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BANGLADESH
CELEBRATING45 years of Danish diplomatic relations
REASONS TO VISIT BEAUTIFUL BANGLADESH
INDEPENDENCE DAY SUPPLEMENT
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT IN BANGLADESH
DISCOVER
President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal ● Editor: David Nothling-Demmer ● Layout: Lyndsay Jensen
Commercial Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411 ● Picture credit for images: iStock & Bangledesh Embassy.
TThe great Independence Day is a glorious one in our national life. On this historic day, I re-call with profound respect, Father of the Na-tion Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who proclaimed our country’s independence on March 26, 1971 after inspiring the whole nation with Bangladeshi nationalism and preparing them for independence. Under his charismatic leadership, we achieved our much awaited in-dependence through a nine-month long armed struggle. Today, I pay my deep tributes to the martyrs and valiant sons of the soil, who made the supreme sacrifices in the war of liberation. I also recall with deep reverence our four Nation-al Leaders, valiant freedom-fighters, organisers, supporters and people from all walks of life
for their unmatched valour, immense contribu-tions and courageous role that accelerated the achievement of our victory. I remember with deep respect our foreign friends who extended their wholehearted support directly and indi-rectly in our war of liberation in 1971. The contri-butions of all would be written in golden letters in the history of our independence forever.
One of the prime objectives of our hard-earned independence was to build a happy and pros-perous Bangladesh. Keeping that in mind, the present Government has been rendering un-tiring efforts in materialising the objectives of independence. The growth rate of GDP and per capita income is increasing constantly and the rate of poverty is decreasing. In the meantime, we have achieved some significant progress in the fields of agriculture, education, health, rural infrastructure, communication, energy and power, trade & commerce, ICT and SME sectors. It is notable that our country has at-tained food-sufficiency owing to the huge de-velopment in agriculture. We have also been able to export food grains on a small scale. The pace of advancement in the sector of empow-erment of women, youth & sports is continu-ing. The mega project of the Padma Bridge is underway by our own resources. At the same time we have also attained remarkable de-velopment in the private sector including the
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF BANGLADESH
On the occasion of our great Independence and National Day, I extend my heart-
felt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home
and abroad.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
areas of readymade garments, pharmaceuti-cals, ceramic and ship-building industry. The country’s financial sector along with Bank and Insurances has been expanded. Bangladesh is now being branded as a role model of devel-opment in the outside world. Our achievement in the international arena is also commend-able. Our expatriate Bangladeshis, have also been making significant contributions to our national economy through sending their hard-earned remittances. Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence. I believe that sincere and concerted efforts from all strata irrespective of party affiliation are imperative to reach the goals.
The people of our country have a great love for democracy, development and peace. They do not support any sort of violence including militancy and terrorism. We should keep in mind that the thriving of democracy and its in-stitutionalisation is very important for attain-ing overall development. Therefore, we have to maintain patience, self-restraint, and for-bearance in our national life along with show-ing respect to others’ opinion in a democratic pluralism. I hope that people from all strata would play their due role from their respective positions to attain the objectives of independ-ence and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of our people. Father of the Nation Bangaband-hu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of trans-forming Bangladesh into ‘Sonar Bangia’. The present Government has set ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041’ to materialise Bangabandhu’s dream into reality. It is my expectation that people from all walks of life would contribute towards building an IT-based, happy and pros-perous Bangladesh through implementing the Vision by the golden jubilee celebration of our independence.
On this auspicious day of independence, I urge all, living at home and abroad, to work united-ly imbued with the spirit of the War of Libera-tion and democratic norms to expedite further progress and democratic advancement of the country.
Khoda Hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever.Md. Abdul Hamid
H.E. Md. Abdul Hamid
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal ● Editor: David Nothling-Demmer ● Layout: Lyndsay Jensen
Commercial Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411 ● Picture credit for images: iStock & Bangledesh Embassy.
TThe 26th of March is the day of earning self-iden-
tity of our nation. It’s the day of breaking the
shackles of subjugation. On the eve of our In-
dependence Day, I recall with deep gratitude
the greatest Bangladeshi of all time, Father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rah-
man, under whose undisputed leadership we
earned our beloved independence. I pay my
deep homage to the three million martyrs and
200 thousand women who lost their innocence
in the War of Liberation. I also pay my trib-
utes to four national leaders who led the War
of Liberation. My homage goes to the valiant
freedom fighters, including the wounded ones.
I extend my sympathies to those who had lost
their near and dear ones, and were subjected to
brutal torture during the war. I recall with grati-
tude our foreign friends who had extended their
whole-hearted support and cooperation for the
cause of our liberation.
The Bangladeshi nation had fought against Pa-
kistani rulers’ oppression and deprivation for as
long as 23 years under the leadership of Bang-
abandhu. They were compelled to hold gen-
eral elections in 1970. The Bangladesh Awami
League, led by Bangabandhu won overwhelm-
ing majority in the elections. But the Pakistani
rulers, instead of handing over the power to the
majority party in a democratic way, launched
repressive measures against them. Bangaband-
hu in his 7th March historic address at the then
Racecourse Maidan declared, “The struggle of
this time is for freedom, the struggle for this
time for our independence.” He instructed the
Bangladeshi nation to resist their enemies.
The occupation forces unleashed a sudden at-
tack and started killing innocent and unarmed
Bangladeshis on the black night of the 25th
March 1971. They killed thousands of people in
cities and towns, including Dhaka. The Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman officially proclaimed the independ-
ence of Bangladesh at the first hour of the 26th
March 1971. Bangabandhu’s proclamation was
spread all over the country through telegrams,
tele-printers and EPR wireless. The internation-
al media also had circulated Bangabandhu’s
proclamation of independence. Under the brave
and dauntless leadership of Bangabandhu, we
earned the ultimate victory on the 16th Decem-
ber 1971 after a nine-month bloody war.
The independence earned through supreme sacrifices of millions of people is the greatest achievement of the Bangladeshi nation. To en-sure that this achievement remains meaningful, we all have to know the history of our great liberation war and retain the spirit of independ-ence. The history has to be passed on from gen-eration to generation.
Being imbued with the spirit of the freedom struggle, the Awami League government has been working relentlessly to develop the coun-try. During the last eight years, we have imple-mented expected development programmes in all sectors. As a result, Bangladesh has emerged as a ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic development. We will turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a devel-oped one by 2041, Insha Allah.
We have executed the verdict of the killing case of Bangabandhu and most of his family mem-bers. The verdicts of cases against those who committed crimes against humanity are also being executed. Our government is maintain-ing a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to tackle militancy and terrorism. We have stopped the takeover of power in an undemocratic way through the 15th amendment of constitution. On this auspicious day, I urge our countrymen to foil any plot of the anti-liberation, communal forces and an-ti-development and anti-democracy forces to-gether.
Being imbued with the spirit of our great libera-tion war, let us take a fresh vow to advance our country’s development and democracy. Let us join our hands to build a non-communal, hun-ger, poverty-free, happy and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangia’ as dreamt by the Father of the nation. On this historic day, this is our commitment.
Joi Bangla, Joi BangabandhuMay Bangladesh Live Forever.Sheikh Hasina
ADVANCING BANGLADESH IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR GREAT LIBERATION: A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER
I convey my heartiest greetings and
congratulations to my countrymen
as well as all expatriate Bangla-
deshis on the occasion of the great
Independence and National Day of
Bangladesh.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
H.E. Sheikh Hasina
3
4
II recall the supreme sacrifices made by the
three million martyrs. I also pay my deep re-
spect to the two hundred thousand women
who sacrificed their honour for our freedom. My
sympathy goes to those families who lost their
near and dear ones during the Liberation War.
We also express our gratitude to the wounded
freedom fighters.
I also pay my gratitude to people from all walks
of life and especially the members of the dip-
lomatic front who, during and after our Liber-
ation War, played a courageous role that laid
the ground for obtaining moral, financial and
military support from the global community in
favour of the Liberation War. Enormous contri-
butions from our foreign friends have been writ-
ten in golden letters in the history of our Liber-
ation War; we are privileged to recognise their
contribution and bestow honour as “Friends of
Bangladesh”.
Bangabandhu’s daughter and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina have declared ‘Vision2021’ (to
build a middle-income country by 2021) and
‘Vision-2041’ (to build a developed country by
2041) in line with the spirit of the Liberation
War and the dream of the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build
a ‘Sonar Bangia’ (Golden Bengal). We have
since then attained the status of a lower middle
income country and are on track to become a
middle income country well before 2021.
Bangladesh was acclaimed as a ‘role model’ af-
ter successfully achieving many of the ‘Millenni-
um Development Goals’ (MDGs). The 71st United
Nations General Assembly last year adopted
the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs).
Even before that we had already started work-
ing to align our national plan in line with the
agenda 2030. With Bangabandhu’s daughter
and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the helm
of affairs, Bangladesh will be on course to meet
the objectives and targets under the SDGs.
I thank all the members of the Ministry of For-
eign Affairs and our Missions abroad who have
been working with sincerity, dedication and
commitment in achieving our foreign policy ob-
jectives and implementing development goals. I
also congratulate the Bangladeshi Diaspora in
every corner of the world which is immensely
contributing to the strengthening of the image
of Bangladesh.
I may add that the Bangladesh Parliament on
the 11th of March 2017, unanimously adopted a
Resolution declaring 25th March as the “Day
of Genocide”. We should, therefore, renew our
pledge to work for the country from our respec-
tive positions imbued with the spirit of Libera-
tion War to build the ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden
Bengal) of Bangabandhu’s dream.
Joy Bangla!
Joy Bangabandhu!
Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, M.P.
RENEWING THE PLEDGE TO BUILD THE ‘SONAR BANGLA’A MESSAGE FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTER
On this day, 46 years back, the
greatest Bangladeshi of all time, and
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed
independence of Bangladesh in the
early hours of March 26, 1971. Peo-
ple from all walks of life responded
to his clarion call, participated in
the War of Liberation and achieved
victory on 16 December, 1971 to give
us an independent Bangladesh. On
the occasion of the 46th anniversary
of the Independence and National
Day, I convey my heartfelt greetings
and warm wishes to my compatri-
ots living at home and abroad.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
H.E. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali
5
A MESSAGE OF REFLECTION FROM THE STATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Today is 26 March – our great Independence Day. This is the day of breaking
of the shackles of 24 years of subjugation; a day of reaching the enlightened
world from the abyss of darkness. On this very day in 1971 the Bangladeshi nation
started the War of Liberation against the misrule, exploitation and torture of the
Pakistani autocratic brutal ruler with the clarion call of our Father of the Nation,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
history of our Liberation War.
The Government of Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina has been working tirelessly to materi-
alise the dream of the Father of the Nation for
a secular as well as hunger – and poverty-free
prosperous Bangladesh. As a result, Bangla-
desh is marching forward with US$ 1466 per
capita income, more than 7.1% growth rate
and US$ 32 billion of foreign currency reserve.
Today, Bangladesh is a role model to the out-
side world. These changes in Bangladesh are
towards prosperity and welfare. And, you, my
expatriate brothers and sisters are a part of
this onward movement. Today’s more than
US$ 14.91 Billion of remittance is the outcome
of your love for the motherland as well as
your families. This remittance is contributing
significantly to the development process of
Bangladesh.
To keep up with this pace of development we
all will be working unitedly under “Vision 2021”
declared by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina to transform Bangladesh into a middle
income country by 2021 and follow the path of
development to take Bangladesh to the level
of a developed country by 2041. We pledge
this on this day of independence.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.
Md. Shahriar Alam, M.P.
OOn this very day, I recall with deep reverence
the great Hero and the greatest Bangladeshi
of all time, the Father of the Nation Bangab-
andhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman whose vigorous
leadership inspired the Bangladeshi nation in
the War of Liberation. I pay my homage to our
three million martyrs and two hundred thou-
sand mothers and sisters whose supreme sac-
rifice and dishonour ushered us an independent
and sovereign Bangladesh coloured in red and
green. I remember all the martyrs of all the
movements and struggles; including from the
anti-colonial movement to the historical lan-
guage movement and mass upsurge of 1969 –
whose blood coloured our homeland and their
memory is shining in our national flag. The
achievement of our independence has made
these sacrifices glorious and meaningful.
The occupation forces unleashed a sudden at-
tack and started killing innocent and unarmed
Bangladeshi on the black night of the 25th
March 1971. They killed thousands of people
in cities and towns, including Dhaka. The pres-
ent Parliament on 11 March 2017 unanimously
adopted a resolution to observe 25 March as
“Day of Genocide” marking the brutality car-
ried out by the Pakistani Army on the black
night of March 25, 1971.
26 March is a day to remember the great lead-
er Bangabandhu Sheikh Muj ibur Rahman, war
heroes and their contributions as well as to
take oath to realise the spirit of our Liberation
War which motivated the Bangladeshi Nation
in its supreme sacrifices. This is also an occa-
sion to introduce a new generation to the true
H. E. Md. Shahriar Alam
6
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
CELEBRATING THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH DENMARK: LOOKING AHEAD TO A GREENER FUTURE
OOn the eve of the 46th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, I recall with profound respect the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who proclaimed independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of 26th March 1971. I
also pay deep homage to the three million martyrs and two hundred thousand women who sacrificed their honour during the
nine-month long liberation war that resulted in laying the foundation of a secular, progressive and democratic Bangladesh.
Once labelled as a ‘bottomless basket’ by some soon after 1971, Bangladesh’s development trajectory now, by many metrics, is a unique success story.
Although the improvement in Bangladesh’s growth rate since 1990 is impressive, which averaged more than 6% continuously for the last 12 years de-
spite global economic volatility, it does not fully explain the country’s extraordinary results with regard to social development. Women empowerment
which has a major emphasis in the development programmes and is considered key to addressing poverty, has been one of the most significant gains
achieved in Bangladesh.
The opening of the resident Bangladesh Embassy in Copenhagen in 2015 bears testimony to a burgeoning partnership between Bangladesh and Den-
mark. Bilateral trade is now close to the billion-dollar mark which is, however, in our favour by a big margin. We are now looking forward to expanding
our export basket to increase the share of non-traditional items like ocean-going ships, ceramics, leather goods, pharmaceuticals and IT products and
services. At the same time, Bangladesh is ready to welcome increased investment from Denmark in sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency
and resource optimisation, green solutions to industrialisation, infrastructure, IT etc.
Keeping in sight the looming climate change debacle, the Government of Bangladesh is looking forward to a wider and deeper engagement with
Danish private and public sectors to secure and promote green growth in Bangladesh. During the first ever bilateral visit by any Bangladesh Foreign
Minister to Denmark, Foreign Minister A. H. Mahmood Ali, in a joint press statement issued in Copenhagen on 05 September 2016 said that, “In line with
the global transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and taking into account the need for departure from “business as usual”, we need
to revitalise our bilateral cooperation through development of a broad-based strategic partnership for 2030 agenda for sustainable development. In
that pursuit, we want to learn from the Danish experiences and expertise in building public private partnerships, particularly in green growth by adopt-
7
ing green and clean energy initiatives.” We are
now looking forward to successfully hosting of
a Green Growth Conference in Dhaka in the last
week of April 2017 and bringing all private and
public sector stakeholders from Denmark and
Bangladesh on board to take the existing co-
operation on green issues to a whole new level.
In our Trade/Investment-Not-Aid/Assistance
policy we have underpinned trade & investment
as the engine of growth and development. Both
development and growth of the private sector
remain a cornerstone of our development strat-
egy and we continue to liberalise our trade re-
gime and investment policies, through reduction
of interest rates and cost of doing business. We
are committed to removing infrastructural bot-
tlenecks quickly, including modernising existing
port facilities, building deep sea ports and en-
suring unfettered supply of power. Investment
has been made attractive with liberal fiscal
policies that include tax holiday, concession-
ary duty on import of machinery, remittance of
royalty, technical knowhow and technical assis-
tance fee, 100% foreign equity, unrestricted exit
policy, full repatriation facilities of dividend and
capital on exit etc. In this regard, I invite Dan-
ish businesses to take advantage of the newly
established 100 special economic zones (SEZs)
across the country, where government is pro-
viding real-time, one-stop services to promote
faster economic growth.
Bangladesh is on its way to becoming an indus-
trialised, digitalised, middle income country by
realising its ‘Vision 2021’ by the golden jubilee
year of its independence, as envisaged by Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina and a developed coun-
try by 2041. Bangladesh has already graduated
to a Low Middle Income Country. As Bangla-
desh strives to achieve those goals, it is high
time that Danish companies benefit from this
emergent prospect. And, Bangladesh is now
well-poised to offer a win-win scenario in terms
of opportunities and benefits for such ventures.
However, the bilateral relations between Bang-
ladesh and Denmark is much more than trade,
commerce or investment. We recall with grati-
tude the valuable moral and diplomatic support
that the people of Denmark extended during
Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971. Den-
mark opened its mission in Dhaka in 1972 and
since then it has been played an instrumental
role, as a trusted friend and development part-
ner, with its growing, vibrant and dynamic Em-
bassy in Dhaka and pro-people programmes to
win the hearts and minds of the people in Bang-
ladesh. The relationship with Denmark has fur-
ther been strengthened recently through the
signing of two Danish initiatives - a three-year
Strategic Sector Cooperation and a five-year
Development Cooperation between the two
countries. The former focuses on occupation-
al safety and health standards in Bangladesh,
particularly in the readymade garments sector
while the latter is designed to address Bangla-
desh’s development needs in line with the Sus-
tainable Development Goals and its national 7th
Five-Year Plan (2016-2021) aimed to achieve
middle-income status.
While stationed in Copenhagen, I cannot but
talk about environmental issues which Den-
mark champions in. Climate change is an un-
fortunate and inevitable reality for a country
like Bangladesh, a low-lying delta of the river
Ganges, which lies between the Himalayans in
the north and the Bay of Bengal to the south,
making it prone to climate change. Bangladesh
is contributing the least to global warming (it
emits only around 0.3% of global greenhouse
gases), but has been destined to become the
worst victim of climate change, experiencing
climatic impacts like floods and flash floods,
cyclone and storm surges, salinity intrusion, ex-
treme temperature and draught, among others.
Climate change is no longer solely an environ-
mental issue in Bangladesh; it is threatening
its hard-earned food security, and what can
be more severe than this for a country which is
only three times bigger than Denmark in area
but with a population of 160 million? Besides,
we are afraid that, one of the most dramatic
impacts will be the forced displacement of peo-
ple throughout climate vulnerable countries like
Bangladesh as a result of losing their homes,
lands, property and livelihoods to the effects
of climate change. The Bangladesh Climate
Change Strategic Action Plan 2009 predicted
that 6-8 million people in Bangladesh would be
permanently displaced by 2050. We are now
witnessing waves of refugees fleeing wars and
unrest and in 2015 only, as reported in the me-
dia, more than a million migrants and refugees
crossed into Europe. In this backdrop, we also
should not lose sight of a situation down the
road when climate refugees from the vulnera-
ble corners of the world may take the centre
stage of the global crises unless the interna-
tional community does something meaningful
before it is too late.
While in Europe, I should touch upon the issue
of migration. Bangladesh is a staunch sup-
porter and promoter of safe migration. Today
around eight million Bangladeshis are living
and working outside the country and we relent-
lessly strive for legal migration of our nationals
abroad. At the same time, we underline that,
in the globalised “flattening world” as econo-
mies rapidly get connected in so many forms,
it is time that people are allowed to move free-
ly to secure mutual benefits for all economies.
Bangladesh has been leading the global migra-
tion discussion from the front in recent years.
On 8-9 December 2016, as the chair of the
Global Forum on Migration and Development
(GFMD), Bangladesh hosted the 9th Summit of
the Forum in Dhaka which turned out to be the
biggest multilateral meeting Bangladesh had
ever hosted. With the participation of 1,000
delegates from 130 countries including more
than 200 members of international civil socie-
ties and representatives from 30 UN and other
organisations, the Forum deliberated on all the
relevant dimensions of migration - the promo-
tion of migration and development, addressing
irregular migration, and responding to forced
displacement and refugees.
Last but not the least, as a responsible mem-
ber of the globalised world, we would like to
inform the readers that we are concerned that
terrorism, both in its magnitude and diversity,
has become one of the gravest challenges to
human security. Bangladesh is now a brand
name in keeping international peace and secu-
rity through UN operations. Bangladesh con-
demns terrorism in all its forms and manifesta-
tions. Our government has been following and
will continue to follow a “zero tolerance” policy
towards terrorism and religious extremism.
We look forward to building a solid partnership
with Denmark for the mutual benefit of our two
countries in the years to come.
Long live Bangladesh-Denmark friendship!Muhammad A. Muhith is the Bangladesh Ambassador to Denmark
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
H.E. Muhammad A. Muhith
7
8
BANGLADESH: NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT
THE NEXT RISING STARBangladesh is now trying to establish itself as “the next rising star” in South Asia for foreign investment. The government has implemented a number of policy reforms designed to create a more open and competitive climate for private investment, both foreign and local.
Bangladesh has been quick on undertaking ma-jor restructure for establishing a market econo-my, with a key role played by the private sector. Its current development strategy is based on the creation and distribution of wealth through acceleration of growth, driven by competitive market forces and government-facilitating growth.
The government has speedily moved to trans-late its vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 through policy plans, such as “7th Five-year Plan,” “Perspective Plan,” the national social-security strategy, appropriate
sustainable development goals, and others. Bangladesh is consistently pursuing an open-door investment policy and playing a catalytic role to augment private investment, for which regulatory controls and constraints have been reduced to minimum level. The government has steadily liberalised its trade regime. Significant progress has been achieved in reducing non-tar-iff restrictions on trade, rationalising tariff rates and improving export incentives.
On the legal and administrative front the gov-ernment has initiated measures to give greater autonomy and independence to the judiciary – a prerequisite as viewed by investors for the restoration of confidence in the judicial system.
Relevant commercial laws, such as the Compa-ny Law, and securities laws have been updated and modernised. The Financial Reporting Act has been passed to ensure transparency of fi-nancial reporting. The Industrial Relations Act has been amended to enhance labour market efficiency.
Various pro-investor measures have been un-dertaken to match the global pace.
A WINNING COMBINATIONBangladesh is a winning combination of a com-petitive market, business-friendly environment and competitive cost structure that can yield great returns. Consider these 10 reasons why investing in Bangladesh makes good business sense:
1. Strong growth prospects: The economy of Bangladesh is currently at US$ 170 billion, which, according to the International Monetary Fund, will rise to US$ 322 billion, creating enor-mous economic opportunities.
2. Large populace of educated and motivated youth: 57 percent of the population are aged 25 years and below; high literacy rate (72 percent) among the youth aged 15-24; inspired young, who are hungry for work and growth; and two million youth entering the job market each year.
3. Strategic location, regional connectivity and worldwide access: Bangladesh is strategically located next to India, China and to the Associa-tion of Southeast Asian Nations market. As the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) comes
into force, investors enjoy duty-free access to India, along with the European Union (EU), Ja-pan and other developed countries.
4. Strong local market and growth: Bangladesh has proven itself as an attractive investment lo-cation, with its 160-million population and con-sistent economic growth for a decade, leading to strong and growing domestic demand.
5. Proven export competitiveness: Bangladesh enjoys tariff-free access to the EU, Canada and Japan. In Europe, it enjoys 60 percent of the retail market group share and is one of the top manufacturing exporters.
6. Competitive incentives: Bangladesh offers the most liberal foreign direct-investment re-gime in South Asia, allowing 100-percent for-eign equity with unrestricted exit policy, remit-tance of royalty and repatriation of equity and dividend.
7. Export and economic zones: Bangladesh offers export-oriented industrial enclaves with infrastructural and logistical support for foreign investors. A building economic zone is in the process. The country is also developing its core infrastructures, roads, highways, surface trans-port and port facilities for a better business en-vironment.
8. Positive environment: A largely homoge-nous society with people living in harmony, ir-respective of race and religion, Bangladesh is a democratic country enjoying broad bipartisan political support for private investment. A legal and policy framework for business is conductive for foreign investment.
9. Increasing trade integration: Labour cost advantage (less than half the average of other Asian economies); Already the second-largest garments exporter globally with other sectors coming up, such as: information-technology outsourcing, ceramics, light engineering, etc.
10. Increasing urbanisation: Urbanisation rate is fast and will double over the next four decades; rapid industrialisation, infrastructure develop-ment and demographic shifts. Dhaka will be the world’s fifth-largest city with a population of 19 million by 2019, according to United Nations forecasts.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
Since its birth, Bengal has harbored
the free spirit of entrepreneurs.
Muslin, spices and other premiums
have its exclusive market all over
the globe. Despite years of colonial
and oppressive rule, the economy
of Bangladesh is today positioning
itself as a destination for new busi-
ness opportunity and investment.
This has been brought on by the
steady growth of the economy over
the past decade, registering a six
percent growth, promising to reach
seven percent in years to come.
BANGLADESH’S HIDDEN STORY: A BOOMING ECONOMY
A significant piece of news emerged
from Bangladesh recently that re-
ceived little notice outside the
country. Last year for the first time,
foreign direct investment from oth-
er countries into Bangladesh sur-
passed $2 billion, a 44 percent in-
crease from the year before.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
IWritten by Sajeeb Wazed
In other words, investors increasingly see Bang-
ladesh as a smart place to put their money. And
they aren’t alone.
According to a March poll by the U.S.-based In-
ternational Republican Institute, 83 percent of
Bangladeshis surveyed said the security situa-
tion in Bangladesh is very good or somewhat
good and 77 percent believe the country is po-
litically stable. In addition, 72 percent are op-
timistic that their personal economic situation
will improve.
Top sectors for direct investment last year in
Bangladesh included the ready-made garment
industry, of course. But investors also poured
money into oil and gas, banking, telecommu-
nication and power generation. One reason is,
unlike many of its neighbors, Bangladesh has a
liberal investment regime that allows 100 per-
cent foreign investment in many sectors and an
unrestricted exit policy.
In recent years, Bangladesh’s economy has
grown at a consistent, blistering rate of more
than 6 percent, making it one of the fastest
growing economies in the world. Over the past
nine months, that pace accelerated to 7 per-
cent. Today, the Bangladeshi economy stands
at about $180 billion. According to the World
Bank, that will rise to $322 billion by 2021, cre-
ating many more scalable investment opportu-
nities.
Growth is driven by the already-well-known
ready-made garment industry. But it’s a more
dynamic industry than most people know. In
fact, it’s a mistake to continue to think of Bang-
ladesh as t-shirt maker to the world. Bangla-
desh garment manufacturers produce high-end
clothing that sells in Europe’s best boutiques.
The garment industry has fostered more than
pure economic gains. Demography has also
been a winner. Garment factories have become
the great gender leveler in society. Most em-
ployees and managers are women, which has
led to their economic empowerment and rise in
stature in society.
At the same time, the Bangladesh garment in-
dustry is developing an international reputation
for being smart and nimble. “Bangladesh offers
ease of doing business, importing-exporting is
faster. R&D on new styles is faster as you can
import fabrics in three days. In India, it would
take 10 days,” Vijay Mathur, an official with the
Indian Apparel Export Promotion Council, re-
cently told the Business Standard.
As a result, Bangladesh garment exports are
likely to hit $27 billion this year, up 10 percent
from 2015.
The economic success story of Bangladesh has
also improved the health of its citizens.
Twenty-five years ago the average Bangladeshi
could hope to live only to age 56. Today, that
figure is over 70, which is among the most nota-
ble improvements in modern history, according
to the Asia Foundation. In fact, expected lon-
gevity in Bangladesh is more than four years
longer than in neighboring India and Pakistan.
Between 2000 and 2010, the number of poor in
Bangladesh dropped 26 percent from 63 million
to 47 million. Today, the overall rate of poverty
in the country is 22 percent, down from 40 per-
cent a decade ago.
The World Bank reports that labor income has
risen while birth rates have dropped, leading to
lower dependency ratios and higher per capita
income. The World Bank recently ranked Bang-
ladesh as a lower middle-income nation for the
first time.
The economic surge started after the Awami
League, the nation’s ruling party, won in a 2008
landslide. The impressive growth has been
nurtured and sustained by smart government
programs, savvy foreign investment and the en-
trepreneurial spirit of Bangladeshis, especially
its young people who are increasingly English
speaking and digitally savvy.
The bottom line is that Bangladesh is a legit-
imate – if underreported – economic success
story, and one that is only in its beginning.
Sajeeb Wazed is the chief information technology adviser to the government of Bangladesh and the son of Prime Min-ister Sheikh Hasina. Published in Diplo-matic Courier in May 2016
9
ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE TOURISM OF BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is a country of diverse attractions, bountiful nature and friendly millions with more than a millennium of cultural
heritage. The landscape of Bangladesh looks like a magical tapestry in green woven intricately, crisscrossed by a network
of major rivers and their numerous tributaries and canals. In fact, Bangladesh is the largest riverine delta in the world. The
extensive river systems are, thus, fundamental to the country’s economy and the people’s way of life. We take you on a whirl-
wind journey through the interwoven cultural tapestry that is Bangladeshi heritage and tourism.
BIG AND BOLD CULTURE IN BANGLADESHHistory will tell you that Bangladesh has been the cradle of civilization and a centre of cultural diffusion since the dawn of history of mankind. It was
the meeting ground of various peoples in different states of civilization, the most primitive as well as the most advanced. The cultural history of Bang-
ladesh is one of the greatest and glorious heritages, for which every Bangladeshi is legitimately proud of. Each phase of the history of Bangladesh has
its distinct characteristics and every race of people who came and settled, left its individual racial, religious and cultural impacts in the form of temples,
stupas, monasteries and mosques along with their associated objects.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
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Basically an agricultural country, Bangladesh is
also steadily marching towards industrialisation
with investment from home and abroad. Bang-
ladesh is literally a multi-faced cultural collage.
Its deep-rooted heritage is amply reflected in
its architecture, literature, dance, drama, mu-
sic and painting. Influenced by great religion
- Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity -
Bangladesh has been a melting pot of diverse
races and confluence of civilizations.
Fairs and festivals, both religious and social
always play a significant role in the life of the
people of Bangladesh. Bengali New Year’s Day,
Independence Day, National Martyr’s Day, the
International Mother Language Day, Eid-ul-fitr,
Eid-ul Azha, Durga Puja, Christmas Day, Bud-
dha Purnima are a few of such occasions to
mention. Bangladesh is perhaps the only coun-
try in the world which observes official holidays
on important occassions of all religions. Beside
these, various fairs and exhibitions are held
throughout the country round the year.
Visual arts and crafts are important attractions
for tourists and can be a source of income for
residents of the tourism areas including people
living in village and rural areas. For the authen-
ticity of local arts and crafts, these arts reflect
local designs, materials and craft skills. The
whole of Bangladesh is famous for arts and
crafts. Bangladesh has developed some special
areas such as Dhamrai, Comilla, Sonargaon,
Rajshahi, which are famous for local arts and
crafts. Government has taken some institution-
al measures for developing and marketing dif-
ferent sorts of visual arts and crafts.
Traditional dance, music and drama perfor-
mances of Bangladesh are also of much in-
terest to many tourists. There are also institu-
tional training programmes in Bangladesh to
ensure high quality levels of the performances.
Bangladesh, being a newly tourism-developed
country, puts forth its best effort to find out the
techniques for the management and marketing
of its tourism at historic and cultural sites, with
particular reference to mass destinations.
The traditional music in Bangladesh shares the
perspectives of that of the Indian sub-continent.
Music in Bangladesh can be divided into three
distinct categories - classical, folk and modern.
The classical music, both vocal and instrumen-
tal is rooted in the remote-past of the sub-con-
tinent. Ustad Alauddin Khan and Ustad Ayet Ali
Khan are two names in classical instrumental
music who are internationally known. The story
of folk song abounds in spiritual lyrics of La-
lan Shah, Hasan Raja, Romesh Shill and many
anonymous lyricists. Bangla music is enriched
with Jari, Shari, Bhatiali, Murshidi and oth-
er types of folk songs. Rabindra Sangeet and
Nazrul Sangeet are Bangalees’ precious her-
itage. Modern music is also practiced widely.
Contemporary patterns have more inclinations
to the west. Pop song and band groups are also
coming up, mainly in Dhaka City.
Bangladesh has a rich tradition of Art. Speci-
mens of ancient terracotta and pottery show
remarkable artistry. Modern painting was pi-
oneered by artists like Zainul Abedin, Qamrul
Hasan, and S.M. Sultan. Zainul Abedin and S.M.
Sultan who earned worldwide fame by their
stunning sketches of the Bengal Famine in 1943.
Other famous artists of Bangladesh are Abdur
Razzak, Qayyum Chowdhury, Murtaza Baseer,
Aminul Islam, Debdas Chakraborty, Kazi Abdul
Baset, Syed Jahangir, and Mohammad Kibria.
The earliest available specimen of Bengali liter-
ature is about a thousand years old. During the
mediaeval period, Bengali Literature developed
considerably with the patronage of Muslim
rulers. Chandi Das, Daulat Kazi and Alaol are
some of the famous poets of the period. The era
of modern Bengali Literature began in the late
nineteenth century; Rabindranath Tagore, the
Nobel Laureate is a vital part of Bangalee cul-
ture. Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan
Datta, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya, Bankim
Chandra Chattopadhaya, Mir Mosharraf Hos-
sain and Kazi Ahdul Wadud are the pioneers of
modern Bengali Literature.
CULTURE AND HERITAGE SIGHTSThe other important segment of Cultural tour-
ism in Bangladesh is archaeological heritages.
Cultural tourism based on archaeological herit-
ages is being developed in a significant manner.
Since Bangladesh inherits a rich cultural herit-
age of its colourful history of more than two
and a half millennia it plays a vital role in the
development of cultural tourism in the country.
It has a good market share compared to other
segments of the tourism industry. Bangladesh
believes cultural tourism can include all prod-
ucts associated with public archaeological pro-
motion, including visits to archaeological sites,
museums, interpretation centres, re-enactments
of historical occurrences, and the rediscovery of
indigenous products, festivals, etc.
Though the total enumeration of archaeological
heritage sites in the country is not yet complete,
a survey of four divisions i.e., Rajshahi, Khulna,
Barisal and Dhaka indicates that the number of
sites of various nature and dimensions may be
more than two thousand. So far only 417 have
been declared as protected archaeological sites
for which Department of Archaeology is sup-
posed to preserve and promote. Of them about
30% are cultural mounds, which needs to be
exposed and the rest are either standing mon-
uments or exposed by archaeological excava-
tion and subsequently preserved. The latter two
categories include city site, palace, port, bridge,
road, monastery, temple, mosque, tomb, fort,
inns etc. Notable of them are Mahasthagarh
and Pundranagar in Bogra district, Mainamati
in Comilla district, 60-domed mosque (a UNE-
SCO designated World Heriatge Site in Bager-
hat district, Wari-Bateswar in Narsingdi District,
Panam City in Narayanganj, Tajhat Zamindar
Bari in Rangpur, Paharpur Monastery (also a
UNESCO designated World Heritage Site) in
Naogaon district, Kantaji Temple in Dinajpur
District, Lalbag Fort in Dhaka, etc. All these
monuments create a centre of attention to a
large number of visitors both from home and
abroad.
Overall, Bangladesh has plenty of opportunity
for developing cultural tourism. Tourists can ob-
serve harmony and peace prevailing among the
people of different religions and cultural back-
grounds in this beautiful country.
Source: Ziaul Haque Howlader – Deputy Manager of Bang-
ladesh Parjatan Corporation (Govt. Tourism Organisation).
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DOING BUSINESS IN BANGLADESH: COMPETITIVE SECTORS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Bangladesh is recognised as
having some of the most lib-
eral investment policies and
incentive regimes in South
Asia. The country has been
promoting Foreign Direct In-
vestments (FDI) for decades
and The Board of Investment
(BOI), the country’s one-
stop investment and facili-
tation agency, offers a wide
range of services to inves-
tors from conceptualisation
to product marketing ad-
vice. The BOI has identified
several competitive sectors
for investors…
BLUE ECONOMYThe concept of the Blue Economy is cur-
rently resonating among several coun-
tries across the world and Bangladesh is
perhaps now one of the most vocal ones
among them. The added enthusiasm
has been prompted by two recent ver-
dicts, handed down by the Permanent
Court of Arbitration (PCA) constituted
under UN Convention of the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) and the International
Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS) de-
limitating maritime boundaries with In-
dia and Myanmar respectively. Through
the verdicts, more than one third of the
country’s earlier total territorial area has
been added up to it allowing Bangla-
desh to exclusively exercise its own sov-
ereign right on 118,813 sq. km. of waters
extending up to 12 nautical miles of ter-
ritorial sea and a further Exclusive Eco-
nomic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles
into the sea. To keep up the momentum,
Bangladesh hosted the first ever Inter-
national Workshop on Blue Economy in
September 2014 in Dhaka and proposed
the Bay of Bengal (BoB) Partnership
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
12
for a Blue Economy. At the core of the Blue
Economy lies the idea of “optimisation of nat-
ural marine resources within ecological limits”,
and the “de-coupling of socioeconomic devel-
opment from environmental degradation”. The
new found vast area of sea has opened up a
horizon in the areas of deep sea fishing, respon-
sible harvesting of marine resources and maxi-
mum usage of fish parts on an industrial scale.
In terms of offshore gas exploration, while
Bangladesh has an impressive gas success ratio
of 3:1 (3 exploration wells drillings, resulting in
1 discovery) observed in the onshore area, the
success ratio in the offshore is less impressive,
i.e. 9:1. Until 2014, 19 exploratory wells were
drilled in BoB, resulting in only two gas dis-
coveries, i.e. the Sangu and the Kutubdia, with
small reserves. Bangladesh is yet to assess the
true potential of its offshore oil and gas pros-
pects. Major international oil and gas compa-
nies are now taking part in bids in exploring
hydrocarbon resources in the Bay of Bengal.
The Bangladesh government has taken up a
Tk. 1600 crore project to explore the marine re-
sources. Already, presence of uranium, thorium,
white clay, glass sand, metallic monazite, zir-
conium, stornium, rubidium, chromium yttrium,
nioblum and ruthium has been detected in the
Bay of Bengal.
SHIPBUILDINGShipbuilding is as natural as a Bangladeshi in-
dustry as jute production, tea-cultivation and
ready-made garments, among others; yet for a
variety of reasons it has started coming out of
the shadow only recently. In the past decades,
Bangladesh was recognised as a ship-breaking
nation but a favourable domestic setting and
global market competitiveness have contribut-
ed to what has now been witnessed as a renais-
sance in making, creating, in turn, a sector ca-
pable of earning the second-highest volume of
foreign-exchange after ready-made garments.
There are more than small 200 shipyards in
the country and the industry presently has em-
ployed more than 100,000 skilled and 150,000
semi-skilled workers. About two million people
are directly or indirectly linked to it.
The prospects for Bangladesh’s shipbuilding
industry are bright mainly due to a large pool
of practically experienced workforce (available
welders, cutters and other technical hands may
be trained quickly with codes and standards),
vast river front and quiet deep water up to sea,
low cost of human input as a major strength
and a reasonably low cost of infrastructure.
Shipbuilding yards in Bangladesh are now ex-
porting small and medium-sized ships for the
highly competitive European market.
With a dream to take the industry to the next
level, to build bigger ocean-going vessels, Bang-
ladesh has been developing its infrastructures
and investing in research and development.
With an aggressive marketing plan, the new
breed of entrepreneurs is expected to realise
this dream and firmly establish Bangladesh as
a major ship-building nation to sercure its due
place in the global industry.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYSoftware and IT service industry in Bangladesh
has crossed a long road over the last few dec-
ades. It has matured and joined the mainstream
industries. This industry is contributing signifi-
cantly in the national income and also played a
crucial role in creating high quality employment
for a sizable portion of young graduates. Con-
siderable achievements in the IT sector have
already been made over several years towards
building a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and more ini-
tiatives are coming. To fully capitalise on the
opportunities offered by the worldwide IT ex-
pansion, Bangladesh pushes heavily towards
further developing the IT sector to draw the
attention of foreign investors competing with
other technologically advanced/well-invested
Asian countries. The demographic advantage,
the stability and the social developments have
set the platform for Bangladesh to emerge as
one of the next large players in the global ser-
vice outsourcing market. As outsourcing costs in
traditional service provider countries like China,
India and Philippines are rising dramatically and
global clients are increasingly looking for diver-
sification of sourcing portfolio, Bangladesh now
presents itself with the potential of becoming
a leading outsourcing destination for software
and IT enabled services.
The largest ICT event staged in Bangladesh,
‘Digital World 2016’ held in October 2016 in
Dhaka showcased how much Bangladesh can
gain through developing ICT and ICT-related
industries. By 2021, Bangladesh shall have over
two million people working in the ICT sector
and by this time, the foreign income in this sec-
tor is expected to exceed five billion dollars. By
2025, 34 million enterprises will be established
in the e-commerce sector by small and medium
entrepreneurs and e-commerce will not be only
city-centric; rather it will grow up in the villages
of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s ICT sector has huge potential
for foreign investment. According to BASIS, at
least 30 ICT companies have been established
through joint ventures with overseas firms or
as offshore developments. The central bank
of Bangladesh - Bangladesh Bank is seeking to
double government-related ICT projects under
the Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund (EEF).
The EEF fund is managed through the Invest-
ment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), and of-
fers to fund 49 percent of project costs through
equity positions.
Approximately 250,000 professionals, majority
IT and other graduates, are employed in the in-
dustry. Over 70% of the companies are found
to be involved in development and maintenance
of software for their clients. Currently, software
and IT service companies in Bangladesh are
exporting software and related services to 60
countries including USA, Canada, UK, Sweden,
Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Japan etc.
Software applications and IT-related services
are also available in the custom business ap-
plications, contract programming services, web
content development, e-governance software
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
13
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
14
tools, data conversion and transcription servic-
es, call centres and BPO (business process out-
sourcing) services, etc.
PHARMACEUTICALThe pharmaceutical industry is one of the most
dynamic and powerful sectors in Bangladesh.
It is technologically one of the most developed
manufacturing industries and currently contrib-
utes about one percent to total GDP with great
potential for expansion. Total domestic health-
care expenditures are currently approximately
three percent of GDP, offering substantial op-
portunity for domestic pharmaceutical sales in
addition to exports. Increased education levels,
enhanced awareness of healthcare, growing
per capita incomes, the emergence of private
healthcare services and the government’s ex-
panding public expenditures in this sector con-
tinue to stimulate a rise in demand.
Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector remains
largely protected from external competition, as
imports are restricted for similar drugs to those
that are manufactured locally. The World Trade
Organization’s (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement
permits Bangladesh to reverse-engineer pat-
ented generic pharmaceutical products to sell
locally and export to markets around the world.
The industry in Bangladesh is growing at more
than 18% annually and emerging as a global
hub for the Contract Manufacturing for the
pharmaceutical formulations. According to
Business Monitor International’s latest report,
Bangladesh has moved up one place to occupy
the 14th position in 17 regional markets surveyed
in BMls Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Business
Environment Ratings for the Asia region. With
exports to more than 117 countries across the
world, two companies from Bangladesh have
recently acquired the US-FDA Certifications,
Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry has the
potentials to offer opportunities for multina-
tional firms to partner with Bangladeshi com-
panies to produce for domestic or international
markets.
FROZEN FOODThe frozen foods exports sector is the second
largest export sector in the country. Bangladesh
exporters enjoy credibility and trustworthiness
in the global market. The frozen food sub-sec-
tor has opportunities in the Middle East, EU,
North America and Far East countries. Accord-
ing to information from the Bangladesh Frozen
Foods Exporters Association there are 145 fish
processing plants with capacity of 265,000 MT,
74 plants are licensed by the government and
71 are approved by the EU. This export-orient-
ed industry includes the following sub-sectors,
which need proper attention for augmentation
of production, attaining international standard
quality and export earnings; hatcheries, sus-
tainable aqua-culture technology, feed meals
plants and processing operations for value-add-
ed products. Investment in the frozen food sec-
tor with new technology and equipment has
vast potential for growth.
Within this sector, the government is promoting
semi-intensive shrimp farming. Shrimp process-
ing and exports are currently dominated by a
smaller, unorganised sector and there is a 12.5
percent cash incentive for shrimp exports.
AGRO-BASED INDUSTRYAlthough the share of agriculture in the econ-
omy has been declining vis-à-vis industrial and
service sectors, its contribution to the GDP is
still around 16%. With innovation, new tech-
nology and infrastructural development, agro-
based industry holds tremendous potentials in
Bangladesh. It has fulfilled the preconditions of
access to inputs and raw materials in setting up
successful agro-based industries. Alluvial soil, a
year-round frost-free environment, adequate
water supply and abundance of cheap labour
are readibly available in Bangladesh. Increased
cultivation of vegetables, spices and tropical
fruits in Bangladesh can ensure adequate sup-
ply of raw materials to local agro-processing
industries for both domestic and international
markets.
Once known as the ‘golden fiber of Bangla-
desh’ the natural and biodegradable jute and
jute products are gaining traction in receiving
renewed attention locally and internationally.
Bangladesh, being the major producer of jute
in the world, is now well posed to fully benefit
from the naturally gifted fibre in meeting the in-
creased global demands in the wake of raising
environmental awareness.
There is a substantial demand–supply gap in
the agro-based industry both in the domestic
and international markets. Today, Bangladesh
is exporting its agro-based products to around
100 countries all over the world.
CERAMICSThe global market of ceramic tableware is
about US$10 billion and Bangladesh ceramic
tableware has a good reputation in interna-
tional markets such as North America and EU
countries. Bangladesh has achieved significant
technical expertise in ceramic tableware man-
ufacturing. Historically, the tableware industry
is labour-intensive and Bangladesh has skilled
manpower in ceramic industry with high val-
ue add. Sanitary ware and insulation too have
huge demands in domestic and international
markets. Bangladesh, being a gas-rich and low-
labour-cost economy, is perfectly positioned to
be a strategic partner in production and supply
of ceramic products. Bangladesh welcomes in-
vestment interests in this sector.
15
BANGLADESH’S RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR HAS ‘HUGE POTENTIAL’
Climate change in the form of extreme-weather events, tidal surges, and erratic rainfall has negatively impacted agricultural
production, industrial development and social structures – but Bangladesh is not waiting on the word to save the country –
renewable energy is the plan. “We are fighting for our own future, albeit with limited resources and technologies,” said Bang-
ladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2015.
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
BBangladesh was the first developing nation to create a Climate Change
Strategy and Action Plan. From 2009-2010 to 2014-15, the government al-
located Tk 30.30 billion (US$ 385 million) to the country’s climate-change
trust fund. All activities have been targeted toward adaptation to envi-
ronmental changes with a view to protecting human lives from floods
and hurricanes, and protecting the environment from pollution caused by
rapid urbanisation and unsustainable industrialisation.
Despite these efforts, climate change continues to affect the lives and
livelihoods of millions in this unique and active delta. “We cannot do it
alone, which is why we need the international community to stand up
for nations such as ours through the United Nations Standard Develop-
ment Goals and the climate-change process. In order to address climate
change, a critical balance between adaptation (adjusting to the impacts
of climate change) and mitigation (reducing the scale of climate change)
will have to be maintained,” the Prime Minister went on to say.
Being aware of the finite stock of fossil fuels and their negative impact on
the environment, countries across the world are now leaning towards re-
newable energies like solar energy, wind energy, bio-energy, hydropower,
geothermal and ocean energy in efforts to ensure energy security. Keep-
ing pace with this global trend, Deputy Secretary (Renewable Energy),
Power Division says that Bangladesh has attached due importance to the
development of renewable energy.
DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN BANGLADESHThe Deputy Secretary goes on to say that the development of renewable
energy has been identified as one of the programmes of Bangladesh’s
Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. “Renewable energy options
are also included in the Bangladesh National Building Code. A dedicated
policy, Renewable Energy Policy of Bangladesh, has been in force since
2009, which envisions having 5% power from renewable energy sources
by 2015 and 10% by 2020. The government has established Sustainable
and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) to promote re-
newable energy and energy efficiency. To strengthen international coop-
eration, Bangladesh became one of the initial members of the Interna-
tional Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the only inter-governmental
agency working exclusively on renewable energy. Those endeavours
manifest Bangladesh’s commitment towards development of renewable
energy.”
Bangladesh receives an average daily solar radiation in the range of 4-5
kWh/m². “Encouraged by the availability of solar radiation, Power Di-
vision has initiated a programme to generate
500 MW of solar-based electricity,” explains
the Deputy Secretary.
Today, hydropower makes up the largest share
of electricity generated from renewable sources
as the global capacity reaches 1,000 GW. The
only hydroelectric power plant was established
at Kaptai with present installed capacity of 230
MW. Bangladesh Power Development Board
(BPDB) identified two other sites at Sangu (140
MW) and Matamuhuri (75 MW) for large hy-
dropower plants. Further exploitation of hydro-
power appears to be limited due to flat terrain
of Bangladesh. Several studies have identified a
few sites having potential ranging from 10 kW
to 5 MW, but no appreciable capacity has yet
been established.
Bio-energy is energy derived from any form
of biomass, including bio-heat, bio-power, and
bio-fuel. Bangladesh Agricultural University
and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Indus-
trial Research (BCSIR) launched biogas tech-
nology in the country in early 1970s. Against an
estimated potential of 4 million biogas plants
about 70,000 plants have been established so
far throughout the country. Tapping potential
of biomass, two rice husk-based power plants
of 250 kW at Gazipur and 400 kW at Thakur-
gaon, and seven poultry waste-based power
plants at different sites with aggregated capac-
ities exceeding 1 MW, have been established at
the initiative of private sector with support from
IDCOL.
Except for two pilot wind-power plants at Mu-
huri Dam (0.9 MW) in Feni and Kutubdia Island
(1.0 MW) in Cox’s Bazaar, comprehensive as-
sessment of wind power potential is still ongo-
ing. BCSIR, LGED, Bangladesh Centre for Ad-
vanced Studies, Danish company Vestas Wind
System A/S, German Development Cooperation
(GIZ) and Renewable Energy Resource Centre
of Dhaka University assessed wind resource, at
some length, in a few sites.
Renewable energy is no more an ambitious ex-
pensive venture. Because of high research and
development cost of renewable energy, it con-
tinues to lag in relation to conventional energy.
For example, cost of solar PV panels declined
more than 60% in the past three years. Interna-
tional Energy Agency projects that renewables
and natural gas are the big mixer in the race to
meet energy demand growth until 2040!
GLOBAL ACTIVISM FOR BETTER RENEWABLE ENERGYSouth African human rights activist and former
International Executive Director of international
environmentalist group Greenpeace, Kumi Nai-
doo, is a strong advocate for renewable energy.
He now leads the Global Call for Climate Action
(Tcktcktck.org), which brings together environ-
mental, aid, religious and human rights groups,
labour unions, scientists and others and has or-
ganised mass demonstrations around climate
negotiations. He recently sat down with the
Dhaka Tribune to discuss amongst other things,
Bangladesh’s potential to be a global player in
the renewable energy sector.
Dhaka Tribune (DT): Bangladesh has experi-
enced three large-scale oil spills in the last year.
One of them took place in the world’s biggest
mangrove forest Sundarbans. What do you
think the country should do to reduce or man-
age such man-made disasters?
Kumi Naidoo (KN): If we are going to count the
adverse effects of climate change, Bangladesh
is already being considered as one of the most
vulnerable countries. The country has been ex-periencing sea level rise and salinity that im-pacts the coastal community.
Bangladesh now needs to plan 100% access to
renewable energy, including for the transport
sector. In reality, we need to think about the
transport system which is not oil dependent.
I believe Bangladesh has talented people and it
has the capacity to attract funding and better
technology to get ready for future catastro-
phes. Now is the time to plan for the future.
As of now, oil spills are a major concern. It is
an indication of the threat that oil poses. Oil
spills not only ruin water bodies, but also pose
threats to land and its culture. Although the im-
pacts of oil spills are long-term, it can destroy
natural life and biodiversity as well.
Bangladesh is having to cope with the impacts
despite not being liable for carbon emission. I
think the country’s stance right now is good.
Right now, the country can demand financing
from the global community for better technol-
ogy to help the country fight future climatic
problems.
DT: Because of an ever-increasing thirst for
energy, Bangladesh is planning to install coal-
fired power plants of thousand-megawatt ca-
pacities. Simultaneously, the country has an-
nounced to reduce carbon emission to 5% by
2030 voluntarily, and to 15% if it gets finance
and technology. What are your views on this
initiative?
KN: I believe Bangladesh has huge potential in
renewable energy. It has solar, wave, wind and
also bio-gases that should be used properly and
this should be done within the next five to 10
years. The country should more emphasize on
clean energy.Bangladesh is investing in young
people and technology using its status as a de-
veloping country to get knowledge transferred.
The successful countries in the future will be
those who adopt green technology.
Source: Dhaka Tribune, 27 January 2016
EMBASSY SUPPLEMENTMARCH 2017
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