Joel Ahmed

https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2022/01/12/longest-bridge-in-chittagong-hill-tracts-opens-to-traffic Longest bridge in Chittagong Hill Tracts opens to traffic The project cost Tk227 crore https://new-media.dhakatribune.com/en/uploads/2022/01/12/rangamati-naniarchor-bridge-pic-1-1.jpeg The Naniarchar Bridge in Rangamati Dhaka Tribune Bijoy Dhar, Rangamati January 12, 2022 4:44 PM Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the longest bridge in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the Chengi River in Rangamati. The premier opened the bridge to traffic by joining an event in Rangamati through video conference from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital on Wednesday. The 500-metre long and 10.2-meter wide bridge in Naniarchar upazila was constructed by the 20 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB) of the 34th Engineering Construction Brigade of Bangladesh Army. Approximately Tk227 crore was spent on the bridge and the approach roads. After the inauguration program, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the construction of the bridge has brought the “Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty” one step closer to being implemented. “The Awami League signed the agreement in 1997, and it continues to operate to this day.” The project was constructed to improve communication from Rangamati district to other districts, facilitate trade, and make it easier to market products, the prime minister added. Rangamati MP Dipankar Talukdar, who was present at the inauguration program said: “The Naniarchar bridge will have a positive effect on the economy of the district and nation.” On November 16, 2016, the ECB started the construction of the bridge under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army. The premier also inaugurated the 1.8-meter long connecting road from Balukhali in Cox's Bazar to Ghumdhum in the Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban. Total cost of the project is Tk79 crore.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/bangladesh-bank-devalues-taka-to-boost-exports-remittances-1641986767 Bangladesh Bank devalues taka to boost exports, remittances Published: January 12, 2022 17:26:07 The exchange rate of the Taka has depreciated by 25 per cent in the last 13 years against the US dollar, and fell to an unprecedented Tk 86 against the dollar at the start of the week, as the central bank looks to adopt a policy of devaluation to boost exports and remittances. Devaluation can boost a country’s exports by making its products more competitive in international trade. As the country has adequate forex reserves of over $44 billion, Bangladesh Bank (BB) officials suggest not to be worried of taka depreciation. But the common people may have to bear the brunt of higher prices due to the impact of taka depreciation, reports UNB. In the last five months, the Bangladeshi currency has lost its value by Tk 1.20 or 1.41 per cent against the US dollar. The taka was devalued once again by 20 poisa on the inter-bank exchange market on Sunday against the dollar. Despite holding a stable position for a month and a half, the depreciation occurred on Sunday. On Thursday, the last day of last week, one had to spend Tk 85.80 per dollar in the interbank currency market; It took Tk 86 on Sunday. Banks are selling dollars at Tk 4/5 more. The dollar is being sold at Tk 91.5 at kerb (open) market. State-owned Sonali Bank and Janata Bank sold dollars at Tk 90.50 on Sunday. Agrani Bank has sold at Tk 90.30. Outside the bank, up to Tk 91.5 per dollar has been sold in the karb market, sources said. Earlier, the BB purchased $ 8.0 billion from different banks in the fiscal year of 2020-21 to maintain the exchange rate of taka, when import order decreased severely for worsening pandemic. The central bank, however, supplied $2.50 billion so far in the current fiscal year as the import demand increased by 50 per cent after the pandemic situation. However, the value of Bangladeshi taka has depreciated every year except one year during the last 13 years. Bangladesh trades internationally by US dollar. Despite adopting a 'conservative policy', the value of taka has decreased by about 25 per cent against that dollar in the last 13 years. In other words, a consumer would cost Tk 100 to buy a product or service from the international market 13 years ago, now it costs Tk 125 to buy the same product, shows the data of Bangladesh Bank. The value of taka has fallen more in the private transaction of the US dollar during this period. In February 2009, one had to spend Tk 69 to buy a US dollar, which now stands at Tk 86. Former adviser of caretaker government Dr. Mirza ABM Azizul Islam said that import demand has increased in the post lockdown time as the industrial production shows a rising trends. The price increase of LNG and petroleum products in the global market is also another cause to raise the dollar demand as Bangladesh uses USD to meet all kinds of import payments, he said. The country’s forex reserves remain at the highest ever, export income and inward remittance flow are also good, so there is no reason to be worried about weakening taka in this stage, but a cautionary measure is to be taken for stabilising the price of local commodity markets, Mirza Aziz said. Former governor of BB Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said that the exporters become happy if taka becomes weak, but it creates pressure to raise commodity prices in the domestic market. He said the central bank sometimes relaxed policy to increase dollar exchange rate so that the expatriates and exporters could send more forex income to the country. The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Bangladeshi taka has been fixed by the government since independence. The taka was declared convertible (exchangeable) for enhancing foreign trade on March 24, 1994. And in 2003, this exchange rate was made floating. From then on, the national currency is no longer devalued or revalued by declarations. However, although the exchange rate was floating, it was not entirely market-based. The central bank has always had indirect control over it through its buying and selling of dollars, in what is called a ‘managed float’.

https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/banks/news/dhaka-bank-launch-ai-based-instant-loans-2936746 Dhaka Bank to launch AI-based instant loans Star Business Report Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Jan 11, 2022 07:00 AM Dhaka Bank will soon be able to disburse small-scale personal loans within two hours after clients submit their application. As such, an account holder of the private lender will be able to take between Tk 10,000 and Tk 3 lakh in loans without producing any paper documents. Dhaka Bank yesterday signed an agreement with CASHe Alliance Ltd in order to manage technological support to roll out the new product. Emranul Huq, managing director of the bank, said the lender would start disbursing loans in this manner from next month on a pilot basis. The pilot programme will run until May, after which all clients of the bank can enjoy the service. Payroll accounts maintained with the bank will be initially eligible for the loans, Huq said. Around 60,000 payroll accounts are now maintained with the bank. Under the payroll account system, clients receive salaries from their employers directly through a bank. Clients will not be required to provide any collateral to secure the loans. Instead, Dhaka Bank will scrutinise the credit status of loan seekers by verifying their credit information bureau report of the central bank. The lender will disburse the loan by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which will verify the clients' behaviour through their accounts on social media. In addition, the AI will analyse what types of smartphones and apps are being used by clients. This will help the lender know the attitude and aptitude of its clients. "We will be able to detect the proper clients to give out loans in an efficient manner through the process," Huq said. The process of loan sanction and disbursement will be completed within two hours, he added. A dedicated mobile application has already been prepared and loan seekers will have to download it with their smartphone. The new initiative will help clients reduce the time needed to manage funds as people currently have to wait at least five to seven days to get a personal loan. In addition, clients will no longer need to visit bank branches to manage small loans. However, clients have to submit national identification related information and upload their picture with the app, Huq said.

https://www.tbsnews.net/dropped/trade/bangladesh-sets-80-billion-export-target-2024-356389 TBS Report 12 January, 2022, 01:35 pm Last modified: 12 January, 2022, 01:43 pm Bangladesh sets $80 billion export target for 2024 The export target for 2021 was $60 billion The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved draft of "Export Policy 2021-2024" today setting an $80 billion export target for 2024. The export target for 2021 was $60 billion. "All exporters will get uniformed facilities. Besides we will provide policy supports regarding challenges over 4IR," Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said in the virtual meeting of the committee. He also said, "The government will emphasize on recycling, and research and development." Regarding Planning Minister MA Mannan's concern that Bangladesh might fall in the middle-income trap, the finance minister said, "Bangladesh will never fall in middle income trap as own resources and funds are being used in the country's developments. Foreign investments in Bangladesh are very low." "Whereas Vietnam's economy depends on foreign investments. They can't be compared with Bangladesh," he added.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangladesh-rises-research-publications-still-not-enough-356218#.Yd2yG8AA4hw.facebook Kamran Siddiqui 11 January, 2022, 10:35 pm Last modified: 12 January, 2022, 01:15 am Bangladesh rises in research publications, still not enough In the previous year, the number was 9,116, while in 2019, it was 8,301 documents. Bangladeshi researchers published more than 11,000 scientific publications, mostly articles in international journals with impact factor, last year, which was third among South Asian countries. Although the number was 2,000 more than in 2020, experts believe that this is not enough. The country's neighbours -- India (222,849 publications) and Pakistan (35,663 publications) -- have contributed much more, despite near similar positions in economic and social indicators. According to the online magazine Scientific Bangladesh's annual report on scientific documents, the scholars of the country published 11,477 articles and other publications in 159 peer-reviewed and impact factor journals and Proceedings till 6 January. In the previous year, the number was 9,116, while in 2019, it was 8,301 documents. The documents that were counted in the report apart from articles are: conference papers, reviews, book chapters, letters, errata, notes, editorials, data papers, books, short surveys, and others. Prof Dr M Shamsher Ali, former president of Bangladesh Academy of Science, told The Business Standard, "The current publication number is not enough in Bangladesh; it is extremely inadequate. It's because of the poor research budget in universities. Our higher education institutions have become teaching institutes only." He suggested identifying good researchers to increase publications. According to the 2021 annual report of the University Grants Commission (UGC), 125 public and private universities in the country altogether spent only Tk153 crore – an average of Tk1.22 crore each – on research activities in 2019, which is only 1% of their total expenditure. More strikingly, privately-run BRAC University's spending on research in 2019 was Tk37.9 crores, which was five crores more than the total spent on research by 10 public universities combined in the same year. Meanwhile, available data shows that South Asian countries registered a significant growth in research publications over the last five years. From 2016 to 2021, Nepal and Sri Lanka's contribution grew by 20 times and 16.5 times, respectively, while Maldives' research publications increased by 30 times. Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan's contribution grew by 2 times only. Academics and experts maintain that the low amount of money spent on research in the country's universities had resulted in the inadequate research work. Dr Saleh Hasan Naqib, a veteran scientist and professor of Physics at Rajshahi University, told TBS, "A faculty should publish at least one or two quality research publications in a year. But on average, we cannot do so. "There is a policy problem as we are not appointing quality graduates as teachers. Many appointments are questionable due to corruption. Besides, a teacher can be promoted easily without publications." For painting the picture of the research publication scenario in the country, Scientific Bangladesh gleaned their data from the citation and abstract based database Scopus, which includes peer-reviewed literature, as well as scientific journals, books and conference proceedings. The top seven journals which published the highest number of articles by Bangladeshi researchers are: Heliyon, Plos One, Sustainability Switzerland, Scientific Reports, IEEE Access, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. According to Resurchify, an information portal, the impact factor of the Heliyon is 2.85. The impact factor, also known as Journal Impact Factor (JIF), is a metric used to evaluate the relative importance of a journal. It is determined by calculating the average number of citations received by selected articles in that journal within the last few years. Where Bangladesh stands According to the Scopus database, the top three subject areas of publication for Bangladeshis are engineering (10.7%), medicine (10.4%), and computer science (9.6%). There was also a big increase in environmental sciences publications in 2021, which made it the fourth-largest area surpassing agriculture and biological sciences. Among both university and research organisations, Dhaka University (DU) retained the top position with 1,246 publications, 500 more than last year. Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (BUET) slipped to third position with 693 publications, while Rajshahi University secured the second position. Jahangirnagar University secured fourth position, while the private North South University placed 5th, climbing two rungs from 2020. Dr Monir Uddin Ahmed, editor of Scientific Bangladesh, told TBS, "Using the number of articles per faculty, we can better understand the performance of any university. In this case, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (1.42 articles per faculty) is at the top, followed by Jessore University of Science and Technology (1.20) and BUET (1.04). "From the data of articles per faculty which is less than 1 for most universities, and the number of corresponding authors [only 1/4 articles are originating from the institutes' own research], the scenario is far from satisfactory though publication number is increasing," he added. Top Bangladeshi researchers According to the Scopus database, Dr Talha Bin Emran, assistant professor of the pharmacy department at BGC Trust University, obtained the top position last year with 92 publications. Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director of Icddr,b and Dr Akbar Hossain, principal scientist, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, secured the 2nd position jointly last year with 73 articles. Dr Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam, associate professor of disaster management at the Begum Rokeya University and Md Sahab Uddin, executive director of Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, jointly secured 4th position with 65 articles, according to the data available.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/walton-inks-deal-with-danby-for-north-america-market-expansion-1641828240 Walton inks deal with Danby for North America market expansion FE ONLINE DESK | Published: January 10, 2022 21:24:00 https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/uploads/1641828240.jpg Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC has signed a partnership agreement with Danby Appliances, a renowned compact appliance brand in North America, for expanding its global market in the region. With this signing, Walton will lead Bangladesh to enter the USA region for the first time ever in the electronics segment. The partnership will establish Walton brand products in USA and Canada. Recently, a team of Walton high officials visited 'Consumer Electronics Show (CES-2022)' held in Las Vegas. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Walton and Danby was signed at the CES which is one of the world's biggest tech trade shows. Edward Kim, President of the Global Business Division of Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, and Andrew Raymond, CFO of Danby Appliances, have signed the paper for their respective organisations. The signing ceremony was arranged on Friday (January 07, 2022) virtually. Golam Murshed, Managing Director and CEO of Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, Jim Estill, President and CEO of Danby, Walton's DMD Amdadul Hoque Sarker, Home Appliance's Chief Business Officer (CBO) Al-Imran, Kitchen Appliance's CBO Mahfuzur Rahman, Global Business Division's vice-president Abdur Rouf and Sr. Assistant Director Kaysar Chayan were among others present on the occasion.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/how-summit-takes-new-step-abroad-indian-power-plant-355759#.YdxdIJrYnCo.facebook Sharier Khan & Eyamin Sajid 10 January, 2022, 10:15 pm Last modified: 11 January, 2022, 05:02 pm How Summit takes new step abroad in Indian power plant Top Bangladeshi private power company Summit has acquired around one fourth of a power project of an Indian power company in Tripura, marking the first footprint of any Bangladeshi company on investing in a foreign power venture. Summit bagged 23.5% of the ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) in July last year committing to invest about US$50 million in its 750mw gas fired power plant in Tripura. Summit is now awaiting approval of the central government. "I think this would be the first purchase by any Bangladeshi-owned company investing in a power plant abroad," said Chairman of Summit Group Muhammed Aziz Khan, adding that he expected the shares would be transferred to his company Summit India (Tripura) in a month or two. This is the very power plant that Bangladesh had helped OTPC build a decade back by allowing transshipment of its heavy equipment through Bangladesh. Now this company is set to build another 350-megawatt power plant from gas, transmission assets and renewable potentials. Summit is also in talks with another company over a deal to invest, purchase and import renewable energy to Bangladesh from India at a competitive rate. These cross border renewable deals are backed by The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and are part of policies of the two governments. The company that now has a huge stake in Bangladesh's energy industry is also trying to secure a Liquefied Natural gas (LNG) deal with an American company on a long-term basis at a reasonably low cost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Izn8ogjClc Aziz Khan, in conversation with The Business Standard, also reflected on how his home-grown infrastructure company of the nineties was becoming a multinational entity. The company moved its headquarters to Singapore six-seven years back with a view to expand its activities beyond Bangladesh, which still remains its business hotspot and where Summit plans to invest another $3 billion by 2025. Moving to Singapore has made it easier for Summit to get finances, he said. In 2017, Summit won a bid in India to develop a port in Kolkata. It bagged another deal recently to run another port in Patna -- which is now under construction. "For the last four years, we have been operating the Kolkata port that we implemented under the build-own-operate-transfer model by winning a tender from the Inland Waterways Authorities of India,'' said the Summit Group chairman. "I think that nobody [in Bangladesh] has invested in ports or infrastructure abroad before," said Khan. Summit has 20 power plants in Bangladesh with a capacity to generate 1,942MW electricity—representing around 8% of the country's total power generation capacity -- and another 600 mw under construction. The infrastructure conglomerate also has a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for supplying 500mmcf LNG per day. Summit shifts to Singapore to broaden the horizon "We have shifted our head office to Singapore to broaden the horizon from containment to go to India and other sub continental countries," Aziz Khan said. Khan said that implementing a power plant in Bangladesh is a very difficult task because of the high interest of capital and lack of funding. He said that the Summit Group has so far invested $2.5billion in Bangladesh. "For implementing a project, you need to have 30% capital and 70% debt. But I did not have that money. So, I had to take a loan," he said. "From that calculation, I had to manage around $900million. But you didn't hear that I defrauded any banks or people. So, I had to get this capital. Then, I had to manage a $2.1 billion loan, and there is no allegation that I'm not repaying the loan either," Khan added. "It was possible due to the low cost of capital. We took a $350 million loan from Standard Chartered Bank at 3.5% fixed interest against the Switzerland state bank's guarantee. "But implementation of large projects would not be possible by paying 10-12% interest rate to the local financiers. The private sector does not get the opportunity to obtain loans at an interest rate of 1% like the government," he said. "Being a private sector company, we get a loan at 3.5% and our average interest rate is 4.5% against the current $800million loan. And 80% of this loan book is from foreign companies or lenders," he said. Khan said others are not getting the commercial loan because of their own company's governance and the credit rating of Bangladesh. Bangladesh's credit rating is also a reason behind the shift of the head office to Singapore, said the Summit Group chairman. "Cost of the fund depends on the credit rating. If you want big spending, you need to go to a big market and Singapore is a big market," he said. Bangladesh's credit rating is still BB minus (BB-), while Singapore is a triple-A or double-A rating country. "So, we get double-A if we do the credit rating in Singapore, but if we do it here in Bangladesh, we won't be able to get it above BB minus," he said. Another reason for the shift to Singapore was to hire skilled manpower for large projects, said Aziz Khan. "Getting management is very tough here in Bangladesh because nobody has done big business. You cannot find someone who has done a 580MW power plant implementation, but that is available all over the world," he added. Summit invests with American company for long term LNG solution Summit Group, the trailblazer in the power and energy sector in Bangladesh, is now eying a long term LNG solution. Talking about the new horizon of the business, Aziz Khan, said, "We are now discussing investment in LNG liquefaction and transportation processes with American companies. If we are successful, we will be able to supply LNG at a lower price." "Recently, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Commonwealth LNG to collaborate in the supply of LNG to Asia, including Bangladesh," he said. The scope of the MoU includes contracting for 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG offtake, for a term of up to 20 years, from Commonwealth's 8.4 MTPA facility currently under development in Cameron, Louisiana. Building the third FSRU of the country Summit Group is also looking to establish its second and the country's third FSRU at Moheshkhali coast to regasify another 500 MMCF LNG. In this regard, Aziz Khan said, "We have applied for the second FSRU and we have heard that it has been positively taken by the government. "Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), the state-run company responsible for LNG operation, is going to call us for negotiation," he added. The Summit Group chairman also said that this was not by their persuasion, but the country needed it and Petrobangla understood that. Petrobangla wanted to build an on-shore terminal but they could not acquire the land for it yet, he said. "Even if they get the land, it will take time to develop the land and they have to dig at an 18-metre depth for storage, but the country does not have that time," Khan further added. The capacity of the new FSRU will be 170,000 cubic metres, which would be 30% higher than the existing one. Will LNG remain affordable? Currently, the country has a demand for around 3500mmcf to 4000mmcf of gas per day, whereas it gets only 2500mmcf from local gas fields, so a gap remains there. The margin of the demand gap will be bigger once the 100 economic zones, undertaken by the government, come into operation. "And as the reserve of natural gas deflates gradually, the demand-supply gap of gas has to be fulfilled by LNG," said Khan. The next infrastructure necessary for Bangladesh is how to bring LNG and how to continue to supply the most needed energy for the continuous and sustainable development of Bangladesh, he added. But in the last one year LNG price was wildly volatile and went up to $36 per MMBtu. Talking about affordability, Khan said, "To get the lower price, we have to go to a long term contract, instead of spot purchase." Khan also said that his new FSRU would be able to provide LNG at cheaper rates than the existing ones. And it is possible if one invests in liquefaction and transportation of LNG, he said.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladesh-make-its-own-cars-industries-minister-356074 TBS Report 11 January, 2022, 05:20 pm Last modified: 11 January, 2022, 05:26 pm Bangladesh to make its own cars: Industries minister Efforts are underway to make cars in Bangladesh by Pragoti Industries, said Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun today. "Not just assembling cars, we will produce cars in Bangladesh as well. A memorandum of understanding has already been signed with Mitsubishi Motors to set up a factory in Bangladesh," the minister said in a programme. The industries minister also hoped that different ministries would purchase the cars made by Pragoti Industries, a state-owned enterprise set up by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu. Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) Chairman Md Shahidul Haque Bhuiyan presided over the event and special guests on the occasion were - Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmed, Secretary Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana and Director General of Manpower Employment and Training Bureau Md Shahidul Alam. On 30 November 2021, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment issued a work order for the purchase of 73 double cabin pick-ups at a total cost of Tk31.75 crore (per pickup costing Tk43.50 lakh for this project. The vehicles were handed over to the project stakeholders by Pragoti Industries Limited on Tuesday (11 January). Speaking as the special guest, Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Imran Ahmed said that teaching driving is a good way to create skilled manpower. "We are trying to create one lakh skilled drivers by providing training. The Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment might sign a memorandum of understanding to work together in this regard," he added.

গ্রীন ফ্যাক্টরির স্বীকৃতি পেল দেশের আরও দুই পোশাক কারখানা। এ নিয়ে দেশে পরিবেশ বান্ধব কারখানার সংখ্যা দাঁড়ালো ১৫৫টিতে। https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1314657045667798

https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/can-roja-convince-bangladeshis-fall-love-seafood-snacks-355843 Kaniz Supriya 11 January, 2022, 10:30 am Last modified: 11 January, 2022, 12:55 pm Can Roja convince Bangladeshis to fall in love with seafood snacks? Roja exclusively makes processed frozen seafood in a market where chicken and meat items dominate Roja's products are a fusion of desi and foreign cuisine and till date they have launched 20+ products in the market. Photo: Courtesy The frozen food market in the country has been booming in the last decade. In 2019, the industry was estimated to be worth Tk800 crore and an international research organisation predicted the industry would reach Tk3,000 crore by 2024. The pandemic, meanwhile, provided such a boost to its popularity that the industry may very well be close to those predictions already. Two of the biggest players in the market, Pran RFL and Golden Harvest, reported their sales shot up by 50 to 100 percent, during the last two years. Tucked away in a corner of this galloping industry is the brand Roja, owned by Sea Resources Group, a sister concern of Rangs Group, that exclusively makes processed frozen seafood in a market where chicken nuggets, chicken samosa, chicken sausages and a host of other meat items dominate. Roja, which started its journey in 2019 is a dream project of Romana Rouf Chowdhury, the Managing Director of Sea Resources Group. Sea Resources Group is one of the leading wild-caught sea fish exporters in the country, operating since 1982, and supplies the frozen sea fish required to make Roja branded products. The idea behind Roja was to come up with exciting value-added products based on sea fish which will encourage people to try seafood. Wild-caught sea fish, the key ingredient of all Roja’s products, is caught from the Bay of Bengal using the Sea Resources Group’s own fleet. Photo: Courtesy In a conversation with The Business Standard, Makame Mahmud, one of the Directors of Roja said, "We take pride in being the first Bangladeshi brand to offer ready-to-cook/eat nutritional seafood from ocean to plate. There is nothing that resonates more with a Bengali's appetite than fish. Catering to this craving and the growing need for ready-to-cook convenience food with uncompromised quality, Roja was born." That being said, working with something different and being first in the market comes with plenty of obstacles. Sea fish, that are too wild-caught, needs a strong logistic support and preservation facility and that, in turn, needs a hefty capital. Also, technology plays a vital role here. These are the reasons why any entity has not accepted the challenge of taking seafood items a step ahead. Wild-caught sea fish, the key ingredient of all Roja’s products, is caught from the Bay of Bengal using the Sea Resources Group’s own fleet. Photo: Courtesy For now, the biggest challenge of Roja is motivating customers to experiment with seafood-based snacks. It requires a behavioural shift which is not so easy given that we are so used to having chicken-based snacks and a specific flavour. "We have heard the customers say that 'it smells fishy,' which it is supposed to. Like chicken, fish does not absorb added flavours, so the smell and taste of fish remain very prominent," explained Mahmud. Also, the price of wild-caught seafood items is comparatively higher than chicken, freshwater sea fish and other alternatives. As a result, the demand for sea fish or seafood-based products tapers off. "It is very natural that something caught from the wilderness will be more costly than something that has been farmed. The price comparison is irrational but people do it anyway without considering the food value and availability," opined Mahmud. However, Mahmud remains very hopeful about his brand believing that people are gradually becoming more health-conscious. Till date, Roja has launched 20+ products available in the market, some are truly unique for a local company, including Shrimp Tempura, Butterfly Shrimp, Calamari Bites, Hilsha Kabab, Seafood Popcorn, etc. "Our products are a fusion of desi and foreign cuisine. We want to blend sea-based food with our local cuisine, and I believe it reflects in our food items. Products like Shrimp Samosa, Shrimp Shingara, Shrimp Puri, Hilsa Kabab are examples of that," added Mahmud. Roja's products are a fusion of desi and foreign cuisine and till date they have launched 20+ products in the market. Photo: Courtesy Mahmud was reluctant to reveal the sales figures for the various Roja items in the market but admitted that their frozen paratha, one of the few non-seafood items in their repertoire, was performing the best in the market. Wild-caught sea fish, the key ingredient of all these products, is caught from the Bay of Bengal using the Sea Resources Group's own fleet. After that, those fishes are transported to Narayanganj, where the processing factory is located, where around 100 people are employed. At present, Roja products are only available in Dhaka, Chattogram, and some parts of Sylhet. The products are available in renowned super shops like Unimart, Meena Bazar, Aagora, Swapno, etc., and in some shops outside Dhaka as well. Why consider seafood? Seafood is considered a low-calorie food compared to other protein-rich foods such as meat and poultry. Every three-ounce serving of cooked fish or shellfish, in general, provides about one-third of the average daily recommended amount of protein to an adult. "Our goal is to provide a superior quality alternative [to poultry-based frozen snacks] to our customers. In order to do so, we are continuously trying out different recipes and products. We want to bring sea fish and seafood to the mainstream," said Romana Rouf Chowdhury.

https://www.banglatribune.com/business/power-and-fuel/722128/সাগরে-তেল-গ্যাস-অনুসন্ধানে-ফেব্রুয়ারিতে-শুরু-হচ্ছে সাগরে তেল-গ্যাস অনুসন্ধানে ফেব্রুয়ারিতে শুরু হচ্ছে মাল্টিক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভে সঞ্চিতা সীতু ০৬ জানুয়ারি ২০২২, ২২:৩২ বঙ্গোপসাগরে তেল-গ্যাস অনুসন্ধানে মাল্টিক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভের কাজ শুরু হচ্ছে আগামী মাস অর্থাৎ ফেব্রুয়ারি থেকেই। উদ্যোগ গ্রহণের প্রায় পাঁচ বছর পর পেট্রোবাংলা এই আশার খবর শোনালো। জ্বালানি বিভাগে পাঠানো এক প্রতিবেদনে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি জানিয়েছে ফেব্রুয়ারিতে প্রথম ফেইজের কাজ শুরু করবে ঠিকাদারি প্রতিষ্ঠান। প্রথম ফেইজে ১৩ হাজার ৬০০ কিলেমিটার দ্বিতীয় মাত্রার ভূকম্পন জরিপ করা হবে। সূত্র বলছে, ২০১২ সালের ১৪ মার্চ মিয়ানমারের কাছ থেকে এক লাখ ১১ হাজার ৬৩১ বর্গকিলোমিটার এবং ২০১৪ সালের ৮ জুলাই ভারতের কাছ থেকে বাংলাদেশ পায় ১৯ হাজার ৪৬৭ বর্গকিলোমিটার। সব মিলিয়ে এক লাখ ৩১ হাজার ৯৮ কিলোমিটারের বিশাল সমুদ্র এলাকায় তেল-গ্যাস অনুসন্ধানের সুযোগ সৃষ্টি হয়। যা বাংলাদেশের মোট ভূখণ্ডের কাছাকাছি। কিন্তু প্রতিবেশী দেশগুলো যখন সাগরে তেল গ্যাস অনুসন্ধান করছে তখন আমরা কেবল ঢেউ গুনে দিন পার করছি। ফলে সমুদ্র বিজয় হলেও এখনও এখানে কী পরিমাণ তেল-গ্যাসের মজুত রয়েছে সে বিষয়ে কোনও ধারণা নেই কারও কাছে। বলা হয়ে থাকে সাগরে অনেক তেল এবং গ্যাসের মজুত রয়েছে। কিন্তু অনুমাননির্ভর এই বক্তব্যের সপক্ষে পেট্রোবাংলার কোনও দালিলিক প্রমাণ নেই। সঙ্গত কারণে বঙ্গোপসাগরে তেল-গ্যাস অনুসন্ধানে দরপত্র ডাকলে তাতে সাড়া যথেষ্ট সাড়া মেলে না। সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, সাগরে একটি দ্বিতীয় মাত্রার জরিপ থাকলেও তেল-গ্যাসের মজুত সম্পর্কে একটি ধারণা পাওয়া যেত। আর এতে বহুজাতিক কোম্পানিগুলো আগ্রহী হতো। কিন্তু দীর্ঘদিন ধরে উদ্যোগ নেওয়ার পরও নানা জটিলতার কারণে আটকে ছিল মাল্টি ক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভে। পেট্রোবাংলার তরফ থেকে জ্বালানি বিভাগকে জানানো হয়েছে, আগামী মাস থেকে সার্ভের কাজ শুরু করবে টিজিএস এবং স্লামবার্জার সমন্বয়ে গঠিত যৌথ কোম্পানি। জানা গেছে, ২০১৫ এবং ২০১৬ সালে মাল্টিক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভের জন্য দুদফা দরপত্র আহ্বান করা হয়। কিন্তু দুবারই অনুসন্ধান কোম্পানি স্লামবার্জার সর্বনিম্ন দরদাতা হয়। কিন্তু নির্দিষ্ট কারও পছন্দের কোম্পানি সর্বনিম্ন দরদাতা হতে না পারাতে সাগরে তেল-গ্যাস অনুসন্ধান জরিপ কাজ শুরু করা সম্ভব হয়নি বলে অভিযোগ রয়েছে। মাল্টি ক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভে কী এবং কেন? প্রাপ্ত তথ্য বিভিন্ন কোম্পানির ব্যবহারের সুযোগ রেখে যে জরিপ পরিচালনা করা হয় তাই মাল্টি ক্লায়েন্ট সার্ভে। এখানেও স্লামবার্জার জরিপ করলে তা বিভিন্ন কোম্পানি ব্যবহার করতে পারবে। তবে এই তথ্যগুলো বহুজাতিক কোম্পানিকে কিনে নিতে হবে। এক্ষেত্রে দুভাবেই জরিপটি পরিচালনা করা যায়। চাইলে সরকার নিজস্ব বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে এ ধরনের জরিপ পরিচালনা করতে পারে। আবার নির্দিষ্ট কোম্পানি টাকা দিয়ে জরিপটি করতে পারে। জরিপে পাওয়া ফলাফল বিক্রি করে তারা নিজেরে ব্যয় তুলে নিতে পারে। কেন এই জরিপ করা খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সে সম্পর্কে একজন কর্মকর্তা বলেন, যদি দ্বিতীয় মাত্রার জরিপ থাকে তাহলে বহুজাতিক যে কোম্পানি এখানে কাজ করতে আসবে তারা এক ধাপ এগিয়ে থাকবে। শুধু মাত্র তারা এসে ওয়েল লোকেসন নির্দিষ্ট করে কাজ করতে পারে। পরে গ্যাস পেলে তৃতীয় মাত্রার জরিপ করে আরো নির্দিষ্ট তথ্য পাওয়া যেতে পারে।

https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/fardin-makes-intelligent-humanoid-robots-he-cant-find-investors-help-him-grow Masum Billah 10 January, 2022, 10:30 am Last modified: 10 January, 2022, 11:33 am Fardin makes intelligent humanoid robots. But he can’t find investors to help him grow How is it like for a Bangladeshi young man to dream big? For Fardin Ahmed, a young robotics engineer, it entails carrying the humanoid intelligent robots he makes from store to store to find a customer Photo caption1: Fardin Ahmed became hooked on robotics during his undergraduate studies at East West University. Photo: Noor-A-Alam How is it like to 'dream' in Bangladesh? Like the famous 'American dream' - a set of ideals that ensures opportunity for prosperity and success for any hard working American - how is it like for a Bangladeshi young man to dream big? For Fardin Ahmed, a young robotics engineer, it entails carrying the humanoid intelligent robots he makes from store to store to find a customer. Unless he makes a sale, his dream project will perhaps end even before it properly takes off. For now, Fardin has no capital to continue his venture in robotics even though he has already finished a 'complete' project of a humanoid intelligent robot that can solve mathematical challenges, provide customer service by providing information, answering questions and one that can even get offended when you insult it. At a time when Marvel movie robots are fighting for/against humans, doing all the crazy stuff you can ever imagine, the abilities of Fardin's robots may not sound like a big deal. But in the nascent robotics industry in Bangladesh, Fardin's robots are one of the first intelligent humanoid robots which are ready to be placed in the service sector. In response to our queries about the marketability of his robots, Fardin said that "..these robots can be used in restaurants to provide the customers with information about menus and various other customised information you can think of. The restaurant is just an example." "How many of our offices and government hospitals have information desks? Or why would you get a person to tell you simple information such as the menu, or guide you to a particular doctor when a robot can perform this duty 24/7 non-stop and perfectly well?" Whereas a humanoid four feet long robot, Nao V5 Standard Edition, can cost you up to Tk1,600,000 (as per some online Bangladeshi sites selling them), Fardin said his 'Farbot' robots would cost less than Tk150,000. This robot engineer took the first three initials of his name and added it to 'bot' to name his robots as Farbot. Fardin's journey to success in creating an intelligent robot was as rocky as you can imagine for an underprivileged young man hailing from a remote village in Rajbari with no financial support. He was hooked on robotics during his undergraduate studies at East West University in the department of computer science. "I participated in over 100 competitions before my graduation. I never won an award," Fardin said. But the passion he nurtured was not something the denial of awards or recognition could wane. Photo caption2: A lack of recognition (and investors) could not deter this robotics engineer’s dreams. Photo: Noor-A-Alam Fardin developed his first complete humanoid robots in 2017. But the first robot was a six feet long testing product made of cork sheet. The standard PLA plastic (Polylactide) was way too expensive for a beginner like Fardin. Over the next two years, he could not work on any more robots and instead worked on short gigs as he needed money. His second robot was built in 2019 within only eight days' notice from a training programme that was held in Barishal. It was a prototype of his first robot but smaller in size. In 2019, he began, for the first time, to build a complete five feet long usable product. After the product was finished, it turned out to be an intelligent humanoid robot, although the body was not very strong. How can Fardin manage the standard PLA plastic after all? It costs a lot of money. In the meantime, he contacted various industrialists in the country for funding. "One top industrialist asked me if I could instead come to use [come to work] in their gas leakage detection sector, which was humiliating, as it was something that people in our line do at the very early stage of their career. It was not something I was ready to hear after all these years. I did not say a word. I just ended the conversation and got back home." Fardin tried many other places only to further struggle in making potential investors understand what his work was all about. He went to the restaurants in a bid to sell the robot that could give him the seed funding to build one with a perfect body, but the restaurateurs too did not realise the utility of such a product. "I told them it is an intelligent robot, it could work as an information provider and you could get more crowd by showcasing a talking robot, to begin with. But they asked, "Can your robot cook?." Struggling for a breakthrough in robotics was not the only crisis in Fardin's life back in late 2020 and early 2021. It had already been more than five years since he finished his academic education. He did not join the formal job sector as he dreamt of something much bigger than the regular 9-5 paper-pushing desk jobs. He dreamt of making his parents proud, resisting the insistent urge to hold a conventional job and contribute to the family. But tragedy struck. His father died in 2020, and then his mother also passed away in early 2021. Fardin will never see the smile of his proud parents, however, in the future, he will perhaps make everyone in this country proud. In June 2021, he got a Tk400,000 award from the government's Idea Project. Finally, Fardin got to work to build the dream robot he craved to build – a perfectly strong PLA plastic humanoid body, with intelligence included. His final Farbot was ready and launched on 24 December, 2021, on his birthday. After he posted the story of his struggle on Facebook, it went viral. People wished him all the best, some wished him a happy birthday.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/bangladesh-govts-tax-collection-rises-1422pc-in-july-dec-period-1641783636 Bangladesh govt's tax collection rises 14.22pc in July-Dec period DOULOT AKTER MALA | Published: January 10, 2022 09:00:36 | Updated: January 10, 2022 10:18:57 Tax-revenue collection grew 14.22 per cent, year on year, in the first six months of the current fiscal year but the amount stood Tk 170.81 billion short of the half-yearly target. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) achieved 88.08 per cent of its target or Tk 1.26 trillion in the July-December period of the current FY thanks to hefty growth in import-stage revenues to compensate for a bit subdued economic activity in recovery stage. Hike in global commodity prices -- in economic fallout from production and supply-chain disruptions by the coronavirus pandemic -- helped the government revenue collector like a blessing in disguise in collecting higher taxes from imports. Board's customs wing achieved 19.50-per cent growth over the corresponding period last year followed by income tax 15 per cent. Final data of VAT or value-added tax collection would be available after 20th of January when businesses will submit their VAT returns. In the provisional data, the VAT wing achieved 9.54 per cent growth that would go up by end of the month. However, the volume of VAT collection is higher than that of other two wings as usual in H1. The NBR collected Tk 465.85 billion VAT, Tk 394.21 billion income tax and Tk 402.02 billion import and export duty in the July-December period. However, the customs wing faced a Tk 70.95-billion shortfall against its target followed by the VAT wing Tk 58.94 billion and income tax Tk 40.91 billion. The government has set a Tk 3.30-trillion target for the NBR for the current FY. For the first half of the tax year, the revenue target was Tk 1.43 trillion. According to data of the research and statistics wing of the NBR, average revenue-collection growth was above 14 per cent. Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Executive Director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), finds the 14-per cent growth a normal or ordinary in respect to growth in import and overall economic rebound. He says the trend shows that revenue collection may not reach Tk 3.0 trillion by the yearend. "Overhauling direct-tax structure is required to achieve 25 to 30- per cent tax-collection growth," he suggests. He thinks automated system can ensure transparency in tax system and reduce underhand dealings for tax evasion. The NBR achieved 7.39-per cent and 6.39-per cent growth in revenue collection in corresponding period last two years respectively. A senior tax official, preferring anonymity, said tax collection would go up this year compared to last FY's as financial health of large corporate houses is impressive. He said accounting transparency would be ensured this year too as the taxmen would accept only Document Verification System (DVS)-verified financial reports of the corporate taxpayers as per a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Institute of Charted Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB). The tax official mentioned that last year the black money- whitening scheme contributed a significant amount of direct taxes to the public exchequer, which may not come this year. He, however, hopes upward adjustment in source tax would generate a significant amount of revenue if it is monitored by the taxmen properly. The tax official noted that many of the corporate taxpayers refrained from depositing the source taxes that they deducted from the taxpayers. "There is a misconception over automatic collection of source taxes without any effort of tax officials, which is completely wrong and discouraging for us," he says. [email protected]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/bangladesh-proposes-fta-with-eurasian-union-1641786892 Bangladesh proposes FTA with Eurasian Union SYFUL ISLAM | Published: January 10, 2022 09:54:52 A vast market appears in sight as Bangladesh has formally proposed to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to strike free-trade agreement (FTA), officials say, as the country prepares for a socioeconomic status change. The proposal was made last week on the back of a tip from the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) so that it could seek concurrence of its member-states-Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. These five Eastern European countries have over US$1.5 billion annual bilateral trade with Bangladesh, which the commerce ministry officials think can increase manifold if a free-trade pact is inked. The officials concerned say Bangladesh and the EEC signed a memorandum of cooperation in Moscow in May 2019 aiming to take forward bilateral trade. Later, a working group was formed to enhance trade and economic cooperation in 19 sectors. The first meeting of the working group was held in November last in Moscow, with the Bangladesh side led by commerce ministry additional secretary Noor Md Mahbubul Haq while the EEC side headed by its board member Sergey Glaziev. In the meeting the Bangladesh side had expressed interest in concluding an FTA with the EAEU and the EEC suggested sending a formal proposal in this regard. A senior commerce ministry official told the FE Sunday Eurasia is a growing market for Bangladesh and also the bilateral trade is increasing substantially day by day. He said the 19 sectors identified in the memorandum of cooperation would not be focused at a time, and thus Bangladesh initially prioritised trade in goods, services and investment. Alongside these, he adds, the EEC added energy and a couple of sectors for starting work immediately. "Our main target is Russian market," he says, adding that since Russia would not be able to sign any deal unilaterally, "we have to go through EAEU to get any facility there." Bangladesh has already conducted a feasibility study and found that signing FTA with EAEU may yield positive results. "After getting EEC's consent we will form a negotiation team and start formal talks," he says, preferring not to be named. In fiscal year 2019-20 Bangladesh exported goods worth $398 million to EAEU- member states while imports from there cost $1.106 billion. Ahead of formal graduation from the least-developed country (LDC) group in 2026, Bangladesh has intensified its efforts to enter into FTA and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) deals with potential trade partners to make up for eventual GSP loses in the western countries after it graduates into developing-country group. Bangladesh signed first bilateral PTA with Bhutan in December 2020 and was advancing talks on trade pact with a number of countries which include India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. [email protected]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/countrys-4000km-highways-be-4-6-lanes-govt-355141 TBS Report 09 January, 2022, 02:00 pm Last modified: 09 January, 2022, 09:16 pm Country’s 4,000km highways to be 4-6 lanes: Govt Final deal inked to turn Hatirjheel-Demra highway into 4-lane expressway Photo: Mumit M. All highways in the country will be upgraded into four- to six-lane ones in phases, said Md Nazrul Islam, secretary to the Road Transport and Highways Division. "The country currently has a 22,000-kilometre road network, of which 4,000 kilometres are highways. Work has already begun to develop the existing four-lane highways into six-lane ones." Around 56 km of flyovers will also be constructed across the country in near future, he added while addressing a contract signing ceremony between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and a consortium of the Chinese state-owned Communications Construction Company Limited, and its sister concern China Road and Bridge Corporation on Sunday to upgrade the Hatirjheel-Demra highway via Banasree, Sheikherjayga and Amulia into a four-lane expressway. The Chinese consortium will invest Tk2,094 crore to construct the expressway, which will have two separate service lanes and separate connections from Demra to Chittagong Road and Tarabo. After the completion of the construction work, the investors will receive Tk4,523 crore in revenue from the government in the next 21 years – at the rate of Tk107.70 crore every six months. As such, the Chinese consortium will earn Tk2,429 crore in profit by implementing the project. Abdus Sabur, chief engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, and Fang Ming of the investor consortium signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organistations at a programme held at the InterContinental hotel in the capital. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved a separate project involving a cost of Tk1,210 crore to acquire land, rehabilitate and compensate the affected people, and transfer utilities for the implementation of the project. In all, the expenditure on 13.50-km road development stands at Tk3,304 crore. The cost per kilometre will be Tk244.74 crore. The planned thoroughfare will work as an alternative gateway to Dhaka's centre from Chattogram and Sylhet, and help reduce traffic congestion. Nonetheless, vehicles will be allowed to use the expressway paying tolls, people concerned said at the signing ceremony. Officials told the event that a public-private partnership (PPP) proposal was made in 2015 to upgrade Rampura-Amulia-Demra highway to a four-lane one. The PPP project was approved in principle by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 26 January 2016. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said the Hatirjheel-Demra expressway, if implemented, will be used by about 32,000 vehicles per day by 2025. By 2035, this number will increase to 55,000 and by 2050 to 85,000. The ADB further says the demand for transportation in the country is increasing at a rate of 8-10% every year, and 80% of these vehicles are Dhaka-centric. Vehicles carrying people and goods from the country's most important Dhaka-Chattogram and Dhaka-Sylhet highways enter the capital through the same route. As a result, a huge amount of working hours is wasted in traffic jams. In this situation, it is necessary to facilitate the entrance of vehicles to the capital from the south, continues the ADB.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/goods-trade-with-the-world-crosses-110b-in-2021-1641721332 Goods trade with the world crosses $110b in 2021 FE ONLINE REPORT | Published: January 09, 2022 15:42:13 | Updated: January 09, 2022 17:47:51 https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/uploads/1641721333.jpg The country’s bilateral trade in goods with the rest of the world crossed US$110 billion in the last calendar year, showed the FE estimation based on statistics of exports receipts and imports payments in 2021. Statistics released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) showed that the annual exports earnings of Bangladesh stood at $44.23 billion in the last year which was $33.61 billion in 2020. Thus exports earnings rebounded significantly by increasing 31.64 per cent in 2021. Payments for imports of goods, on C&F basis, stood at $72 billion in the first 11 months of the past year which was 36.40 per cent more than the annual imports payments in 2020. Imports payments figure for December last is yet to be available. By adding 12 months' exports receipts and 11 months' imports payments of the last year, it is found that the value of total trade in goods stood at $116.23 billion in 2021. The actual amount will be higher once the imports figure for December is available. In 2020, the value of trade in goods was recorded at $86.40 billion. Thus, trade in goods increased by 34.50 per cent in the past year from the previous year. Bangladesh’s global trade in goods declined by around 12.20 per cent in 2020 from $98.50 billion in 2019 due to the pandemic. [email protected]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/world-bank-okays-295m-to-boost-bangladeshs-digital-economy-1641737217 World Bank okays $295m to boost Bangladesh’s digital economy Published: January 09, 2022 20:06:58 The International Development Association (IDA), a concern of the World Bank, will extend USD $295 million Scale Up Facility (SUF) loan to Bangladesh for enhancing digital government & economy (EDGE) projects. The project will be implemented by Bangladesh Computer Council under ICT Division. The implementation period of this project has been fixed from January 01, 2022 to December 31, 2026. The objectives of this project are to improve cyber security, build resiliency during future crises, and will enable the government to operate virtually to deliver critical public services to citizens and businesses. The project will also work to reduce vulnerabilities from the pandemic and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. The project will also help to digitize small and medium enterprises and strategic industries and to establish a Digital Leadership Academy to create opportunities for research and development A deal in this regard was signed on Sunday. Fatima Yasmin, ERD secretary, and Mercy Miyang Tembon, country director, World Bank, signed the financing agreement on behalf of their respective sides. The loan is to be repaid in 34 years with a grace period of 04 years. The frontend fee is 0.25 per cent, the commitment charge is 0.25 per cent and the interest charge is URIBOR+0.98 per cent. The EURIBOR is short for Euro Interbank Offered Rate, reports UNB.

https://www.bd-pratidin.com/last-page/2022/01/07/728240 শুক্রবার, ৭ জানুয়ারি, ২০২২ ০০:০০ টা দ্বিতীয় টানেল হচ্ছে যমুনায় এ বছরই শুরু হতে পারে মূল কাজ মানিক মুনতাসির বন্দরনগরী চট্টগ্রামের কর্ণফুলী নদীর তলদেশে নির্মাণাধীন বঙ্গবন্ধু টানেল চালু হতে যাচ্ছে এ বছরই। এ প্রকল্পের নির্মাণ কাজ প্রায় শেষ পর্যায়ে রয়েছে। এরই মধ্যে যমুনা নদীর তলদেশে দ্বিতীয় টানেল নির্মাণের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে সরকার, যার প্রাথমিক সমীক্ষাও করা হয়েছে। এখন বিশদ সমীক্ষা ও প্রাথমিক নকশার কাজ শুরুর অপেক্ষা। আশা করা হচ্ছে দ্বিতীয় টানেল নির্মাণ প্রকল্পের মূল কাজ এ বছরই শুরু হবে। তবে এর দিনক্ষণ এখনো নির্ধারণ করা হয়নি। একইভাবে কিছুদিন পরই শুরু হতে যাচ্ছে কর্র্ণফুলী টানেল চালুর ক্ষণ গণনা। সেতু বিভাগ সূত্রে এসব তথ্য জানা গেছে। সূত্র জানায়, সরকারের অষ্টম পঞ্চবার্ষিক পরিকল্পনার অংশ হিসেবে দেশের দ্বিতীয় টানেলটির নির্মাণ শুরু হতে যাচ্ছে যমুনা নদীর গভীরে। আসছে ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরের বাজেটে এ প্রকল্পের জন্য অর্থও বরাদ্দ রাখা হবে বলে নীতিগতভাবে সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে সরকার। ইতিমধ্যে আগামী বাজেট তৈরির প্রাথমিক কাজও শুরু করেছে অর্থ বিভাগ। সূত্র জানায়, যমুনা নদীর নিচ দিয়ে দ্বিতীয় টানেল তৈরির প্রস্তুতি কাজ এরই মধ্যে এগিয়েছে অনেক দূর। সরকারের ধারাবাহিকতা থাকায় এই প্রস্তুতিতে আরও গতি এসেছে। টানেল নির্মাণের পূর্ণাঙ্গ সম্ভাব্যতা যাচাইয়ের জন্য একটি প্রকল্প হাতে নিতে যাচ্ছে সড়ক পরিবহন ও সেতু মন্ত্রণালয়। ‘যমুনা নদীর তলদেশে টানেল নির্মাণে সম্ভাব্য সমীক্ষা পরিচালনা’ নামের প্রকল্পটি বাস্তবায়নে ব্যয় হবে ১২২ কোটি ৯৭ লাখ টাকা। প্রস্তাবিত এ প্রকল্পটির বিষয়ে সম্প্রতি অনুষ্ঠিত প্রকল্প মূল্যায়ন কমিটির (পিইসি) বৈঠকে বিস্তারিত আলোচনা করা হয়েছে। অন্যদিকে সম্ভাব্যতা যাচাইয়ে প্রস্তাবিত পরামর্শক প্রাথমিক ব্যয়ও অনুমোদন করা হয়েছে। এদিকে রেলমন্ত্রী নুরুল ইসলাম সুজন সম্প্রতি গণমাধ্যমকে জানান, যমুনা নদীর ওপর দ্বিতীয় সেতু না করে টানেল নির্মাণের প্রাথমিক সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া হয়েছে। এ ছাড়া পরিকল্পনামন্ত্রী এম এ মান্নান বলেছেন, সরকার পাটুরিয়া-দৌলতদিয়ায় দ্বিতীয় পদ্মা সেতু নির্মাণ করার কথা ভাবছে। সেখানে টানেল নির্মাণ করা হলে প্রকল্পটি বেশি সাশ্রয়ী হবে বলে তিনি ব্যক্তিগতভাবে মনে করেন। তবে সমীক্ষা না করে এ বিষয়ে কোনো সিদ্ধান্তই নেবে না সরকার। পাশাপাশি যমুনা নদীর তলদেশেও একটি টানেল নির্মাণের পক্ষে মত দিয়েছেন তিনি। পরিকল্পনা কমিশন সূত্র জানায়, মহামারি করোনাভাইরাসের বাধায় উন্নয়ন প্রকল্পগুলোর গতি কিছুটা কমেছে। এমনকি যেসব প্রকল্প পাইপলাইনে রয়েছে, যেগুলোর সম্ভাব্যতা যাচাইয়ের কাজ চলছে, সেগুলোতেও কিছুটা ধীরগতি বিরাজ করছে। এর প্রভাব পড়েছে যমুনা নদীর তলদেশে টানেল নির্মাণের বিশদ সম্ভাব্যতা যাচাই কার্যক্রমেও। অর্থনৈতিক এবং কারিগরি সম্ভাব্যতার জন্য বিশদ আর্থিক ও প্রকৌশলগত কর্মকান্ড পরিচালনার জন্য একটি প্রকল্পও হাতে নেওয়া হয়েছে। এ নদীর তলদেশে টানেল নির্মাণের জন্য বালাশী-বাহাদুরাবাদ পয়েন্টকে প্রাথমিকভাবে চিহ্নিত করা হয়েছে। তবে বিশদ সম্ভাব্যতা সমীক্ষার পর প্রস্তাবিত টানেলের প্রকৃত রুট চূড়ান্ত করা হবে। এ সমীক্ষার আওতায় প্রস্তাবিত টানেলের অবস্থান, অ্যালাইনমেন্ট ও দৈর্ঘ্য নির্ধারণ করা, প্রকল্পের বিভিন্ন উপ-অঙ্গের নির্মাণ পদ্ধতি নির্ধারণ, জিও টেকনিক্যাল ইনভেস্টিগেশন, সিসমিক স্টাডি ও সার্ভে পরিচালনা, ট্রাফিক সার্ভে পরিচালনা, পরিবেশ ও পুনর্বাসন-সংক্রান্ত সমীক্ষা পরিচালনা ও পরিকল্পনা প্রণয়ন, টানেলের প্রাথমিক নকশা প্রণয়ন ও এর ভিত্তিতে ব্যয় প্রাক্কলন, ভূমি অধিগ্রহণের পরিকল্পনা, অর্থনৈতিক ও আর্থিক বিশ্লেষণ, ক্রয়-পরিচালন ও রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ পরিকল্পনা তৈরি, ঝুঁকি মূল্যায়ন ও হ্রাসকরণের ব্যবস্থা চিহ্নিতকরণের কাজ নির্ধারণ করা হয়েছে। এদিকে কর্ণফুলী নদীর তলদেশে বাংলাদেশ ও চীনের যৌথ অর্থায়নে প্রকল্পটির কাজ প্রায় শেষ পর্যায়ে। এরই মধ্যে নদীর তলদেশে প্রথম টিউবটির ২৪৫০ মিটারের মধ্যে ২৪৩০ মিটার ঢালাইয়ের কাজ শেষ হয়েছে। দ্বিতীয় টিউবটিও অবকাঠামোগত উন্নয়ন কাজ শুরুর অপেক্ষায় রয়েছে। এ ছাড়া দুই প্রান্তের সংযোগ সড়ক, ওভারব্রিজ এবং সড়ক সম্প্রসারণের কাজ ও প্রকল্প সংশ্লিষ্ট অন্যান্য কাজ চলছে দ্রুততার সঙ্গে।

https://www.eduicon.com/Feature/Details/318.html Bangladeshis Make Robot Submarine Saifur Rahman Rony | May 13, 2014 http://www.eduicon.com/admin/images/News/Feature_Photo/271_FeaturePhoto.jpg Bangladesh is a country of rivers which span across the entire delta with the Bay of Bengal situated in the South. However, our country lacks in the capacity to research and explore the seafloor as the necessity tools required for such actions are not readily available. Rescue operations after a calamity at sea are often futile. With the expanding economy and growing industries, a need for sea exploration has occurred. To cater to these requirements, a group of four engineering students from AIUB may have just come up with a solution. "Price for these professional robots begins at a hefty $7000 and Abu realized that employing such robots would be impossible for a developing country like Bangladesh". Before he enrolled as an engineering student, Abu Fattah would often be concerned about the accidents that occur at sea and the failure that follows in rescue operations. He then began to do research on how to do something for such calamities in Bangladesh and found out that a lot of work was being done abroad with ROV (remotely operated vehicle) and AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) at professional levels in oil rigs, under water exploration, etc. Price for these professional robots begins at a hefty $7000 and Abu realized that employing such robots would be impossible for a developing country like Bangladesh. Hence he began to wonder how to create such robots in Bangladesh at a much cheaper price. Having watched some university students working on similar projects on the Discovery Channel one day, Abu joked with his friends and talked about making one themselves. When the time came for them to work on their thesis project, no other idea seemed appealing. Abu then spoke to his supervisor Dr. Kamrul Hasan and he showed interest in their idea and asked them to start working on it. Abu and his team mates, Prasun Biswas, Sajib Das and Meraj mustakim began working. Their primary goal was to achieve the basic ROV functionalities and the biggest problem they faced in doing so was creating the body structure. According to their design, the electric parts and power unit would be placed inside the structure, hence, it would need to be waterproof and also be able to withstand water pressure. After careful consideration they came to the conclusion that the PVC pipe would meet all their requirements. They spoke with the manufacturers of PVC and explained what is required and they agreed to create the body structure. For the ROV to function properly it needs thrust and the thruster made by the team was unable to withstand water pressure below 5 meters. To fix this problem, a water proof motor was imported from abroad and that is where the production cost increased significantly. The next focus was on the control system. The micro controller system was the one to use as these could be easily programmed and are low on power consumption, along with other advantages. Finally the robot submarine came into being. This ROV, runs by water propulsion (instead of jet propulsion), powered by an on board battery and controlled by microcontroller. The target was to build a low cost ROV and they have used materials that are available in the local market. A total of Tk. 40,000 (appx $500) was needed to build this ROV whereas a similar ROV would cost about $2,000 abroad. Abu also noted that they wanted to do something that would be unique to our country and encourage others to venture out on their own. Also, there have been other occasions where Bangladeshis have taken part in national and international robotics competitions but no prior work has been done in underwater robotics. A total of Tk. 40,000 (appx $500) was needed to build this ROV whereas a similar ROV would cost about $2,000 abroad When it comes to the prospects of this robot submarine, they seem quite promising. The ROV built can perform basic tasks of a typical ROV. It can move horizontally and vertically. It can go under certain depths and can collect water sample and also send out video feed using on board light and camera. It also sports temperature and obstacle sensors that send data to the display mounted on the remote controller. After further modification and enhancement of upgraded technologies is availed, it has another area of potential, which is to help in the recovery from disasters by detecting sunken water vehicles in the quickest possible time. This would particularly be useful in areas where it’s tough and dangerous for humans to dive and search under water. This robot could be used to make detailed underwater map of the seafloor in a cost effective way. It will also allow us to conduct precise underwater surveys. These underwater robots could be used to find endangered or unknown species of living creatures. As for applications, the ROV can be used in various sectors and industries starting with the oil and gas industry to fish farms, criminal investigations, chemical industries, hydroelectric/nuclear, investigation of sunken objects and power stations, among others.

https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladeshi-drone-o-logy-demystified-9695 Bangladeshi drone-o-logy demystified! Shahriar Rahman Mon Feb 3, 2014 12:22 AM Last update on: Mon Mar 9, 2015 01:28 AM The recent hype with drones has prompted us to actually take a closer look in to the actual situation. So in this issue of 'Bytes' we will be dissecting the concept, development, applications and future of drones in Bangladesh. AIUB team's test Drone So what are Drones? Before 1950s, the word drone would only mean 'Male Bee'. But with improvement in ICs, avionics and wireless communication over the years; man was able to craft Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which had much smaller radar cross-section and much lesser noise signature from the engine which incited the nickname 'DRONE'. For common folks not understanding the tech jargons, UAVs are of two types: Fixed Winged Aerial Vehicle and Rotor Winged Aerial Vehicle. The total system includes ground control station, relay station, near earth orbiting satellite etc. Altogether it's called Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Fixed Winged Aerial Vehicles are very similar to the conventional aircrafts. They require a run-way to take off and land. Rotor winged aerial vehicles can be of several kinds: helicopter, cyclocopter, gyrodyne, quadcopter, octocopter etc. Quad copter is the most popular form of non-military grade drone. Four rotors that it has hence the name quad copter. Very few countries in the world have fully functional all-weather operational UASs. UAVs are generally used for target practices, battlefield reconnaissance, providing attack capability for high-risk missions, shifting cargos and maintaining logistics operation, other civil and commercial uses etc. SUST team's test plane Bangladesh & Drones To begin with; there are no proper UAS in Bangladesh. Why? Probably because it requires extensive technological capabilities that Bangladesh is far from achieving and also it could cost the country a queen's ransom. The first to bring in Aerial drones in Bangladesh was Bangladesh Army. These oversized fixed winged RC planes where used as targeting drones for their portable guided missile's target practicing. Most of these drones were imported from China and Thailand. Usually the drones did not have any sensor and no video feed or image capturing tools where embedded to it. Some engineers of the army were able to actually retrofit a camera with it. But it did not have any ground control station neither did it had any autonomous features. DRONE OR NOT: No way it's a drone. The journeys of Quad-Rotor Aerial vehicles are fairly new in Bangladesh. In 2012 American International University –Bangladesh (AIUB) grads Kawsar Jahan and Nazia Ahsan showed off their quad-rotor drone, mainly built for one of their university projects, in the Digital Expo 2012 thus marking the journey of an elusive new chapter in indigenous drone building. Costing around Tk. 50,000/- plus, this drone has an operating range of 1.5 KM radius and can climb up to 650 feet. DRONE OR NOT: Can be developed to a civilian purpose drone. Not too late, a lone wolf from Khulna University of Engineering Technology (KUET), Mamun Khan Dip also came up with a quad-copter as well. His copter was a remote controlled vehicle that could climb a height up to 300 feet. This project of Dip's caught the attention of a few more researchers of Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET). Together they teamed up and formed Aero Research Center (ARC) Bangladesh. Already they improved and developed two new variants: Bangla-drone and Ghuri1. These are the very first autonomous drones of Bangladesh which can hover around a given list of way points. In addition to that it has a ground center that be used for the landing and takeoff for the drone.Developed at a much lower cost than any conventional quadcopter that can be bought from international market, the actual cost might vary with features and add-ons, Dip said. This ARC official also added that DMP has conducted a test flight and is actively considering the acquisition of a fleet of drones for surveillance and security purposes. Specifications of these drones are not available yet but are assumed to have greater ceiling/climbing rate and much better endurance to increase the operational capabilities. DRONE OR NOT: Entry level civil purpose drone. ARC Bangladesh's test drone Lately, added to the elite list of drone developers are a group of researchers from Shahjalal University (SUST). They came up with a fixed winged RC plane. Well, it's not a functioning drone yet. But Syed Rizwanul Haq Nabil, the team leader of this project, expects that with a couple of months or two they will be able to improve this RC plane to a civilian grade drone. This drone system would consist of several upgrades including ground station, onboard control system and will be loaded with sensors. DRONE OR NOT: Not yet. More works pending. Is that all we got? No, indeed not. Drone based platforms made by local grads might be new but drone based photography is certainly not. Cygnus Aerial Photography, a venture by rookie pilot Naimul Islam Opu, is one of the pioneer's in aerial photography; not only in this country but also in the entire SAARC region. Currently this group owns several foreign imported drones with specialized photography equipment i.e. GoPro3 Black Edition, CANON powershot etc. They have done some works too. Most renowned one is for Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) on their critically acclaimed investigative documentary named 'Made in Bangladesh'. In this documentary, Opu and his team provided some unseen aerial footage of collapsed Rana Plaza. Starting at Tk. 40,000/-, anyone can avail Opu and his teams services for their aerial photography needs. Bangladesh Army's RC Drone The thin line between a drone and not a drone Many of you might be wondering, what's the difference between RC toys that are in the market and a drone. Legally speaking, hobby crafts are not allowed to exceed 400 ft above ground, so if you see one flying high, it's probably a drone. Adding to that, list a RC plane must stay within line of sight whereas the flight operator will be operating DRONE from thousands of miles away. Our advice would be to shoot it down. If someone complains of the cost to replace, it's an RC Toy but if you shoot it and get arrested for destruction of government property, be assured it's a drone! All jokes aside, these are the very first steps towards a greater goal- to be self sustained by developing key technologies in-house. But commercial grade parts required for these drones are also not easily available. Also these come with a steep price tag. Hence more and more funds should be allocated to ensure more and more research can be continued. A word of caution: before flying the drones, researchers are requested to contact proper authorities to make sure the route is safe for trial flights.

https://futurestartup.com/2022/01/04/shopup-extends-series-b-funding-round-with-34-million-from-tiger-global-and-others/?utm_content=buffer85aa8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer https://futurestartup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ShopUp.jpg Insight ShopUp Extends Series B Funding Round with $34 Million from Tiger Global and Others By Future Startup | Jan 4, 2022 ShopUp, the Dhaka-based full-stack B2B commerce startup digitizing neighborhood shops with an ecosystem of solutions from marketplace to logistics to capital, has closed a $34-million Series B extension round led by Tiger Global Management. The extension takes ShopUp’s total series B investment to $109 million. ShopUp raised its $75 million series B funding round led by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures and Prosus Ventures just four months ago. First reported by DealStreetAsia, citing filings with Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and ShopUp Chief Financial Officer Vashistha Maheshwari, Tiger Global led the extension round with a cheque of $10 million with participation from Valar Ventures, VEON Ventures, Omidyar, Prosus Ventures, Flourish Ventures, and Lonsdale Capital. According to the report, Maheshwari said that the round included a primary capital infusion of $19.69 million into ShopUp. The remaining amount was on account of the sale of shares by some undisclosed existing shareholders. ShopUp’s Series B round had marked the entry of Valar Ventures and Prosus Ventures into Bangladesh and now Tiger Global Management. Previously, ShopUp raised its $22.5 million Series A in October 2020. ShopUp has gone through a series of evolutions over the years. In 2020, Shopup acquired Indian fashion e-commerce startup Voonik. There are 4.5 Million neighborhood mom-and-pop shops in Bangladesh, known locally as Mudi Dokaans, that account for 98% of the country's retail sector. This makes Bangladesh one of the most fragmented retail markets in Asia. These businesses face many challenges including unavailability of products, compounded by other challenges such as the lack of transparent pricing and inefficient delivery systems, etc. Founded in 2017 by Afeef Zaman, Ataur Rahim Chowdhury, and Siffat Sarwar, ShopUp says it has built a full-stack business-to-business commerce platform to address these challenges. The company offers a number of core services to these small businesses including B2B sourcing through a wholesale marketplace, logistics, and working capital through partnerships with banks and other partners and business management solutions.

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/286078/যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে-তৈরি-পোশাক-রফতানি-৭২১-কোটি-ডলার-ছাড়াবে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি ৭২১ কোটি ডলার ছাড়াবে নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক জানুয়ারি ০৯, ২০২২ https://bonikbarta.net/uploads/news_image/news_286078_1.jpg সদ্যসমাপ্ত বছরের ১১ মাসে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে বাংলাদেশ থেকে সব ধরনের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি প্রবৃদ্ধির হার বেড়েছে। ২০২১ সালের ডিসেম্বরের হিসাবে এর পরিমাণ ৭২১ কোটি ডলার ছাড়িয়ে যেতে পারে। নতুন বছরের প্রথম সপ্তাহে যুুক্তরাষ্ট্রের বাণিজ্য বিভাগের অধীনস্থ অফিস অব টেক্সটাইলস অ্যান্ড অ্যাপারেলসের (ওটিইএক্সএ) প্রকাশিত প্রতিবেদনে উল্লেখিত তথ্য বিশ্লেষণ করে এ ধারণা করছেন সংশ্লিষ্টরা। বাংলাদেশ থেকে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে রফতানি করা পোশাকের মধ্যে কটন ট্রাউজার, স্ল্যাকস, নিট শার্ট ও নিট ব্লাউজ উল্লেখযোগ্য। কভিড-১৯ মহামারীর সময়ে বড় ধরনের প্রতিবন্ধকতার মধ্যে পড়ে বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি খাত। এ সময় উৎপাদন অব্যাহত রাখলেও কঠিন চ্যালেঞ্জের সম্মুখীন হন পোশাক শিল্প মালিকরা। ভ্রমণ নিষেধাজ্ঞার কারণে বাতিল হতে থাকে একের পর এক ক্রয়াদেশ। উল্লেখযোগ্য হারে কমে আসে রফতানির পরিমাণ। ২০২০ সালের এমন স্তব্ধ পরিস্থিতি কাটিয়ে উঠতে সময় লাগে ২০২১ সালের এপ্রিল পর্যন্ত। গত বছরের মে মাস থেকে দেশের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানির স্বাভাবিক চিত্র ফিরে আসতে শুরু করে। যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের প্রকাশিত প্রতিবেদনে উল্লেখ করা হয়, বিদায়ী বছরের প্রথম ১১ মাসে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি ৩১ দশমিক ১৯ শতাংশ বৃদ্ধি পেয়েছে। ২০২১ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে নভেম্বর পর্যন্ত দেশটিতে অন্তত ৬৬১ কোটি ডলারের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি করে ঢাকা। ২০২০ সালের একই সময়ে এর পরিমাণ ছিল প্রায় ৫০৪ কোটি ডলার। ওটিইএক্সএর দেয়া তথ্য অনুযায়ী গড়ে বিদায়ী বছরের প্রথম ১১ মাসের প্রতি মাসে বাংলাদেশ যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে সব মিলিয়ে অন্তত ৬০ কোটি ডলার মূল্যের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি করে। ২০২১ সালের মে থেকে আগের বছরের একই সময়ের তুলনায় প্রতি মাসেই রফতানি প্রবৃদ্ধি ঊর্ধ্বমুখী প্রবণতায় রয়েছে। ফলে সংশ্লিষ্টরা মনে করেন ডিসেম্বরের রফতানি প্রবৃদ্ধির অংকও ঊর্ধ্বগামী ধারাতেই থাকবে। সে অনুযায়ী বলা যায় প্রবৃদ্ধির এ হার ৭২১ কোটি ডলার ছাড়িয়ে যাবে। এছাড়া বিদায়ী বছরের প্রথম ১১ মাসে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে বাংলাদেশের শুধু তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি ৩০ দশমিক ৬৮ শতাংশ বেড়েছে। ২০২১ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে নভেম্বর পর্যন্ত দেশটিতে অন্তত ৬৩৬ কোটি ডলারের তৈরি পোশাক রফতানি করে ঢাকা। এর আগের বছর একই সময়ে এ অংক ছিল প্রায় ৪৮৭ কোটি ডলার। ২০১৯ সালে এক বছরে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে প্রায় ৫৯২ কোটি ডলারের কটনভিত্তিক পোশাক রফতানি করে বাংলাদেশ। পরিসংখ্যান অনুযায়ী করোনাকালে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাকের রফতানি ১১ দশমিক ৮২ শতাংশ কমে গিয়ে দাঁড়ায় ৫২২ কোটি ডলারে। উল্লেখ্য, করোনা মহামারীর প্রভাবে ২০২০ সালে অন্যসব পণ্যের মতো কমে যায় পোশাক রফতানিও। রফতানিতে মন্দা ভাব কাটিয়ে উঠতে সময় লাগে ২০২১ সালের প্রথম চার মাস। সে বছরের জানুয়ারি থেকে মার্চ পর্যন্ত আগের বছরের তুলনায় রফতানি প্রবৃদ্ধি হ্রাস পায় যথাক্রমে ১৬ দশমিক ৬১, ১৩ দশমিক ১১, ৮ দশমিক ৫৫ শতাংশ এবং ৩ দশমিক ৭১ শতাংশ। জানুয়ারি থেকে মে এর হিসেবে দেখা যায় ১৫ দশমিক ৩৮ শতাংশ প্রবৃদ্ধি অর্জিত হয়েছে। ঊর্ধ্বগামী এ ধারা অব্যাহত রয়েছে পরের মাসগুলোতে। এক্ষেত্রে জানুয়ারি থেকে জুনে দেখা যায় ২৬ দশমিক ৮১ শতাংশ, জুলাইয়ে ২৮ দশমিক ৪ শতাংশ, আগস্টে ২৪ দশমিক ১১ শতাংশ, সেপ্টেম্বরে ২৬ দশমিক ৩৭ শতাংশ এবং জানুয়ারি থেকে অক্টোবরে ২৬ দশমিক ৭৪ শতাংশ।

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/286117/রাজনীতি-অর্থনীতির-অন্যতম-ক্ষমতাকেন্দ্র-পোশাক-খাত রাজনীতি-অর্থনীতির অন্যতম ক্ষমতাকেন্দ্র পোশাক খাত বদরুল আলম জানুয়ারি ০৯, ২০২২ https://bonikbarta.net/uploads/news_image/news_286117_1.jpg?t=1641708965 শেখ ফজলে নূর তাপস ঢাকা দক্ষিণের মেয়র হিসেবে মনোনয়ন পেলে ফাঁকা হয় ঢাকা-১০ আসন। ২০২০ সালে অনুষ্ঠিত আসনটির উপনির্বাচনের আগে ক্ষমতাসীন আওয়ামী লীগের সম্ভাব্য প্রার্থী নিয়ে জল্পনাকল্পনা ছিল অনেক। শেষ পর্যন্ত সবাইকে অবাক করে আসনটিতে মনোনয়ন পান পোশাক শিল্পের উদ্যোক্তাদের সংগঠন বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি সফিউল ইসলাম মহিউদ্দিন। যদিও ঘটনাটি মোটেও আকস্মিক ছিল না। গত এক দশকে দেশের রাজনীতি ও অর্থনীতির প্রধান ভরকেন্দ্র হয়ে উঠেছেন পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসায়ীরা। বর্তমান জাতীয় সংসদেও এক ডজনেরও বেশি জনপ্রতিনিধি রয়েছেন, যারা মূলত পোশাক শিল্পের উদ্যোক্তা। তাদের কয়েকজন মন্ত্রিত্বও পেয়েছেন। বর্ষীয়ান রাজনীতিবিদ বাণিজ্যমন্ত্রী টিপু মুনশি ব্যক্তিজীবনে বস্ত্র ও পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসায়ী। এ খাতে ব্যবসা রয়েছে স্থানীয় সরকার, পল্লী উন্নয়ন ও সমবায়মন্ত্রী মো. তাজুল ইসলামেরও। পেশাগতভাবে পোশাক ব্যবসায়ী পররাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রী শাহরিয়ার আলমও। পোশাক খাতের নিট পণ্যের প্রস্তুতকারক ও রফতানিকারকদের সংগঠন বিকেএমইএর সভাপতি একেএম সেলিম ওসমান নারায়ণগঞ্জ-৪ আসনের এমপি। বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি আবদুস সালাম মুর্শেদী খুলনা-৪ আসনের এমপি। জাতীয় সংসদে বর্তমানে এমন অনেক জনপ্রতিনিধি রয়েছেন, যাদের অন্যতম পেশা পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসা। এছাড়া ঢাকা উত্তর সিটি করপোরেশনে এখন পর্যন্ত মেয়র হিসেবে নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন দুজন জনপ্রতিনিধি—প্রয়াত আনিসুল হক ও বর্তমান মেয়র মো. আতিকুল ইসলাম। দুজনই পোশাক শিল্পের উদ্যোক্তাদের সংগঠন বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি। সংগঠনটির আরেক সাবেক সভাপতি সিদ্দিকুর রহমান জনপ্রতিনিধিত্ব না করলেও ক্ষমতাসীন আওয়ামী লীগের কেন্দ্রীয় শিল্প ও বাণিজ্য সম্পাদক এবং শিল্প ও বাণিজ্যবিষয়ক উপকমিটির সদস্য সচিব হিসেবে দায়িত্ব পালন করছেন। শুধু রাজনীতি নয়, অর্থনীতির প্রধান চালিকাশক্তি ব্যাংক খাতেও নেতৃত্ব দিচ্ছেন পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসায়ীরা। ব্যাংক খাতের উদ্যোক্তাদের সংগঠন বাংলাদেশ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব ব্যাংকসের (বিএবি) চেয়ারম্যান নজরুল ইসলাম মজুমদারও একজন পোশাক ব্যবসায়ী। সব মিলিয়ে বলা চলে, সবচেয়ে শ্রমঘন ও বৃহত্তম শিল্পের প্রতিনিধিত্বকারী পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসায়ীরাই এখন হয়ে উঠেছেন দেশের রাজনীতি ও অর্থনীতির প্রধান কেন্দ্র। পোশাক ব্যবসায়ীরা নিজেরাও তা স্বীকার করছেন। তাদের ভাষ্যমতে, পোশাক ব্যবসায়ীদের রাজনৈতিক ক্যারিয়ার পোশাক খাতের সঙ্গে জড়িত নয়। যদিও সবচেয়ে শ্রমঘন শিল্প পরিচালনার পাশাপাশি খাতটিকে নেতৃত্ব দিতে গিয়ে অনেকেরই আরো বড় পরিসরে নেতৃত্ব দেয়ার যোগ্যতা তৈরি হয়েছে। সুযোগ হয়েছে সরকারের কাছাকাছি যাওয়ার। স্বাধীনতার পর দেশের রফতানি খাত ও কর্মসংস্থানের বড় চালিকাশক্তি ছিল পাট ও চা। পরে পাট শিল্প তার আগের অবস্থান ধরে রাখতে পারেনি। এর বাইরে চামড়াসহ বিভিন্ন খাতে সরকার নানা প্রণোদনা ও সুযোগ-সুবিধা দিলেও শিল্পগুলো দাঁড়াতে পারেনি। অন্যদিকে পোশাক খাতের নগদ সহায়তা ২৫ থেকে কমতে কমতে এখন ৫ শতাংশে নেমেছে। তার পরও রফতানির প্রায় ৮৪ শতাংশই জুড়ে রয়েছে তৈরি পোশাক। ব্যাকওয়ার্ড ও ফরওয়ার্ড লিংকেজ শিল্প থেকে শুরু করে সংশ্লিষ্ট অন্যান্য খাতকে বিবেচনায় নিলে পোশাক শিল্পের সঙ্গে প্রত্যক্ষ বা পরোক্ষভাবে এক থেকে পাঁচ কোটি মানুষের জীবনযাপন সম্পৃক্ত রয়েছে। এ বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি এবং আওয়ামী লীগের কেন্দ্রীয় শিল্প ও বাণিজ্যবিষয়ক সম্পাদক সিদ্দিকুর রহমান বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, পোশাক খাতের অনেক ব্যবসায়ী আছেন, যারা সংসদ সদস্য। সবাই কিন্তু পোশাক খাতের নেতৃত্ব দিয়ে সংসদ সদস্য হননি। ন্যায্যতা নিশ্চিত হওয়া ছাড়া কাউকে নেতৃত্বে নেয়া হয়নি। এছাড়া আগে রাজনীতি করেছেন, পরে ব্যবসায়ী হয়েছেন, তাদের সংখ্যাই বেশি। পরবর্তী সময়ে গত এক দশকে আমরা যারা রাজনৈতিক ও রাষ্ট্রীয় ক্ষেত্রগুলোয় যুক্ত হয়েছি, আমাদের নেতৃত্বের গুণাগুণ দেখেই দায়িত্ব দেয়া হয়েছে। যাকে যেখানে কাজে লাগানো গেছে, তাকে সেখানে কাজে লাগানো হয়েছে। আমরা দেশের জন্য কাজ করছি। ভবিষ্যতেও করব। অনেকটা একই কথা বলছেন ঢাকা উত্তর সিটি করপোরেশনের মেয়র ও বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি আতিকুল ইসলাম। বণিক বার্তাকে তিনি বলেন, আমরা যারাই রাজনীতির পাশাপাশি ব্যবসা করে এখন প্রতিষ্ঠিত হয়েছি, তারা সবাই শূন্য থেকে উঠে এসেছি। এমন নয় যে আমরা উত্তরাধিকার সূত্রে ব্যবসা পেয়েছি। অনেকেই বিজিএমইএর সভাপতিও ছিলাম। চ্যালেঞ্জ নিতে আমরা অভ্যস্ত। ফলে আজ আমরা সফল। মনে রাখতে হবে, রাজনীতি আর ব্যবসা একটি আরেকটির পরিপূরক। বিশ্বের অনেক দেশেই এখন এটা হচ্ছে। ৫০ বছর আগের পৃথিবী আর ৫০ বছর পরের পৃথিবীর মধ্যে অনেক পার্থক্য দাঁড়িয়ে গেছে। এখন যেকোনো কিছুই বৈশ্বিকভাবেই চিন্তা করতে হবে। পোশাক খাতসংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, বিশ্বের উন্নয়নশীল দেশগুলোর উন্নয়নের প্রথম ধাপই ছিল পোশাক ব্যবসা। সে হিসেবে দেশ সঠিক পথেই এগোচ্ছে। বিশেষ করে বর্তমানে যারা ব্যবসায়ী থেকে রাজনীতির সঙ্গে সম্পৃক্ত হয়েছেন তাদের নেতৃত্বের গুণাবলি চোখে পড়ার মতো। নীতিনির্ধারণী পর্যায়ে যুক্ত হওয়া পোশাক ব্যবসায়ীরা দুই বছর ধরে কভিড-১৯ মহামারী মোকাবেলায় অনেক অবদান রেখেছেন। খুলনা-৪ আসনের সংসদ সদস্য বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি আবদুস সালাম মুর্শেদী বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, বাংলাদেশীরা মূলত ছিলেন চাকরিজীবী। বর্তমানে দাসত্ব থেকে বেরিয়ে উদ্যোক্তা তৈরির প্রধান কেন্দ্র হলো পোশাক খাতের ব্যবসা। এটা আমাদের দেশের সবচেয়ে বড় সম্পদ। বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা পেয়েছি বঙ্গবন্ধুর নেতৃত্বে। তার নেতৃত্বে একটা বাংলাদেশ পেয়েছি বলেই আমরা ব্যবসায়ী। এ শিল্পের ব্যবসায় জড়িত হয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক পরিমণ্ডলেও স্বীকৃতি পেয়েছি। শিল্পে আমাদের অবদানের মতো বিষয়গুলো বিবেচনায় নিয়েই প্রধানমন্ত্রী আমাদের জাতীয় সংসদ থেকে শুরু করে দেশ পরিচালনার জন্য বড় বড় জায়গায় নিযুক্ত করছেন। পোশাক ব্যবসায়ীদের দাবি, দেশের নারীর ক্ষমতায়নেও বড় ভূমিকা রেখেছে পোশাক শিল্প। খাতটির ওপর ভর করে গড়ে উঠেছে সংশ্লিষ্ট আরো অনেক শিল্প। পরিবহন-ব্যাংক-বীমাসহ আরো অনেক খাতেই অবদান রাখছে শিল্পটি। এছাড়া খাতটির নেতারাও ব্যবসায়িক অনেক প্রতিবন্ধকতা মোকাবেলা করে বড় হয়েছেন। এছাড়া খাতটির যারা এখন নীতিনির্ধারণী জায়গায় রয়েছেন, তারা সবাই বেশ সুনামের সঙ্গেই ব্যবসা করছেন। তবে দেশের অর্থনীতির ভরকেন্দ্র শুধু পোশাক খাতের দিকে ঝুঁকে পড়ার বিষয়টি নিয়ে সমালোচনাও রয়েছে। কোনো কোনো বিশেষজ্ঞের মতে, সরকারের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পদে পোশাক খাতসংশ্লিষ্টরা বেশি হওয়ায় অর্থনীতির নীতিনির্ধারণী সিদ্ধান্তগুলোও এ ব্যবসাকেই কেন্দ্র করে নেয়া হচ্ছে। এতে অর্থনৈতিক বৈষম্যও বাড়ছে। বিষয়টিকে এক ঝুড়িতে সব ডিম রাখার মতো ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ বলেও মন্তব্য করেছেন সুশাসনের জন্য নাগরিকের সাধারণ সম্পাদক বদিউল আলম মজুমদার। বণিক বার্তাকে তিনি বলেন, এর প্রভাব ব্যাপক। এর মানে দাঁড়াচ্ছে, আমাদের রাজনীতির ব্যবসায়ীকরণ হয়েছে। ব্যবসার রাজনৈতিকীকরণ হয়েছে। এখন রাজনীতিটাই ব্যবসায় পরিণত হয়েছে। ব্যবসায়ীরাই এখন সংসদ সদস্য, ব্যবসায়ীরাই এখন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পদগুলোয় আছেন। ফলে নীতিনির্ধারণী বিষয়গুলো তাদের স্বার্থেই বিবেচনা করা হয়। সাধারণ মানুষের পরিবর্তে শুধু একটা শ্রেণীর স্বার্থই দেখা হচ্ছে। এটা আসলে একটা বৈষম্যমূলক ব্যাপার এবং এর ফলে বৈষম্য দিন দিন বাড়ছে। এতে সাধারণ মানুষ বিভিন্ন সুবিধা থেকে বঞ্চিত হচ্ছে। এতে আরেকটি যে অসুবিধা হচ্ছে, বিনিয়োগের বৈচিত্র্য হারিয়ে ফেলছি আমরা। ভিন্ন খাতে বিনিয়োগ বা ভিন্ন সেক্টরকে বড় করে তুলে আনার দিকে আমাদের নজর নেই। আমাদের সিংহভাগ রফতানি তৈরি পোশাক খাতের। আমাদের সব ডিম আমরা এক ঝুড়িতে রেখেছি। যদিও প্রতিটি খাত পরস্পরের সঙ্গে সম্পৃক্ত। শুধু নীতিমালার ক্ষেত্রে যদি একটি খাতকে বিশেষ সুবিধা দেয়া হতে থাকে, তাহলে অর্থনীতি ঝুঁকির মুখে পড়ে। কোনো কারণে যদি এ শিল্প ব্যাপকভাবে মার খায়, তাহলে আমরা ব্যাপক ক্ষতিরও সম্মুুখীন হব। তাই সব ডিম এক ঝুড়িতে না রেখে বৈচিত্র্য বাড়ানো উচিত। পোশাক খাতের সঙ্গে বর্তমানে জড়িয়ে পড়েছে আরো অনেক খাত। বিষয়টি নিয়ে ব্যবসায়ীদের অভিমত, পোশাক খাত ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হলে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অনেক খাত ঝুঁকিতে পড়বে। তবে পোশাকের চাহিদা খাদ্যের মতো কখনই কমবে না। তাই পোশাক খাতে বিপুল বিনিয়োগও ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ নয়। এ প্রসঙ্গে বাংলাদেশ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব ব্যাংকসের (বিএবি) চেয়ারম্যান নজরুল ইসলাম মজুমদার বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, এটা অস্বীকারের উপায় নেই, বাংলাদেশের অর্থনীতির মেরুদণ্ড এখন গার্মেন্টকেন্দ্রিক হয়ে গেছে। গার্মেন্ট খাতের সঙ্গে জড়িত পরিবহন খাত। কাল যদি গার্মেন্ট বন্ধ হয়ে যায়, তাহলে পরিবহন খাতের এক কোটি লোক রাস্তায় বসে যাবে। এ খাতের সঙ্গে সরাসরি অন্তত পাঁচ কোটি মানুষ জড়িত। গার্মেন্টের সঙ্গে ব্যাংক সেক্টরও জড়িত। আমার এক্সিম ব্যাংকে গার্মেন্ট শ্রমিকদের সাড়ে চারশ অ্যাকাউন্ট আছে। আমাদের আসল আয়টা ওখান থেকে আসে। ইসলামী ব্যাংকেও আছে। একটা গার্মেন্ট অনেক কিছুর সঙ্গে জড়িত। এ খাতের মধ্যে যারা মেধাবী, যাদের নেতৃত্ব দেয়ার ক্ষমতা আছে, তারা সরকারের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পদে যাচ্ছেন। আমি মনে করি, এটা তাদের অর্জন। তবে আমি মনে করি, এতে দেশের অর্থনীতি কোনো ধরনের ঝুঁকিতে পড়বে না। বরং গার্মেন্ট শিল্প ভালো আছে বলেই আজকের অর্থনীতি এত ভালো চলছে।

https://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2022/01/09/bangladesh-turkey-sign-deal-on-security-cooperation-counterterrorism-dhaka-ankara-sign-deal-on-security-cooperation Bangladesh, Turkey sign deal on security cooperation, counterterrorism Turkey to send a team to Bhasan Char to assess how it can support Bangladesh's efforts there By UNB January 9, 2022 10:34 AM Bangladesh and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security cooperation, counterterrorism and tackling drug trafficking. The deal was inked during Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's Bangladesh visit Saturday, his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan said. "We talked about training, intelligence sharing and ways to fight cybercrime. Also, following the signing of the agreement, the Turkish interior minister said they will extend their cooperation with us," he added. "Bangladesh Police, Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Ansar and VDP will share their experiences with Turkey. We sought had Turkish support to better equip our police, Border Guard, Coast Guard and Ansar. The country has agreed to support us whenever we need it." Besides, the Turkish interior minister reaffirmed his country's continued support to Rohingyas and their host community in Bangladesh, Khan said. "Turkey is helping us in many ways to tackle the Rohingya challenge. They will even send a team to Bhasan Char Sunday to assess how they can support Bangladesh's efforts there," he added. Suleyman Soylu on Saturday reopened a Turkish field hospital at a Rohingya camp, which had been damaged by a fire last year. The hospital, after being destroyed in the fire, was reconstructed by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority following the instruction of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The hospital carries out 20 operations and examines 2,000 people, said the Turkish interior minister, adding that 700,000 treatments have been done in the hospital so far. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, while Turkey is also hosting over 4 million refugees.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/coxs-bazar-tourism-faces-tk-500m-loss-in-3-months-1641701127 Cox's Bazar tourism faces Tk 500m loss in 3 months OUR CORRESPONDENT, COX'S BAZAR | Published: January 09, 2022 10:05:27 The tourism business in Cox's Bazar has incurred a loss of Tk half a billion in the past three months due to the non-achievement of targets. From October to December, the tourism sector expected a business of at least Tk 5 billion (500 crore) from Cox's Bazar, the longest sea beach in the world. However, businesses in the sea beach area faced huge losses for a small number of visitors during the ongoing peak tourism season, said people related to the sector. Abul Kashem Sikder, general secretary of Cox's Bazar Hotel Motel Guesthouse Owners' Association, said, "This time, Cox's Bazar tourism sector had to encounter a loss of around Tk 500 million." On the occasion of celebrating Thirty First Night and New Year, more than 100,000 tourists visited Cox's Bazar. The number is five times less in comparison to previous years, said business insiders. According to them, the situation has arisen due to some recent incidents including the gang rape of a woman, security concerns, and stories about excessive costs of having a meal in Cox's Bazar hotels and restaurants. On December 23, a 25-year-old woman was allegedly raped several times by members of a criminal group during a family trip in the resort town. The leaders of Cox's Bazar Hotel Motel Guesthouse Owners' Association said that tourists did not come to Cox's Bazar as expected this season. Many hotels are now almost empty without any visitors and pre-bookings, they added. On this, the district administration and law enforcement agencies said they are somewhat embarrassed and working to build a tourist-friendly Cox's Bazar. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Additional Superintendent of Police, Cox's Bazar Tourist Police, said, "We are working hard for the safety of each and every tourist." Cox's Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Rafiqul Islam said, "Police along with the tourist police are also vigilant on the beach and in the tourist zone." "We have already arrested several accused in those incidents," he added. Cox's Bazar Hotel Motel Guesthouse Owners' Association general secretary, Abul Kashem Sikder, said, "The wrong message of keeping extra food price and the rape incident caused great loss to the tourism industry. "Businesses have been seeing constant losses due to coronavirus-induced lockdowns. Meanwhile, we did not even get 50 per cent hotel booking on New Year's eve. We expected a business of at least Tk 5 billion (500 crore) from October to December. But on the contrary, the loss was Tk half a billion," he added. He also informed the Financial Express that now even in the busy season, tourists are not coming to Cox's Bazar. Asked about this, Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Mamunur Rashid, said, "We have taken a number of steps to improve the quality of tourism services in Cox's Bazar." [email protected]