Bangladesh Economic & Infrastructure Development - Updates & Discussions

[Bilal9]

Bhairab in Kishoreganj is Bangladesh' major footwear-producing region. A few images from a very small non-automated factory.

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Bashundhara launches largest bitumen plant in Bangladesh

• The Bashundhara Bitumen Plant plans to produce over 900,000 tonnes of bitumen and asphalt annually by 2021.

• The plant has the capacity to produce bitumen grades such as Cutback, Emulsified, Oxidized and Polymer (SBS, Rubber Powder) and customised as per client's required specifications.

• Apart from this, fuel oil and some other byproducts produced in the plant will be sold or disposed of to appropriate clientele.

• Bangladesh presently imports 60/70 grade bitumen from Iran because that country's environment is very similar to ours.
  
  
• Bangladesh's annual demand for bitumen is around 500,000 tonnes, and nearly 90 percent are being imported.

Bashundhara launches largest bitumen plant in Bangladesh
Bashundhara Bitumen Plant plans to produce over 900,000 tonnes of bitumen and asphalt annually by 2021
The Bashundhara Bitumen Plant in Pangaon area of South Keraniganj is set to go into commercial operation in March this year.

The Bashundhara Bitumen Plant in Pangaon area of South Keraniganj is set to go into commercial operation in March this year. Photo: TBS


The Bashundhara Group has launched Bangladesh's biggest bitumen plant with a large capacity to meet the annual domestic demand of the hydrocarbon product.

A concern of Bashundhara Oil and Gas Company Ltd, the Bashundhara Bitumen Plant is located in Pangaon area of South Keraniganj on 65 acres of land. The plant started its journey on Saturday with the goal to meet the growing market demand, and has plans to export the material to neighbouring counties.

Bitumen is a binding organic material made from the by-products of refined crude oil. It is widely used in road construction because it is easy to produce, reusable, non-toxic, and a strong binder.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid, Bashundhara Group's Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir inaugurated the country's only private-sector bitumen plant.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest, AHM Mustafa Kamal said, "Imported bitumen has caused us a lot of hassle by melting on contact with water or direct sunlight.

"We have long awaited for a proper solution to this issue. We were seeking a material free of such problems, but suitable with Bangladesh's environment. It is an excellent initiative for producing high quality bitumen in our country."

The minister added that Bangladesh will now be able to export high quality bitumen.

The inaugural programme of the Bashundhara Bitumen Factory

Meanwhile, State Minister Nasrul Hamid said, "The Bashundhara Group has created employment opportunities for thousands of people through the new bitumen plant. The conglomerate is investing in many projects not only for making money, but also to abide by their responsibility and love for the country and its people."

Speaking at the event, Bashundhara Group's Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said, "We are trying to do something for the country's betterment. The group has built around 30 factories and two residential areas.

"Those who had bought land from Bashundhara, are now multimillionaires."

He added that Bashundhara is grateful to the government for maintaining a business friendly environment in the country for years.

"There was a time when we passed every single day in fear of strikes and other political unrests," said Ahmed Akbar, adding that he has given an assurance to the finance minister for establishing an industrial zone to create employment for at least 3 lakh people.

"The group also has plan to build an English medium school at Keraniganj's Bashundhara residential area within the next year," he said.

Honorary speaker Emirates Professor M Shamim Z Bosunia said, "It is a good news for us that the Bashundhara group will produce 60/70 grade bitumen, which is very compatible with this country's environment. We are optimistic that Bashundhara will offer the material for sale at a competitive price."

Professor Bosunia, who is also a consulting panel member of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, added, "We presently import 60/70 grade bitumen from Iran to construct the Padma bridge's connecting roads and expressways, because that country's environment is very similar to us.

"Bangladesh's annual demand for bitumen is around 500,000 tonnes, and nearly 90 percent are being imported."

Industry sources said that the state-owned Eastern Refinery Ltd (ERL) has the capacity to produce around 10 percent of the domestic demand. Meanwhile, the annual market demand is growing at an average rate of 10-15 percent each year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Keraniganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Shahin Ahmed said, "To ease pressure on Dhaka, we should develop Keraniganj with a good plan. The Bashundhara Group is playing a pioneer's role for transforming villages to cities."

The Bashundhara Bitumen Plant plans to produce over 900,000 tonnes of bitumen and asphalt annually by 2021.

The plant has the capacity to produce bitumen grades such as Cutback, Emulsified, Oxidized and Polymer (SBS, Rubber Powder) and customised as per client's required specifications.

Apart from this, fuel oil and some other byproducts produced in the plant will be sold or disposed of to appropriate clientele.

Nafis Imtiaz, head of Bashundhara Bitumen Plant, told The Business Standard, "The total investment for the new facility is $143.7 million. All types of tests have been done as part of pre-commissioning. Now we are waiting for raw material to start commercial operation.

"We hope that the plant will begin operating commercially by the end of March this year. The new facility's ETP [Effluent Treatment Plant] would be the largest one among petroleum and chemical industries in the country."

According to industry sources, Bangladesh's monthly bitumen demand is around 42,000 tonnes.

The Roads and Highways Department statistics show that it has 22,000 kilometers of roads under their supervision, and most of those are getting expanded.

Preferring anonymity, a contactor of the department said that most bitumen are imported from Iran, India, Pakistan and China. Current price of a tonne of 60/70 grade imported bitumen is around Tk39,000.

However, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said that local bitumen per tonne prices are around Tk59,330 for 60/70 grade and Tk56,660 for 80/100 grade.

Apart from the Roads and Highways Department, 105,000 kilometres of roads are carpeted, of the total 354,000 kilometres of roads in rural areas across the country under the Local Government Engineering Department.

The Bashundhara Group started its journey in 1987 through its real estate business. Now, the group is involved in over 30 businesses, many of them are producing cement, food and beverage, paper and pulp, tissue paper, LPG bottling and distribution, energy sector and a trading business.

Bashundhara Group's Co-Chairman Sadat Sobhan Tanvir, Vice Chairman Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir, Managing Director's son Walid Sobhan were present at the inauguration ceremony.

As of now, Bangladesh consumes five lakh tons of bitumen per annum, which is increasing by 10% to 15%

Bashundhara Group, a leading local conglomerate, on Saturday launched the country's first private bitumen plant at Pangoan of Keraniganj in Dhaka with a view to meeting the rising demand for bitumen in domestic market.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal inaugurated plant as chief guest, where Ahmed Akbar Subhan, chairman of Bashundhara Group, was present. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was present as special guest.

As of now, Bangladesh consumes five lakh tons of bitumen per annum, which is increasing by 10% to 15%.

With an investment of $200 million, the company has established the plant on 63 acres of land and the yearly production capacity will be nine lakh tons.

"We did not have a bitumen solution which matches our weather. So our roads were not durable. Now Bashundhara has come up with a solution. We don't have to import anymore,” said AHM Mustafa Kamal.

"The company is also planning to export bitumen after meeting the country's demand. This is a big achievement for Bangladesh," he added.

Bitumen used in road construction is essentially a hydrocarbon product. It is a by-product of fuel oil which is used for road construction because it is easy to produce, reusable, non-toxic, and a strong binder.

“By 2021 we will become exporter of 4,00,000 tons, reaching the highest production capacity in Bangladesh with 9,00,000 tons annually,” said Ahmed Akbar Subhan, chairman of Basundhara Group.

"Apart from brightening the country's image in the global market, Bashundhara will do both saving and earning foreign currency for the country by exporting after meeting the demand of the country," he said.

At present, the demand for bitumen in the country is around five lakh tones, of which 90 percent is imported. The rest 10 percent is supplied by the state-run Eastern Refinery. The demand for bitumen is about 42,000 tonnes per month in Bangladesh.

Of these, Eastern Refinery under Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) produces 70,000 tons of bitumen. The rest is imported from various countries in the Middle East.

At the launching program, M Shamim Z Basunia, former professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering, said that the penetration grade of Basundhara bitumen would be 60-70 which was suitable for the weather of Bangladesh.

“We were searching for this weather-friendly product for long. This grade bitumen is being used to construct our Padma Bridge,” he said.

He also said that this plant generated employment.

According to the project description, the bitumen plant has largest drumming capacity, capable of producing 6,000 drums daily.

 

[Bilal9]

A day at FMC dockyard

 

[Bilal9]

12:00 AM, February 24, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:04 AM, February 24, 2020
Ctg region’s economic zones to get five jetties

Project to cost Tk 1,923cr

Jagaran Chakma

Five jetties and necessary infrastructure will be set up in the economic zones in the country's south-eastern part to ensure comfortable and safe movement of people as well as tourism and landing facilities.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will implement the project involving about Tk 1,923 crore in cooperation with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) between July 2020 and June 2023.

The government will provide the fund and the Beza will come up with land to implement the project, according to the project proposal.

The jetties will provide infrastructure facilities to carry the rising volume of goods and items for local people in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and they will contribute to the economic development, Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Beza, told The Daily Star.

The agency has urged the BIWTA to establish the jetties in the zones.


The proposal has been sent to the shipping ministry seeking consent. Later, it will be sent to the planning commission for approval, said a source at the BIWTA.

The jetties will help expand tourism activities and attract foreign and domestic tourists through modern landing facilities, Chowdhury said.

They will also help expand economic activities by spurring water-borne transport businesses and generate jobs.

Local farmers and small businessmen will be able to transport their products within a short time and at lower costs, he said.

The planned jetties will be built on Sandwip channel on the banks of the Naf river in Teknaf and in Maheshkhali island.

The Mirsarai Economic Zone, which is located on the bank of Sandwip channel, will be the industrial hub where hundreds of thousands of workers will work, according to the Beza executive chairman.

They will move between the zone and Sandwip island and adjacent areas. So, jetties will be required for their smooth movement, he said.

At Subrang-Jaliar Dwip in Teknaf and Sonadia island in Cox's Bazar, eco-tourism parks are being set up with a view to attracting thousands of tourists every day in the future.

Under the project, the BIWTA will dredge 3.67 lakh cubic metres of area for safe berthing of water vessels and acquire 25.86 lakh acres of land.

It will construct 75,480 square feet in jetty space, 8,485 square metre in parking yard, 24,000 square metre access road, and 4,000 metre embankment to save river banks.

The BIWTA will construct the 23,488 square metre port complex.

The construction of several economic zones is going on in Mirsarai and Cox's Bazar region.

An expert team of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology has prepared the design for jetties and yards and carried out the feasibility study.

12:00 AM, February 19, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 11:54 AM, February 19, 2020
‘Made in Bangladesh’ smartphones headed to US

Local electronic giant Walton pulls off the feat

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Walton is set to export smartphones to the US, in what can be viewed as a remarkable endorsement of the leaps taken by Bangladesh's manufacturing sector.

"The dream of exporting 'Made in Bangladesh' smartphones is now coming true," said SM Monjurul Alam, managing director of Walton, adding that the quality of the locally-made smartphones with advanced features has drawn buyers' attention.

The first consignment of the smartphones, which would be priced between $100 and $200, will be out of the gates of Walton Digi-Tech Industries's plant in Chandra, Gazipur in March 1.

The smartphones are bound for a renowned American brand and Walton is the original equipment manufacturer, Alam said, while declining to disclose the name of the brand.

This kind of production is known as contract manufacturing, which is commonplace in Bangladesh's garments sector.


"The US importer signed an agreement with us a few months ago and we were improving our quality before finalising the shipment."

The homegrown electronics giant is not stopping at this.

After the US it is planning to ship smartphones to Europe, Australia and other developed nations. "Walton is now producing international standard smartphone," Alam added.

"This will be a huge moment for Bangladesh and all Bangladeshis should feel proud of this achievement," Telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar told The Daily Star.

Walton has been at the forefront in this field and keeps hitting new milestones, he said.

Indeed, the company was the first to set up a mobile phone manufacturing plant in Bangladesh in October 2017.

So far, the plant has churned out 60 lakh units: 17 lakh smartphones and 43 lakh basic phones.

"Walton along with some other companies is making the country proud as currently 40 per cent of the domestic demand for handsets is met by nine local firms," Jabbar said.

The assembly boom follows a government decision in 2015 to slash equipment importing tax to just 1 per cent from as high as 100 per cent.

"That was a changemaker. And we are now harvesting the results," he added.

Walton also excels in manufacturing of other high-tech products too: it is shipping a wide range of electronics and electrical appliances to about 35 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

It inked an agreement with global e-commerce giant Amazon last year to market 'Made in Bangladesh' electronics and ICT devices in the US. The shipments will start from this year, according to a Walton official requesting anonymity.

Walton is also manufacturing mobile phone accessories such as chargers, batteries, earphones and motherboards and meets its entire demand for accessories from local production.

The milestone of Walton's mobile export will be celebrated on the factory premises of; Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Jabbar and ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak will grace the occasion.

Another announcement will come on the same day: 26,000 laptops manufactured at the plant will be shipped to different markets.

Last year they sold 12.02 lakh smartphones and 41.76 lakh feature phones in the local market.

Since Walton is gradually finding its feet overseas, officials said they will now double down efforts to make it the best Bangladeshi brand in the global market by 2030.

12:00 AM, February 17, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 04:27 PM, February 17, 2020
Time for ‘Made in Bangladesh’ tag to shine bright

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

There was a time when mobile handset buyers were used to searching for 'Made in Finland' or 'Made in Korea' for good quality devices. Later, 'Made in China' took the mantle, followed by 'Made in Vietnam'.

Now, the time is for the 'Made in Bangladesh' tag line to dazzle. People are now purchasing good-quality locally finished smart devices without any hesitation, in what can be viewed as a proud moment for the country.

Two years back when Bangladesh was getting on the handset manufacturing bandwagon, there was hesitation among buyers. But the time has changed. The clouds engulfing the buyers' mind then have now cleared away.

Personally, I did not see any great effort to drive home the message of 'Made in Bangladesh' branding on the devices save for the odd media reports here and there. And yet, consumers took to the products from their heart.

The same fascination was also observed in 2005, when Teletalk had set off on its journey in the sea of largely foreign-owned carriers. But unfortunately, the state-owned operator could not make the most of people's affections and now, they are struggling.

But here, in the device manufacturing industry, everyone is observing an excellent and favourable environment for the local manufacturers and the manufacturers themselves have gotten a good sense of the situation.

Here, we are also observing that the common users are playing the crucial role of brand ambassadors. Those who already bought the locally made devices are spreading the word, out of their own volition, on the superlative quality.

That's where the real work is done; and in fact, only within two years Bangladesh is close to self-dependency on smart device production.

Statistics can be helpful to understand the situation.

Of the total smart gadgets sold in the country last year about 62 per cent were locally assembled, and for the current year the plant owners are gung-ho about being able to meet the whole country's smartphone demand.

It is certainly a spot of great news for the nation -- and especially for the Digital Bangladesh vision.

Over the past few years, it has been seen that about 80 to 90 lakh units of smartphones were sold in the country in a calendar year.

And last year, the local mobile plants churned out about 54 lakh units of smartphones, while another 20 million were either imported legitimately or sneaked in illegally. The local manufacturers are confident that they can pull off such a number this year.

Personally, I fell the just-concluded decade of digitalisation will be remembered for stepping into the path of gadget manufacturing in 2017, when local tech group Walton established the country's first mobile assemble plant.

In just two and a half years the 'Made in Bangladesh' has been fully established in the market.

But even a few years ago, did anyone think that a mobile plant in Bangladesh would be churning out the world's most advanced smartphones? Not just that, the locally assembled handsets are much better in terms of quality and more competitive in terms of price than the imported devices.

Once this realisation dawned in, at least a couple of companies have stopped their device imports entirely and are now serving the market for their own plants.

So far, nine plants have been set up in the country and the list includes world-renowned brands like Samsung, Chinese brands itel, Techno, Vivo and Oppo. Brands like Huawei and Motorola are also gearing up.

Samsung has promised that from the first quarter of 2021 it will manufacture its top of the line 'Note' series smartphones from its factory in in Narsingdi. Already it is assembling Note 10+ and Note 10 Lite at the plant.

When this news broke on The Daily Star it created a tremendous buzz. The news was also reported in the international media.

The South Korean electronics giant is now meeting 97 per cent of its local demand for its plant in Bangladesh. It is now planning to manufacture even the latest gadgets here.

In just one year, the two brands -- Techno and itel -- have fulfilled its demand for five lakh units a month for their local plant and they are planning to go for export within two years.

Walton's local manufacturing journey will soon complete two years; at present it is not importing any sets. As a Bangladeshi this news is making us proud.

But it is not too well known that in 2007 Samsung had expressed its interest to set up a factory in Bangladesh.

But it did not get much favourable response, which is why it took its investment plan to Vietnam. Over the last decade, Samsung has set up three factories in the Southeast Asian nation that churned out a staggering 120 million smartphones in 2018.

And when the China-US trade war began, Vietnam gained more momentum in handset manufacturing and now, more than half of Samsung's demand for the entire world is being provided by this country.

Thanks to Samsung's groundwork, Apple has recently announced its plan to shift its production from China to Vietnam.

Though we have started well, Vietnam's rapid strides in this arena could be frustrating news for us.

Here my point is, though we have failed to catch our first train a decade ago, we have to look at how we can hit fourth gear at the earliest.

The first task was done in the last budget, when the import duty for raw materials imports were slashed and the import tax on smartphones was bumped up to 57 per cent. So, everyone is now racing to set up factories.

Now, if quality is given a little attention, we could be straddling forward briskly.

We already know that some entrepreneurs are planning to setup factories for mobile-related accessories. In that case, the demand for various backward linkages -- including battery, phone cases, chargers -- may come from the local plants.

Perhaps, handsets can share some of the load of exports currently being shouldered largely by the garment industry.

Almost all the handset producers are talking about exporting from their plants. And if some of them can start export within at least a couple of years, this will be a game changer for the industry and the country as a whole.

We can also see glimpses of such potential in the laptop segment, where the 'Made in Bangladesh' tag is creating waves. This digital device is also being added to the export list, albeit a little clumsily.

And personally, I look forward to the day when Europe-America will also get a mobile device with the 'Made in Bangladesh' tag like shirts or denim as they do now.

Ceramics Sector

Electronics and High-Tech Sector

Frozen Foods Sector

Light Engineering Sector

Leather Sector

 

[Bilal9]

Badly burnt locomotive returns to track after 7 years

A locomotive of Bangladesh Railway (BR), which was badly damaged in a fire after a derailment in 2013, has been finally made functional by the experts of Central Locomotive Workshop in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur.

After a successful trial run, the engine was officially handed over to BR authorities yesterday.

"The repair work here took eight months and cost Tk 3 crore," said Mohammad Kudrat-e-Khuda, chief executive of the workshop.

According to the BR officials in Parbatipur, the locomotive (engine No 2933) of Parabat Express plying Dhaka-Sylhet route got badly damaged as it caught fire due to burst of its fuel tank after derailment near Noapara station in Habiganj district on October 7 in 2013.

After its salvage, the engine was taken to a workshop of BR in Pahartoli of Chattogram for repair but the experts there failed in the task as the damage was too extensive.

The BR authorities, however, decided to make further attempt to repair it locally and the engine was brought to Central Locomotive Workshop in Parbatipur on May 15 last year.

"Considering the nature and extent of the damage, it was a challenging task for us to repair the engine. Experts of the workshop disassembled the entire engine to identify the damaged spares, which took a lot of time and efforts," said Kudrat-e-Khuda.

"Experts at the factory made the required spares and reassembled it. Besides the engineering part, the repair work involved electrical and electronic sections of the locomotive, which was burnt badly due to the fire incident," said the chief executive of the workshop.

According to the BR officials in Parbatipur, Tk 33 crore would be needed to import such an engine.


https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/badly-burnt-locomotive-returns-track-after-7-years-1873321

 

[Bilal9]

'Made in Bangladesh' smartphone revolution

ছবি: সংগৃহীত

Photo: Collected

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

After decades of digitalization, the people of Bangladesh will have to remember notables for a few reasons.

One is that at the very end of the second decade of this century, the people of Bangladesh applied themselves to the task of making smart devices. And in just two and a half years, just a few entrepreneurs have now established 'Made in Bangladesh' a reality in this sector.

But a few years ago, did anyone think that any factory in Bangladesh would be equipped to produce the world's most advanced mobile phones? And to top this, the price and value will be better than imported devices!

That dream has now become a reality for many companies who are no longer importing devices. Key basic phones or smartphones of the latest capabilities are being manufactured in the factory of Dhaka, Gazipur or Narsingdi.

Some are just assembling smartphones and some are in the process so that they can meet all their sourcing needs from a local factory.

Started with Walton on October 2017 and which was one of nine factories here. The list includes world-renowned brands like Samsung. There are Chinese brands such as ITEL and Techno that are gaining popularity in various regions. The domestic brand symphony didn't do too badly either.

Last year, Vivo and Oppo (two popular Chinese brands) launched their own factories here, as did Unimax which has done as well as the local five star brands. The waiting list also includes brands like Huawei and Motorola.

There was a time when shoppers were looking for 'Made in Finland' or 'Made in Korea' for quality mobile phones. Which then turned to 'Made in China' followed by 'Made in Vietnam'. Now the blazing name on this tag line is 'Made in Bangladesh'.

In the beginning there was a kind of staid hesitancy among the buyers about local made handsets. But, all of that has been superseded now. There are some reports in the media about 'Made in Bangladesh' branding on the local handsets. On the other hand, the quality of the handsets has been widely publicized by the users. And that's where the real work was done.

In fact, Bangladesh has come very close to self-sufficiency in smartphone production in just two years.

Sixty-two percent of all smartphones sold in the country in 2019 were produced from factories established in Bangladesh. And in the current year, the demand of smartphones in the market will be able to supply from domestic factories, says local mobile factory owners. Surely this is great news for us.

Over the past few years, it has been seen that around 8 to 9 million smartphones were sold in the country each year. Last year, around 5 and a half million smartphones were assembled and manufactured from scratch by various factories in the country. More than 2.4 million smartphones have either been imported in a legitimate way or entered the country illegally. Industry insiders believe that 100% of this demand will be produced in the country by 2020.

As a media worker working with the sector, I have been watching the sector grow from strength to strength very closely. I want to place confidence in the faith and commitment of the people involved in this industrial sector.

As Samsung had promised, the first quarter of 2020 they have added their best-tech smartphone series 'Note 11' to be assembled by a local factory in the country. It is now a matter of pride for the whole of Bangladesh. The news has also been aired in foreign media.

Samsung is now producing about 97 percent of their local demand in Narsingdi's factory.

In just one year of travel, the two brands - Techno and iTel - have assembled 100% of their local demand in their factories. It's been two years since Walton has not been importing any sets. These are news which are making us proud.

In fact, back in 2017 Samsung had expressed an interest in establishing a factory in Bangladesh. But, for various reasons they failed to do so and went to Vietnam. Then they have so far started three factories in Vietnam. Until last year, around 140 million smartphones were made by Samsung's factories in that country.

And when the Sino-US trade war began, Vietnam gained more momentum. Now, more than half of Samsung's cellphone demand for the entire world is being provided by that country.

This can be a frustration for us, and a sad lesson.

The thing I want to say here is that maybe we missed that train an era ago, but we have to look at how to increase the speed of the train that we have eventually caught, to catch up.

The important task was done in the last budget, import tax on smartphones has been increased to 57 percent. So everyone jumped into the bandwagon to set up their own factories. Now if quality is given a bit of attention then it will certainly be more effective for the future and eventually become a factor for export success.

We already know that some entrepreneurs are also working to build factories to create mobile-related accessories. In that case, the demand for various backward linkages, including batteries, phone cases, chargers may be met from local factories.

Who can say that the Bangladeshi cellphone exports will not been able to play a major role which once stood on garments alone?

Everyone is talking about exporting from their own factory. If not everyone can start work within at least a couple of years, maybe the device can become a mobile device industry in a matter of days.

Not only mobile devices, in laptops we also see the 'Made in Bangladesh' tag. This digital device is also being added to the export list, albeit slowly at first.

We are now looking forward to the day when Europe-America will get mobile devices marked with 'Made in Bangladesh' just like shirts or denim slacks marked likewise.

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

Construction of Karnaphuli tunnel now more than 50% completed (that means TBM boring AND concrete ring component installations). Completion Dec. 2022. Length 3.4 KM excluding approach roads (which add additional 5 KM).

 

[The Ronin]

Ecnec clears 9 projects worth Tk 24113.27 cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved a total of nine projects involving Taka 24,113.27 crore including Matarbari Port Development Project with Taka 17,777.16 crore in a bid to enhance the cargo handling capacity of the country.

The approval came from a meeting of the ECNEC held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that a total of nine projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 24,113.27 crore. “Of the total project cost, Taka 6,151.26 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 2,213.25 crore from the concerned organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 15,748.76 crore as project assistance,”

Of the approved nine projects, seven are new while two others are revised projects.

The Chattogram Port Authority and the Roads and Highways Division under the Ministry of Shipping will implement the Matarbari Port Development project by December 2026.

The Planning Minister said the main objective of the project is to enhance the cargo handling capacity of Bangladesh through constructing this Matarbari Port including link road and thus fulfill the demand of international trade as well as facilitating speedy port services with the neighboring countries.

Mannan said the Matarbari sea port would be the country’s 4th port after Chattogram, Mongla and Payra and it would be built as a huge port due to the growing pressure of economic activities.

“This is another ‘dream’ project for the country and it will further strengthen our journey towards the ocean as well as boost our trade and commerce,” he said.

The Planning Minister said of the total project cost of Taka 17,777.16 crore for the Matarbari project, Taka 2,671.15 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh portion, Taka 2,213.24 crore from the CPA while the rest of Taka 12,892.76 crore from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Another official at the Planning Commission said that this Matarbari Port would fulfill the government’s aspirations for a deep sea port side by side creating opportunities for anchoring container-laden vessels, open goods-laden vessels and oil tankers at the port jetty.

Besides, this port will minimize the pressure on the Chattogram Port alongside meeting the growing demand of the country’s import and export activities. Goods transportation to and from the potential industrial estates at Matarbari and Moheshkhali will also be facilitated once this port is established.

The Matarbari Port will have two separate Terminals having 300 meter and 460 meter length where ships having 8,000 TEUs containers could anchor due to its 16-meter draft at the port channel.

The main project operations include construction of a multipurpose terminal and a container terminal, procurement of necessary cargo handling equipments and construction of 26.7 kilometer link road.

Revealing the latest progress of the implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the July-February period of the current fiscal year (FY20), Mannan said the the implementing agencies could spend Taka 79,785.86 crore during this eight-month period with an utilization rate of 37.09 percent.

The ADP implementation rate during the July-February period of the last fiscal year (FY19) was, however, 39.13 percent with an expenditure of Taka 70,771.78 crore.

The implementation agencies has spent Taka 9,014.08 crore higher during this eight-month period compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Referring to the approval of the construction of a 1690-meter long bridge over River Payra on the Kachua-Betagi-Patuakhali-Lohalia-Kalaiya road with Taka 1,042.28 crore, the Planning Minister said Shirshendu Biswas, a 4th grader student of Patuakhali Government Jubilee High School earlier wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to construct a bridge over River Payra.

Following the letter, Mannan said the Premier assured that student of constructing the bridge and after certain formalities; the bridge project has been approved by ECNEC.

Answering to a question on the possible impact of novel corona virus on the country’s economy, he said that the global economy is experiencing some turmoil due to the COVID-19. “There might be some impact on our economy, but we can’t say now to what extent the impact would be.”

The other projects approved in the meeting are Lebukhali-Rampur-Mirzaganj link road with Taka 419.89 crore, Modernization of the firing range of Special Security Force (SSF) with Taka 51.54 crore, Fisheries Development at the CHT region with Taka 118.28 crore, Nutrition Development through producing fruits round the year, 2nd revised with Taka 161.05 crore, Protecting Pakerdaha under Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur and Jamthol area under Sariakandi upazila in Bogra from the erosion of River Jamuna with Taka 584.72 crore, Construction of the headquarter of NSI, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Taka 102.75 crore and Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project with Taka 3,855.60 crore.

Ministers and State Ministers attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present.

http://www.theindependentbd.com/pos...p5ZduQBRS71WYqhdkMIHGjHgPieJEiJSzvBNvudqYpIpA

 

[UKBengali]

" 24,113.27 crore. “Of the total project cost, Taka 6,151.26 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 2,213.25 crore from the concerned organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 15,748.76 crore as project assistance"


Guys this is very interesting information.

So 1/3rd of the money is coming from BD own resources and 2/3rds as project assistance. And this figure may well have been a little higher if it was not for BD still totally financing the Padma Bridge.

We are seeing a slow-creep up over time of the proportion of project financing that is coming from BD resources.
The day that BD can build it's own infrastructure using it's own resources is getting closer.

@mmr
@Bilal9
@Homo Sapiens

 

[Bilal9]

" 24,113.27 crore. “Of the total project cost, Taka 6,151.26 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 2,213.25 crore from the concerned organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 15,748.76 crore as project assistance"


Guys this is very interesting information.

So 1/3rd of the money is coming from BD own resources and 2/3rds as project assistance. And this figure may well have been a little higher if it was not for BD still totally financing the Padma Bridge.

We are seeing a slow-creep up over time of the proportion of project financing that is coming from BD resources.
The day that BD can build it's own infrastructure using it's own resources is getting closer.

@mmr
@Bilal9
@Homo Sapiens

Yup this is going to be the case more and more in the future.

 

[mmr]

" 24,113.27 crore. “Of the total project cost, Taka 6,151.26 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 2,213.25 crore from the concerned organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 15,748.76 crore as project assistance"


Guys this is very interesting information.

So 1/3rd of the money is coming from BD own resources and 2/3rds as project assistance. And this figure may well have been a little higher if it was not for BD still totally financing the Padma Bridge.

We are seeing a slow-creep up over time of the proportion of project financing that is coming from BD resources.
The day that BD can build it's own infrastructure using it's own resources is getting closer.

@mmr
@Bilal9
@Homo Sapiens

Excellent news.

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Metrorail Coach Consists trialling in Kawasaki Factory in Japan

Padma Bridge and Dhaka-Padma Bridge expressway latest video update.

 

[Bilal9]

Neon Xie, Branding Director of Realme on Smartphone’s Prospect in Bangladesh
NAHID TABASSUM


With a vision to become a healthy and sustainable enterprise and in an expedition to let the young people enjoy the happy life brought by the beauty of technology, Realme launches their impeccably designed and robustly built smartphones in an unbelievably competitive price range.

With a focus on the generations Y and Z, Realme was founded in May 2018, establishing itself as a smartphone brand offering devices with both strong performance and a trendy design in the broad context of e-commerce.

With core strands of being young, real, stylish and outstanding as the brand’s DNA, Realme products won wide recognition for their “Power” and “Style” immediately after the launch.


“With the advancement of the new technology and communication, smartphones are now platforms to display, promote and exchange ideas with an effort of fingertips,” Neon starts with.

In a market so vast and quintessentially competitive, Realme challenges the high-end brands with an equally equipped and impressively manufactured phone at a winning price range as its compelling selling trait. “We are ready to provide them with a leap of quality, design and technology as the strong suits of our devices,” Neon says.

“The tech-savvy millennials as the potential consumers have the highest requirements in terms of specifications, design and durability when it comes to committing to a device and making it an integral part of their daily lives. With a specific target audience, unique marketing strategies and product life, Realme strive to gain that confidence, reliance and build trust with consumers, so they dare to take the leap of faith by recognizing our products,” the Branding Director states.


As a newly emerged brand in Bangladesh and 20 other countries worldwide, with an equal calibre of challenging other contemporary brands such as One Plus, Vivo and Oppo, Realme is thriving to create a distinct product identity through the selection of its exceptional gadgets while making it irrefutably appealing for their great value for money.

Stressing on its credibility, Neon Xie ensures, “We are trying to guarantee that in each price segment, the brand provides competitive products in terms of specs and design so that people can make the well-informed choice of entrusting our brand and ensuring us the sustainability in the market,” the spokesperson claims.

In the neighbouring country, India, Realme created a sales miracle by selling 1 million mobile phones within three days during Diwali, while it broke the sales record on Lazada in Southeast Asia, and became the leading brand in the category. Thus, the Branding Director of the company sees an open market of around 70% of people in Bangladesh still using basic mobile phones and has the potential and ability to enjoy and upgrade themselves with the latest affordable amenities.

Currently, Realme has entered the markets of around 20 countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt and the Europe regions. On the occasion of the launch of Realme Bangladesh on March 17, 2020, the brand is going to introduce two stunningly sleek mid-range smartphones with a superior built pop-up camera, vivid spacious display and surprisingly extended battery life.

With the renowned Bollywood celebrity, Salman Khan, as their global ambassador, Realme is planning on tying their brand name to locally celebrated personalities of Bangladesh to receive the credibility through personal endorsement.

Apart from assembling smartphones of different price ranges; high and mid, flagships and regulars, the brand also plans to manufacture smartwatches and other essentials to enhance the Realme experience among youngsters.

After purchase, the brand also offers 360◦ care services and a well- rounded online and tangible support system to its customers to strengthen the bond for the longer run. “We have planned to extend the name of the Brand with an array of gadgets for the smart gen and provide them with all sorts of support along the way,” Neon ensures. The cities will have designated care centres for the Realme customers committed to providing a quick support service whenever in need.

Neon Xie and Realme believe the innovations will help to bring out the true self of the rising generation and equip them to share ideas, create a positive impact, communicate and connect with a broader community and explore their true potentials.

“Our business ethics is solely dependent on benefiting people with our innovations, so they can procure and avail a better life,” with that Neon concludes.

Eternal Sunshine of a Creative Mind
TAWHIDUR RASHID

What’s the most rewarding factor of founding something and seeing it grow up?
Applebox Films has reached its first decade. Ten turbulent years into the creative industry produces heaps- a hallmark show-reel, boundless reminiscent and the unparalleled humans that grew around. Standing at the cross junction of time and looking back into these ten eventful years, the prominent keepsake of Applebox is the heritage of legacy, innovation and culture. Applebox has always been associated with the notion of legacy. I started the company with a seemingly minuscule yet profoundly fathomless effort. The production house briskly treaded into indie style; even in the overly constrained periphery of television commercials. An embodiment of the vision of down to earth approach for cinematic story-telling, sensitive handling and interplay of emotions, our films tend to target not only human eyes but also their souls.

The nucleus of Applebox Films, Piplu R khan.
Having said that, the most exciting characteristic of Applebox is our work culture. It is flamboyant which we always keep a low profile about. It is the place where I have met some of the most amazing people in my life. Here, we interact with each other; we talk about everything from movies to life and from there, things happen. In a decade, we have amassed a fantastic workforce. It is a small team, but they have the capability and versatility to do astonishing things anywhere in the world. This amazing work culture is the result of the foresight that we needed to invest in our staffing. The landscape where we work is continually evolving, that prompted us to become more flexible. Change is one constant parameter in the production industry; being responsive to them helped to us reach where we are at the moment.

Coming back to the story of how it started. What does the name Applebox signify?
Apple box is an element we use in production, a tiny box made out of wood. Though it might appear trivial, it plays a very crucial role in the process. It is the personification of being humble while being essential. Concurrently, when we decided to start our new company, we wanted to express ourselves with the same mantra. We are not very loud about our existence; it is a reflection of the essence of what our name entails.

Rumination of 10 long years
You mentioned that you have an amazing team; how do you pick people for your team?
It is not a run-of-the-mill production house; it is a melting pot where young and brilliant people come in to stew in the art of filmmaking driven by utmost passion. Applebox has been swarmed with brilliance over the years, picking up talented pieces from all over this delta. Our selection criteria are very diverse. For example, during a visit to the theatre or any other workplace, if I meet someone interesting, I might end up recruiting that person. We also have an extended internship programme, where we recruit up to ten individuals for three months without any interview. Within this period, we evaluate and identify the individuals we want to go ahead with. After that, we start spending time and resources on them for an extended period; usually within this period, an employee adjusts to our vision. It is the strategy we have been using for a long time, and it is working as of now; it might change in future depending on the reliability of the process.

Can we expect to see something big coming from Applebox in 2020?
I believe we will become bolder and more vibrant with our latest extensions namely SHIFT and Chashingara. While SHIFT acts with an aim to shape up young minds for critical thinking who are willing to join the creative industry in future; Chashingara is an idea-hub of content and conversation. Applebox Films is a space with the sentiment of a refined aesthetic with a modern sophistication that pays tribute to the luminary intellectuals. Let’s me elaborate the vision for having extended to those arms. In a world where creativity is key; the struggle of striving with only the competence of a creative mind is discernible. Applebox Films intends to create more, create passionately and create honestly. The first key to mould and generate notable content in this geographical dimension is to co-exist, and this co-existence has to happen between the creative minds. At the edge of its 10 years, the company wants to establish this notion. Since culture and creativity has an increasing influence on both sustainability and resilient growth in the mindset of an entire nation, everyone belonging in the creative zone feels a stark need to find new areas of development that encourage innovation and development. The fundamental element for us is immense honesty in communication and creation, uplifting the artistic souls, gratifying our rooted visions.

Inside the rehearsal of ‘Amra Jouboner e Dut’ by the mesmerising bunch of Applebox Films.
This office where are standing right now is beautiful. Was it your idea to give it such a cosy, vintage look?
Since a lot of millennial work here, I wanted to appeal to their mindset. I wanted this office to become a place where they would enjoy spending time in. You might have noticed there are a few bunk beds here; this is to allow our employees to take a quick nap when there is a free time-slot. This place has a very homely feel to it instead of being a cut-throat workstation. There are no strict regulations; you come to work, talk to your colleagues while finishing your work. Applebox makes sure that the only constant factor in this ever-changing company should be to nurture souls here, and in that deliberate process, pioneering mindboggling ideas.

You have passed one decade with incredible success. how are you planning for the next decade?
We will try to express ourselves in a more significant way. I have already made a documentary, which was my first long format, and I am keen to work on more. My colleague, Raka, who is a fantastic director, will also do something new. Besides advertisements, we will also try to do some indie work for some clients and festivals. We will also try to connect with some talent-pool to finance and produce their stories.

Looking back at all these years of ‘Light! Camera! Action!’, Applebox Films is merely anything but the collective identity of all its people.
Throughout the next decade, artificial intelligence and machine learning will become very big; do you think that is going to affect the production industry?
I don’t think it is a wise idea to speculate the negative things (laugh) and spend time forecasting the fear; rather, we should concentrate on getting the basics right. I believe, in our line of work,story-telling is the key, as long as human civilisation exists, it(story-telling) will be relevant. If you are good at it, you will continue to flourish in the industry. Technology will keep evolving, but it will be the vehicle to express yourself. It is more important to be flexible and possess the mindset to adopt.

Last question: what are you reading currently?
I read a lot; most of them are about history. I have a keen interest in pre-liberation history, how intellectuals of that era led the push for independence. Currently, I am doing some research on Prof. Abdur Razzaq, keeping some projects in mind. The idea behind Applebox Films and the internal environment here was designed based on the inspiration of Prof. Abdur Razzaq’s informal way of education at his Fuller Road home in mind.

 

[Bilal9]

Pollution Research Vessel introduced at Kaptai Lake in Hill Tracts area - for Lake Water, Fishery and Pollution Management. The Catamaran houses dormitories for some researchers (working on their MS and Ph.D's) as well four separate labs geared toward different disciplines.

 

[Bilal9]

100% of pillars are now complete for Padma Bridge - work continues even in the middle of Covid 19 situation.

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Coronavirus derails Dhaka-Chittagong high-speed railway project
Shohel Mamun

Bigstock: representative image

Chinese consultants working on the project are stuck in China.

The coronavirus outbreak has halted the progress of the much hyped Dhaka-Chittagong high-speed railway project work.

The Chinese consultant team who were drawing up the detailed design of the new train link are stuck in China.
The 23-member Chinese team went back home early this year to celebrate the Chinese new year and couldn't return due to the corona-virus outbreak in Wuhan, China.

As China started bringing the situation under control, they were preparing to return to Bangladesh but WHO declaring coronavirus a pandemic, changed the situation again.

Bangladesh has also identified ten patients infected with coronavirus till now.

The Chinese consultants were scheduled to submit the detailed design report by April which is not possible in the current situation.

"Progress of the project is hampered as all the Chinese members are stuck in China," said Md Quamrul Ahsan, project director of Dhaka-Chittagong high-speed railway.

He told Dhaka Tribune that 70% work of the detailed design is done, adding that "the authority is likely to extend the project deadline to June 30 in light of the current situation."

China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) of China has been preparing the detailed design of the high-speed railway, partnering with Bangladeshi firm Mazumder Enterprise.

The Chinese consortium submitted the feasibility study report of the project at a cost of Tk110.16 crore last year.
According to the report, the journey from Dhaka to Chittagong will take only 56 minutes once the high-speed trains begin service.

However, it will take 73 minutes if it makes stops at four stations between Dhaka and Chittagong.

In total, there will be six stations on the proposed route - Dhaka, Narayanganj, Comilla, Feni, Pahartali, and Chittagong.

The total length of the track is 227.3km where trains can move at a speed of 300km per hour and carry approximately 50,000 passengers each way, daily.

The train route will go through Narayanganj alongside the Dhaka-Chittagong highway instead of the existing Tongi-Narsingdi route which will be around 90km shorter.

The high-speed railway will be on a double-track, and mostly elevated, to ensure high speed at the level crossings and other entry points of the line.

It would be a ballastless track and for the first time in Bangladesh Railway history, it will be operated by electric traction.

Currently, Bangladesh Railway operates 360 passenger trains on its 3,000km network across the country, however none of those trains can go more than 70km per hour.