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Bangladesh Economy: News & Updates

HSBC bullish on Bangladesh | The Daily Star

Bangladesh will post strong economic growth and see a bullish trend in exports up to 2030, according to a forecast by UK-based banking giant HSBC.

The HSBC Global Connections Trade Forecast Report said the country's economy has grown by around 6 percent annually over the past decade, and it will continue to grow at a similar rate over the next ten years.

“Robust growth is expected over the medium-term, with GDP expanding by 5.5 percent a year in the decade to 2030.”

It said the country's trade prospects are bright, particularly in the textiles sector, and trade liberalisation efforts with its neighbours in Asia should boost prospects further, encouraging more diversification of the export base.

The HSBC Trade Forecast examines prospects for exporters in 25 countries and territories. It shows that the short-term outlook for emerging economies is patchy, in part, because of relatively low commodity prices and a moderation in Chinese growth.

Over the medium term, however, patterns of global trade will be increasingly influenced by rapidly-growing Asian economies with rising average incomes. Trade between emerging markets will become more significant as their middle classes expand.

Among the countries covered in the Trade Forecast, Vietnam, India, China, Turkey and Bangladesh are expected to experience the strongest trade growth.

Each is predicted to increase merchandise exports by an average of 8 percent or more per year between 2015 and 2030.

Bangladesh has a strong foothold in the global market for garments, and HSBC expects this to continue, with around 80 percent of export growth from 2015-30 coming from clothing and apparel.

Although the importance of agriculture will gradually decline as more of the population moves into urban areas, agriculture will continue to be Bangladesh's second largest export sector out to 2030, contributing around 7 percent of the forecast increase in exports.

In recent years, Bangladesh has made good progress towards macroeconomic stability under the guidance of the International Monetary Fund, but major infrastructure investment remains essential, the report said.

The report said positive progress towards liberalising trade flows with neighbours in recent years is expected to help maintain competitive advantages in clothing and apparel sector. But rising incomes will encourage a gradual move towards higher value sectors, potentially including the assembly of electronic products, and boosting the sector.

Simon Cooper, chief executive of global commercial banking at HSBC, said: “In the short-term an increasingly robust US economy, aided by cyclical upturns in Europe and Japan, is likely to provide the greatest cross-border opportunities for businesses. Further out, demographic trends in emerging markets will undoubtedly fuel greater South-South trade.”

The report said the potential for Bangladesh to attract more foreign direct investment inflows is large.
 
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Goldberg mobile launched in Bangladesh

Bangladesh mobile brand Goldberg launched officially in local market, a press release said Saturday
. Industry Minister Amir Hossein Amu announced the launching of Goldberg mobile as chief guest at an event at city hotel on Friday. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, Chief Whip ASM Feroz, Goldberg Mobile Chief Executive Officer Abrar Rahman Khan were present among others while Khansons Group Chairman AKM Azizur Rahman Khan presided over the opening ceremony. Singer Habib Wahid made a music session at the end part of the event. Goldberg Mobile Founder and CEO Abrar Rahman Khan said, the main target of Goldberg mobile to establish it as country’s top brand bringing opportunities for users to experience new innovations in mobile telephony. To achieve the target, we focused on world class gadgets with new users’ loving outlook in every handset”.

“All the Goldberg gadgets will be available at 64 districts at a time. Besides, there are some 18 Your Care, customer service center for Goldberg gadgets across the country. The number customer care centers will reach at 40 by the end of this year,” Abrar detailed about customer centric initiatives. Abrar Rahman Khan also focused on the customer interests as well as demand in retail market. He said, “Considering demand in local market, initially we bring feature phone in two series and five categories smart phones. All the mobile gadgets in the range of Tk 800 to 12500 that will reach the common to elite communities. We are very hopeful to introduce tablet and laptop at the end of this year. Primarily, the accessories of the handsets are imported from China and we have plan to establish own plant here”. The mother company of Goldberg, Khansons Group Chairman AKM Azizur Rahman said,” The local demand of mobile handsets is 1.5 crore every year. We have planned to reach some 5 lakh of users by the end of this year.” He expressed his vision to export in neighbor markets. Azizur said, “Besides local market we will export mobile handsets in seven sisters (seven specific states) in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.” The customers of Goldberg mobile will get one year post buying servicing, replacement facilities within 14 days. There are attractive offers of dealers and retail sellers, according Goldberg officials.

Goldberg mobile launched in Bangladesh - prnewsbd.com


Auto-car manufacturing in Rajshahi

Manufacture of Battery-driven auto car (automobile) will start in BSCIC industrial estate in Rajshahi city by June 2016.

Car manufacturing three companies - Zinwa, BMG and KRW- from South Korea will manufacture the car in collaboration with Ena Group in Bangladesh, reports BSS.

An 11-member delegation from the three companies visited the proposed factory site and held a meeting with the local businessmen and other concerned at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Sunday.

Marking the occasion, Engineer Enamul Haque, MP, Managing Director of Ena Group, told the attending journalists that manufacturing of auto-car is likely to start by June next year.

Improved Lithium battery will be added in the car. With providing charge in one time the car will run for at least 100 kilometers. The car will cost around 18,000 US Dollar equivalents to Bangladeshi currency Tk12 lakh.

The manufactured cars will be exported to abroad. Mainly, the European markets will be given priority in this regard.

The foreign companies have taken decision to invest worth around 100 million dollar in the new venture while the Ena group will provide all other requisite supports including staff and labour recruitments.

Engineer Enamul further said the initiative has been taken as part of establishing industries in the hitherto neglected Rajshahi, a potential place for industrialization.

On commissioning of the factory trade and business in Rajshahi will be expanded besides creating employment opportunities, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Md Muniruzzaman, President of RCCI, termed the venture as laudable and called for more foreign investment in the region.

He said more foreign investment towards industrialization, especially agriculture and its processing sector in the region has become an urgent need for making the sector more vibrant besides encouraging the growers.

He viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural sector coupled with ICT sector will bring an unprecedented success for the region.

Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.

Referring to the existing statistics in various developed and developing countries he said foreign investment is always supportive towards raising value labourers besides boosting their numbers.

He underscored the need for setting up agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilization of agricultural products.

Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income.

He termed the industrialisation as the most relevant indicator of the country's progress and prosperity.

The agro-based industries constitute about 50% of the country's total industries, employing 60% of the total labor forces in the industrial sector.

- See more at: Auto-car manufacturing in Rajshahi | Dhaka Tribune
 
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First of all no offense to BongBang...:D

While I definitely encourage investments in out-of-the-way places like Rajshahi, I see little if any logic in placing a manufacturing unit of any size there unless it is to exclusively serve the Indian market for export. Chances of that happening - slim to none...

Exporting factories for heavy items like cars should be placed close to port (Mongla or CHT) and should contain 'duty free bonded warehouse facility' so that ingress of raw material (Battery, sheet metal, parts) and egress of finished products (cars) can be made easy. Not in Rajshahi...

While the ENA group itself is a successful powerplant operator and a Real estate company, they have no experience in making cars nor any vertical expertise in the field.

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I think you have to place this news in the 'forward looking statement' category. But we've been surprised before.
 
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Hi-tech new biometric microchip smart card driving licence planned

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority is set to start producing hi-tech driving licences to prevent the use of fake licences by drivers, a problem that is attributed to accidents on roads.

A total of 11.50 lakh licences will be issued in five years at the cost of Tk 37 crore from the public exchequer. The licences will have chips securely storing a driver's data.

“We are ready to launch production of the modern driving licence. We are just waiting for its inauguration by the prime minister or communications minister,” Deputy Director of BRTA Sitangsu Shekhar Biswas told The Daily Star.

He said printing machines and other equipment have been set up in the BRTA Elenbari office in August, which having a capacity to produce 5,000 licences a day.

According to the plan, data will be entered into the database at all BRTA offices across the country but manufacturing of the licences will be done only at the Elenbari office of the BRTA. Data of 10,000 drivers has already been entered.

Tighter IT, which did digital voter enrolment before the 2008 general elections, is doing the job with the help of two French firms--Oberthur Technologies and Evolif Ltd. Oberthur is providing the driving licence cards with security features while Evolif is providing printer and printing technologies.

BRTA officials said the new driving licence will be produced using a biometric-based solution. It will have records of a driver's photograph, fingerprints, signature, among other details. The data will remain stored in a highly secure and rugged smart card.

They said the information will both be printed on the card and stored inside an encrypted chip that can be verified and updated by BRTA officials. The card itself will have multiple security printing techniques, some of which are very advanced.

The chip uses technologies similar to that of the e-passport.

Meanwhile, many in the BRTA doubt the success of the new venture as they said that the BRTA has no alternative but to depend on the police department for implementing the move on the roads.

“With the existing system, police personnel can easily identify the fake driving licences, but they hardly take any action against them,” said a BRTA official requesting anonymity.

Asked about the matter, Sitangsu said BRTA will provide Dhaka Metropolitan Police with kits and online access to applications so that they can quickly verify the authenticity of a licence.

The official said police personnel will also be given equipment to check on the spot authenticity of a licence.

Note: I think the US Homeland Security may be influencing this project if not funding it outright.
 
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BGMEA wants Indian land for RMG warehouse

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Business leaders have asked India for 50 acres of land to set up a huge warehouse to increase export of readymade garments from Bangladesh.


A team of businesspersons led by FBCCI chief Abdul Matlab Ahmad met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Dhaka’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Sunday.

Atiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association (BGMEA), formally requested Modi to arrange fifty acres of land for their warehouse project in India, said a statement by the apex trade body.

He said once the land is handed over, Bangladesh garment industry owners will spend US $25 million to set up a company in India and build the largest warehouse and distribution centre there.

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The BGMEA, he said, will also set up 1,000 retail stores in India.

Islam said these efforts can help narrow the current trade deficit between the neighbours.

Islam requested the Indian prime minister to withdraw Countervailing Duty (CVD) on RMG products and said India should buy more garments from Bangladesh.

Modi assured him that he will consider the proposals, said the BGMEA statement.

The business leaders expressed their gratitude to the Indian prime minister for the 19 pacts on trade, investments, security, education, environment and border signed during the visit.

FBCCI president Abdul Matlab Ahmad said the deals initiated by Modi would usher new era in bilateral trade and business. Bangladesh traders will be able to extend over India to reach Nepal and Bhutan.
 
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The World Bank and International Monetary Fund think Bangladesh economy, which has been maintaining over 6 percent growth, is gradually gaining a strong footing.
According to WB’s World Development Indicators Database and IMF’s World Economic Outlook, Bangladesh advanced 14 steps from the 58th position to 44th in the world economy in the last two years.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presented the reports of the two global lending agencies at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

According to the WB and IMF reports, Bangladesh economy ranked 58th in the world with a GDP of $149.99 billion based on current price in 2013.

In 2015, the GDP grew to $205.3 billion taking Bangladesh to the 44th position in the world economy.

The WB and IMF published the reports in April.

After the reports were presented at the ECNEC meeting, the prime minister said: “We maintained over 6 percent GDP growth in the last six years. It’s really an outstanding achievement for us.”

The planning ministry in a media statement quoted her as telling the meeting: “Everybody has contributed to this achievement. I hope the economy will continue to surge ahead.”

Hasina stressed structural changes with ‘proper management’ of the resources the nation had.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Dhaka visit also described over 6 percent growth for last several years as ‘outstanding’.

After the ECNEC meeting, the planning minister said: “Our position in the global economy is improving by the day. We’re benefiting from the over 6 percent GDP growth for six years on a row.”

Bangladesh’s economic advance has pleased the World Bank’s Dhaka office Chief Economist Zahid Hossain.

He told bdnews24.com the progress had brightened Bangladesh’s image in the international arena.

“Foreign investors will now show their interest to bring funds into Bangladesh. It will play a positive role in securing foreign loan and aid,” he added.

The US economy maintained its top position in the world in 2015 with a GDP of $18.12 trillion. It was followed by China ($11.21 trillion), Japan ($4.92 trillion) and Germany ($3.41 trillion).

In 2013, the GDP of the four countries was $16.77 trillion, $9.24 trillion, $4.21 trillion and $3.73 trillion respectively.

The United Kingdom now ranks fifth and France sixth.

According to the reports, India moved three places to seventh position from 10th. The South Asian country’s GDP stood at $2.31 trillion in 2015.

The reports suggest Bangladesh surpassed Vietnam, Tajikistan, Portugal, Qatar, New Zealand and Peru.
 
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Goldberg mobile launched in Bangladesh

Bangladesh mobile brand Goldberg launched officially in local market, a press release said Saturday
. Industry Minister Amir Hossein Amu announced the launching of Goldberg mobile as chief guest at an event at city hotel on Friday. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, Chief Whip ASM Feroz, Goldberg Mobile Chief Executive Officer Abrar Rahman Khan were present among others while Khansons Group Chairman AKM Azizur Rahman Khan presided over the opening ceremony. Singer Habib Wahid made a music session at the end part of the event. Goldberg Mobile Founder and CEO Abrar Rahman Khan said, the main target of Goldberg mobile to establish it as country’s top brand bringing opportunities for users to experience new innovations in mobile telephony. To achieve the target, we focused on world class gadgets with new users’ loving outlook in every handset”.

“All the Goldberg gadgets will be available at 64 districts at a time. Besides, there are some 18 Your Care, customer service center for Goldberg gadgets across the country. The number customer care centers will reach at 40 by the end of this year,” Abrar detailed about customer centric initiatives. Abrar Rahman Khan also focused on the customer interests as well as demand in retail market. He said, “Considering demand in local market, initially we bring feature phone in two series and five categories smart phones. All the mobile gadgets in the range of Tk 800 to 12500 that will reach the common to elite communities. We are very hopeful to introduce tablet and laptop at the end of this year. Primarily, the accessories of the handsets are imported from China and we have plan to establish own plant here”. The mother company of Goldberg, Khansons Group Chairman AKM Azizur Rahman said,” The local demand of mobile handsets is 1.5 crore every year. We have planned to reach some 5 lakh of users by the end of this year.” He expressed his vision to export in neighbor markets. Azizur said, “Besides local market we will export mobile handsets in seven sisters (seven specific states) in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.” The customers of Goldberg mobile will get one year post buying servicing, replacement facilities within 14 days. There are attractive offers of dealers and retail sellers, according Goldberg officials.

Goldberg mobile launched in Bangladesh - prnewsbd.com


Auto-car manufacturing in Rajshahi

Manufacture of Battery-driven auto car (automobile) will start in BSCIC industrial estate in Rajshahi city by June 2016.

Car manufacturing three companies - Zinwa, BMG and KRW- from South Korea will manufacture the car in collaboration with Ena Group in Bangladesh, reports BSS.

An 11-member delegation from the three companies visited the proposed factory site and held a meeting with the local businessmen and other concerned at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Sunday.

Marking the occasion, Engineer Enamul Haque, MP, Managing Director of Ena Group, told the attending journalists that manufacturing of auto-car is likely to start by June next year.

Improved Lithium battery will be added in the car. With providing charge in one time the car will run for at least 100 kilometers. The car will cost around 18,000 US Dollar equivalents to Bangladeshi currency Tk12 lakh.

The manufactured cars will be exported to abroad. Mainly, the European markets will be given priority in this regard.

The foreign companies have taken decision to invest worth around 100 million dollar in the new venture while the Ena group will provide all other requisite supports including staff and labour recruitments.

Engineer Enamul further said the initiative has been taken as part of establishing industries in the hitherto neglected Rajshahi, a potential place for industrialization.

On commissioning of the factory trade and business in Rajshahi will be expanded besides creating employment opportunities, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Md Muniruzzaman, President of RCCI, termed the venture as laudable and called for more foreign investment in the region.

He said more foreign investment towards industrialization, especially agriculture and its processing sector in the region has become an urgent need for making the sector more vibrant besides encouraging the growers.

He viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural sector coupled with ICT sector will bring an unprecedented success for the region.

Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.

Referring to the existing statistics in various developed and developing countries he said foreign investment is always supportive towards raising value labourers besides boosting their numbers.

He underscored the need for setting up agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilization of agricultural products.

Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income.

He termed the industrialisation as the most relevant indicator of the country's progress and prosperity.

The agro-based industries constitute about 50% of the country's total industries, employing 60% of the total labor forces in the industrial sector.

- See more at: Auto-car manufacturing in Rajshahi | Dhaka Tribune

Here's the video of the Goldberg Brand Mobile Phone Grand Launch at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon

Goldberg Ltd - Goldberg Grand Launch | Facebook
 
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Progress on Padma Bridge from the Viewpoint of the chief contractor, Abdul Monem Ltd. Total project cost will likely exceed 3 Billion by the time of completion.


A virtual ride on the Jamuna bridge

 
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