২০১৩ সালের ১৯ নভেম্বর যাত্রা শুরু করে। প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা এ বন্দর উদ্বোধন করেন।

এক হাজার ১২৮ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ে পায়রা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ ২০১৮ সালের জুন নাগাদ ‘পায়রা গভীর সমুদ্র বন্দরের কার্যক্রম পরিচালনার লক্ষ্যে প্রয়োজনীয় অবকাঠামো-সুবিধাদির উন্নয়ন’ শীর্ষক প্রকল্পটি বাস্তবায়ন করবে।

পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী জানান, প্রকল্পটিসহ সভায় ৬ হাজার ৩৮৭ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ের মোট ৮টি প্রকল্প অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়। এর মধ্যে সরকারের নিজস্ব তহিবলে থেকে ৪ হাজার ১৯৭ কোটি টাকা সংস্থার নিজস্ব অর্থায়ন ২৫ কোটি টাকা এবং প্রকল্প সাহায্য হিসেবে ২ হাজার ১৬৫ কোটি টাকার যোগান দেওয়া হবে।

যমুনা ও ব্রহ্মপুত্রের তীর রক্ষায় গৃহীত একটি প্রকল্প অনুমোদনের জন্য বৈঠকে উপস্থাপন করা হলেও প্রকল্পটি অনুমোদন দেওয়া হয়নি।

এ বিষয়ে মন্ত্রী বলেন, “প্রকল্পটিতে ড্রেজিংয়ের জন্য বরাদ্দ কম ধরা হয়েছিল। বৈঠকে নদী দুটি খনন করে সেই মাটি দিয়ে বাঁধ নির্মাণ করার নির্দেশনা দেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী। সংশোধন করে শিগগির প্রকল্পটি একনেক সভায় উপস্থাপনের নির্দেশও দিয়েছেন তিনি।”

মন্ত্রী বলেন সভায় অনুমোদন পাওয়া অন্য প্রকল্পগুলো হল- ১৮২ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ে চট্টগ্রাম এবং খুলনায় বিএসটিআইয়ের আঞ্চলিক অফিস স্থাপন ও আধুনিকীকরণ, ৪৬৮ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ের বৃহত্তর পাবনা ও বগুড়া জেলার গ্রামীণ অবকাঠামো উন্নয়ন, ১৬৮ কোটি ৪৭ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ে ডাল ও তেল বীজ উৎপাদনের মাধ্যমে টেকসই পুষ্টি নিরাপত্তা জোরদারকরণ, ১০৫ কোটি ৮৮ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ের পরিকল্পনা কমিশনের কর্মকর্তা কর্মচারীদের জন্য আবাসিক ভবন নির্মাণ, ৪৫৮ কোটি ৬২ লাখ টাকা ব্যয়ে ঢাকাস্থ মিরপুর পাইকপাড়ায় সরকারি কর্মকর্তা-কর্মচারীদের জন্য ৬০৮ টি আবাসিক ফ্ল্যাট নির্মাণ ও ৪৮ কোটি ৮৪ লাখ বাংলাদেশ প্রকৌশল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে শিপ মডেল টেস্টিং সেন্টার স্থাপন প্রকল্প।

Source: ডিসেম্বরে পায়রা বন্দরে পণ্য খালাস শুরু -
bdnews24.com

 

[Arthur]

Bangladesh’s Shahjalal Airport to get $1.28bn makeover

15 June 2015

The Bangladeshi Government is planning to spend an estimated BDT123bn ($1.57bn) on the construction of a new terminal and a second runway at the Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The expansion project is being planned to increase the airport's efficiency and passenger handling capacity, reported The Dhaka Tribune

Currently, the airport operated and maintained by Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) has an annual passenger capacity of eight million.

According to undisclosed sources, the airport had completed preliminary procedures for the construction of the new terminal and will float an international tender for its construction in December.

Out of the total amount, an estimated BDT100bn ($1.28bn) will be spent on the terminal and the expenditures related to its construction, while the rest will be invested in the second phase construction of the airport's second runway.

It is still unclear whether the funding will come from CAAB or through a public-private partnership.

The working plan for the expansion has been developed by CAAB following receipt of an approval from the Prime Minister's Office in May.

The third terminal, which is planned to be modeled on Singapore's Changi airport terminal, will be constructed on 130 acres of land situated on the space between the runway and the taxiway near the Central Engineering Maintenance and Stores Unit.

CAAB third terminal building coordinator MA Malek said consultancy firms have already prepared their report on the project and have been ordered to submit the same by 30 June.

There are also plans to build a second runway on the west side of the existing runway later.

According to the master plan prepared by South Korea's Yushin, Singapore-based CPG and the local Design Development Consultancy, the first phase of construction will start this year and be completed by 2019.

The three firms had been selected to develop a master plan for the airport's expansion following a tender floated almost a year ago.

"Within 90 days of getting the report from the three firms, the CAAB authority will invite tender regarding this.

"Presently, hundreds of flights are leaving and landing at the airport; for which, a huge pressure is created on the existing two terminals. If the third one is built, then it would help to ease some pressure." Malek said.

Bangladesh’s Shahjalal Airport to get $1.57bn makeover - Airport Technology

 

[gslv mk3]

The best thing about BD is that development work is fairly well distributed to the whole country rather than concentrating in and around some big cities unlike a particular neighbouring country.

Is that an argument based on proper statistical data ?Or typical Bangladeshi gibberish ?

In Sylhet city where I am currently residing, one can rarely find pot-holed road while in Dhaka it is numerous.

Its not a small city by any standard-Its a city with a population of 2.6 million,right ?

Its not even comparable to Indian tier 2/tier 3 cities with population less than 1 million.And even those are getting metro rails & modern infrastructure

So those who are mocking Dhaka, Chittagong for not having metro rail and other city centric costly infrastructure project should look at the mirror and start pondering about the massive discrimination towards village peoples, poorer states and other disadvantaged groups in their country.

Yes,rural population in India is so neglected,that what we spend on rural development is more than two times the urban development expenditure.

Discrimination towards poorer states ? Like really ?

BTW having aerobridges is a great achievement,indeed.

 

[Arthur]

Bhutan offers Bangladesh cheaper hydel
UNB . Dhaka | Update: 17:18, Nov 01, 2015

Bhutan on Sunday offered to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh at the cheapest price saying it country has the capacity to generate 30,000 MW of hydroelectricity.

Visiting Bhutanese minister for economic affairs Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk came up with the proposal when he met prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.

After the meeting, the prime minister's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The Bhutanese minister said his country is currently generating 5,000 MW of electricity and the price is the cheapest in the world.

In reply, premier Hasina reiterated her government's willingness to import hydroelectricity from Bhutan and said Bangladesh wants to participate in Bhutan's future power projects.

Referring to the growing demand of electricity in Bangladesh, she said Bhutan has huge potential of producing hydroelectricity and hoped that Bhutan's yet unexplored hydropower potential would come to meet Bangladesh's energy needs.

Talking about the Motor Vehicle Agreement, she said this would facilitate connectivity among the four countries.

She also expressed Bangladesh's keenness on bilateral and sub-regional context with India, Nepal and Bhutan on water resources management and power/hydropower as well as on connectivity-related issues.

During the meeting, Hasina recalled with gratitude that Bhutan was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country, and said the country has a special place in Bangladeshi citizens’ hearts.

She conveyed her greetings to the Bhutanese King, Queen and the prime minister through the visiting minister.

The Bhutan's minister said his country has tremendous goodwill for the people of Bangladesh.

Highly appreciating the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk congratulated her on achieving the Champions of the Earth Award of the United Nations Environment Programme this year.

He also lauded the initiatives and visionary leadership of Sheikh Hasina on climate change issue.

Lyonpo Norbu said he was really impressed to see various Buddhist heritages in Bangladesh and appreciated the efforts of the government in protecting these.

He also conveyed the good wishes of the Bhutanese King, the Queen and the prime minister to the Bangladesh prime minister.

The Bangladesh premier's foreign affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi was present during the meeting.


Bhutan offers Bangladesh cheaper hydel

 

[Arthur]

Foreign exchange reserve crossed $27 billion, reaching a new high at $27.05 billion on Thursday, AFM Asaduzzaman, general manager of governor secretariat of Bangladesh Bank (BB) told BSS.

Earlier on August 17 the foreign exchange reserve crossed $26 billion mark for the first time in the country's history. The current reserve in Bangladesh is the second highest among the countries in the SAARC region, according to the latest data of Bangladesh Bank (BB).

The reserve soared further because of the higher inflow of remittance in the past two months, with expatriate Bangladeshis sending more money home for Eid-ul Azha, a BB official said.

Besides the rising trend in remittance, the steady export growth and the fall in import cost also contributed to the historical high reserve position, which is well enough to meet the country's seven months' import requirements, the official said.

BB recent data also showed that the export rose by nearly 28.0 percent to $2.75 billion in August when import was in down trend after showing over 3.0 per cent fall in July.

source: Reserve crosses $27bn | 24 News | The financial express


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


Bangladesh is ready to turn the corner for good and foreign investors could do well for themselves by hopping on the bandwagon now -- this was the unequivocal message from the third Bangladesh Investment Summit, Asia.

“We are getting ready for take-off. The wheels have started moving,” Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister, said in his keynote speech at the daylong event held at The St. Regis Singapore.

His bullish stance, after all, is not unfounded.

Last month, the Asian Development Bank upgraded Bangladesh's growth forecasts for fiscal 2015-16 -- while downgrading those of the rest of Asia Pacific save for Fiji and Vietnam.

The Manila-based multilateral lender tipped Bangladesh's gross domestic product to grow at 6.7 percent this fiscal year, up from its March prediction of 6.4 percent.

“These are conservative estimates,” said Sohail RK Hussain, managing director of City Bank.
Rizvi echoed the same. The country has averaged 6 percent in GDP growth over the last 15 years, which, he said, is a nice, satisfactory story but nowhere reflective of the true potential.

Abrar A Anwar, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said the country is at the inflection point and if appropriate level of investment can be channeled to the critical sectors, the potential can be realized.

“Double-digit growth is within our reach. At the risk of being called hasty and an adventurer, I am going to say that it will come sooner than many of us are anticipating,” Rizvi said.

One of the reasons for the optimism is that Bangladesh has clocked in impressive social development, the bedrock for economic progress.

Its performance in this avenue is much better than any country with comparable level of income.
In the region of South Asia itself, Bangladesh is now well ahead of Nepal and Pakistan, and in many areas, have gone ahead of India and Sri Lanka, according to the prime minister's adviser.

“A society that is so broadly based, growing and remaining stable is the place you want to go to,” he told a room packed with interested investors.

Over the course of the day, 252 delegates from 191 companies called in to familiarize themselves with the remarkable Bangladesh story.

The City Bank MD also brought to the investors' attention the “vibrant” private sector and the population of 160 million.
“This means there is more money in people's hands, a larger domestic market,” he said, while highlighting the demographic advantage.

Gowher Rizvi

Of the total population, more than 50 percent are in the working age bracket, the median age of which is 24-30 years, according to Hussain.

It is an asset that needs to be harnessed, Anwar said.

Subsequently, there are ample opportunities for investors in labour-intensive industries such as readymade garments, household textiles, leather processing, agro products, food and beverages and so on, Hussain said.

Rizvi said all the elements that investors look for are present in Bangladesh.

“The fundamentals are right. Your investment is safe. The returns proportionate to risks are very attractive. There is macroeconomic stability along with policy continuity and predictability.”

Furthermore, the country is providing a host of incentives by way of fiscal concessions, tax holidays and so on, which, if not better, are on a par with other countries, he said.

The SCB CEO said the opportunities for investment in the country far outweigh the current challenges.
At the end of the day, investments need to make sense and investors look forward to a decent return, security of their investments and ability to repatriate dividend and capital when required.

“We have been able to do that, and I am sure, all of you who are contemplating investment in Bangladesh would also be able to do that in due course.”

Pal Stette, director of project and corporate finance of Telenor, Grameenphone's parent company, shared the Norwegian telecom giant's experience of investing in Bangladesh.

In less than two decades, Grameenphone has logged in turnover of more than $1 billion and is producing very good margins, with EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) in excess of 50 percent.
In short, it is one of the star performers of Telenor's portfolio.

It took Grameenphone six years to get its first million subscribers and six months for the next million, Stette said to demonstrate the rising appetite and means of the country's consumer market.

“Today, I can stand in front of you confidently and say that we will not disappoint you,” Rizvi said as he wrapped up the event.

Source: Reserve crosses $27bn | Page 2

 

[Cyberian]

...Correspondingly, the wealth the people of Bangladesh possessed in 2000 was $78 billion, which increased to $237 bn in 2015.

... Of the other South Asian countries, the people of Pakistan have $495 bn,...

How come Pakistan's public wealth has more than doubled that of Bangladesh?

 

[Bilal9]

How come Pakistan's public wealth has more than doubled that of Bangladesh?

Pakistan has revenue streams Bangladesh simply cannot have, based on geopolitical (weapons manufacture) and industrial reasons.

Also - Pakistan's developmental model is a hybrid of varying (and uninterrupted) investment directions over the years - controlled by larger feudal and industrial families who couldn't make it in India financially after 1945 and who were helped hugely by govt. subsidies in Pakistan after the division. These business families did not exist in Bangladesh until recent times (other than a few families like the Adamjees before 1971) because our output was mainly agrarian unlike Pakistan. We have a very high percentage of arable land compared to Pakistan but agriculture is not a high value addition industry.

The industrial base in Bangladesh was completely destroyed in 1971, when we started essentially from scratch. Post 1971, the value addition and exports were mainly low value addition products (garments and shoes) a la Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Heavy industries other than shipbuilding does not exist and that's where a lot of the high value addition is.

Ergo - Bangladesh will need at least another five years to catch up to Pakistan's level. Some say it already has, though.

 

[Cyberian]

Pakistan has revenue streams Bangladesh simply cannot have, based on geopolitical (weapons manufacture) and industrial reasons.

Also - Pakistan's developmental model is a hybrid of varying (and uninterrupted) investment directions over the years - controlled by larger feudal and industrial families who couldn't make it in India financially after 1945 and who were helped hugely by govt. subsidies in Pakistan after the division. These business families did not exist in Bangladesh until recent times (other than a few families like the Adamjees before 1971) because our output was mainly agrarian unlike Pakistan. We have a very high percentage of arable land compared to Pakistan but agriculture is not a high value addition industry.

The industrial base in Bangladesh was completely destroyed in 1971, when we started essentially from scratch. Post 1971, the value addition and exports were mainly low value addition products (garments and shoes) a la Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Heavy industries other than shipbuilding does not exist and that's where a lot of the high value addition is.

Ergo - Bangladesh will need at least another five years to catch up to Pakistan's level. Some say it already has, though.

Pakistan was bankrupt by the end of 1990s and there was no meaningful industry in the country. If there was any, then Pakistan wouldn't have become bankrupt. Pakistan's economic progress pretty much started from 2002 onwards due to War in Afghanistan.

 

[Saithan]

12:00 AM, September 09, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, September 09, 2015
Turkish firm keen to expand digital footprint in Bangladesh

Star Business Report
Turkish telecom firm Netas expressed interest in taking part in building a Digital Bangladesh, to ensure transparency and delivery of government services to all citizens by making best use of technology.

Netas and the Turkish Embassy in Bangladesh jointly organised an event -- ICT Experiences by Netas -- at the Westin Dhaka yesterday, where modern digital technologies were showcased.

Netas is interested in extending support with an integrated security system for Dhaka, by launching different surveillance equipment, said C Mujdat Altay, chief executive of the company.

Altay said they proposed a project -- Dhaka Electronic Security Systems Integration -- where Netas will ensure security of the capital city from a single point by installing hundreds of cameras and analysing security information.

The company also established the same security system in Istanbul in 2007 and has been offering the same services in Tokyo, Sao Paulo and London for the last 20 years.

Omer Aydin, chief marketing officer, said they are well prepared to present smart government solutions and smart cities in Bangladesh.

Netas has the expertise to secure cricket stadiums smartly for local spectators and secure banks for their clients, Aydin said in a presentation.

ADVERTISEMENT
The company has been serving Bangladesh for the last 16 years with Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd as its main client, the official said.

Netas helped BTCL build the country's optical network, Aydin said.

The Turkish company also has operations with three other telecom companies in Bangladesh.

It is possible to start the digitisation process only with mobile communication, where mobile and fibre technology needs collaboration, said Imran Ahmad, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on posts, telecom and ICT ministry.

“I hope Netas will give us the real digitisation experience.”

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Devrim Ozturk was also present.

Havelsan and Korn from Turkey, Ciena from USA, Mitel and Dragonwave from Canada also shared their latest technological advancements in the field of telecom at yesterday's session.

source: Turkish firm keen to expand digital footprint in Bangladesh | The Daily Star

Though it's old news I'm glad to hear that Turkish firms are participating in making a difference in Bangladesh

 

[bongbang]

Bangladesh export earning exceeds target

Bangladesh’s export earnings have surpassed the target despite a fall in the export of many items, including frozen foods and agriculture products.

The growth has been propelled mainly by robust export of woven, knitwear and pharmaceutical products.

Bangladesh earned $3.20 billion by exporting a range of products in December. It was the highest export revenue in the first six months of the 2015-16 fiscal.

In the last month of 2015, the country’s export earnings were 7.3 percent more than what was targeted. It was 12.66 percent more than the earning of December, 2014.

In the first six months of the current fiscal, Bangladesh earned $16.08 billion from exports, which is 1.38 percent more than the target.

The figure is also almost 8 percent more than the export earnings during July-December period of the previous fiscal.

Vice-Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Shubhashish Bose is hopeful this growth trend would continue in the next six months of the current fiscal.

The export update published by the EPB on Tuesday showed Bangladesh, during July-December period of 2015-16 fiscal, exported goods worth $16.08 billion as against a target of $15.86 billion.

During the same period in the previous fiscal year, the export earnings were $14.91 billion.

The highest export revenue earner during the first six months of the current fiscal was woven garments with earnings of $6.70 billion. It was followed by knitwear with $6.43 billion.

H1 exports exceed target | Dhaka Tribune


Exports earning in the first three months of the current fiscal was equal to the corresponding period of the 2014-15 financial year. Growth was witnessed from October.

In October growth was 21.15 percent while in November it was 13.73 percent.

Bose referred to the fact that Bangladesh’s economy had suffered a serious blow during the first three months of the last year due to violence unleashed amidst blockades and shutdowns.

He said those buyers who had then decided to discard Bangladesh market due to political instability started to procure products again from here.

He said political stability led to the export growth.

Bangladesh export earning exceeds target -
bdnews24.com

 

[24 Hours]

Year in review: Bangladesh economy in 2015

Abdur Rahim Harmachi, bdnews24.com

Published: 2015-12-29 19:29:04.0 BdST Updated: 2015-12-29 19:29:04.0 BdST

The World Bank says Bangladesh is a lower-middle income state and is being lauded by several global forums for its ‘stability’ in the macroeconomic scenario while public servants’ pay has been doubled.


But how much did the Bangladesh economy really gain in 2015?

The slump in global oil prices helped the government in controlling inflation while export figures in late 2015 brought a respite.

The beginning of the year was marred by dreadful incidents of firebombing on vehicles, killing over 100 people in the first three months.

The rest of the year, however, experienced stability in the political arena, creating a favourable atmosphere for the economy.

AB Mirza Azizul Islam

But still Bangladesh has not been able to get a grip on its trade and economic targets in 2015, says former caretaker government finance advisor AB Mirza Azizul Islam.


“I would say it’s the same as in the previous year. Nothing much happened,” is how he describes the economy in 2015.

The 10th national elections were held last year. The Bangladesh economy more or less experienced a peaceful 2014, apart from a dearth in investment.

Throughout 2015, the economic indicators have not seen any major drop, but matters like poor progress in some sectors have slowed growth, Mirza Aziz said while speaking to bdnews24.com.

Remittance inflow, which grew by 8 percent in the previous fiscal (2014-15), has hit a snag. It registered 7.32 percent growth between July and November this year.

Mirza Aziz believes that it will be tough for Bangladesh to retain the 7 percent growth in export observed till now by the end of the ongoing 2015-16 fiscal.

Private sector credit flow has also taken a hit, as the country is far behind in its goal of achieving the target of more than 16 percent set in monetary policy.

Industries are not doing well, which is evident from the drop in imports of raw material and capital machineries.

Considering these, former finance advisor Mirza Aziz does not find the investment scenario in 2015 to be ‘encouraging’.

“Chances are little that the targets set for the 2015-16 fiscal will be achieved, which will leave an impact on the goals for the Seventh Five-Year Plan,” he said.

Gains from oil price slump

Some other economic indicators are doing well, however, depending on the external factor of dwindling oil prices.

With prices as low as $35 a barrel, Bangladesh is saving a huge amount in imports. It now does not have to subsidise it but rather counts profits.

For the same reason, the forex reserve is now over $27 billion.

Adequate farm output over the last few years has ‘benefitted’ the economy, according to Mirza Aziz.

“It can be said that the respite in the Bangladesh economy is due to the low cost of oil imports. This is what is enabling the government to fund large projects like the Padma Bridge,” he added.

Investment


Public sector investment in Bangladesh takes place mostly through the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

But its implementation in the first five months of the current fiscal has been a meagre 17 percent, much lower than in the same period in the last two fiscals.

In 2014-15, it was at 20 percent, and during the previous fiscal year 19 percent.

The government, however, blamed heavy rains between July and September for the decline.

“Incessant rains in the first three months (of the fiscal) hampered development projects,” Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal had told the media.

He added that implementation would pick up from January next year.

Meanwhile, private sector credit inflow was at 13.19 percent in the first four months of the last fiscal.

It’s more or less at the same rate—13.22 percent during the same period in this fiscal.

Inflation

One of the key economic indicators was at a tolerable level throughout the year.

On a point-to-point basis, inflation came down to 6.05 percent in November from 6.19 percent in October.

This means that services or goods, which cost Tk 100 in November last year, will now cost Tk 106.05.

In the last one year, from December 2014 to November 2015, average inflation clocked at 6.2 percent, down from 7.1 percent during the previous year.

Forex reserve

The best performing indicator has been the foreign currency reserve. As of Tuesday (Dec 29), it stood at $27.4 billion, higher than at any other time in the history of Bangladesh.

The reserve was at a little over $22 billion on the same day in 2014.

Remittance

Remittance inflow registered a 7.6 growth in the last fiscal, but it has taken a hit this year.

In the five months from July to November, expatriates sent $6.17 billion, down by 0.68 percent from the inflow in the same period last year.

Exports and Imports

In the 2014-15 fiscal, Bangladesh’s exports stood at $31.2 billion, up by 3.35 percent from the previous fiscal’s figures.

Between the ongoing fiscal’s July and November, Bangladesh earned $12.88 billion from exports, up by 6.71 percent over the same period in the 2014-15 fiscal.

Import cost has come down, thanks to the slump in global oil prices.

In the 2014-15 fiscal, cost of imports grew by 11.26 percent and in the five months of this fiscal (Jul-Nov) it was down by 2.3 percent.

LC (letter of credit) openings for oil imports have drastically come down in the current fiscal.

In 2014-15, LC openings were down by 20 percent. In the five months of the ongoing fiscal, the decline has been a staggering 50 percent.

The low cost of import has caused Bangladesh a huge surplus in its balance of payments (BOP).

In the four months of the 2015-16 fiscal it was at $936 million while during the same period of the previous fiscal it was at $135 million.

Revenue

The revenue collection target in the budget for 2015-16 has been fixed at Tk 1,763 billion.

Until November this year, revenue collection registered a 24 percent growth while in the 2014-15 fiscal it grew by 13.16 percent.

কৃষি ঋণ কমেছে: বাড়ানোর তাগাদা গভর্নরের



Agriculture

The one sector that has been experiencing consistent growth in the last few years is agriculture, facilitating a firm base for the economy.

According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bangladesh tops the list of countries experiencing growth in fruit farming.

It is now the seventh largest producer of mangoes and eighth in terms of guavas.

Bangladesh has started export mangoes to Walmart with the FAO’s cooperation.

Bangladesh is among four countries poised to do better in fish farming in 2022.

According to the international research body World Fish, Hilsha productions in all of the eleven countries have decreased, except for Bangladesh.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced a new variety of rice, resistant to almost any adverse situation.

In 2015, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute announced a Zinc enriched rice variety BRRI-72.

In an attempt to discourage imports of rice, the government imposed a 20 percent tariff twice in 2015.

The government, however, faced flak over the wheat it imported from Brazil this year.

 

[jahidus2005]

international convention city , bosundhara dhaka

 

[24 Hours]

AIDIA to host first Nepal-Bangladesh business forum in Kathmandu

Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com

Published: 2016-01-17 17:20:27.0 BdST Updated: 2016-01-17 18:13:17.0 BdST

Ministers, senior officials, and business leaders from Bangladesh and Nepal will meet in Kathmandu onJan 22 for a two-day business forum, the first of its kind, to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), a Nepal-based think-tank, is hosting the forum with the cooperation of the Bangladesh embassy in Kathmandu to attract investments geared to generating employment.

AIDIA founder Sunil KC told bdnews24.com that since the promulgation of a new constitution Nepalese “have been suffering from various problems and our economy is totally affected and we thought that Nepal has to engage with its neighbouring country Bangladesh for import or export and for foreign direct investment for hydro projects and hospitality sectors in Nepal”.

Nepal has also been in a reconstruction phase after the devastating earthquake that ravaged the country in April last year.


“This is the right time for Nepal to make Bangladesh a second major trading partner after India,” he said.

Several of Nepal’s incumbent and former ministers, including the minister for commerce, will attend the forum along with the country’s business leaders.

Bangladesh’s commerce secretary and chamber leaders, including the president of the apex business body FBCCI, are also expected to join the forum.

The organisers have said their plan is to make the forum an annual event to promote bilateral trade, business and investment.

Nepal and Bangladesh enjoy close diplomatic relations. The Himalayan country is also a tourist destination for Bangladeshis.

But bilateral trade has not grown much. Last year the two-way trade amounted to only about $38 million.

The new Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal motor vehicle agreement opens a new era of doing business.

Sunil said Nepal was looking for investments for generating employment.


“Bangladesh is going to become a logistic hub in Asia due its own business characteristics and Nepal can be benefited from it because of its geographical proximity,” he said.

“This is the first such bilateral business forum to take place in Kathmandu to promote trade between any two countries.”

“This forum will create more business opportunities,” he hoped.

There will be ‘business to business’ and ‘business to government’ meetings apart from several sessions at the forum.

An official body for the continuity of the forum will also be set up.

 

[Nilgiri]

Year in review: Bangladesh economy in 2015

Abdur Rahim Harmachi, bdnews24.com

Published: 2015-12-29 19:29:04.0 BdST Updated: 2015-12-29 19:29:04.0 BdST

The World Bank says Bangladesh is a lower-middle income state and is being lauded by several global forums for its ‘stability’ in the macroeconomic scenario while public servants’ pay has been doubled.


But how much did the Bangladesh economy really gain in 2015?

The slump in global oil prices helped the government in controlling inflation while export figures in late 2015 brought a respite.

The beginning of the year was marred by dreadful incidents of firebombing on vehicles, killing over 100 people in the first three months.

The rest of the year, however, experienced stability in the political arena, creating a favourable atmosphere for the economy.

AB Mirza Azizul Islam

But still Bangladesh has not been able to get a grip on its trade and economic targets in 2015, says former caretaker government finance advisor AB Mirza Azizul Islam.


“I would say it’s the same as in the previous year. Nothing much happened,” is how he describes the economy in 2015.

The 10th national elections were held last year. The Bangladesh economy more or less experienced a peaceful 2014, apart from a dearth in investment.

Throughout 2015, the economic indicators have not seen any major drop, but matters like poor progress in some sectors have slowed growth, Mirza Aziz said while speaking to bdnews24.com.

Remittance inflow, which grew by 8 percent in the previous fiscal (2014-15), has hit a snag. It registered 7.32 percent growth between July and November this year.

Mirza Aziz believes that it will be tough for Bangladesh to retain the 7 percent growth in export observed till now by the end of the ongoing 2015-16 fiscal.

Private sector credit flow has also taken a hit, as the country is far behind in its goal of achieving the target of more than 16 percent set in monetary policy.

Industries are not doing well, which is evident from the drop in imports of raw material and capital machineries.

Considering these, former finance advisor Mirza Aziz does not find the investment scenario in 2015 to be ‘encouraging’.

“Chances are little that the targets set for the 2015-16 fiscal will be achieved, which will leave an impact on the goals for the Seventh Five-Year Plan,” he said.

Gains from oil price slump

Some other economic indicators are doing well, however, depending on the external factor of dwindling oil prices.

With prices as low as $35 a barrel, Bangladesh is saving a huge amount in imports. It now does not have to subsidise it but rather counts profits.

For the same reason, the forex reserve is now over $27 billion.

Adequate farm output over the last few years has ‘benefitted’ the economy, according to Mirza Aziz.

“It can be said that the respite in the Bangladesh economy is due to the low cost of oil imports. This is what is enabling the government to fund large projects like the Padma Bridge,” he added.

Investment


Public sector investment in Bangladesh takes place mostly through the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

But its implementation in the first five months of the current fiscal has been a meagre 17 percent, much lower than in the same period in the last two fiscals.

In 2014-15, it was at 20 percent, and during the previous fiscal year 19 percent.

The government, however, blamed heavy rains between July and September for the decline.

“Incessant rains in the first three months (of the fiscal) hampered development projects,” Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal had told the media.

He added that implementation would pick up from January next year.

Meanwhile, private sector credit inflow was at 13.19 percent in the first four months of the last fiscal.

It’s more or less at the same rate—13.22 percent during the same period in this fiscal.

Inflation

One of the key economic indicators was at a tolerable level throughout the year.

On a point-to-point basis, inflation came down to 6.05 percent in November from 6.19 percent in October.

This means that services or goods, which cost Tk 100 in November last year, will now cost Tk 106.05.

In the last one year, from December 2014 to November 2015, average inflation clocked at 6.2 percent, down from 7.1 percent during the previous year.

Forex reserve

The best performing indicator has been the foreign currency reserve. As of Tuesday (Dec 29), it stood at $27.4 billion, higher than at any other time in the history of Bangladesh.

The reserve was at a little over $22 billion on the same day in 2014.

Remittance

Remittance inflow registered a 7.6 growth in the last fiscal, but it has taken a hit this year.

In the five months from July to November, expatriates sent $6.17 billion, down by 0.68 percent from the inflow in the same period last year.

Exports and Imports

In the 2014-15 fiscal, Bangladesh’s exports stood at $31.2 billion, up by 3.35 percent from the previous fiscal’s figures.

Between the ongoing fiscal’s July and November, Bangladesh earned $12.88 billion from exports, up by 6.71 percent over the same period in the 2014-15 fiscal.

Import cost has come down, thanks to the slump in global oil prices.

In the 2014-15 fiscal, cost of imports grew by 11.26 percent and in the five months of this fiscal (Jul-Nov) it was down by 2.3 percent.

LC (letter of credit) openings for oil imports have drastically come down in the current fiscal.

In 2014-15, LC openings were down by 20 percent. In the five months of the ongoing fiscal, the decline has been a staggering 50 percent.

The low cost of import has caused Bangladesh a huge surplus in its balance of payments (BOP).

In the four months of the 2015-16 fiscal it was at $936 million while during the same period of the previous fiscal it was at $135 million.

Revenue

The revenue collection target in the budget for 2015-16 has been fixed at Tk 1,763 billion.

Until November this year, revenue collection registered a 24 percent growth while in the 2014-15 fiscal it grew by 13.16 percent.

কৃষি ঋণ কমেছে: বাড়ানোর তাগাদা গভর্নরের



Agriculture

The one sector that has been experiencing consistent growth in the last few years is agriculture, facilitating a firm base for the economy.

According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bangladesh tops the list of countries experiencing growth in fruit farming.

It is now the seventh largest producer of mangoes and eighth in terms of guavas.

Bangladesh has started export mangoes to Walmart with the FAO’s cooperation.

Bangladesh is among four countries poised to do better in fish farming in 2022.

According to the international research body World Fish, Hilsha productions in all of the eleven countries have decreased, except for Bangladesh.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced a new variety of rice, resistant to almost any adverse situation.

In 2015, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute announced a Zinc enriched rice variety BRRI-72.

In an attempt to discourage imports of rice, the government imposed a 20 percent tariff twice in 2015.

The government, however, faced flak over the wheat it imported from Brazil this year.

Do you think Bangladesh will surpass 7% economic growth this year?

Nice avatar btw