Bangladesh will be digital when it can cover up the whole network of? the world communication.

The government is taking initiatives to bring Bangladesh under the optical fibre network aiming to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’, Telecommunications minister Raziuddin Ahmed Razu said Tuesday.

In reply to a supplementary question in parliament from Jhenaidah MP Md Shafiqul Alam Khan, the minister hoped to provide laptops to the people at a price less than Tk 10,000.

The minister said the government has a plan to turn the rural post offices into e-centres and provide them with modern technological facilities so that information can be exchanged digitally.

“The telecommunication ministry submitted its plan for the Post E-Centre for Rural Community project. Immediately after its approval, the rural population will be provided with internet facilities,” Razu said replying to a query from Khulna-1 MP Nani Gopal.

Answering to another question from MP Apu Ukil, the minister said that until Nov 2009, the total number of mobile phone users throughout the country stood at around 50,550,000 while the government land phone company Bangladesh Tele Communications Limited has 952,779 subscribers.

“To increase the number of BTCL subscribers the government has taken up some exclusive projects that comprises expanding and modernising telephone exchanges, laying of new cables and optical fibre network, setting up international telephone and internet exchanges,” the minister said.

Answering a question from woman MP Nur Afroz Ali, the minister said that at present the Economic ISD System is used for making international calls to 55 countries of the world.

BTCL recorded a revenue income of Tk 2680,900,000 in only the last six months of the last year (2009), the minister said.

The telecommunications minister urged the students to be careful about the excessive and unethical use of mobile phones.

Replying to a question from MP Md Tazul Islam, he said as the most popular media of contemporary communication methods, mobile phones have both positive and negative sides.

Legally, the mobile phone subscribers have to be at least 18 years of age. But, underaged children get mobile phones from their parents. If the parents keep a watchful eye on their children some problems can be solved, said the minister.

Students should be made conscious at the school and family levels so that they never become negligent in their studies, the minister said.?

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend

Zam Zam Jharna Dhara
Ready Apartment

One of the finest residence with hill view & sea view & which will give you a taste of complete satisfaction of peace & prosperity?? we can called a home that inspire you is zam zam jharna dhara.

Jharna dhara is the natural friendly project of zam zam lands development ltd. offering 30 flats of ?jharna dhara? in which you will get every basic & extra ordinary requirement like natural beauty, security, nice elevation, excellent features & so on.

From ZZLD Desk
“We work as a creator. We creates peoples dream. From middle class to upper class we create 1120 sft sized flat like as a 1400 sft size. Because our architecture planning is so nice that in 1120 sft size flat we are offering 3 bed room,3 bathroom, 1 drawing come dinning,1 kitchen and verandah. And the specialty is those are not congested. ZZLD is be formed by some excellent & enthusiastic professionals who are quite experienced with in this field. We are making these changes; we wanted to give you an overview of how they will affect you as you build application on ZZLD.”
Our consideration as follows:

Good contemporary decorating style.
Excellent interior which will create a cozy, vibrant, subdued mood.
Fine color scheme.
Special features & elevation.
And last but not the list a good natural environment.
Call: 0088-01824800312..01824800313

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend

A major independent review on Bangladesh economy rated the government’s achievements in financial sector high, but raised concern about increasing inflation as it poses a big threat to economic stability.
Researchers at the country’s leading think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) carried out the survey, bringing into accounts the status of all the major areas of the economy in the past one year.
The review especially focused on the fiscal targets for 2009-10, evaluated the achievements and identified major future challenges with recommendations for both short-term and long-term remedies.

Inflation can soon emerge as a major concern for Bangladesh as prices of staples like rice are increasing since October last year, says a study by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). It also says that outlook for the global recovery in the next half of the fiscal year signals that prices are expected to go up on the international market. The private research arm suggested boosting farm output by supplying enough inputs during the upcoming Boro crop season and maintain the spread of prices at different level import price, wholesale price, retail price and farm level. “Inflation can be contained by ensuring higher agricultural production or the other way is by importing food which would increase the subsidy burden,” CPD executive director Mustafizur Rahman said on Monday. Briefing the media on the released report titled State of the Bangladesh Economy in FY 2009-10, he said that the robust remittance flow could also worsen the inflationary situation. But the central bank has done a good job in maintaining the exchange rate by controlling the supply of US dollars to the market, Rahman added. Inflation rate in the recent past has been tolerable, but since October there has been upward movements of prices, reads the report. The high growth in agricultural and industrial credit along with excess liquidity in the banking sector and high reserve of foreign currency could also adversely affect inflation, according to CPD. It, however, found “overall macroeconomic stability” at a time of global economic crisis. AGRICULTURE CPD cited highest production of rice and wheat in the country’s history as the major development thanks to the government’s timely input supply and subsidies. Trends of the global food price indicate that prices would see a hike in the coming time, according to Rahman. “The USDA Rice Outlook forecast a 3 percent fall in global rice production in 2009-10 while the FAO Rice Market Monitor also predicted a decline.” But, the most crucial issue would be balancing interests of farmers and consumers, says the study. It recommended reducing production cost by input subsidies and improved technologies as well as tuning the procurement price and policies. “Procurement for Boro may be fixed at Tk 15 per kg for paddy and Tk 25 per kg for rice with a procurement target of 15000 tonnes for a balanced situation,” the CPD executive director told the briefing. INDUSTRY The study finds investments in the sector did not match the resources available in 2009. “Term loan disbursement was 9 percent higher in the July to Sep quarter of 2009, but the disbursements in large scale industries registered a low growth, only 4 percent.” Credits to SMEs, however, grew by 35 percent. CPD says that the overall sluggish investment scenario has contributed to the excess liquidity situation. Substantial increase in credit facility for domestic-market oriented industries especially, the SMEs would be a good use of the extra liquidity, says the study. Meanwhile, low level of import of raw materials and capital machineries portrayed a low expansion of business in 2009. “Uncertainties in domestic market and sluggish demand in international market have dampened its demands,” said Rahman. He emphasised public sector reform and initiatives for sick industries to foster industrial growth. POWER Power and energy crises have become the “Achillies’ heel” for Bangladesh’s industrial development, according to the study. CPD commended initiatives to boost power generation and import power from India, but said the imported amount (100 MW) would not ease the situation. It also stressed a final decision on the National Coal Policy. EXPORT CPD finds export performance “quite resilient” in FY 2008-09 as it saw a 10.28 percent rise over the last fiscal year but said achieving the export target would be a tough job. RMG exports saw negative growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. “However, stock prices of major US RMG retailers reflect rising demand of RMG in US market,” Rahman told the media. He also expressed concerns over the falling purchase power for exports. Summing up the overall scenario, Rahman said though the report has not attempted to forecast the GDP growth rate, a growth rate of between 5.5 and 6 percent would be possible if the government addresses some of the challenges mentioned by CPD. “The major challenge for the government would be maintaining vigilance against potential inflationary pressure.” CPD recommends revitalising investments, stimulating the export sector, consolidating agriculture, maintaining fiscal balance, enhancing employment and combating climate change as the key issues for the government.

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend

India and Bangladesh on Monday signed five pacts in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina to add impetus to the bilateral ties that had been on the upswing since the last one year.

In a series of high-level meetings, Ms. Hasina assured New Delhi that Dhaka would not allow its soil to be used as a base of operations by groups inimical to India, her Advisor, Abul Kalam Azad, said.

The five agreements relate to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons, fight against terror, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking, power cooperation and cultural exchange programmes.

?We are confident that this visit would serve to underline that strong India-Bangladesh relations are vital; not just for both our countries, but for the entire region and the international community,? noted Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

?The intention is to put in place mechanisms that would be irreversible regardless of the nature of the regimes in both countries,? said official sources.

The two sides also discussed an Indian credit line to build railway track in Bangladesh, an easier trading and investment environment and assistance in dredging of rivers.

Ms. Hasina, who arrived here on a four-day state visit on Sunday, began her official engagements by laying a wreath at Rajghat, samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, she called on President Pratibha Patil.

Before the delegation-level talks with Dr. Singh, during which the five agreements were signed, she met United Progressive Alliance chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi Prize

On Tuesday, Ms. Hasina will be conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The same day, she will call on the ailing former Prime Minister, I. K. Gujral.

Analysts greet govt’s foreign policy

As the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ends the first year in power, analysts say Bangladesh’s foreign policy witnessed a dimension after seven “sterile years”.

“When she (Hasina) had assumed office in 1996, she laid the foundation of a fruitful or result-oriented foreign policy through several concrete steps … maintaining a win-win situation instead of conflicts,” former foreign secretary Faruq A Choudhury said.

But, he said, the country then witnessed subsequent “seven years” when Bangladesh’s image abroad was belittled with different stigmas while it remained the “most corrupt nation of the world” or “terrorism infested” country.

“Sheikh Hasina picked up the thread again” after the installation of her Awami League-led government after the last year’s election after two years of emergency rule under a military backed administration, said Choudhury in an interview with BSS Wednesday.

The former diplomat particularly referred to the crucial ties with neighbouring India saying Dhaka could develop a “multidimensional equation” with New Delhi, which is desired for a country like Bangladesh that is virtually India-surrounded country.

The former diplomat termed as very crucial the forthcoming visit of the premier to India saying it could reach Dhaka-New Delhi ties to a new course “though everything cannot be achieved through a single visit”.

Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of the International Relations Department of Dhaka University also termed as “very crucial” the ties with India and appreciated the correct identification of and bringing forward the issues in the bilateral ties.

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend

After one year evaluation ,the awami govt leading the governance in right track ,seems so.Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith expressed at parliament on Tuesday that the government targeted 8 percent GDP growth by 2013.

In answer of a MP, he said the government wants to raise GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate to 8 percent by 2013. “Investment rate will be increased to 30.32 percent of GDP to attain the target.”

Referring to estimates that the country attained 5.9 percent GDP growth in the first half of 2009-10 fiscal year, he said: “Such growth has been achieved offsetting the negatives of the global economic meltdown.

The minister said sustainable growth in agriculture sector, increase in investment by both private and public sectors, and recovery of the world economy have prompted the government to project 6 percent growth for the current fiscal year.

Mentioning that national savings rose to 32.4 percent of the GDP in 2008-09 fiscal year, he hoped GDP growth would be expedited with the transformation of savings into investment.

Muhith said emphasis is being given to ensuring smooth supply of power and gas, development of infrastructure, full implementation of annual development programme (ADP), and fastening private sector investment for raising the GDP growth rate.

To another question by Sheikh Afiluddin (Jessore-1), the minister said per capita burden of foreign loan of Bangladeshi people has stood at around 150 US dollars.

He said the population of the country was 142.4 million in 2007-08 fiscal year, when the per capita loan burden was 149.54 dollars.

Answering a question by Md Mojibul Haq (Kishoreganj-3), Muhith said different development agencies and donor countries disbursed 1046.21 million dollars as loans and another 133.37 million as grants for Bangladesh during July-November period of the current fiscal year.

To a question by ABM Ashrafuddin (Lakshmipur-4), he said development agencies and donor countries pledged 2507 million dollars for Bangladesh during the fist year of the present government.

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend

?Bangladesh Goverment made up policy to reach food sfety level. but having some processing complex many time our system falls? in ?some obstragle.

Bangladesh’s state grains buyer has issued a new international tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of wheat, European traders said on Monday.

Any origin worldwide will be accepted from the 2009 crop year.

The tender deadline is Feb. 9 and bids must remain valid up to Mar. 2. Shipment must take place within 60 days of contract signing.

Bangladesh has in past months issued a series of wheat tenders in the international market but some were later cancelled including those issued in September and October. The country has a long process of purchase approval which goes up to cabinet level. [ID:nDHA480967]

It also has issued a tender for 100,000 tonnes of wheat closing on Jan. 18. [ID:nDHA518809] A further tender for 70,000 tonnes closes on Feb. 4. [ID:nSGE5BM07Y]

Another previous tender for 60,000 tonnes which closed on Jan. 4 was believed to have been cancelled after the latest inquiry for 100,000 tonnes was issued, traders said. [ID:nDHA480967]

Bangladesh plans to buy 750,000 tonnes of wheat in the year to June 2010 to replenish stocks, food ministry officials have said.

Traders say Bangladesh is buying more wheat this year because of lower global prices while domestic production is stagnating at around 1 million tonnes. (Reporting by Michael Hogan; editing by James Jukwey)

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend