Rezwan12

08:10 PM, October 21, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 08:12 PM, October 21, 2020 Ambassador of Brazil lauds Eskayef Pharmaceuticals’ world-class standards Star Online Report Photo: Collected The Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh, Joao Tabajara de Oliveira Junior, visited the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited at Tongi today. The ambassador was welcomed by Simeen Rahman, Group CEO of Transcom Limited and Managing Director and CEO of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He visited various units of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain Building where he was briefed about the world class technologies and operational excellence of the manufacturing facility, according to a press release. During the visit, the ambassador was pleased to see the plant being established to the standards similar to that of the first world countries. He said, "The state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and its passionate professionals make Eskayef a world-class company here in Bangladesh. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most promising export industries in Bangladesh. And Eskaeyf has all the potentials to export generic pharmaceutical products to Brazil and other countries of the world." Eskayef's initiative and far-sighted vision for COVID management, especially the launching of Remdesivir was highly appreciated by the Ambassador. Simeen Rahman mentioned, "Bangladesh and the whole world is facing an unprecedented challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic. At Eskayef, we have a firm commitment to make every possible COVID-19 treatment available for the people of Bangladesh. We will serve the people to the best of our abilities in these crucial times." She said, "Eskayef's core competency lies in manufacturing international standard sterile products. During the darkest time of coronavirus outbreak, when there was no effective drug to treat Covid patients, Eskayef launched Remdesivir injection which has not only served the patients of Bangladesh but also many countries of the world." Eskayef's manufacturing facility is approved by many global and stringent regulatory authorities including UK MHRA, EU GMP and TGA Australia. Eskayef has recently become one of a few Asian companies to secure approval from the prestigious regulatory body European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) to produce anti-cancer drugs. Oncology Manufacturing Facility of Eskayef Pharmaceuticals is the country's first entity that has secured approval from the EU GMP. Eskayef has been manufacturing quality medicines for the past 30 years. After serving the patients of Bangladesh, the company is exporting its products to 54 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/ambassador-brazil-lauds-eskayef-pharmaceuticals-world-class-standards-1981949

07:39 PM, October 21, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 07:44 PM, October 21, 2020 Norway interested to invest in ship recycling industry in Bangladesh Star Online Report Norway has shown interest to invest in ship recycling industry in Bangladesh. The Norwegian Ambassador Espen Rikter-Svendsen said this and also pledged to work together in various areas related to environment and development while talking to Environment, Forest and Climate Change minister Shahab Uddin in a video conference. The Ambassador of Norway said that there are many environmental similarities between Bangladesh and Norway as both countries are located on the coast. And that's why the two countries have the opportunity to work at sea. He said Norway has experience of working in the ship recycling industry and in this case mutual cooperation can be increased. Norway is now interested in trade and investment, he said. The two also discussed the possibility of working together in tackling the effects of climate change, poverty alleviation, plastic pollution control and other areas. They pledged to work together in various areas related to waste management. Minister Md Shahab Uddin said the government is working to create a sustainable environment by implementing extensive afforestation programs and controlling all types of pollution. The minister said, with opening of the Regional Office of the Climate Vulnerability Forum and the Global Center of Adaptation in Dhaka, Bangladesh will be able to play a stronger role in the International Forum on Climate Change. Additional Secretary (Environment) Mahmud Hasan, Additional Secretary (Development) Ahmad Shamim Al Razi, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Md. Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury and Director General of the Department of Environment Dr A, K, M Rafique Ahammed were present during the occasion. https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/norway-interested-invest-ship-recycling-industry-bangladesh-1981913

12:00 AM, October 21, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:11 AM, October 21, 2020 Dream coming true bit by bit Key machines for long cherished Rooppur power plant arrive in Mongla Rejaul Karim Byron and Wasim Bin Habib A nuclear reactor and a steam generator, the key components of the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, arrived in Bangladesh yesterday, paving the way for completing the main phase of the mega project. Traversing 14,000km, a ship carrying the equipment reached Mongla Sea Port in Khulna from Russia around 4:00pm yesterday. The components weigh 673.6 tonnes, said project officials. "The arrival marks a major milestone in the construction of our dream project with a total capacity of 2,400MW," Md Shawkat Akbar, project director of the nuclear power plant construction project, told The Daily Star. The ship carrying the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel and the steam generator left for Bangladesh on August 20. The components were manufactured at the "Atommash" plant in Volgodonsk, the largest nuclear engineering production site in Russia. The reactor vessel weighs 333.6 tonnes and the steam generator 340 tonnes. Now, these will be first shifted to a special barge for transportation to the Rooppur construction site in Pabna's Ishwardi upazila, about 160 kilometres northwest of the capital. Those will then be sent through rivers from Mongla via Kawkhali, Barisal, Chandpur, Mawa and Rajbari to the newly constructed Rooppur river port near the power plant site. The special barge carrying the components is expected to leave Mongla port on November 5 and reach Rooppur river port on November 21, according to a press release by the science and technology ministry. In easy terms, a nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled and sustained at a steady rate. The life cycle of a reactor is 60 years with the possibility of further extension, according to Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom. Each reactor unit comprises a reactor and four circulation loops, with each loop having circulation pipelines, a reactor coolant pump and horizontal steam generator. Amid growing demand for electricity, the government moved to build the country's first-ever nuclear power plant in Pabna and gave Rosatom the task of implementing it. The government put this ambitious mega project on the list of 10 top priority projects or fast-track projects for completing it on time. The power plant will have two units -- Rooppur Unit-1 and Unit-2 -- with a power generation capacity of 1,200MW each. A third-generation technology is being used to construct the plant with a five-layer security system. The first unit is expected to go into commercial operation by 2023 and the second one by 2024. The foundation stone of the Tk 113,092-crore power plant was laid in October 2013 and construction began on 1,062 acres of land in November 2017. Project officials said that as of August this year, the project saw 37 percent progress and there will be a major leap in its implementation once the reactor is installed. "The real progress will be visible from January next year," said a project official seeking anonymity. Md Shawkat Akbar said, "The reactor for the second unit will arrive in the country soon." The work of loading uranium fuel to the first reactor will begin in February, 2023, he mentioned. The project director said they expect to supply power to the national grid from April 2023 on a test basis, and that there will be a test run for a year. Project officials said the containment walls of the first reactor building have already been built, and construction of the second building will be completed by next year. The reactor support truss in Unit-1 has already been installed. The purpose of the support truss is to fasten the reactor vessel and to bear its weight loads. Besides, the work of manufacturing other machinery and equipment for the plant is going on in full swing, mentioned the officials. They said the government plans to meet 9 percent of the country's electricity requirement from nuclear power. It also seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by the middle of the next decade when both reactors of the new power plant will be in operation. With the first nuclear power plant at Rooppur, Bangladesh will become the third Asian country -- after India and Pakistan -- to harness the power of atoms. Nuclear power plants built with VVER-1200 reactors are characterised by an unprecedented level of safety, which allows them to be classified as generation "3+". https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/dream-coming-true-bit-bit-1981477

12:00 AM, October 20, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:48 AM, October 20, 2020 Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar taking shape defying all odds The industrial city now has $19b investment proposals, which may cross $30b by 2030 Jagaran Chakma Development works, including earth filling, being carried out by various investors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Chattogram. Factories of 13 different companies are now under construction in the economic zone and the plants may go into production by next year. Photo: COLLECTED The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) seems to be taking shape day by day as investors have started developing the physical infrastructure of the 30,000-acre economic zone. While visiting the country's future industrial hub last Friday, this correspondent witnessed massive development works, including earth filling, being carried out by various investors. Meanwhile, businesses from home and abroad have come up with investment proposals worth $19 billion for the industrial city, said Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza). Of them, foreign companies, including Wilmar of Singapore, Adani Group and Asian Paints of India, Sojitz Corporation of Japan, Nippon Steel of Japan and Yabang Group of China, wanted to invest $10 billion, he said. "The remaining $9 billion proposals came from local businesses. The major investors are: TK Group, Karmo Foam Industries, Mango Teleservices, BDCOM Online, Bashundhara Group, Siraj Cycle Industries, Abdul Monem Group, Star Consortium and Ayesha Clothing Company." Out of the around 200 international and local investment proposals, 76 came from local garment makers, he added. Moreover, three local entities—Confidence Group, Energypac and state-owned Rural Power Company Ltd—have expressed their willingness to invest nearly $3 billion in the power sector, he said. "We hope the total investment in BSMSN will reach $30 billion by 2030, which will be equivalent to the total investment made on all other zones," he added. Even amid the pandemic, the Beza received over $1.5 billion in investment proposals from home and abroad. Factories of 13 different companies, including Asian Paints, McDonald Steel and Modern Synthetic, are now under construction, he said. "These factories may go into production by the next year." Some other factories are currently waiting for the utility connections to start their construction work, he said. Earlier, the World Bank handed over $500 million for the development of the industrial city and the global lender attached a condition that no factory should start construction work before getting utility connections. The Beza executive chairman said they will use underground water sources for the next two and a half years to ensure water supply to the industrial units. The water will be brought to the surface with the help of Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, he said. Within the next three months, the entire area of the BSMSN will be desalinised, he said. Local companies want to pour funds into pharmaceutical, chemical, steel, textiles, garments, bicycle, automobile, tire and tube, electronics and ceramic sectors. Both the local and foreign businesses which will invest in the economic zones will enjoy the same facilities, said Chowdhury. Chowdhury went on to say that more proposals are coming in thanks to the growing interest of foreign investors. However, he said the Beza is now declining proposals as it would not be possible to accommodate them all due to a shortage of land in the industrial city. But land will be available when they will start land allotment at the Swandip site on the south bank of the Swandip Channel, he said. At least 1.5 million jobs will be created in the zone and it would become the third largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chattogram, as around 15 million people will live in the adjoining areas, he said. According to Chowdhury, just five year ago nobody could imagine that this char land would lead to a different Bangladesh by becoming the country's biggest industrial hub. This zone will help Bangladesh materialise its dream to become a high-income nation, he said. Jinyuan Chemical Industry, a Chinese company which exports chemical products to the US and Canada, was to set to be the first company to begin operations inside the BSMSN in March, but the Covid-19 outbreak delayed the process, he said. "I have received all clearances to start operation of the factory," Wang Yang, chairman of Jinyuan Chemical Industry, told The Daily Star ahead of the coronavirus outbreak in March. Yang had shifted her factory from China to Bangladesh in order to lessen the tariff burden while exporting products to North America. "My first aim is to avoid the impacts of the US-China trade conflict and make my products competitive." Yang had invested $6 million in the first phase of the factory, which created jobs for 50 people. "I plan to increase this investment in the future," she added. The BSMSN will be the first public economic zone to go into operation as part of the government's plan to set up 100 industrial enclaves across the country to boost industrialisation, Chowdhury said. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bangabandhu-shilpa-nagar-taking-shape-defying-all-odds-1981101

12:00 AM, October 19, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:20 AM, October 19, 2020 BSRM Steel to set up Tk 700cr plant The MS rod unit will begin production in 2023 Star Business Report BSRM Steel has decided to set up a Tk 700 crore plant to raise annual MS rod production capacity by another 5 lakh tonnes to meet its growing market demand. The Chattogram-based listed steel maker is expected to start operation of the new production unit by the middle of 2023. The investment fund would come from bank loans and own sources, according to the data shared by the leading steel maker with the stock investors of Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges yesterday. The paid-up capital of the listed steel maker was Tk 375 crore while its reserve and surplus was Tk 1,044 crore at the end of the fiscal year that ended on June 30 of 2019. On the other hand, the company's short-term loan was Tk 2,275 crore and long-term loan amounted to Tk 906.79 crore. At present, BSRM Steel is producing 2 million tonnes of MS billet and 1.6 million tonnes of re-rolling steel per year. Consumption of steel has been rising for the last few years riding on the increasing gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. Moreover, the government's development projects have left a positive impact on the nearly Tk 50,000 crore industry, according to market players. At present, government projects account for 35 per cent to 40 per cent of the total steel consumption in Bangladesh, up from 15 per cent a decade ago. The country's annual steel production capacity was 8.58 million tonnes in 2018 when total consumption was 7 million tonnes. Although per capita steel consumption in Bangladesh almost doubled in eight years to over 45 kilogrammes in 2018, the figure was still much lower than the global average of 208 kgs, according to the World Steel Association. The figure stands at 65 kgs in India, 400 kgs in South Korea and 1,000 kgs in Japan. To meet the spiralling demand, other steel makers are also increasing their production capacity. GPH Ispat, another listed steel manufacturing company, had already started its new Tk 2,390 crore plant on a trial basis. The new factory of GPH Ispat has the annual capacity to produce 840,000 tonnes of MS billet and 640,000 tonnes of MS rod and medium section products. Despite the news of the new investment yesterday, share price of BSRM Steel listed with the DSE since 2009 dropped 0.51 per cent to Tk 39.20. The steel maker also informed yesterday that its board of directors recommended 15 per cent cash dividend for the year that ended on June 30 of 2020. The company's earnings per share (EPS) was Tk 1.97 for the current year, down from Tk 4.60 in the previous year. The company blamed the fall in EPS on the reduced production and slow sales after the Covid-19 outbreak along with various tax issues. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bsrm-steel-set-tk-700cr-plant-1980573

11:19 PM, October 15, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 11:24 PM, October 15, 2020 Bangladesh to roll out its first car next year, says industries minister UNB, Dhaka Dhaka will roll out its first 'Made in Bangladesh' cars next year, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said today. "The Automobile Industry Development Policy 2020 will be finalised very soon. We will start making cars in Bangladesh from next year," the minister said during an exclusive interview with UNB. According to the minister, the state-owned Pragati Industries Limited will start manufacturing the automobiles with technical assistance from Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan. Nurul also said that the Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki had told him in a meeting that the east Asian country's automobile industry entrepreneurs, including Mitsubishi Corporation, "are interested in increasing investments in Bangladesh". "He [Ito Naoki] also said that Japan would provide technical assistance for the production of Bangladesh's own brand of motor vehicles. He further offered to assist Bangladesh in developing the vendor industry related to automobile and light engineering industries and setting up an Automobile Testing & Research Institute in Bangladesh," the minister said. The Ministry of Industries has already formulated a time-bound action plan for the development of automobile and other industries in the country. "This action plan will play an important role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI)," he also said. On the advantages of domestic car production, he said that foreign cars cost more for end-users due to import duty that is quite high in this country. "If cars are made in Bangladesh, their prices will also decrease. People will be able to buy it at affordable prices. If the country produces its own brand of automobiles, there will be no shortage of buyers too," he said. Hailing the youths of the country as "an innovative workforce", the minister said, "If this industry is developed by utilising them [the youth], the opportunity to export motor cars and motorcycles to the world market will also be created after meeting the domestic demand." http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/254761

01:02 PM, October 18, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:18 PM, October 18, 2020 Trespassing into Bangladesh: 3 Indians detained by BGB in Kurigram Star Online Report Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) yesterday detained three Indian nationals in the border area of Rowmari upazila in Kurigram, on charge of trespassing into Bangladesh territory. They were detained from Kawniarchar Bandar sub-pillar 4 of International Boundary Pillar No. 1055 at Dantbhanga border in the upazila yesterday afternoon, our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports. Detainees Selim Mia (21), Jahangir Alam (20) and Mahalam Sheikh (20) are residents of Hat Shingimari in Mankachar district of Assam. BGB's Jamalpur 35 Battalion Commanding Officer Lt Col SM Azad confirmed the matter and said the three Indian nationals entered Bangladesh illegally for the purpose of trading cattle. On suspicion, the BGB patrol team detained them and a case was filed by the BGB in this regard, he added. The detainees were handed over to Rowmari Police Station, he said. Rowmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Md Dilwar Hasan Inam said BGB had filed a case against three Indian nationals under the Border Violations Act. https://www.thedailystar.net/trespassing-bangladesh-3-indians-detained-bgb-in-kurigram-1980089

12:00 AM, October 18, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:53 AM, October 18, 2020 Western Marine builds tugboat for Payra port Staff Correspondent, Ctg The tugboat, built at a cost of Tk 35 crore, will speed up port activities and help strengthen port surveillance, Western Marine Shipyard said. Collected Western Marine Shipyard, the country's leading shipbuilder, has made a tugboat for Payra Sea Port. The tugboat, Tiakhali-1, was launched at the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram yesterday. After a sea trial, the port authorities will receive the vessel, said Shahidul Bashar, assistant general manager for commercial of the shipbuilder. A tugboat is a secondary boat which helps in a ship's mooring or berthing operations by either towing or pushing the vessel towards a port. The tugboat would help the port located in the southern coastal district of Patuakhali operate its activities through swift handling of inbound and outbound ships in the seaport area. The tugboat, which was built at a cost of Tk 35 crore, has a capacity of 60-tonne bollard pull power. The tugboat will speed up port activities and help increase port surveillance, Western Marine Shipyard said in a press release. The company built the tugboat after winning the work order in a tender, Bashar said. It has already supplied three tugboats to Chittagong Port and exported one to the Gambia. It also delivered two work-boats to the Mongla Port and one to the Chittagong Port, he added. Since its inception in 2000 in Chattogram, the yard has built more than 150 ships for local and international clients and are currently building more than 33 ships. The vessels include deep-sea fishing trawlers, port utility vessels, tugs, container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, and passenger ships. Western Marine has so far exported 32 ocean-going vessels to clients in countries such as Germany, Denmark, Finland, Tanzania, New Zealand, Kenya, the UAE, India, Ecuador, Pakistan, the Gambia and Uganda. It exported two 5,200 dead-weight tonnage capacity cargo ships to India at the beginning of 2000, the press release said. The shipbuilder employs 3,500 people, including skilled and semi-skilled labourers. More than 500 professionals, including marine experts, mechanical experts, electrical engineers and naval architects are working at the shipyard in the Patiya upazila of Chattogram, according to the company's website. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/western-marine-builds-tugboat-payra-port-1979753

12:00 AM, October 13, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:55 AM, October 13, 2020 Maf Shoes to invest Tk 1,118cr to set up new factory The sister concern of TK Group will establish the unit inside Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar Jagaran Chakma Maf Shoes, a sister concern of TK Group, is set to invest Tk 1,118 crore to establish an export-oriented footwear manufacturing unit alongside other backward linkage industries at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Chattogram. "We want to increase our exports and provide backward linkage products to local footwear manufacturers," said Mohammad Shahadat Ullah, executive director of Maf Shoes. "For this reason, we have decided to invest in export-oriented factories for synthetic sports shoes, sports-gears and other associated backward linkage facilities at BSMSN," he added. Maf Shoes will set up a total of 10 manufacturing units related to footwear and its backward linkage industries, he said. The proposed project will create 5,500 job opportunities, Ullah said. Of the Tk 1,118 crore investment, 30 per cent will come through equity while the remaining 70 per cent will be funded by banks. Two private banks have already assured that they would finance the new labour-intensive footwear factory. Maf Shoes has already submitted an investment proposal to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), seeking a 50-acre plot for the new facility, which will be the company's third footwear manufacturing unit. "We will give them the land they wanted as the company will produce both export-oriented and import substitute products at the same time," Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of Beza, told The Daily Star. Renowned footwear retailers want to explore sources other than China for their products, leading to increased competition in the global footwear market, which has encouraged Maf Shoes to go ahead with its plans, he added. The global market size for synthetic footwear is about $150 billion but there is still huge potential for growth in the sector, which could turn into the second largest export earning sector for Bangladesh with proper and timely policy support from government. Ullah also said the government has brought the sports and synthetic footwear sector into focus, making it the most preferred sector under the latest export policy. The authorities concerned have even proposed special facilities like tax rebates for the sector. Moreover, a 4 per cent export cash subsidy was recently introduced for this highly labour-intensive sector to make it suitably incentivised to attract more export orders. Maf Shoes, a pioneer in synthetic or non-leather sports footwear products in Bangladesh, is a 100 per cent export-oriented company with the highest solo investment, Ullah said. Bangladesh annually earns about $300 million from sports shoe exports, of which Maf Shoes accounts for 20 per cent. On average, the company has grown by 20 per cent annually for the last five years, he added. The company exported 1.14 crore pairs of sport shoes in 2019 while the figure was 91 lakh in 2018. However, Ullah expects to export 1.25 crore pairs this year and 2 crore pairs next year. "We began commercial export in 2011 with only $0.17 million. Last year, we exported $57 million and despite pandemic affect, we are projecting $70 million in export receipts for this year," he said. Maf Shoes is already in the process of establishing their second unit at the Nasirabad industrial zone at cost of Tk 137 crore. The facility is set to go into commercial production in March next year. The company produces a wide range of footwear for all age groups and provides complete manufacturing solutions under one umbrella, engaging 8,500 workers in the process. Maf Shoes is one of the most reliable and dedicated sourcing partners of Decathlon, a leading sportswear retailer based in France. Maf Shoes covers 15 per cent of Decathlon's global market demands and has also started making shoes for another global footwear giant, Deichmann from Germany. Currently, most raw materials Maf Shoes uses in its products are sourced from China, Vietnam, South Korea etc. But due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the company loses at least eight weeks on each shipment, allowing its global competitors to reach an advantageous position, Ullah said. To create ample production facilities that will be suitable for the next 15 years equipped with proper backward linked facilities like circular knitting, warp knitting, rubber outsole, etc, Maf Shoes will manufacture these products at its new units. The company will also step into other sports-gear segments like swimming goggles, swimming caps, kickboards and the like. In October 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the continuation of financial incentives in the leather sector for at least the next five years to help the country achieve its targeted export earnings from the leather goods and footwear industry. She made the announcement while inaugurating the Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show. The PM said that as part of export diversification, the leather goods industry has been identified as a priority sector for Bangladesh's economy and national industrial development strategy. "For this, various initiatives have been taken to develop the leather and leather footwear industries," she said, adding that barely a decade ago, most of the country's export earnings from this sector mainly came from shipments of leather as a raw material. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/maf-shoes-invest-tk-1118cr-set-new-factory-1977113

12:00 AM, October 13, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:05 AM, October 13, 2020 Leather turning into a big draw for foreign investors Industry insiders say Refayet Ullah Mirdha The leather sector in Bangladesh is turning into a hotspot for foreign investment due to the country's low manufacturing costs, availability of cheap raw materials and its eligibility for trade benefits on exports, said industry insiders. New investors from Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam have been contacting local leather goods and footwear manufacturers either to make investments in joint ventures or in companies they could establish themselves. The export incentive on crust leather is 7.5 per cent while its 15 per cent on leather goods, which is also a major factor drawing foreign direct investment (FDI) to this sector. Crust leather is the term applied to leather which is dried after tanning but has not yet been dyed. Foreign investors are also interested in Bangladesh's domestic markets because of the rising number of middle-income customers and lifestyle changes for rapid urbanization which have mainly pushed up the use and sale of leather goods and footwear. Currently, total investment in leather and leather goods and footwear is more than $1 billion, of which some $700 million is from domestic investors while the remaining $300 million is from foreign investors who are engaged in the export of manufactured goods. "Of the foreign investment, most of the amount came from Germany, Taiwan, China, India and Italy," said Saiful Islam, president of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh. "I have been receiving a lot of queries from foreign investors as they are interested to invest in Bangladesh," he said. Interest spiked when the government recently allowed tanneries at the country's Savar Tannery Industrial Estate (STIE) to set up their individual effluent treatment plants (ETPs). The use of ETPs ticks one of the boxes for global standards, added Islam, also managing director of Picard Bangladesh. Coupled with the cheap rates of an abundant source of raw materials, foreign investors see prospects of good business, he said. So far, the government has allowed two tanneries to construct their own ETPs for delays in the establishment of a central one for the STIE. Currently, some 123 out of 155 tanneries at the STIE are operational. Due to poor adoption of global standards set by Leather Working Group, Bangladeshi exporters have failed to avail compliance and environmental certifications from the global body for the leather goods sector. This leaves them with no choice but to sell goods to some non-compliant Chinese factories and accept prices that are 40 per cent lower than the international norm. Md Shaheen Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), said tanneries would surely benefit if foreign investment comes in the leather goods sector because it would increase demand for locally tanned rawhide. Whatever investment that has been made in tanneries till date has come from locals, he said. The establishment of ETPs by just 50 privately-run tanneries at the STIE can bring substantial benefits to the sector through the attainment of LWG certifications. But so far, only two have been allowed to construct their ETPs, he added. Ahmed also expressed concern over the difficulties in monitoring of privately-run ETPs at the STIE by government officials. M Abu Eusuf, professor of the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka, also believes that this sector would immensely benefit from the arrival of foreign investment. Bangladesh has revised its export target for leather goods to $3 billion by the end of next year. If the foreign investment comes, achieving the target would be easier. Vietnam has already proved this, he said. Currently, international brands like ABC-Mart, Adidas, Aldo, Esprit, Hugo Boss, H&M, Kate Spade, Kmart, Michael Kors, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Steve Madden, Sears and Timberland source leather goods and footwear from Bangladesh. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/leather-turning-big-draw-foreign-investors-1977121

13 October, 2020 08:36:05 AM / LAST MODIFIED: 13 October, 2020 01:29:07 PM India's bureaucratic red tape holds up transmission projects for Rooppur Nuclear Plant UNB, Dhaka Uncertainty looms large over the timely execution of a slew of power transmission projects aimed at facilitating electricity evacuation from the upcoming 2,400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The reason — the Indian financing agency is taking "excessive time" to give a go-ahead for the bidding process, UNB has learnt. Official sources at Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) said the state-owned power transmission body took up the projects to facilitate power evacuation from RNPP, the country’s maiden under-construction nuclear power project, with support from the Indian Line of Credit (LoC). Dhaka signed a $1.06 billion loan agreement with New Delhi in 2017 over financing of these projects, with a target to implement them within 2022, as the 1,200 MW first unit of RNPP aims at starting commercial production from the first half of 2023. The five transmission projects are — the 464 km 400 kV Transmission Lines, including 13km river crossing, the 205 km 230 kV Transmission Lines, including 7 km river crossing, the 400 kV 5 Bay Extensions, the 230 kV 4 Bay Extensions, and qualitative upgradation of Bangladesh Power System for frequency control ,emergency control and related tasks. Official sources said the 464 km 400 kV Transmission Lines project has been divided into four packages for easy and quick implementation. These are the 102 km Rooppur-Bogra line, the 144 km Rooppur-Gopalganj line, the 147 km Rooppur-Dhaka line, and the 51 km Aminbazar-Kaliakoir line. The 13 km river crossing work also consists of packages — the 6 km Padma River crossing line and the 7 km Jamuna River crossing line. Similarly, the 230 kV Transmission Lines project is divided into three packages — the 60 km Rooppur-Baghabari line, the 145 km Rooppur-Dhamrai line, and the 7 km Jamuna River crossing line. Official sources at PGCB said though they have completed the bidding process for some packages of the transmission projects, the remaining are stalled due to the delay in getting clearance from the Indian financing agency. “Of these packages, the bidding for the most critical river crossing work and bay extensions are suffering due to India's bureaucratic red tape. The necessary approval from India Exim Bank is still awaited," said a top official of PGCB, who did not wish to be named. He, however, said that timely commencement of operation of the RNPP project will depend on the timely implementation of the power transmission project. “If power transmission infrastructure is not ready, the Rooppur plant will not be able to start operation even after its timely completion," said the PGCB official. When contacted, PGCB managing director Golam Kibria admitted the delay in the projects' bidding processes. "But I am hopeful of quick clearance from the Indian financing agency," he said. http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/254605

12:00 AM, October 08, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 05:40 AM, October 08, 2020 Japan to invest in a bigger way, but wants better climate Says top official of Jetro Star Business Desk Every year 50 Japanese companies will come to Bangladesh to do business if the country improves its investment climate and develop infrastructure further, said Yuji Ando, country representative of Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro). Some 310 Japanese companies have presence in Bangladesh and they have invested around $3 billion here, he said yesterday. "Around 70 per cent of the Japanese companies are interested to increase their investment in Bangladesh. They now want an environment, which is friendlier towards Japanese companies." The lack of infrastructure is one of the bottlenecks, which is reducing Bangladesh's possibility of getting a smooth flow of Japanese investment, said Ando, also the president of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "It should be a win-win situation for both the countries." He spoke while exchanging views with the executive committee members of the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at the ERF office in Dhaka. He also expressed his willingness to work in collaboration with the ERF and other stakeholders to help the government improve the climate for investors. The number of Japanese factories to relocate from China will not be as many as has been predicted, he said. Keeping the Japanese factories in China, new production units will be established in other countries and the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will get priority in case of factory relocation, he said. ERF President Saiful Islam Dilal, General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam, AFP Bureau Chief M Shafiqul Alam and former Reuters Bureau Chief Serajul Islam Quadir also spoke among others. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/japan-invest-bigger-way-wants-better-climate-1974305

12:00 AM, October 06, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:39 AM, October 06, 2020 Local ships recovering from pandemic fallouts Bangladesh can easily retain $1 billion out of the $7 billion of freight spent to bring import cargoes, says Akij Group’s MD Sohel Parvez Akij operates 10 seagoing ships that carry coal, iron ore, clinker, wheat, fertiliser and other mineral cargoes from one international port to another. Photo: Collected Local oceangoing vessels that carry bulk shipments from one continent to another have recovered from the Covid-19 fallouts as the operators are getting good business thanks to the increased demand from China, according to a leading operator of seagoing ships. "There is a huge movement of bulk cargo towards China. Because of China, the shipping industry is no longer struggling," said SK Bashir Uddin, managing director of Akij Group, one of the country's biggest business houses with 24 concerns ranging from jute, cement, and steel to food processing and shipping. Akij operates 10 seagoing ships, which carry coal, iron ore, clinker, wheat, fertiliser and other mineral cargoes from one international port to another. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, jumped to a more than two-month high recently owing to strong iron-ore shipments out of Australia and Brazil, reported Reuters. Bashir said the Baltic dry index which dropped to an unprecedented low early this year amid the global Covid-19 outbreak, rebounded later alongside the demand for ferrying bulk cargo. Stimulus packages offered by the Chinese authorities and the public spending are two of the main drivers that pushed up the demand for shipping, he said in an interview over the phone last month. "Business went down drastically following the outbreak but it is back at full swing now thanks to China," he added. Since local ships have to comply with international maritime laws to sail on international waters, they become part of the global community, Bashir also said. Therefore, all local oceangoing vessels enjoy similar treatment in line with ships owned by other countries. "So when there is a pull, it does not matter who is the owner or from where the ship hails. We enjoy similar status when our ship and a German are in the same class," he said, adding that they carry cargoes from other countries too. Bashir, also vice chairman of the Bangladesh Oceangoing Ship Owners Association (BOSOA), went on to say that Akij also brings its own cargos through its own ships as this is advantageous in terms of freight charge. "That is what we are trying to make the regulators understand. We spend nearly $7 billion annually as freight charges to carry inbound cargoes and it is no challenge to retain $1 billion of that amount in the country," said Bashir, citing rising cargo imports. Bangladesh imported 87 million tonnes of cargo in fiscal 2019-20, up 78 per cent from 48.94 million tonnes five years ago, data from the Chattogram Port Authority shows. According to the managing director, clinker accounts for a big portion of bulk cargo imported for the cement industry. Besides, wheat and fertiliser are also imported. "So, Bangladesh ship owners need to grow. There needs to be more ship owners and the government needs to create conducive policies," he said, adding that friendly policies could increase the number of ships. "It is not a matter at all to increase the number of ships to 1,000." Citing the necessity to pay for local ships to cross the Suez Canal, he said it is very difficult to make such a transaction from Bangladesh. The more conducive the regulation, the more local ship owners will grow, said Bashir, adding that the shipping industry creates very high value jobs as well. "Opportunity is enormous in the industry." Bangladesh had 85 oceangoing ships six or seven years ago. The number of oceangoing ships declined to 35 as owners sold off most of their vessels owing to declining freight rates, high operating costs and removal of the value added tax (VAT) exemption benefit for import and manufacture of ships from fiscal 2014-15. In March 2018, the National Board of Revenue exempted VAT for import of 15-year old ships of 5,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) capacity. It increased the age limit to 22 years in June the same year in an effort to accelerate the growth of the shipping industry. Since then, the number of locally owned ships started increasing as the volume of imports and exports for the growing economy has been on the rise. The number of seagoing vessels currently stands at 47 with a combined carrying capacity of roughly 2 million tonnes. "And we carry from all over the world," said Bashir of Akij, which operates one of the country's largest bulk cargo ships with a 76,000-tonne capacity. He said people who have knowledge should get into the industry. "It is very feasible for Bangladesh to own 1,000 ships. So new entrepreneurs should come but whoever has the resilience, the perseverance and the ability to learn new things I would strongly encourage them to come," he added. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/local-ships-recovering-pandemic-fallouts-1973145

12:00 AM, October 06, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:42 AM, October 06, 2020 SydneySun to set up video surveillance equipment plant Star Business Report SydneySun International and its technology partner Dahua of China will invest $5 million at Summit Technopolis at the Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Gazipur to build the country's first video surveillance equipment manufacturing plant. Abu Reza Khan, managing director of Summit Technopolis and Sagor Kumar Tito, managing director of SydneySun International, yesterday signed a land lease agreement to set up the plant over one acre of land, said Summit Group in a press release. The prefabricated plant construction of semi-knocked down video surveillance equipment will begin soon and is expected to be operational by January 2021. Initially, SydneySun is expected to employ about 90 Bangladeshi engineers along with 10 foreign experts. The manufactured products will be sold in both local and foreign markets. Set up in 2004, SydneySun International is the distributor of safety and surveillance video solutions and is the sole authorised distributor of Dahua Technology of China. It has deployed the city surveillance in Cox's Bazar and end-to-end solutions for the central command of the Bangladesh Highway Police, the press release said. Hosne Ara Begum, managing director of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, and Md Shahid-ul-Munir, president of the Bangladesh Computer Samity, were present at the signing ceremony. Summit Group Vice-Chairman Latif Khan and directors Fadiah Khan and Salman Khan attended the meeting virtually. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/sydneysun-set-video-surveillance-equipment-plant-1973149

China’s Xi Ready to take ties with Bangladesh to new heights United News of Bangladesh/Xinhua. Beijing | Published: 12:11, Oct 04,2020 Chinese president Xi Jinping said on Sunday that he stands ready to work with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Md Abdul Hamid, to better align the two countries' strategies and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road, so as to take the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights. Xi made the remarks in an exchange of congratulatory messages with Hamid to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In his message, Xi said the China-Bangladesh friendship has a long history and remains ever new over time. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, enhanced political mutual trust and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation that brings tangible benefits to the two peoples, Xi noted. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Bangladesh have stuck together through thick and thin, helped each other and fought against the pandemic side by side, writing a new chapter of bilateral friendship, Xi said. For his part, Hamid said in the message that the Bangladesh-China relationship is developing rapidly and has covered cooperation in key areas, to which Bangladesh attaches great importance. He expressed his deep appreciation for China's continuous support for Bangladesh in its socio-economic development progress, adding that he believes the close and friendly relationship between the two countries will continue to deepen in the future. Also on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Li said in his message that China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Bangladesh in various fields and promote the steady and sustainable development of the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to better benefit the two countries and their people. For her part, Hasina said the strategic partnership of cooperation between Bangladesh and China has been developed from the two countries' time-tested friendship and cooperation. The strengthened Bangladesh-China cooperation has unleashed enormous potential in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region and even around the world, Hasina said. https://www.newagebd.net/article/118060/chinas-xi-ready-to-take-ties-with-bangladesh-to-new-heights

Bangladesh, India start joint naval exercise at Bay today Staff Correspondent | Published: 10:27, Oct 03,2020 Bangladesh and India started a three-day naval exercise in the northern Bay of Bengal on Saturday, according to diplomatic and defence sources. Bangladesh defence officials described the engagement as a coordinated maritime patrol along the international maritime boundary line by warships of the two counties. Two officials of Bangladesh Navy headquarters and Inter Services Public Relations Directorate and a diplomatic source in New Delhi confirmed about holding of the exercise and patrol. Bangladesh has deployed two warships — BNS Abu Bakr, a guided-missile frigate, and BNS Prottoy, a guided-missile corvette — in the exercise, a Bangladesh Navy official said on Friday evening. India has deployed two warships — INS Kiltan, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, and INS Khukri, a guided-missile corvette — as well as maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters in the exercise, according to a Times of India report with reference to Indian Navy. It is the second edition of naval exercise in the northern Bay of Bengal. The first of its kind was held in 2019. ‘The aim of the exercise is to develop interoperability and joint operational skills through conducting a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations,’ Indian Navy spokesperson commander Vivek Madhwal said. ‘The exercise will include surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and helicopter operations among other things,’ he said. ‘Conducting such coordinated patrolling will strengthen the understanding between the two navies. Besides, measures will be taken to stop illegal activities in the region,’ said the Indian official. The Outlook India described it as a mega naval exercise. India had steadily stepped-up military ties with Bangladesh, which ‘incidentally acquired’ its first-ever diesel-electric submarines from China couple of years ago, Times of India report said. India, on its part, has been trying to counter Chinese inroads into its neighbourhood, ranging from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius to Myanmar to Nepal, according to Indian report. Bangladesh has allowed India, under an agreement, to establish a coastal surveillance radar system along its own coastline and keep an eye on the shared Indo-Bangla coast. The agreement was signed between the two countries during the official visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India in October, 2019. https://www.newagebd.net/article/117960/bangladesh-india-start-joint-naval-exercise-at-bay-today

1 October, 2020 06:53:07 PM / LAST MODIFIED: 1 October, 2020 08:07:29 PM Rosatom ships steam generators for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant UNB, Dhaka Photo: UNB Russian nuclear agency Rosatom has shipped a set of steam generators for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), the country’s first under construction nuclear power project. According to a Rosatom press release, the Volgodonsk branch of JSC “AEM-technology” (a part of the machine-building division of Rosatom – “Atomenergomash”) has shipped the set of steam generators. The first item was dispatched two months ago, together with the Reactor Pressure Vessel. Two more steam generators were shipped in September. The last of the four steam generators was transported from the plant to the special birth, where three items with the total weight of more than 1000 tons, will be loaded onto a barge. The equipment will be transferred to Novorossiysk, then the item will be transported to the Bangladesh by sea. The sea route will be about 14 000 km. Thus, the main equipment of the Reactor facility for Unit No.1 of Rooppur NPP, has been shipped from the plant site. Rooppur NPP was designed and now being constructed as per the Russian project. The power plant will consist of two units with the capacity of 1200 MW each, equipped with VVER reactors of the 3+ generation. http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/254045

12:00 AM, October 02, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:12 AM, October 02, 2020 Liner promises boost to sea tourism Mohammad Suman MV One Bay, now anchored at Chattogram Marine Fisheries Academy Jetty, Offers 2,000 cabin accommodations including presidential suites, bunk beds and twin bed cabins. Photo: RAJIB RAIHAN Saint Martin's island is on the verge of witnessing a new chapter in tourist transport as a vessel formerly engaged in ferrying people in Japan is due to pioneer a route connecting the coral isle to Chattogram via Cox's Bazar. The 393-feet long, 55-feet wide MV One Bay was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1992 according to websites on marine traffic and offers 2,000 cabin accommodations including presidential suites, bunk beds and twin bed cabins. Photo: RAJIB RAIHAN It has been taken on a 10-year lease from a Singapore-based company by Karnafuly Ship Builders, which plans to eventually use it for a diverse range of sea tourism in Bangladesh, subject to government clearance. All plans will have to wait till December for repairs to be carried out, said the company officials. Arriving at the Chattogram port on September 19, MV One Bay is now anchored at Chattogram Marine Fisheries Academy Jetty. Once repairs were complete, permission would be sought from the government to begin operations, Abdur Rashid, managing director of the privately-owned shipbuilding company, told The Daily Star. "For the first time in Bangladesh, we have brought a cruise ship of international standard, which will help the country's tourism sector enter a new era," he said. It could cost anywhere between Tk 200 crore and Tk 250 crore to build such a vessel from scratch but since the service was the first of its kind, the company decided running it on lease. The company plans to outright buy the vessel if there is good response from tourists, he added. Apart from Karnafuly Ship Builders, there are several local companies ferrying people to Saint Martin's island, but only from Cox's Bazar, from where one trip is run daily, and Teknaf, from where three trips are run a day. With its 18-feet draft, MV One Bay has an average speed of 16.1 nautical miles per hour and a maximum speed of 24 nautical miles per hour. It is registered with International Maritime Organization and capable of deep sea travel even when cautionary signal 5 is in place for inclement weather, according to the company's officials. Cautionary signal 4 usually calls a stop to vessel movement. The ship previously bore the name MV Salvia Maru and ferried people between Tokyo and Tokyo Islands. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/liner-promises-boost-sea-tourism-1971009

12:00 AM, October 02, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:46 AM, October 02, 2020 Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar to come under digital security system Will pave way for ‘smart industrial city’ Jagaran Chakma The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) will be brought under a digital security system as a part of the government's plans to build it up as a 'smart industrial city'. "We want to monitor the ongoing development work from Dhaka and ensure tight security to avoid any kind of untoward incident inside the zone," said Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza). "For this reason, we will establish a digital security system in the zone," he added. An information and technology communication solutions provider, aamra networks, will set up internet protocol cameras that focus on a select portion of the BSMSN which is currently undergoing development and houses Beza's site office free of charge. Beza signed a memorandum of understanding with aamra networks in this regard yesterday and according to Chowdhury, the company is keen to start their work as soon as possible. The 'smart city' concept basically combines the Internet of Things, cloud computing and big data analytics. In this system, devices collect data which is stored and analysed for real time application and solutions. Beza plans to build up the BSMSN as a 'smart industrial city', complete with digital security systems to detect untoward incidents and illegal entry and high-speed telecommunications enabling remote monitoring from Dhaka, Chowdhury said. To achieve this, Beza will appoint a competent consultant, he added. "Initially, aamra will provide complimentary internet connectivity and video surveillance solutions that focus on a portion of the BSMSN," Sinha Humayun, senior manager for brand and product development at aamra networks, told The Daily Star. It will enable Beza officials to remotely monitor and follow-up on the ongoing construction and development, he said, adding that in the future, they aim to provide IT solutions to investors of the BSMSN. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bangabandhu-shilpa-nagar-come-under-digital-security-system-1970993

02:26 PM, October 02, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:32 PM, October 02, 2020 Bangladeshi female police peacekeepers tasked with Congo airport security Star Online Report Photo taken from UNB The female peacekeepers of Bangladesh Police have been given the responsibility to ensure security at Congo's Monusco Airport run by the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission. The peacekeepers, members of BANFPU-1 (Rotation 14), are very proud to have the responsibility as it is a UN-run important facility, says a press release sent by Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general of Police Headquarters. Merina Akter, commander of the rotation, said "We are carrying out duties not only in our country but also in foreign lands with dignity and pride under the flag of the United Nations." Terming the task of ensuring security at the airport a big challenge, she wished to be successful this time as well. "We are working tirelessly to maintain peace in Congo in line with the UN mandate," the press release quoted Merina as saying. On September 11, a contingent of female police unit of Bangladesh left Dhaka for Congo to join the UN peacekeeping mission. https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladeshi-female-police-peacekeepers-tasked-congo-airport-security-1971261

11:07 PM, October 01, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 11:17 PM, October 01, 2020 ‘Two Asian powerhouses are competing in Myanmar’s Rakhine’ Military and security expert Dr M Sakhawat Hossain tells The Daily Star Golam Mortoza Myanmar has recently deployed troops on the Bangladesh border. Bangladesh has expressed its concern by writing a letter to the UN Security Council. The Myanmar government-controlled media are seen propagating that Bangladesh has deployed troops on the Myanmar border. Tension on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border is mainly centring the Rohingya crisis -- a creation of Myanmar. The current tense situation leads to some burning questions. Does Myanmar want to create a war-like situation with Bangladesh? How is Bangladesh's preparation, ability and strength? How significant is the Bangladesh-Myanmar relations in the context of international and regional politics? The Daily Star turned to military and security expert Dr M Sakhawat Hossain (SIPG, NSU) to have an in-depth analysis of Bangladesh-Myanmar relations. Following are excerpts of the interview: The Daily Star (DS): Myanmar is deploying troops on the Bangladesh border. Bangladesh has already addressed it to the Security Council. What do your long years of observation and research say about the disturbing development? Dr M Sakhawat Hossain (SIPG, NSU). File photo M Sakhawat Hossain (MSH): First of all, I would like to say that I am speaking based on my long research and observation. I have lived and worked in that region. We have limitation to know Myanmar completely. You can say, this is my own experience-based analysis. The election is supposed to be held in Myanmar next November where mainly two parties are competing. One is the NLD and the other is its army although the army will not be in the election directly. Army will be there to control the political situation which has been the case over the years and they are also in the parliament. The conflict in the Rakhine region has several levels. The first level is the Arakan Army vs government forces. The second is Rakhine Buddhists vs Bamar Buddhists, the third is Rakhine Buddhists vs government forces and last but not the least is Rohingyas vs Myanmar army and Rohingyas vs Rakhine Buddhists. And then two powerhouses in Asia are in a kind of competition in Rakhine. India has influence in northern Rakhine while China's influence is in southern Rakhine. The Arakan Army has freshly joined the competition. Besides, the Rohingya issue is already there. Those who are regularly following the matter can see that the strength of the Arakan Army has suddenly increased. DS: Where does the Arakan Army particularly exist? Inside Myanmar or outside? MSH: They are located in northern Rakhine where Indian ports are to be built. Two more groups have joined them. One of them belongs to the Karen community and the other probably to the Shan Province. There is no information that the Arakan Army is positioned outside the Myanmar border. Their locations are in those areas where the Myanmar army cannot reach. There are many places in Myanmar that are unwritten autonomous regions, including Shan Province and Karen Province. The Karen Independent Army is fully equipped with firearms. They have created a fairly independent state. DS: What is the source of Karen's power? It is said that China's arms support is the source? MSH: Almost all the weapons they use are made in China. That's why experts think they get help from China. DS: Does it mean China is the source of power for both Myanmar and anti-Myanmar rebel Karen? MSH: It's like that. Experts think, China's arms support is Karen's main source of power. Earlier, China had relations with the Communist Party of Myanmar. At one point, China changed its policy that the party would no longer cooperate with its Myanmar counterpart. There will be government to government cooperation. However, many experts believe that China is still continuing party to party cooperation. Four months back, media in Myanmar and Thailand have reported that a large number of Chinese-made weapons meant for the Arakan Army entered Myanmar from the northeast Bay of Bengal. In recent times a new organisation called Arakan Rohingya Army has been formed there and claimed to be very strong. None has so far noticed any mentionable activities from them and Arakan Army initially said that they have no relation with Rohingyas. However, the recent statement of the Arakan Army said that they are for the people of Arakan. The implication of this statement is that they may have adopted a policy of involving the Rohingyas. A few days ago, two Myanmar soldiers made confessional statement of committing crime (Rohingya genocide) and are believed to be under detention of the Arakan Army. The Myanmar army, however, says they are fugitives. Where did they escape from? If they are in the hands of the Arakan Army and if they say this from there, it means that the Arakan Army is highlighting the atrocities that Myanmar is committing in Arakan or Rakhine for the international arena. Not just the Rohingya, they say, it has happened to the Karens and to the Shan community. All of this is now being highlighted. Those who once said that they have no relationship with the Rohingyas are now working for the Rohingyas. DS: Why is Myanmar raising tension on the Bangladesh border now? MSH: For this we have to look at the international situation. Tension is running high over India's border with China. This tension is more from the Indian side. Not much is known from the Chinese side. From Myanmar's point of view, it cannot be kept out of this tension and the polarisation of the United States, Australia and Japan behind India against China. In this polarisation, it seems Bangladesh is neither here nor there. But, one thing is very noticeable that suddenly the US Secretary of Defense Dr Mark T Esper talked with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina over phone. This is a big issue in the geopolitical context. Bangladesh is being dragged into the Indo-Pacific region. It is being sponsored by the US and the most active here is India. Japan and Australia are also with it. The US Secretary of Defense has talked with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for quite a long time. A number of unconfirmed sources, especially in various international media, reported that it is proposed in the talks that they (USA) apparently want to sell some sophisticated war equipment to Bangladesh which include Apache helicopters that have been discussed at different times. They (USA) also want to assist in necessary training. India and Japan have invited Bangladesh to join the Indo-Pacific. In this situation, we have to see what kind of pressure can come on Bangladesh. Myanmar is creating a kind of pressure on the border from the thought that some kind of pressure many come on Myanmar. Western countries are forging alliance on the Rohingya issue. DS: Myanmar also knows the context like Bangladesh that you have raised. Knowing this, Myanmar is apprehending many things. Is that the reason Myanmar is deploying troops or creating tension at the border? MSH: Myanmar is putting a kind of pressure on Bangladesh. The cantonment we have in Ramu is very close to the Myanmar border. BGB is working all over the border of the country, there is army in Chattogram Hill Tracts, there is cantonment which is very close to the Rakhine state. Our army is already there, whether for internal reasons or because of location. For these reasons, Myanmar may have deployed troops on the border to create pressure. Another reason may be that the soldiers who were on duty earlier are being replaced. When this change occurs, they take some action for strategic reasons. I think Myanmar is doing this because of such reasons. DS: Many issues come up in this regard. One is St Martin's Island. Being far away from mainland and a small island, it is said that Myanmar is in a more advantageous position than Bangladesh. Is St Martin's Island always a source of concern for us strategically? MSH: Our Navy is there since 1992. I don't think there is any reason that Myanmar will come and occupy this island. Doing so would be a complete declaration of war. If anything like that happens, Bangladesh will also take counter measures. At that time Bangladesh may take the help of western nations. Especially, in the Bay of Bengal where they are more active. DS: China is also active there. Myanmar is even involved in the Russian game. MSH: China will not allow Myanmar to do that. Because, if that happens, the whole thing will go against China. China has not yet finished their work in the South Bay of Bengal which is called CMEC (China-Myanmar Economic Corridor). Work is underway on the $7 billion project. DS: If Myanmar makes any such a decision, could there be problems in those projects? MSH: There will be problems. And China will not want to get involved in any major problems in the Bay of Bengal or the Indian Ocean at the moment. Because, China has not reached that position yet. China does not have the naval power to challenge India and the United States in the sea. The naval power they have is in the South China Sea and their main focus is there. With that, there is CMEC for future security and it will do something in alliance with the regional countries. However, China will not be able to come to the naval challenge at this moment. DS: In that case, what is Bangladesh's situation in terms of naval, air and land presence on Myanmar border and the influx of Rohingya? How is the balance of military power? Can it be perceived or analysed? MSH: I will not give a qualified statement about how strong Bangladesh is. And, it is never understood who is the strongest from numerological point of view. I can give an example. Egypt is the most militarily powerful country in North Africa. So, mathematically the Egyptian military is supposed to overthrow Israel in four hours. But, they can't. You can analyse who has how many troops with that. It is estimated that China has 2 million troops and India has 1.9 million. If China is at war with India today, will anyone be able to bring in all the troops? Will India not keep troops at Pakistan point? Myanmar is ahead of Bangladesh in terms of number of ground force. With the addition of two submarines, Bangladesh is ahead on the naval side. I have doubts about the air force, but Myanmar may be ahead. Their number is much higher. Another thing to keep in mind here is that Myanmar soldiers are experienced in jungle war. Its military has been fighting that battle for nearly 70 years. They are very good in terms of jungle and mountain war strategies. Another big thing is the geographical location of Bangladesh. Suppose our war with Myanmar started. If our air force has to go inside Myanmar, it has to go a long way. But, our refinery, industry and the biggest port is in Chittagong. It is very close to Myanmar. So, geographical advantages and disadvantages are very important factors. I think the number and the strength our army has is quite capable of facing an attack. Now the war is not three, but four dimensional. Due to that, India has now gone after Rafal, leaving everything out. Lately they have been looking to buy F-35s from the US. If we think from the side of Bangladesh and Myanmar, we have some advantages as well as some disadvantages. Focusing on that, we need to address the geopolitical and strategic shortfalls as soon as possible. And if that is the case, who will help us in the international arena and who will not will depend on our diplomatic and foreign policy. DS: One last question. Is the mobilisation of Myanmar troops on the border just about putting pressure on Bangladesh? Or Myanmar can really take the provocation a little further, can dare to cross the border? MSH: Myanmar will not dare to do that at the moment. The biggest reason is economic. Not only China, they are now trying to attract Western countries to invest. The city of Rangoon in Myanmar is being rebuilt after the capital was shifted. Chinese companies took part in the bid. However, a Swedish company probably got the job. Among the big investors in Myanmar, Japan is far ahead. South Korea is also going to invest in Myanmar. Myanmar is not in a position to do anything that could adversely affect its investment. At the UN, our Prime Minister said that a safe zone must be created for the Rohingyas. If that is done, Myanmar will face a huge problem in the Rakhine region. I don't think Myanmar will lock in war with Bangladesh; China will not let that happen. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/two-asian-powerhouses-are-competing-myanmars-rakhine-1970853

Bangladesh may get caught in new cold war Shahidul Islam Chowdhury | Published: 00:28, Sep 28,2020 | Updated: 17:00, Sep 28,2020 Bangladesh is at risk of becoming a party to a new cold war unless the country maintains a neutral position keeping strategic affairs and national interests in consideration amid the growing rivalries of India, United States and Japan with China, foreign policy and defence strategists said. There are some risks of becoming part of a new cold war if Bangladesh participates actively in the disputes — be that regional or global, former foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain told New Age on September 26, speaking on India’s plan to engage Japan in taking joint projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Indian minister of external affairs S Jaishankar said that India and Japan are looking at the possibility of cooperating on projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar as part of their efforts to work together in third countries, according to Hindustan Times. The India-Japan Act East Forum, which focuses on specific projects in India’s north-eastern region, also has a larger significance for connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar, he said during a virtual event in New Delhi on September 16. ‘We have done a little bit of that in Sri Lanka and I think today we are trying to see whether we can cooperate and coordinate more closely in Bangladesh and Myanmar,’ the Indian minister said. Jaishankar’s remarks assume significance against the backdrop of the efforts by several countries — India, Australia, Japan and the United States — to forge new partnerships with countries on the rims of the Indian and Pacific oceans styled as Indo-Pacific Strategy in the face of China’s ‘growing activities’ across the regions, according to Hindustan Times. ‘Bangladesh has so far maintained neutrality in the China-India faceoff,’ said Touhid Hossain. Expressing his doubts about whether the Myanmar authorities would engage in projects brokered by India with funds from Japan, he said, ‘Why would Myanmar engage in India-Japan joint initiatives when it is unilaterally attracting huge direct investment and funds from Japan?’ Touhid believes that the joint offer from India and Japan might provide Myanmar scopes for pursuing a hard bargain with China that might go against Bangladesh’s interests. ‘China is dependent on Myanmar for directly accessing the Bay of Bengal in the shortest possible way for energy imports and other reasons,’ he explained. Describing Bangladesh as a ‘peripheral player,’ he said, ‘It was important to remain alert of which parties the government would support according to its strategy.’ The US defence secretary Mark Esper on September 11 spoke with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina over phone and discussed ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific that ensures the sovereignty of all nations, besides some specific bilateral defence priorities including maritime and regional security,’ according to a press release of the US Department of Defence. Bangladesh Institute of Peace & Security Studies president ANM Muniruzzaman believes that the India-Japan plan for jointly engaging in Bangladesh and Myanmar ‘is a part of a broader move to activate the Indo-Pacific Strategy’ of the four countries, which is called the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the Quad and is led by the United States and also involved Australia. Bangladesh could think of engaging in the IPS if it was a benign development programme, he told New Age on September 26, emphasising the importance of a deeper consideration to assess whether the IPS was floated to exclude China. ‘Bangladesh should pursue an equidistant policy on the matter as we should not do things that may disturb our relations with China, a strategic partner,’ said Muniruzzaman, a retired major general of the Bangladesh Army. Bangladesh needs to be extra careful as it is also a participant of the Belt and Road Initiative, he added. Mentioning the recent faceoff in Ladakh border, he said Bangladesh should see and assess things through critical lenses as Sino-India rivalry has reached at a high point now in four decades. He also pointed out that Bangladesh need to keep an eye on the eastern border of Bangladesh where Myanmar mobilised troops with heavy weapons. ‘Situation along the Myanmar border has become rather fluid,’ the defence strategist added. ‘It is quiet usual that both India and the USA would try to engage Bangladesh in the IPS,’ security analyst M Sakhawat Hussain told New Age on September 23. Sakhawat, a retired brigadier general of Bangladesh Army, also believes that the Indian idea for engaging Japan in projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar carries significance in the contexts of recent conflicts between China and India, tension in South China Sea and engagement of India and Japan in the IPS as part of their evident efforts to contain China, the economic giant. Bangladesh has been trying to remain neutral in China-India feud although China has huge engagements in terms of development assistance and trade, while the Indian government has become active in eliminating Chinese influence in countries encircling India — Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka, he said. ‘No country comes forward without their own strategic and economic interests,’ he said, adding that India, Japan, the US and China could not resolve the Rohingya crisis for Bangladesh by ensuring repatriation of the 1.1 million displaced members of the community back to their homeland in Rakhine of Myanmar. Wrong moves sometimes jeopardise strategic relations between countries, experts said. On Joining Indo-Pacific Strategy, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh will effectively engage in any future Indo-Pacific Alliance if it is found to be purely economic in nature. Bangladesh has already joined China’s BRI, he said. The Indian and Japanese authorities are yet to send any specific proposal on joint projects to the Bangladesh government, diplomatic sources confirmed. The Ganges Barrage project was abandoned allegedly under pressure from India, a more than strategic partner, said several serving senior diplomats, arguing that the government hardly keeps scopes for negotiating things as ‘most decisions come from the political high-ups’. A senior Bangladesh ambassador said, ‘The government should not lease out Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with Japan to India.’ UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on September 21, called for a halt to conflicts and focus on common problems like the coronavirus pandemic. ‘We must do everything to avoid a new cold war,’ he said opening UN General Assembly general debate marking the organisation’s 75th anniversary, according to Deutsche Welle. http://www.newagebd.net/article/117479/country-may-get-caught-in-new-cold-war

12:00 AM, October 01, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:31 AM, October 01, 2020 Delta Agrofood to invest Tk 1,200cr in soy, flour production Jagaran Chakma Delta Agrofood Industries, a joint venture of SEACOM and Samuda, is set to invest Tk 1,200 crore in the production of various soy and wheat products with an aim to meet the country's growing demand for healthier consumer goods. Under the fresh investment, Delta Agrofood will establish a new factory to produce both crude and refined soyabean oil, soybean cake, soya milk and flour. "SEACOM decided to undertake this initiative as wheat has become the second most important food item in the country after rice," said Mohammed Amirul Haque, managing director of SEACOM. "Since it is a basic industry for any country, we invested in wheat production with a view to develop the agro sector," he added. As per a market assessment by Delta Agrofood, the domestic demand for wheat has more than doubled over the past six years due to changing food habits and increased export of baked goods. This led to a 116 per cent rise in imports as local cultivation fails to meet the country's needs despite having witnessed many significant changes in production, industry insiders said. Besides, whole grains are rapidly gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to traditional cereals in the face of a rising trend of diabetes and obesity, they added. Statistically, the daily consumption of wheat has gone up by about 42 per cent from 72 grammes in fiscal 2014-15 to 125 grammes at present, according to the Directorate General of Food and various traders. The country's annual demand for the cereal currently stands at around 77 lakh tonnes, 85 per cent of which is met through imports, as per data from the National Board of Revenue and Department of Agricultural Extension. Similarly, the use of soybean oil and soybean cake has increased significantly over the years. Soybean oil is now the preferred cooking medium in Bangladesh while soybean cake is used as animal feed in the fish and poultry farming industries. The project, 40 per cent of which is being financed by Pubali Bank, will be developed across a 35-acre plot in Saidpur of Narayanganj. According to SEACOM's managing director, it was a strategic location owing to the presence of a strong distribution channel. "We will be able to create around 1,200 jobs with the new production facility. Commercial production is expected to start by end of this year," Haque said. The per capita consumption of soybean oil in Bangladesh is currently 9.2 litres per annum, which is far below the global average of 25.2 litres. However, this figure continues to rise in line with peoples' increasing purchasing power, as per a market analysis by LightCastle Partners. Against this backdrop, Delta Agrofood sees the potential to do well in the business in the coming days even though there are already a number of market players present in the country. In its analysis, LightCastle also said the demand for edible oil in developing countries was set to surpass their developed counterparts within the next decade. The business management firm pointed out the markets of China, India and Bangladesh as examples of places where the demand for edible oil was growing. Just 30 year ago, the country's entire demand for soybean oil was met through imports but eventually, some entrepreneurs started to refine imported crude soybean oil to locally produce edible oil, said SM Nashir Uddin, general manager of Delta Agrofood. Now though, some entrepreneurs produce the finished product wholly through local sourcing without making any import, he added. According to the general manager, just 20 litres of edible oil can be produced from 100 kilogrammes of soybean seed while the leftover soybean cake can be used as food for fish or poultry. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/delta-agrofood-invest-tk-1200cr-soy-flour-production-1970401

12:00 AM, October 01, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:26 AM, October 01, 2020 Korean joint venture may build Joydebpur-Mymensingh expressway Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary and Rejaul Karim Byron A South Korean joint venture is likely to be engaged in turning the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway into an expressway under a public private partnership (PPP) initiative. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday approved a proposal to convert an 87-kilometre section from Gazipur's Joydebpur to Mymensingh into an expressway under a government-to-government contract. The committee, led by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, gave the approval at a virtual meeting. An expressway is a highway especially planned for high-speed traffic, usually with no or very few intersections, limited points of access or exit, and a divider between lanes for traffic moving in opposite directions. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 12 opened the country's first-ever expressway running from Dhaka to Faridpur's Bhanga upazila. However, users will get the full benefit of the expressway once the construction work of the Padma bridge is complete. South Korea has already selected three companies -- SK E&C, Korean Expressway Corporation and Lotte E&C -- for implementing the Joydebpur-Mymensingh project. The SK E&C will be the lead company, said an official of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The preliminary cost of the new project has been estimated to be Tk 3,353 crore, said an official of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), adding that the estimate may vary. As the project would not require too much land, the duration of the project will be relatively short, he said. Under the project titled "Improvement of Dhaka (Joydebpur)-Mymensingh into Expressway with Service Lane on Both Sides through PPP," the authority aims to ensure better connectivity between the capital and Mymensingh division, where 10 economic zones will be established, said the RHD officials. Once complete, this would be the first expressway in Bangladesh with eight lanes – four main lanes, two emergency and two service lanes, they said. It will also be the first road in the country with dedicated emergency lanes, they added. Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) and Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development (KIND), a Korean organisation for providing support to global PPP businesses, signed a memorandum of understanding in April last year. The RHD submitted two projects and South Korea so far accepted the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway project, said Shishir Kanti Routh, additional chief engineer of the RHD. Then the RHD, following the endorsement of the PPPA and through the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, recently sent the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for "in-principle approval", he said. Now, an adviser would be hired to carry out a detailed feasibility study and physical and financial assessments before the final contract is signed, he added. WHY EXPRESSWAY? Between July 2010 and June 2017, the RHD had upgraded the two-lane Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to a four-lane one spending around Tk 1,800 crore. However, the cost of the project was Tk 902 crore when the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project in June 2010 and the deadline was June 2013. But poor development project profiling forced the authority to change the cost and deadline of the project several times, according to a report of the Implementation Monitoring & Evaluation Division (IMED) of the planning ministry published in June this year. The IMED report mentioned poor maintenance and presence of a huge number of illegal markers on the road and absence of mechanisms to control overloading as poor aspects of the project. The report also recommended upgrading the national highway to six or eight lanes as a huge number of industrial units had developed on both sides of the road. Besides, at least 193 intersections, 28 school zones and many markets and other structures along a 16.5 km section of the four-lane highway were slowing down traffic on the road, according to a road safety audit conducted by the RHD in 2017-2018. The average number of vehicles running on the highway in a day in 2019 was 27,663. Talking to The Daily Star in March this year, Shishir Kanti Routh, also a member of the RHD's PPP cell, said some 10 economic zones would be established in Mymensingh, Netrakona, Sherpur and Jamalpur districts. There are also three or four land ports in the districts. So, the traffic on the highway would increase once the economic zones were established. For the first time, the RHD also plans to install an Intelligent Transport System on the expressway to learn about accidents or other incidents immediately after they occur. It will allow the department to take quick action to prevent disruption to traffic flow, he added. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase yesterday approved four procurement and one cancellation proposals. The four procurement proposals comprise a cost of Tk 339.26 lakh. Of it, Tk 160.29 crore will be spent from government funds while Tk 178. 98 crore will come from Asian Development Bank and domestic banks. Of them, one involves construction of 76 flats of 1,800 square feet at Tk 160.29 crore at Azimpur government colony (zone A) for government officials while another for the procurement of 30,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Kafco, Bangladesh at Tk 84.63 crore. The third is on the procurement of 25,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation at a cost of Tk 56.96 crore and the last is for procurement of 25,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser for Tk 57.81 crore from Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (Fertiglobe) of the United Arab Emirates. The cancellation proposal was on "Developing proper standards of Jhenaidah-Kushtia-Pakshi-Dashuria national highway including four lanes of Kushtia municipal part". The proposal was cancelled as only one bidder submitted tender for the project. Responding to a question from a reporter, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the government would give priority to businesses during the pandemic. If business cannot be saved, then the banks would not be able to recover their loans, he said. Bangladesh Bank has extended the deadline for businesspeople to pay their loan instalments. According to Kamal, the banks made adequate profits before the pandemic, so a little loss afterwards will not lead to any massive damage. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/korean-joint-venture-may-build-joydebpur-mymensingh-expressway-1970409

12:00 AM, September 24, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:03 AM, September 24, 2020 Contracts signed with Japanese firms for Matarbari port project Star Business Report Bangladesh yesterday signed two agreements with the joint ventures led by two Japanese firms to appoint consultants for the engineering and consultancy services for the Matarbari Port Development Project. Nippon Koei Joint Venture of Japan has been selected as the top-ranked consulting firm to render engineering-related services with a negotiated contract price of Tk 234 crore. A joint venture of Oriental Consultants Global Co Ltd, DDC Ltd and BCL Ltd has been selected as the consulting firm to render services related to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD)'s component of the project with a negotiated contract price of Tk 466 crore. The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) inked the deal with the Nippon Koei JV and the RHD struck the other agreement with the JV of Oriental Consultants Global at a programme at the Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, the shipping ministry said in a press release. While attending the ceremony virtually, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, appreciated the findings of a study that placed the Matarbari deep seaport on the same channel developed by the ultra-supercritical coal-based power plant project with a little modification. He said this could be a lesson on how to maximise the benefit of investment and value for money strategy. The port would broaden the country's rights in the Bay of Bengal, said Planning Minister MA Mannan. Yuho Hayakawa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Bangladesh, said the Jica is happy that the contract for the consultancy services of the project was signed. The Jica's mission has been working closely with the shipping ministry, the CPA and the RHD from the inception of the project and is ready to work until its completion, he said. The Matarbari project in Cox's Bazar is expected to complete by 2026. Once officially launched, ships that can ply in the sea waters as deep as 18.5 metres and carry about 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit of containers would anchor at the port. This would bring down the transport cost by about 15 per cent. The project would cost Tk 17,777 crore. The Jica would provide Tk 12,892 crore in loans, the CPA Tk 2,213 crore and the government Tk 2,671 crore. Shipping Secretary Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury and Japanese Ambassador Hiroyuki Yamaya were present. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/contracts-signed-japanese-firms-matarbari-port-project-1966497