Bangladesh Newsflash Edition 67, April 2017
Newsflash Bangladesh is a publication by the give us your comments; please feel free to send a Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in message to [email protected] For further Dhaka. The newsflash provides an update in terms practical economic information about Bangladesh, of economic developments, the most important please refer to the Netherlands Bangladesh tenders and a selection of other relevant business Business Platform – www.nbbp.org developed by news related to Bangladesh. This newsflash is the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in shared with a distinctive group of Dutch businesses Bangladesh in collaboration with Dutch Business with special interests in Bangladesh. It is put University Nyenrode for the Dutch-Bangladeshi together on the basis of publicly available business community. The platform bundles information from various sources such as news information on all that is relevant for doing business articles, press releases, and third party information. in Bangladesh, providing targeted sector analysis, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in insights into risks and opportunities of doing Dhaka is not responsible for the accuracy of the business, including concrete advice on good published information. If you do not wish to receive business practices, an overview of the most relevant the Newsflash Bangladesh, or would like to add a government policies for intending investors and person to the distribution list, or if you would like to much more.
Highlights
Government reviewing UN conventions’ ratification required for EU GSP Plus facility.
BM Energy, a Dutch-Bangla JV firm, gets LPG license. Company aims to install 400 filling stations across the country. Central Bank eases rules to help lift software exports to achieve the target of US$5.0 billion software exports by 2021. Government moves to revise Ganges barrage project. Existing project in Rajbari abandoned. Dairy farms to get a boost. Government to set up a dairy development board ADB projects 6.9 percent GDP growth for this fiscal. Slower domestic demand, falling remittances. Two Bangladeshi youth have made the list of "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: Social Entrepreneurs" for their work aimed at providing education for the rural poor and helping youth with disabilities in Bangladesh.
1 Newsflash April 2017 Political update
The 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was held in Dhaka from 1-5 April 2017. It was attended by 1,500 guests from around the globe, including a Dutch delegation from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went on a four day state visit to India from 7-10 April. During the visit, a total of 22 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed in the field of defense, economic and development cooperation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid a three day state visit to Bhutan from 18-20 April and signed 6 agreements and MoUs, furthering regional ties in hydroelectric power, connectivity. Leaders welcomed the proposed trilateral MoU between Bangladesh, Bhutan and India for regional cooperation. Throughout April the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit of the Bangladesh police conducted several operations at different locations aimed at militant dens across the country.
Textile and Ready Made Garments (RMG)
Better Work forum applauds progress, calls for products on time and meet demand for finer more actions (The Daily Star) The Better Work products from global retailers and brands. Some Bangladesh programme held its second local fabrics manufacturers have even gone one stakeholder and buyer forum in Dhaka on 4 April step further, as they are using robotic technology where experts lauded its impact on the garment and machinery. Envoy Textiles Ltd (ETL) is one sector and also called for stepping up efforts to such denim improve working conditions and increase fabrics factories' competitiveness. Some 300 national manufacture and international garment sector representatives r which is attended the forum, including partners from the using robotic government, employer associations and unions, machinery to as well as 80 members from international raise output brands, according to a statement of the and improve International Labour Organisation (ILO). “We are the quality of products. The world's first here to unite diverse stakeholders, promote platinum rated LEED (Leadership in Energy and decent work for all and help the garment Environmental Design) certified denim factory, industry in Bangladesh thrive,” said Louis ETL installed the robotic machinery in its Vanegas, programme manager of the Better spinning section in October last year to bring Work Bangladesh programme, in the statement. sophistication to yarn production. The company, The Better Work Bangladesh programme is a set up in 2008 in Bhaluka, produces four million partnership between ILO and the International yards of denim fabrics a month and employs Finance Corporation. It aims to contribute to 2,400 people. Apart from using many other latest improving the life of workers, their families and machinery for spinning and weaving, ETL has their communities, and increase the employed 14 robotic autoconers in spinning and competitiveness of the ready-made garment rotor at its Bhaluka factory to produce 55 tonnes sector in Bangladesh. of denim yarn per day. The company exports yarn and fabrics to more than 10 countries such Envoy embraces robotic tech to raise standards, as Egypt, Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Indonesia, output (The Daily Star) Bangladesh's apparel Kenya, China, Turkey, Cambodia and Nepal. manufacturers are increasing the use of modern technologies to boost productivity, deliver
2 Newsflash April 2017 Over 70pc factories fix problems: Alliance - still, but arms (EBA). Bangladesh will lose the benefit 142 units faced music (The Financial Express) in the EU market, destination of more than 60 Factories under Alliance for Bangladesh Worker percent of the country’s export goods, once it Safety have completed a total of 73 percent will graduate from the LDC category. The remediation work, which is expected to be country, however, will get GSP facility for doubled in the next few months. This was another three years for Gov’t reviewing UN revealed by Alliance Country Director in conventions’ ratification required for EU GSP Bangladesh James Moriarty at a press Plus facility. conference held on 11 April. Speaking at the programme, Mr. Moriarty said 71 Alliance factories had substantially completed required Infrastructure repairs, but 142 factories were suspended for failing to make adequate progress in remediation WB okays US$507m for infrastructure projects work. Terming workers' training a key (The Daily Star) The World Bank has approved a component of Alliance's mission to build a safer US$507 million fund for two projects in garment industry, he said that the platform has Bangladesh to provide long-term financing to provided training to nearly 1.3 million workers in private sector-led infrastructure projects and protecting themselves during emergencies. modernization of land ports. On 8 April, the Alliance has retrained around 85 percent of its World Bank Board approved the Investment workforce about fire safety while around 25,000 Promotion and security guards have received training in Financing workers' evacuation during emergency, he Facility (IPFF) II added. Alliance, a platform of 28-North American Project, which retailers and brands for factory inspection and is built on the remediation in Bangladesh, will function in the success of a country up to June 2018. predecessor project IPFF. Government reviewing UN conventions’ The project will help participating local financial ratification required for EU GSP Plus facility institutions to extend long-term credits for (The New Age) Commerce ministry has taken an building infrastructure beyond the usual lending initiative to review the current status of period of five to seven years, the World Bank ratification of 27 UN conventions required for said in a statement. The infrastructure will be getting GSP Plus benefit to the markets of the built for waste management, water treatment, European Union. The ministry has recently energy saving equipment, container terminals, sought opinions of stakeholders, including land ports and bridges, the multilateral lender government ministries, divisions and agencies, said. The projects will be funded by the World trade bodies and business associations, on the Bank's concessionary arm, International 27 conventions related to human and labour Development Association. The Regional rights, environmental protection and good Connectivity Project 1 will receive US$150 million governance. According to the Least Developed zero-interest IDA credits with a 38-year term, Countries Report 2016 of the United Nations including a six-year grace period, and a service Conference on Trade and Development charge of 0.75 percent. The IPFF II will receive (UNCTAD), Bangladesh is expected to graduate US$357 million financing, including US$257 from LDC category to developing country by million zero-interest credit with a 38-year term 2024 as the country’s pre-eligibility for and a six-year grace period, and US$100 million graduation will be completed in 2018 and the scale-up facility with a 30-year term with a nine- country will become fully eligible for graduation year grace period. In addition, the project will by meeting all three criteria in 2021. As an LDC benefit female traders and entrepreneurs country, all Bangladeshi products, except arms, through facilitating skills development enjoy duty-free and quota-free market access to programmes, improving logistics and transport EU under its GSP (generalised system of services at key border points, and developing a preferences) facility which is termed everything 3 Newsflash April 2017 simplified trade regime and clearance able to set up LPG terminals, auto-gas conversion procedures. plants and LPG bottling plants. It will be able to export bottled LPG or LPG in bulk quantity after attaining a no objection certificate (NOC) from Oil, Gas & Energy the Energy ministry and necessary approval from the Commerce ministry. Officials said in 2016 Bangladesh, Bhutan PMs for ties in hydel Bangladesh's LPG demand was around 400,000 power, connectivity (The Financial Express) tonnes, up 33 percent from 300,000 tonne a year Bangladesh and Bhutan leaders welcomed the earlier, and the government forecasts proposed trilateral MoU between Bangladesh, consumption will increase another 25 percent to Bhutan and India for cooperation in the field of 500,000 tonne in 2017. hydroelectric power. They also expressed the hope that this would be signed at an occasion when leaders of all three countries would meet Water/Maritime next. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay Government moves to revise Ganges barrage expressed such hope in a 26-point joint project - existing project in Rajbari abandoned statement issued on 20 April 2017. Bangladesh (The Daily Star) Water Resources Minister Anisul will buy power from Bhutan after investing in the Islam Mahmud said the proposed Ganges joint hydroelectric project. They also stressed on barrage project in Rajbari's Pangsha has been advantages of sub-regional cooperation in the abandoned. “A high-powered committee will be areas of power, water resources, and formed to revise the project and find alternative connectivity for mutual benefit. Bangladesh and options for the best use of water”.. The Bhutan will now get connected through minister's Chittagong and Mongla ports. It will open up comments further opportunities of bilateral trade between came a day the two countries and beyond. At the invitation after Prime of her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay, Minister Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a state visit to Sheikh Bhutan from April 18-20. Hasina said she rejected the design and feasibility study of Dutch-Bangla JV firm gets LPG license - the Ganges barrage project as it would be company aims to install 400 filling stations (The suicidal. Anisul said there was no disagreement Financial Express) BM Energy (BD) Ltd, a private over the construction of the barrage, but joint-venture (JV) firm of the Netherlands and opinions differed about its location and how it Bangladesh, has secured a license to install would be built. Earlier, the six-member around 400 LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) filling delegation, led by Chinese Water Resources Minister Chen Lei, met a 12-member Bangladesh team, headed by Anisul. During the meeting, Chen Lei expressed China's keenness to help Bangladesh dredge rivers, the minister said. The stations across the country, said officials. The meeting also discussed the progress of the company has got the first license from the implementation of different deals and MoUs government under the newly adopted policy 'LP signed between the two countries in the water Gas Operational Licensing Policy, 2017’, resources sector. according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) of the Ministry of Power, Energy Western Marine to build sea-going tug boat for and Mineral Resources (MPEMR). The firm also Payra Port (The Financial Express) Western has the authority to import, produce, store, Marine Shipyard has inaugurated the transport and supply of LPG to households, construction of one unit of a sea-going 60 tonne commercial and industrial clients by appointing BP tug boat for Payra Port Authority through dealers or franchises. The JV firm will further be keel-laying ceremony at the yard at Patiya in
4 Newsflash April 2017 Chittagong. The vessel - 33.50 meter - in length use of RSVs opens up new routes for exporters in will be delivered to the PPA within 18 months, to the region as it is cost effective, has low lead be built under the supervision of Bureau Veritus, time and is more reliable than the conventional a quality control firm. Western Marine in a routes used out of Dhaka. "The use of this route statement said it has built seven units of vessels also negates the use of the over worked rail and including two tug boats for the Chittagong Port road transport systems to Chittagong," the Authority in the last three years. It has also built statement added. Franck Dedenis, managing three units of various types of vessels for the director of Maersk Line in India, Sri Lanka and Mongla Port Authority. Bangladesh, said: "This is a historic moment for the group as well as for EXIM trade in Indian firm wins tender to dredge Mongla port Bangladesh. "This export shipment will showcase channel (The Financial Express) An Indian the country's renewed focus in promoting import company has won a tender to dredge a river and export in the region." channel of Mongla port, officials said. The Tk 1.19 billion dredging work is now set to be awarded to the Dredging Corporation of India. Agriculture/Fisheries The project will help keep the Pashur channel navigable for carrying coal to the Rampal power Potato exports fail to pick up (The Daily Star) plant. Under the project, 3.881 million cubic Potato exports have remained low ever since meters of sands will be dredged from the Russia barred the entry of the vegetable in May riverbed by trailing suction hopper dredger and 2015 on food cutter suction dredger. Officials said some 12 safety foreign companies had submitted pre- grounds after qualification applications from which the tender detecting evaluation committee recommended five some companies for the job. Later, the five companies diseased were asked to submit tender documents from consignments which four submitted the same. The companies . Prior to the are Dredging Corporation of India, China Harbour ban, shipment Engineering Co Ltd, HPGPE-MBEL JV (China- of the tuber had hit a record high of about 1 lakh Bangladesh), and Changjiang Wuhan Waterway tonnes in 2013-14, spurred by the demand from Engineering Company, China. Russia. Since July last year, about 30,000 tonnes of potato were shipped, with the total exports Maersk starts river transport of exports from expected to be 35,000-40,000 tonnes at the end Bangladesh (The Financial Express) Maersk of the fiscal year, said officials of Plant Group's subsidiary Safmarine has announced Quarantine Wing under the Department of Bangladesh's first ever export shipment to be Agricultural Extension (DAE). Last fiscal year, transported on river sea vessels (RSVs), also potato export slumped 58 percent to 37,270 known as barges, according to container- tonnes, a direct manifestation of the embargo mag.com. Two 40 ft containers with garment-on- from Russia. The lack of availability of export- hanger (GOH) shipments were exported out of quality potato has dampened the prospect of Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT), which increased exports this fiscal year, according to is the country's first ICT, as part of a contract vegetable exporters. Farmers planted potato on with the Japanese APL Logistics. The facility was 5.28 lakh hectares this fiscal year, up 11.16 previously used mainly for imports due to low percent year-on-year. Production grew 19 confidence of export customers for the trade percent year-on-year to 1.13 crore tonnes this route. According to a company statement, the fiscal year, according to DAE estimates.
5 Newsflash April 2017 Rice prices rise on flash floods (The Daily Star) government shared plans of establishing a Dairy Rice prices edged up as large millers are cashing Development Board in its National Livestock in on crop losses, caused by the recent flash Development Policy in 2007. Dairy processors floods in the greater Sylhet region, amid and analysts hailed the initiative and said depleting stocks from previous harvests and low formation of a separate board will encourage imports, said traders. Prices of the medium and dairy farming, boost milk production and thus fine categories of the staple also went up cut import dependence to meet annual between requirement. In recent years, milk production 1.96 percent has increased, owing to rising commercial and 4.65 farming of cattle for milk and meat production. percent in Yet domestic production remains largely the last one insufficient to meet annual demand for milk and week, milk based foods. Bangladesh requires 1.46 crore according to tonnes of milk a year, while it can produce 52.75 Trading lakh tonnes of milk, according to data from Corporation Department of Livestock (DLS). of Bangladesh. The prices rose in other parts of the country as well. Millers and traders said rice Government set to regulate weather index- prices typically go up near the end of a season based crop insurance (The Financial Express) for dwindling stocks. The haor areas account for The government is set to bring the weather nearly 10 percent of the total boro cultivation index-based crop insurance under a regulatory area at about 48 lakh hectares this year. The framework. The move aims to regulate and flood has affected 1.40 lakh hectares of paddy in facilitate the underwriting process, claims the fields, according to estimates of the settlement and distribution channels for both Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). public and private insurers. The disclosure came Boro, one of the three rice crop seasons in a at a workshop on draft regulatory framework for year, accounts for nearly 55 percent of the index-based crop insurance, organized by country's annual rice output of 3.47 crore Sadharan Bima Corporation recently. The Asian tonnes. DAE earlier targeted to ensure the Development Bank, Bangladesh Meteorological production of 1.91 crore tonnes of rice during Department and Sadharan Bima Corporation the current boro season to attain the total jointly undertook a project on weather index- output goal of 3.51 crore tonnes for this fiscal based crop insurance, which was piloted in 2014 year. and will end later this year. The main objective of the project is to financially compensate the Dairy farms to get a boost - Government to set country's farmers affected by climate change and up a dairy development board (The Daily Star) natural calamities. The project was piloted in The government has taken steps to develop the Rajshahi, Sirajganj and Noakhali districts. country's dairy sector which did not receive Meanwhile, 20 automated weather centres have adequate attention from policymakers in the been established in the districts. Around 10,027 past decades, farmers of the districts have received awareness said training under the project. stakeholders. The fisheries IFAD to provide $129m credit for smallholder and livestock farmers (The Financial Express) The ministry is International Fund for Agricultural Development drafting a law (IFAD) will provide US$129 million in loan along to set up a with US$1.0 million grant to support dairy development board. The ministry is also smallholding rural farmers, helping them prepare working to finalize the National Dairy for climate change. Of the total, US$64.5 million Development Policy that was drafted earlier, said will be extended to smallholder farmers to boost officials. The move comes a decade after the their income and strengthen livelihood resilience
6 Newsflash April 2017 through demand-driven productivity growth, organized sector began to secure a growing crop diversification and marketing in a changing market share after some export oriented climate. The remaining US$63.5 million and the footwear companies started opening outlets a grant will be provided for constructing climate- decade ago, said operators. Earlier, Bata resilient rural roads and community shelters, Bangladesh was the lone chain retailer. The entry creating off-farm employment opportunities, of new players, coupled with marketing while financing climate change preparedness campaigns, steady growth of the economy and research and community-based flood political stability in the last two years boosted information system. The IFAD has been working the local footwear market, said industry insiders. in the country over 30 years financing US$717.2 It also helps that the brands are offering a wide million in 31 projects so far. array of designs, and better quality products at fixed prices, they added. Leather and footwear is the second Other news biggest export earner after US$10b business deals signed - Most related to power sector; PM returns home after 4-day apparel, fetching more state visit to India (The Daily Star) With Prime than US$1 Minister Sheikh Hasina wrapping up her India billion thanks visit on 10 April, government agencies and to increasing private companies of the two countries signed 13 shipments, according to Export Promotion more agreements and memoranda of Bureau. Around 220 tanneries, 2,500 footwear understanding to further deepen bilateral making units and 90 large firms make footwear economic partnership. The deals involving and leather goods mainly for export, according around US$10 billion cover the power, energy, to Leather goods and Footwear Manufacturers logistics, education and medical sectors. The and Exporters Association of Bangladesh. deals include US$1.6 billion debt financing by Exim Bank of India for implementation of the BB eases rules to help boost software exports 1,320MW Maitree Power Project in Bangladesh's (The Financial Express) The central bank has Rampal. Bangladesh-India Friendship Power relaxed regulations in support of the ICT Company (BIFPCL) and Exim Bank signed the (information and communication technology) agreement. Meanwhile, there has been a sector helping it achieve the target of US$5.0 growing outcry over the location of the thermal billion software exports by 2021. Now, banks are project as Rampal is near the ecologically- allowed to remit from US$25,000 to US$30,000 sensitive Sundarbans, a world heritage site. on behalf of IT or software firms in a calendar During Hasina's visit, Dhaka and New Delhi on year, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said in a April 8 signed 22 agreements and MoUs in the notification issued on 2 April 2017. The facility is areas of defense, energy and nuclear power, not linked to the Exporters' Retention Quota among others. However, the long-pending issue (ERQ) account and is remittable through wire of Teesta water-sharing remains unresolved with transfer and/or international card within the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee limit, a BB senior official explained. Besides, the insisting that there wasn't enough water in the central bank has increased the limit of ERQ to 70 common river to share with Bangladesh. percent from 60 percent earlier to facilitate exports of ICT services. The central bank, Footwear market expands fast as demand rises (The Daily Star) Footwear market is expanding however, simplified declaration on 'Form-C' for inward remittance for the purpose of ICT-related fast riding on the growing demand from a fashion forward middle class. The increasing services to assess the actual exports earnings from the ICT sector. purchasing capacity and a rising population are also buoying demand for footwear and Exports of non-apparel products on the decline - encouraging brands to rev up efforts to grab a Exporters blame gas crisis at plants, Brexit hold of the market, said industry insiders. The impact (The Daily Star) Export receipts from 7 Newsflash April 2017 some non-apparel sectors dropped in July-March Bangladesh’s outlook stable: Moody's (The mainly because of a gas shortage in the country, Financial Express) Projecting Bangladesh's volatile economic conditions in the European outlook as 'stable' again for the current calendar Union and the effects of Brexit, according to year, the global credit rating agency Moody's has industry people. Some of the sectors that have cautioned a negative credit impact if the ongoing potential but witnessed poor earnings in the first falling trend in remittances continues. nine months of the current fiscal year are frozen Bangladesh is rated Ba3 with a stable outlook, and live fish, shrimp, petroleum byproducts, according to the Moody's analysis released on 18 finished leather, April. Bangladesh's Ba3 government bond rating specialized textiles, is supported by its robust and stable growth ceramics, bicycles, performance, a core credit strength, and electronics and terry relatively low government debt burden, the US- towel. A volatile based Moody's Investors Service said in its political and economic research. "The stable outlook reflects a balance situation in major EU of positive and negative pressures". While countries and Brexit exposed to external risks through trade and put a negative impact remittances, Bangladesh is likely to maintain a on Bangladesh's exports, exporters said. Europe relatively robust growth rate, macro-economic accounts for more than 60 percent of stability and relatively low government debt Bangladesh's total exports and is the largest levels. The credit rating agency has rated destination for exporters. In July-March, earnings Bangladesh's outlook as stable for eight from frozen fish and shrimp exports declined consecutive years. 4.94 percent and 3.29 percent to US$382.59 million and US$325.24 million respectively, Pharma sector records phenomenal growth - according to data from the Export Promotion Experts see price-rise of medicines as prime Bureau. Exporters said Brexit has had a negative reason (The Financial Express) Bangladesh's impact on Bangladesh's export earnings because pharmaceutical market marked a phenomenal of the depreciation of the pound against the growth with its annual turnover reaching US$ dollar. The UK is the third largest export 2.25 billion destination for Bangladesh and imports products at the end of worth more than $3 billion a year from the December country. 2016. Some analysts Government frames provident fund rules for attributed informal workers (the Financial Express) The the government has formulated provident fund rules advances to introduce a scheme for initially 0.1 million partly to hikes in prices of most medicines. Drug- workers in the country's informal sector to manufacturers, however, equate the ensure their economic security, officials said. The pharmaceutical sector's growth with the Labour and Employment Ministry will tie up with country's economic performance. US-based post office and financial institutions, mostly health-intelligence IMS Health has diagnosed the banks, shortly in this regard, they added. health of Bangladesh's medicine industry on the According to the rules, formulated under a basis of its retail sales figures. The size of the provision of Bangladesh Labour Welfare market, in terms of value, has nearly doubled Foundation Act 2006, workers remaining out of over the past five years since 2011 from the purview of existing labour law will be entitled approximately US$1.3 billion. The US pharma to provident fund facility. The rules that have intelligence audit found Square Pharma having been finalized define workers of the informal maintained its lead position on the domestic sector as those who are not protected by the market with its share at 18.19 percent, followed labour law and who have limited scope of being by Incepta at 10.38 percent. Beximco stands organized. third with a share of 8.35 percent, as of 2016.
8 Newsflash April 2017 There are nearly 250 pharmaceutical companies Physically-Challenged Development Foundation in Bangladesh, and about 30 of them are (PDF) in 2008 with the aim of helping young dominant on the market. people with disabilities. The non-profit organisation provides young people with ADB to invest $3.6b in subregional corridor - disabilities with work skill trainings and raise transport, trade, economic dev in focus (The awareness on disability issues, it added. Financial Express) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invest US$3.6 billion in subregional transport, trade and economic corridor in South and Southeast Asia it announced on 3 April 2017. Under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) purview, the Manila-based lender has selected 19 development projects for funding in three years between 2017 and 2019 for building the facilities for a closer regional cooperation among the seven member- countries. The ADB disclosed its investment plan under the SASEC initiative at a finance minister-level meeting of the member-countries in New Delhi. All the finance ministers of the seven countries attended the meeting. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and newcomer Myanmar are members of the SASEC. Myanmar recently joined the sub-regional initiative, which is believed to help further promote the sub- region's ties with Southeast Asia and beyond. The ADB in a statement said the strategic roadmap will guide SASEC nations in developing gateways and hubs to expand trade and commerce to regional and global markets, which can generate around US$70 billion in incremental gross domestic product (GDP) annually and 20 million total jobs by 2025.
Bangladeshis on Forbes list (The Daily Star) Two Bangladeshi youth have made the list of "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: Social Entrepreneurs". Shougat Nazbin Khan, 27, and Mizanur Rahman, 29, were named respectively for their work aimed at providing education for the rural poor and helping youth with disabilities in Bangladesh. The list was published on the US-based business magazine's website on Wednesday, featuring a total 300 young entrepreneurs in 10 categories. Shougat established HA Digital School and College on her ancestral land in Mymensingh, with the goal of providing education for the rural poor through digital tools. Mizanur founded 9 Newsflash April 2017 Events
Bangladesh Power Summit 2017 is going to be held from 11-12 July at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka Hotel. For details, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bangladesh-power-summit-2017-tickets- 33695314593?aff=es2
Bangladesh Leather and Footwear Expo is a 4 day event being held from 20th July to the 22nd July 2017 at the Basundhara Convention Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This event showcases products like platform created for International and Domestic Machinery, Chemicals, Accessories & Allied Products manufacturers and distributors to showcase their latest products and services to the Tanning & Finished Leather, Footwear and Leather Goods manufacturing industries in Bangladesh etc. in the Leather & Leather Products industry. For details, please visit: https://10times.com/bangladesh-leather-footwear- expo
Textech International Expo is a 4 day event being held from 9th August to the 12th August 2017 at the Bashundhara Convention City in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Textech is the biggest & oldest Textile Garment Technology & Machinery Expo of Bangladesh, Major investments in the textile & garment sector are happening in Bangladesh. For details, please visit: https://10times.com/textech-international-expo Tenders Invitation for International Tender Dhaka North City Corporation issued a tender for procurement of Specialized ICT equipment (VHF and HF Radio Terminals and Related Installations. Tender issued on 05 April 2017, closing on 25 May 2017 at 2:00pm hrs (BST). For details, please contact: Dr Tariq Bin Yousuf, Project Director, Urban Resilience Project – DNCC Part, Dhaka City Corporation. [email protected]; [email protected] Tel: +88029858592
Invitation for International Tender Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited under An Enterprise of Bangladesh Power Development Board issued a tender for Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Aminbazar 400/230 kV Substation on turnkey basis. Tender issued on 24 April, closing on 21 June 2017. For details, please contact: The company Secretary –PGCB, IEB Bhaban, 8/A Ramna, Dhaka. [email protected]
Invitation for International Tender Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) under the Prime Minister’s Office issued a tender for Site Development and Construction of embankment for Mirsarai-2B EZ. Tender issued on 24 April 2017, closing on 12 June 2017 at 15:00 hrs (BST). For details, please contact: Project Director (Joint Secretary), Bangladesh Economic Zones Development Project (Phase 1), BDBL Building, 12 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka 1215. [email protected]; Tel: +880255013691
Invitation for International Expressions of Interest Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) issued an EoI for Consultancy Services along with supply of Computer Hardwires & Softwares and Trading Services for Reserve Update and Reservoir Management System. EoI issued on 18 April 2017, closing on 22 May 2017 at 12:00 hrs (BST). For details, please contact: General Manager, Reservoir & Data Management Division, Petrobangla. [email protected]
10 Newsflash April 2017 Request for International Expression of Interest Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) a Company Petrobangla issues an EoI for construction of land-based LNG Re-gasification Terminal at Moheskhali, Cox's bazar/ Payra, Patuakhali/ any other place of Bangladesh on BOOT basis. EoI issued on 14 March 2017, closing on 22 May 2017 at 12:30 hrs (BST). For details, please contact: Managing Director, RPGCL, [email protected]; [email protected],bd
Please remain updated on these and future tenders at the following website: http://www.cptu.gov.bd/Notices.aspx
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The Embassy always welcomes your comments on, and suggestions for the Newsflash. We also encourage interested Dutch and Bangladeshi companies to place an article or message in our newsflash. For more information please contact our economic department at the Embassy in Dhaka through email [email protected], or by phone (00882)11 8822715-8. Newsflash April 2017