gurumia.com » Chittagong port

Hazardous cargo discharging at Ctg port still not resolved

guru — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:36:58 +0000

?The meeting to resolve the problems faced by the shipping agents in getting permission to discharge hazardous cargo from the ships at Chittagong Port ended without any solution Thursday.

The meeting, held at the office of Commodore Commanding of Bangladesh Navy in Chittagong, was chaired by Commodore Nizam. It was attended by representatives from Chittagong Port Authority, Chittagong Custom House, BGMEA and Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) along with other stakeholders.

The failure to resolve the issue will push the shipping agents to take a tough decision of not loading any dangerous cargo at the load points to avoid unnecessary delay in discharging at the port, said BSAA chairman Ahsanul Huq Chowdhury.

The shipping agents have alleged that the Naval Authority does not give them permission to discharge hazardous cargo due to lack of proper import documents.

“Such refusals cause unnecessary delay in discharging cargo from the vessels, and also affect the ready-made garments (RMG) industries, as some hazardous cargo contain dyes and chemicals imported for the sector,” he added.

By Blogsdna

US donates 16 defender boats to Bangladesh Navy

guru — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:04:06 +0000

In the way to the better relation with Bangladesh and American navy,The United States on Tuesday donated sixteen 25-feet (eight meter) Defender Class Boats to Bangladesh Navy aiming to enhance counter-terrorism abilities.In the largest delivery of coastguard boats to a nation, the US today donated 16 defender vessels to Bangladesh navy to enhance its counter terrorism capacity and secure maritime boundary.

According to the US embassy in Dhaka, the US government provided the boats at Bangladesh’s request to improve the ability of Bangladesh Navy and the Coast Guard to disrupt criminal organizations and transnational terrorist groups seeking to exploit Bangladesh?s maritime borders

The US Ambassador to the country James F Moriarty handed over the boats to Bangladesh Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations Rear Admiral M F Habib at the southeastern Chittagong Port.

The first sixteen boats are expected to significantly improve the maritime interdiction and counter terrorism capabilities of Bangladesh?s new Navy Special Operations Force.

“A process is underway to handover five more such 25-feet boats to Bangladesh Coast Guard.

By Blogsdna

Closer co-op with deals on gas, agriculture ,China -Babgladesh

guru — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:21:25 +0000

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2010.

China and Bangladesh signed a series of agreements on oil, gas, mineral and agricultural cooperation during a four-day official visit to China by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The two countries issued a joint statement in Beijing on Friday, in which both sides agreed to build a “closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation” to better contribute to regional and world peace and counter global challenges.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties. The two countries would hold commemorative activities in Beijing and Dhaka to further enhance bilateral friendship, the statement said.

While maintaining high-level contacts and political ties, the two countries planned to take active measures to expand bilateral trade, ease the trade imbalance and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure.

China is to provide preferential tariff treatment to more Bangladeshi products, while Bangladesh would encourage more enterprises to participate in the Shanghai World Expo and other commodity fairs in China to boost exports, the statement said.

The two countries also signed agreements on a concessional loan offered by China to Bangladesh and the construction of the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge at Kajirtek.

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Wu Bangguo (R) meets with visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Beijing,

The two countries would carry out cooperation in hybrid rice cultivation technology, farm products processing and technical personnel training, according to the statement.

Moreover, both sides decided to strengthen cooperation on flood control, disaster alleviation, water resources management and hydrological data sharing, it said.

Bangladesh hoped China would launch a communications satellite for Bangladesh in the near future and China expressed interest in cooperating, said the statement.

A team of Chinese medical experts would visit Bangladesh to offer free medical treatment to cataract patients. China agreed to increase the number of scholarships to Bangladeshi students.

The Bangladeshi side reiterated the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing China, and Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of Chinese territory, said the statement.

During her stay in Beijing, Hasina met with President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, and held official talks with Premier Wen Jiabao. Leaders of both countries discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation and collective initiatives to counter global challenges such as climate change

By Blogsdna

CHINA – BANGLADESH Relation Upgradations

guru — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:08:23 +0000

Bangladesh on Thursday signed three accords with China aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, technology and infrastructure.

In addition, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on oil and energy cooperation.
Beijing has assured Dhaka of extending duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao made the assurance at official talks with prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the Great Hall in Beijing on Thursday evening.

Bangladesh is supposed to have duty-free access for around 90 products to China under a SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Agreement) agreement signed in Bangkok in 2006. But the 90 items do not include Bangladesh’s main export items.

The prime minister’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told journalists after the talks that the two leaders discussed bilateral, regional and international issues.

During the talks, Wen Jiabao said he hoped the two countries would enhance cooperation for safeguarding peace, stability and development of South Asia.

Azad said Hasina requested her Chinese counterpart to extend financial support for development projects, cooperation for power and agricultural sector, and technical assistance for achieving the development targets, and the Jiabao assured her of offering the support and assistance.

During the talks, Bangladesh signed three accords and a memorandum of understanding with China for cooperation in economy, technology, infrastructure and energy.

The three accords are: Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, Framework Agreement on Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory, and the Agreement on the 7th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.

They were signed during the official talks between the visiting Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall in Beijing, foreign minister Dipu Moni told journalists.

Dipu Moni, industries minister Dilip Barua and communications minister Syed Abul Hossain signed the accords and ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmad signed the MoUs on behalf of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina, now in the capital on a five-day visit to China, started her official talks with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao at around 6pm (local time) at the Great Hall.

Besides, the two prime ministers discussed a number of projects, including the Chittagong-Kunming railway and road links through Myanmar, second Padma Bridge, deep seaport in Chittagong, eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, capacity-building in agriculture, telecommunications and solar energy.

Hasina sought enhanced Chinese investment in Bangladesh that might contribute to reducing the trade gap, now heavily in favour of China.

Later in the eveing, she is expected to attend a banquet hosted by Wen.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina arrived at Beijing Wednesday midnight (local time) on a Biman Bangladesh airline flight.

Chinese assistant foreign minister for South Asia, Hu Zhengyue, received her at the airport.

The Bangladesh PM is expected to meet with Chinese president Hu Jintao and National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo on Friday.

The PM will address a meeting of Chinese and Bangladeshi businessmen people Friday morning.

She is expected to visit Kunming during the visit. The capital of Yunan province will serve as one end of the proposed trans-border road and rail link with China connecting Kunming with Chittagong through Myanmar.

China and Bangladesh Thursday agreed to set up closer ties of comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached the agreement after their talks in Beijing.

Wen said the two nations always supported each other in major issues concerning national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties. Wen said China would work with the country to expand cooperation and push forward bilateral relations.

Wen hoped that the two nations would enhance high-level exchanges and strengthen consultations, in a bid to safeguard peace, stability and development of South Asia.

China and Bangladesh should also make efforts to expand bilateral trade. Wen said the Chinese government supported its domestic companies investing in Bangladesh, and joining in the construction of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructure.

Wen proposed the two nations increase cooperation in agriculture, poverty reduction and disaster relief, saying that China would continue assisting Bangladesh economically and technologically.

Wen hoped the two nations would enhance cultural exchanges, and make joint efforts to safeguard the fundamental interests of developing countries in major issues related to the United Nations reform and climate change.

Hasina spoke highly of China’s achievements in social progress, and expressed appreciation for China’s support to her country’s economic and social development.

Bangladesh would work with China to promote cooperation in agriculture, tourism and infrastructure construction, and to enhance coordination in major international and regional issues, she said.

The prime minister reiterated her country’s firm adherence to the one-China policy.

The two prime ministers witnessed the signing of four bilateral documents on economic and technological cooperation, preferential loans, bridge building and natural gas cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni Thursday afternoon to discuss bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

Hasina is in China on an official visit from March 17 to 21 at the invitation of Premier Wen.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni, communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, industries minister Dilip Barua and state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Dipankar Talukdar are accompanying the prime minister.

Besides a 16-member government delegation, another delegation of eminent citizens, businesspersons and journalists were also included in Hasina’s entourage.

Hasina is scheduled to return home on March 21.

By Blogsdna

PM Sheikh Hasina Starts today for China.

guru — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:05:06 +0000

China always carry the Friendly support to Bangladesh .Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Beijing this afternoon for a five-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. This is her first visit to China since Awami League-led government assumed office in January 2009.
Bangladesh will seek around $2.2 billion assistance from China for its 12 projects for infrastructure development and setting up of a fertiliser factory during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit.
The projects include construction of Second Padma Bridge at an estimated cost of $579 million, Karnaphuli Tunnel at a cost of $289 million, single line metre-gauge railway track from Chittagong to Gundum near Myanmar border at a cost of $210 million, Second Meghna-Gomti Bridge at a cost of $125 million, a railway bridge with a dual-gauge double track over the river Jamuna at a cost of $172 million and Kazirtek Bridge over Arialkha river at an estimated cost of $22 million.
?We hope the Chinese authorities would consider some of the projects, if not all,? Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain told The Daily Star yesterday. He said discussions would also take place about the purchases of passenger carriages and commuter trains.
During the talks, Bangladesh will also seek financial assistance for setting up the Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory Limited at an estimated cost of $600 million. Earlier the government in the face of growing demand for fertiliser decided to set up the factory in Fenchuganj.
Hasina will hold official talks with the Chinese premier tomorrow at the Great Hall where she will be given a formal reception. The next day Hasina will hold a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.
Hasina will also meet the Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress. On her way back Hasina will fly to Kunming to see for herself the proposed Chittagong-Kunming road and railway links.
Construction of a regional highway by linking Kunming with Chittagong via Myanmar will get priority during the visit. Aiming to establish the connectivity, Bangladesh has already constructed a road up to Gundum border.
Three agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries during the trip. The agreements are: Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, Framework Agreement on Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory and Agreement on Seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.
Sources in the prime minister’s office said Bangladesh would seek Chinese support to resolve bilateral issues with Myanmar like settling maritime boundary and Rohingya repatriation.
Dhaka may request Beijing to help Bangladesh build the planned deep-sea port. Purchase of military hardware from China may also come up in the discussion, they hinted.
They said Bangladesh might also place some specific proposals, including increasing investment in Bangladesh and allowing duty-free excess of more goods to Chinese market, in an attempt to reduce the existing huge trade imbalance of $3.5 billion.
The high-profile visit is considered as a very significant step in boosting economic ties between the two countries.
Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Dipankar Talukdar will be in the 16-member official delegation. Some eminent citizens, a business delegation and AL leaders will also accompany her.

By Blogsdna

Sheikh Hasina to embark on a landmark visit to China -this week

guru — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:34:14 +0000

For bangladesh current economy resulting ,China has great impect in various matter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to China is very important .
“We attach great importance to prime minister’s visit to China as Bangladesh and China are trusted friends. We have cordial and friendly relations,” Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said.

Briefing reporters on the visit, Moni said that after the new government assumed power in January 2009, the Chinese government sent a special representative to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed strong desire to work together.

Moni said Bangladesh also wants to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation with China .

On the sidelines of the world climate change conference in Copenhagen last year, Hasina had meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.

The foreign minister said apart from Sheikh Hasina’s visit, a number of cultural exchange programs will take place this year marking the 35th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Dhaka and Beijing.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will embark on a landmark visit to China this week to boost bilateral ties and enhance economic and technical cooperation.

During Hasina’s five-day tour from March 18, coming soon after her successful India visit in January, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign at least three treaties to boost economic and technical cooperation.

“We consider the tour very important in overall consideration … we have thousand years of ties with China as it is with India,” Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told mediapersons on Sunday.

Asked if Dhaka?s endevour to enhance political and economic cooperation with China could affect its existing good ties with New Delhi, she said: “It?s not true that if we have good relations with India, we cannot build up relationship with China”.

She said the visit was planned coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Dhaka-Beijing relations.

The minister said the two countries were expected ink at last three pacts on economic and technical cooperation, framework on a fertiliser factory and the seventh Bangladesh-China friendship bridge during the visit.

She underlined that railway and road connectivity between the two countries was expected to dominate the talks between Hasina and her Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao on March 18.

Replying to a question whether Dhaka would allow Beijing to use its Chittagong Port facility as it was offered to India, Moni said the government wanted to upgrade the facility, enhancing its efficiency and capacity to be used by regional countries.

The foreign minister said the proposed Chittagong-Kunming railway and road links appeared as a crucial issue.

“China proposed the link (through Myanmar), and we accepted it,” she said.

The foreign minister said “Bangladesh will need China” for the proposed deep sea port in the Bay of Bengal as part of the ‘Look East Policy’ initiated by the past BNP-led regime. She said ‘Look East Policy’ was being pursued by the incumbent government for national interest.

Asked if a defence pact between the two countries could be signed during the premier?s visit, Moni said being an ardent follower of non-alignment, Bangladesh wanted enmity with no country.

However, she said the two countries have had a long-standing cooperation in defence sector which was expected to continue in future.

She hoped to use the Chinese good office to resolve its dispute with Myanmar on the maritime boundary.

“We may also seek Chinese good office in resolving our dispute on maritime boundary with Myanmar because of its good relations with our country,” Moni underlined.

Bangladesh would also make effort to bridge the trade gap with China through increased Chinese investment in the country. China is the biggest trade partner of Bangladesh.

The two countries currently have a two way USD 4.6 billion trade relations with a gap of USD 3.5 billion largely in favour of China.

She said the huge trade gap could not be easily removed by enhancing Bangladesh?s exports alone. Dhaka would seek increased Chinese investments to reduce the gap with Beijing.

Zhang Lei, the chief of political section of Chinese embassy here earlier today said Beijing was set to allow duty free access of Bangladeshi products from July 1 this year under a policy for least developed countries.

PTI

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will embark on a landmark visit to China this week to boost bilateral ties and enhance economic and technical cooperation.