Japan looking toward more investments in Bangladesh

[eastwatch]

You brought this separate issue of coal mining so I expressed my opinion.
And understand this that you have no knowledge of energy sector that all the power plants should be built near sea area.
As they can't meet the demand of North.
There is no doubt Japan's proposals of coal plant is a good one.

Bold part: After the full completion of the coal plant by Japan, it will produce 10,000 mW of power. In today's context this much of power may look very large, but it is not. It may not even be enough to fulfill the demand of power in the Chittagong region if we do not falsify the demand data. But, you are assuming as if it will be the last power plant in BD.

A country with a population of 160 million, BD may need more than 150,000 mW of power in the long run. For example, a highly developed country like Japan whose population is 130 million has an installed capacity of about 250,000 mW.of power.

So, we should build this plant in the south and should also build other plants in the future in our north where high quality local coal will be used. Local coal has very low ash and sulfur contents.

 

[eastwatch]

Vending Machine in Japan | Key part made in Bangladesh

Vending Machine in Japan

Key part made in Bangladesh
Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Workers of Op-Seed Bangladesh at Chittagong EPZ busy manufacturing pushbuttons of vending machines widely used in Japan. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
In Japan, one can buy just about anything from vending machines -- from smart cars to undergarment, live crabs to fresh eggs, fried chicken to steaming hot cup noodles -- and they are available all the time, everywhere.

But what is not widely known is that the pushbutton, which is used to select the items, in 90 percent of these machines is made in Bangladesh, at a factory in Chittagong Export Processing Zone.

Established in 1997 by a Japanese national, Op-Seed Bangladesh Ltd has been supplying this vital part to vending machine manufacturers in the Far-east nation, which has the highest number of vending machines per capita, since 1999. There is about one machine for every 23 people.

The factory also supplies to Japan sophisticated devices like display boards at train stations, railway signals and LED lights. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
Ataul Haque, general manager of Op-Seed, said the company's patented interlocking pushbuttons are held in high regard by its clientele, as they offer greater flexibility in panel design and save labour in the assembly process.

The company also supplies many other sophisticated devices such as display boards at train stations, railway signals and LED lighting products.

Haque says the majority of the signalling lights and displays in railway stations in Japan are made in the factory.

“We have a commendable market share in Japan,” he said, adding that the CEPZ-based company also exports to the US.

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The factory employs nearly 1,000 Bangladeshi skilled workers along with some Japanese technicians. Each of the recruited Bangladeshi workers is personally trained by Japanese experts.

“The Japanese customers are very quality-conscious, so we have to unfailingly maintain the superior quality of our products. And for that, highly skilled manpower is needed,” said Haque, also a director of the company.

The business growth has been “very good” from the onset of the operations, and now, the company is looking to expand.

“We are trying to make bigger pushbuttons for vending machines so that the customers can buy even a bag of rice from them.”

Haque said the company has started selling its LED bulbs in Bangladesh; 10 percent of the total bulbs produced in the factory are being sold in the local market.

“We use the slogan “Made in Bangladesh” on the body of every product manufactured in the factory,” he said, while calling for a separate export processing zone for Japanese investors as many are interested in setting up industrial plants in the country.

 

[extra terrestrial]

The best part of Japanese investment is the technology they bring, simply priceless!

 

[Mattrixx]

Bold part: After the full completion of the coal plant by Japan, it will produce 10,000 mW of power. In today's context this much of power may look very large, but it is not. It may not even be enough to fulfill the demand of power in the Chittagong region if we do not falsify the demand data. But, you are assuming as if it will be the last power plant in BD.

A country with a population of 160 million, BD may need more than 150,000 mW of power in the long run. For example, a highly developed country like Japan whose population is 130 million has an installed capacity of about 250,000 mW.of power.

So, we should build this plant in the south and should also build other plants in the future in our north where high quality local coal will be used. Local coal has very low ash and sulfur contents.

Whats your take on Rampal ?

 

[eastwatch]

You are very right about technology, but, I think, technology may be a small part of the entire Japanese input. Japanese are also famous in introducing a proper working environment, labour training, efficient management, quality control, discipline of the workforce, less complacency, production as per schedule, timely delivery etc. Japanese do not compromise with any of these qualities. This is why they produce high quality goods.

However, local culture always deteriorates the quality of goods even though the machines and technology are from Japan. This is due to the human quality developed during centuries by the local culture and customs.

 

[Aepsilons]

So, we should build this plant in the south and should also build other plants in the future in our north where high quality local coal will be used. Local coal has very low ash and sulfur contents.

This is sound strategy and the most natural progression.

Bold part: After the full completion of the coal plant by Japan, it will produce 10,000 mW of power. In today's context this much of power may look very large, but it is not. It may not even be enough to fulfill the demand of power in the Chittagong region if we do not falsify the demand data. But, you are assuming as if it will be the last power plant in BD.

Very perceptive of you @eastwatch , and yes, this is the type of spirit that we admire about Bangladeshis, it is the notion of self improvement. Sometimes we have to implement SWOT analysis -- in that by identifying one's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats -- we have a more expanded, thorough picture of the necessary course of action.In Japanese corporate structure -- we refer to this as Kaizen Analysis. Perhaps you've heard of this -- and seen this applied before ?

In regards to the Chittagong region, I would say, as conservative estimation, that at least 2 plants are necessary. Bangladesh has the skilled man power to maintain an industrial boom. And with many nations looking to South Asia as an answer to their offshore initiative, having the energy capacity will make Bangladesh ever more attractive, lucrative. As you may well know, China's recent policies in fining large multi-billion foreign companies are being interpreted by many foreign corporations ergo, Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan/Infinity, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Audi et al-- to look at new production sites. Japan, for example, has over 4300+ large scale business manufacturing site based in China, and with these recent political swats and harsh envirnment for enterprise, we are looking to move these sites to more favorable and stable locations. It is no secrete that we are looking at ASEAN, Bangladesh, India. Not only Japan, there are other foreign companies that, too, are looking at Bangladesh as site for offshore manufacturing.

The Hasina Administration in Bangladesh needs to look at the Energy revolution in Bangladesh as not just a upcoming project, but as an absolute necessity to realizing Bangladesh' industrial capacity and potential.

Bangladesh Zindabad!


Sincerely,
@Nihonjin1051

 

[Aepsilons]

With the right steps Bangladesh could become like a 30 times bigger version of Singapore.

Absolutely. There is no comparison. Singapore is limited due to her population size, and its lack of man power and natural resources. Bangladesh has yet to even realize a quarter of her true potential.

In my objective analysis, the current political administration in Bangladesh (or in future / newer administrations), needs to enact policies to prioritize two things: 1) The creation of an energy revolution, enhance the current energy grid and 2) The creation of the Sonadia Deep Sea Port.

Once the Sonadia Deep Sea Port is built, this will revolutionize Bangladesh and in the Eastern region of greater South Asia. Why? The reason for this is because the Sonadia Deep Sea Port will serve the land locked regions of India, China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. When this is constructed, a railway system should be created to effectively connect this port (Bangladesh) to India , China, and the ASEAN member states such as Myanmar, Thailand.

There are so many possibilities in Bangladesh right now. Let us hope that the Government of Bangladesh will seize the opportunities.

 

[kalu_miah]

Absolutely. There is no comparison. Singapore is limited due to her population size, and its lack of man power and natural resources. Bangladesh has yet to even realize a quarter of her true potential.

In my objective analysis, the current political administration in Bangladesh (or in future / newer administrations), needs to enact policies to prioritize two things: 1) The creation of an energy revolution, enhance the current energy grid and 2) The creation of the Sonadia Deep Sea Port.

Once the Sonadia Deep Sea Port is built, this will revolutionize Bangladesh and in the Eastern region of greater South Asia. Why? The reason for this is because the Sonadia Deep Sea Port will serve the land locked regions of India, China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. When this is constructed, a railway system should be created to effectively connect this port (Bangladesh) to India , China, and the ASEAN member states such as Myanmar, Thailand.

There are so many possibilities in Bangladesh right now. Let us hope that the Government of Bangladesh will seize the opportunities.

Bro, I am encouraged and heartened to see these positive moves made by this govt. I just hope that this is a genuine and permanent trend. The reason I am skeptical is because the current govt. owes its existence to India. If there was a free and fair election in Jan. 05 of this year, they would not come to power and India helped them to overcome the opposition protest movements with a lot of killing and bloodshed. India provided help through a huge number of intelligence agents present in Bangladesh. So in a way it is actually an illegitimate govt. and do not represent the people's will, rather they represent India's domination over Bangladesh politics, against the will of Bangladeshi people.

Does that mean that this govt. cannot do good for the country? I believe they can. Even if they have a blood soaked history and dependence on India, they can still reinvent them and redeem themselves, if they work for the development of the country with the right partners, such as Japan, a trusted and time tested well wisher of our country and people.

In a 3rd world country like Bangladesh, almost every govt. is corrupt, which is true for both of our main political parties. So when they go for these projects, they are essentially fishing for big cuts for themselves and for their party cronies. That is part of doing business in underdeveloped countries in many parts of the world. So I do not mind that at all, as long as corruption is not excessive and it does not hurt the overall direction of the country. And this move, even if they had other motivations, I would term it as positive as it is building the right kind of relationship with the right partner, Japan.

What I worry about is that since this govt. is not independent and depends on and owes their existence to India, they actually do not call the shots. If Delhi suddenly decides that a fast developing Bangladesh is not in their interest, they will simply issue an order to Hasina to delay or cancel certain projects and Hasina would be powerless to do anything about it. Indians want all of the investment going into their country and specially not into a next door hostile nation that becomes developed and powerful at their expense. So its an interesting situation to say the least.

As for some of the posters in this forum, we know who belongs to which camp, but regardless of their camp affiliations, I would urge all to forget about political affiliations when it comes to vital national interest such as building relationship with Japan and working with Japan to develop a world class manufacturing base and a regional transportation hub.

 

[kalu_miah]

Seasonal wind pattern around Bangladesh:

What the above means is that Matarbari near Cox's Bazar is the perfect location in Bangladesh for coal power plants as most seasonal wind will blow the pollutants away from major population centers.

I support creation of a major industrial hub around Chittagong city which is 160 km further north from Matarbari plant area, so it will be in a safe enough distance away from pollutants coming out from even the most efficient latest generation coal plant.

Also there is a big renewable energy push in Bangladesh:
60-MW Wind Turbine Power Plant in Cox’s Bazar For Green Electricity - Bangladesh Awami League Official Site
Why Green Jobs Are Booming in Bangladesh - The Atlantic

Solar can be used in North Bengal which is far from Chittagong, mainly for smaller house-hold and light industrial use. We should not develop big industries in that part of the country mainly because it is far away from power generation centers and sea ports. It should be used for light industry, agriculture and even for IT industry, all of which do not require huge power.

The main industrial belt of Bangladesh should be around the future 4 lane 260 km trunk road between Dhaka and Chittagong, connecting the two biggest cities.