Japan closes in on infrastructure deal with Bangladesh.

[HannibalBarca]

For me, more fascinating than East Asian empire was how Japan transform itself from a totally isolated and self absorbed country into a modern industrial and military power within 20 years in 1870s and 1880s.Up to 1853, Japan refused all the contact with the western world and remain entirely traditional.But when they broke their isolation and came into contact with western world, they rapidly absorbed all the western knowledge and technology within 20 years in the era of Meiji Restoration and became a serious global player.Which western power forced to acknowledge when Japan defeated the mighty Russian empire in 1905 in Russo-Japanese war.A country which had no modern school, college or University up to 1860s, attained universal literacy in 1905 ! This transformation of Japan is unlike anything else in the history.

They applied 3 simple concepts/Behaviors...
-Order
-Work
-Sacrifice

 

[beijingwalker]

It's always good to have more options.

 

[UKBengali]

It's always good to have more options.

This is probably a direct reaction to China's total support of Myanmar over Rohingya crisis.
In the past BD thought of China as a "friend" who could be relied on in times of crisis but now has understood this is not the case.
Expect China to lose out on many more business opportunities in BD - just this month BD signed an agreement with Germany's Siemens to build a 3.6GW gas fired power plant. This is by far the largest power plant that will be built in BD so far.

 

[beijingwalker]

This is probably a direct reaction to China's total support of Myanmar over Rohingya crisis.
In the past BD thought of China as a "friend" who could be relied on in times of crisis but now has understood this is not the case.
Expect China to lose out on many more business opportunities in BD - just this month BD signed an agreement with Germany's Siemens to build a 3.6GW has fired power plant. This is by far the largest power plant that will be built in BD so far.

Let's put business and politics separate. Having more options is always good, no one turns away money and opportunities, a prosperous Bangladesh is in China's best interest however you make that happen we will be happy for you.

 

[UKBengali]

Let's put business and politics separate. Having more options is always good, no one turns away money and opportunities, a prosperous Bangladesh is in China's best interest however you make that happen we will be happy for you.

Business and politics is always intertwined to be honest.
BD does not see China as a hostile country but will from now on deal with it on a strict
business basis with no favouritism in getting contracts.

 

[bd_4_ever]

It's always good to have more options.

Indeed. However, dont take certain comments personally from few of my countrymen. The recent incidents have actually created a ripple-effect in understanding that we need to diversify our economic and military sources and cant solely depend on China, which I personally think is a good move. It give us a lot of leverage in economic dealings and get the best of the offers within our limits. Its also unfortunate that few Chinese members have also got on the troll train, without getting the basic comprehension.

However, the good relation with China will certainly continue and I dont think the government has any intention to alter that. We still have our new frigates arriving from China in 2018.

 

[Bilal9]

Sorry to say that Japanese values are quite different from the BD ones. It is different not only from BD, but also from all other nations. This is their specialized values that made them once a technologically superior mighty world military power that conquered almost all the parts of eastern Asia. Now, it is an economic and technology mammoth. They learned from the westerners very fast and surpassed them. In comparison, we are just a group of valueless people who got a country which they cannot properly rule or develop. Our expats in Japan are labors doing menial jobs in Japan, while the Japanese in BD are not.

You are partly right. I don't think we are talking about the same thing.

I am talking about pan-East-Asian cultural values closely connected to Buddhism such as respect for elders, respect and kindness for animals, attention to detail, neatness and cleanliness even when you are dirt-poor (where in the subcontinent can you go and see the neat villages built and maintained by uneducated dirt-poor people themselves?).

Yes our governance sucks (along with the rest of South Asia), compared to far superior Japanese self-governance (which made them a world military, now economic superpower) but you can slowly remedy that as education and world exposure (especially via Internet) in the population changes (like it did in Thailand, for example). But governance has little to do with cultural values.

If you have values, you can even plant flower bushes outside your 'jhupree'. Poverty has been unable to kill Bangladeshi innate reasonable behavior and kindness completely unlike some places I have seen.

I would differ with you when you say we Bangladeshis are a completely valueless lot. Better values of course come with collective educational maturity and wealth. In larger countries where fraud and cheatery is a national pastime (neighbor comes to mind), even having OK values for middle and upper class will not elevate a country to second world status sufficiently and rapidly. Their mind is so small, they are too busy fending for their own and unable to think collectively toward a larger common goal idealistically.

Our population in Japan includes both Middle class and Lower class people, mostly male in the latter group. Menial jobs will be a staple for Lower class people if you don't have a marketable skill. But even Bangladeshi lower class in Japan are highly resourceful because of 'need and hunger'. I'd argue even more resourceful than middle class Bangladeshis there, they are the largest majority involved in the refurbished car business in Bangladesh, sourced from Japan. I have been to Japan frequently and the number of successful mixed race Bengali-Japanese families in both middle and lower classes (wife being Japanese) is quite high as I've seen personally. Japanese wives love their Bangladeshi husbands from my experience. Divorce rate is extremely low. This is the reason I believe our values have common roots.

Our homegrown Bangladeshi middle and upper class values (both religious and cultural) have been sufficient to sustain us for millennia. Our Buddhist and Sufi Muslim common core values of non-violence, tolerance and harmony have been combined in a seamless way. To transform and elevate uneducated common subcontinental lower class values into this common value system will take longer which will come with education and self-sustaining well-paying jobs.

The reason Japanese tourists love Bangladesh (see video I posted above) is because of our values - and in no small part. I have traveled the world and I have personally seen how rare hospitality is for strangers. In spite of our poverty, we Bangladeshi's continue to be hospitable. There is no place in Bangladesh you can go where you won't see a smile in people's faces, in spite of their stations in life, no matter how small.

Those are the same exact reasons Japanese love Thailand, and why they also love us.

The real reason at this time is, the Japanese need a low-cost country like Thailand/Indonesia where investment climate is favorable beyond friendly (like ours). Indonesia and Thailand labor rates are getting expensive, and Japanese have a wide array of industrial output they sell to the world which contains some lower-cost goods too expensive to produce in those two countries any longer. And more than ever, the Japanese are really leery now about their China investments.

We don't have the unstable religious strife, nor bureaucratic red tape like our more expensive competitors around South Asia.

Bangladesh is an ideal destination for Japanese investments in higher labor value-addition sectors such as garments, shoes, bicycles, small kitchen appliances, household items, cookware, toys, plastic items, shipbuilding as well as IT services etc .etc. They will need SEZ areas and industrial parks to produce these items in (we have over 100 being built) as well as improved infra and roads to carry them to port (this is already happening as we speak).

I will not be surprised if more Japanese investments in these areas pour in - in the near future.

Japan will fund the design and construction of a limited scale deep seaport somewhere near Matabari. This port will be used, but may not be exclusively, by the industries to be set up by the Japanese themselves in an exclusive EPZ nearby. I think, the port will be built before Japan builds a power plant with super-critical technology nearby which will have about 50% efficiency comparing to the normal 30% efficiency. Why before? it is because Japan has to unload the power plant equipment at a nearby port.

Another point. Japan has been helping the road transport system in Rangoon with its own money. Most of the present roads in Rangoon ends at some riverbanks and pagodas. It means the Burmese have been unable so far to do bridge building over the rivers by themselves. Because of Japanese govt contribution there, even Nissan Motors has bought a big chunk of land somewhere.

However, I have been seeing a change in Japanese attitude recently. They are giving more importance to BD, and I think, Japan is coming forward to help BD because this country is willing to work hard. I hope, someday Nissan also vacates that hinterland called Burma and comes to our shore.

They don't have to vacate Myanmar to bring their manufacturing here. There's enough production to go around for all countries.

Nissan itself did not invest in Myanmar. 'Tan Chong Malaysia Berhad' did (TCMH) which is a Chinese-owned Malaysian company. I am surprised that Malaysian Govt. allowed this company to support Myanmar even after the Rohingya fiasco. But they had already invested by Feb. 2016.

I could be wrong - but what I understand is that Myanmar plant will be assembling Semi-Knocked-Down (SKD) kits from other Tan Chong factories for now.

Current product lineup including the X-Trail sports utility vehicle, Altima sedan, Navara pickup truck, NV350 Urvan van and Civilian minibus and the ubiquitous Sunny subcompact (majority sold).

The operation is rather small, 300 people, to produce various models for mostly local consumption. You can't fault Tan Chong not trying to find new markets. We had vehicle assembly on our shores since the early sixties, and it was initiated locally.

 

[beijingwalker]

Indeed. However, dont take certain comments personally from few of my countrymen. The recent incidents have actually created a ripple-effect in understanding that we need to diversify our economic and military sources and cant solely depend on China, which I personally think is a good move. It give us a lot of leverage in economic dealings and get the best of the offers within our limits. Its also unfortunate that few Chinese members have also got on the troll train, without getting the basic comprehension.

However, the good relation with China will certainly continue and I dont think the government has any intention to alter that. We still have our new frigates arriving from China in 2018.

Exactly, you don't just sacrifice your country's economic benefits for political preferences, no country does it.When there is a good deal coming, just grab it, it doesn't matter what it comes from. Actually despite the never ending bickering between Chinese and Japanese politicians, Japan is one of China's biggest trading partners.

 

[UKBengali]

Exactly, you don't just sacrifice your country's economic benefits for political preferences, no country does it.When there is a good deal coming, just grab it, it doesn't matter what it comes from. Actually despite the never ending bickering between Chinese and Japanese politicians, Japan is one of China's biggest trading partners.

Please do not misunderstand what I am trying to say here.
BD and China will still engage in mutually beneficial relations. A strong BD will help counter to some extent an India that has allied with US against it. A strong China will help BD lessen Indian power in S Asia.
The Rohingya issues has shocked nearly all BD'shis as to how little regard that China has to BD's core interests and so BD needs to look for more economic and military partners.

 

[Species]

Japan will fund the design and construction of a limited scale deep seaport somewhere near Matabari. This port will be used, but may not be exclusively, by the industries to be set up by the Japanese themselves in an exclusive EPZ nearby. I think, the port will be built before Japan builds a power plant with super-critical technology nearby which will have about 50% efficiency comparing to the normal 30% efficiency. Why before? it is because Japan has to unload the power plant equipment at a nearby port.

Yes, but I guess the sea port won't be large enough to accommodate significant portion of our foreign trade. This is the reason why govt. is trying to build sea ports in other places as well. There are even projects to expand the Chittagong port as well where the handling has already far exceeded its capacity and growing at a tremendous rate.

However, I have been seeing a change in Japanese attitude recently. They are giving more importance to BD, and I think, Japan is coming forward to help BD because this country is willing to work hard. I hope, someday Nissan also vacates that hinterland called Burma and comes to our shore.

Lol, it's all about geo-politics. Have you heard about the Asian Co-prosperity Sphere initiative by the Imperial Japan before the WWII? I believe Japan is trying to revive it in some form to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative which itself might be inspired by the former. Both are designed to increase the influence of the respective countries.

Anyway, if they help to develop our crucial infrastructure and raise the living standard, they are obviously welcome. But we should be aware to not fall into these geopolitical rivalry.

 

[beijingwalker]

Besides US, Japan favors no countries. It's good for Bangladesh to develop herself with Japan's help but if you naively believe that Japan favors Bangladesh over other countries you are being illusional.

 

[bdslph]

I WOULD SUPPORT A DEAL WITH JAPAN EXPENSIVE I DONT CARE THEY ARE 100 % THE BEST ALL THE WAY

 

[bluesky]

The father of Tareque is Mamtazuddin Bhuyan, a onetime Professor of naval architecture in BUET. Mr. Mamtaz did his Master's Degree in Japan, but, instead of seeking job there, he went back to BD with his Japanese wife. Jun may be the nick name of Tareque, as far as I remember. Both the parents of Tareq have mild personal character.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

12:00 AM, December 11, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:13 AM, December 11, 2017
Infrastructure Projects in Bangladesh: Tokyo to invest under new arrangement

Japanese firms to get work without any bidding
Rejaul Karim Byron and Wasim Bin Habib


Japan is going to invest in Bangladesh's infrastructure projects under a new arrangement in which its companies will work under the government-to-government system without participating in any bidding.

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry of Japan, and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority of Bangladesh will soon float a joint public private project management platform to this end.

The platform, to be comprised of permanent members from both the countries, will select Japanese companies for implementing the projects. It will also mobilise funds and monitor project implementation, say officials of the PPP Authority that works under the Prime Minister's Office.

The development comes amid commitments of billions of dollar from China and India for several infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. Chinese and Indian companies have already started working in the projects either through limited bidding or without it.

The PPP Authority officials could not say how much money would be invested under the new arrangement or how the funds would be mobilised.

Syed Afsor H Uddin, chief executive officer of the PPP Authority, and Yasuki Kaibori, deputy minister of Japan's land, infrastructure, transport and tourism ministry, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Japan in June.

“The PPP Authority will first identify infrastructure projects such as highways, ring roads, subways, and economic zones after having discussions with the ministries concerned,” an official of the PPP Authority told this newspaper yesterday.

“The joint management platform will then select a project for implementation.

After the selection, the company will carry out a feasibility study.”

Japan has been providing Bangladesh with nearly $2 billion as soft loans every year since fiscal 2012-13.

Apart from this, Tokyo will invest under the new arrangement, and Japanese banks will help with financing, said PPA Authority officials.

They also said the PMO last month sought the finance ministry's opinion on the new arrangement. And the ministry gave a positive feedback, saying there will be quality work under such projects.

Recently, China has pledged around $21.5 billion for large infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. Chinese companies will implement the projects.

Besides, India has committed around $7 billion. Indian companies will get work through selected bidding. And 65 to 75 percent of the materials to be used in the projects will be imported from India.

In a report published on December 8, Nikkei Asian Review, a financial newspaper of Japan, said Tokyo reached an understanding with Dhaka to build highways and other structures in Bangladesh under an exclusive arrangement.

Japan seeks to capitalise on this and other opportunities to surpass China, which has a much larger infrastructure footprint in developing countries due to its huge edge in pricing, it said.

“For instance, the Chinese accounted for 55 percent of Africa's infrastructure projects in 2015, compared with Japan's slim 1 percent market share. In the Middle East, China had a 17 percent share compared with Japan's less than 2 percent,” mentioned the report.

The Chinese are ahead in other parts of the world as well, such as Asia, Oceania and Europe.

With many of the Chinese projects delayed or revised, the Japanese government is trying to seize what it sees as a good opportunity to catch up, it added.

In a policy speech last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan's infrastructure exports increased by 10 trillion yen ($89 billion) in five years.

Still, the Chinese and South Koreans continue to enjoy pricing and political advantages over Japan.
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpa...sh-tokyo-invest-under-new-arrangement-1503049

 

[bluesky]

They don't have to vacate Myanmar to bring their manufacturing here. There's enough production to go around for all countries.

Nissan itself did not invest in Myanmar. 'Tan Chong Malaysia Berhad' did (TCMH) which is a Chinese-owned Malaysian company.

You are wrong on the Nissan investment program in Myanmar. Click the link below. Another point, do you really think it is economically feasible for a private company to invest in the two poor but adjacent countries? I was just wishing that BD gets Nissan investment instead of MM.

Anyway, since Nissan and MM govt have finalized the deal, therefore, there is no way that the company will come to BD. This is a matter of common understanding that strength of consumers are very low in both the countries.

When Japan produces 9.1 miilion motor vehicles in a year, the total number of vehicles plying on BD roads are less than 350,000. MM, I do not know. However, I also believe that there will be a real Japanese investment, but also worry that the very shallow mindset of BD people will cause their leaving BD en mass. BD people are culturally so different from the Japanese!!

https://www.ft.com/content/f5db7c32-2066-11e3-9a9a-00144feab7de