India to roll out red carpet for Hasina
High hopes from crucial visit
ANIS ALAMGIR
India is all set to roll out the red carpet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she leaves Dhaka this evening for New Delhi on a four day crucial bilateral visit, amid high hopes that it will be at turning-point in Dhaka-Delhi relations.
This is her third visit as prime minister of Bangladesh to India, Sheikh Hasina visited India first in December, 1996 when Bangladesh and India signed historic Ganges water treaty for 30 years. Hasina visited India for the second time in June 1998 on a peace mission to ease nuclear tension between India-Pakistan.
As a leader of the opposition she visited India several times, last in June 23, 2006 when she met ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and State Minister for External Affairs E Ahmed.
Hasina's India visit as leader of the opposition was significant because just one day ago the then prime minister Khaleda Zia made an official three-day visit to India from 20-22 March 2006. Khaleda Zia's visit came only at the end of her term (2001-2006) as prime minister.
None-the-less it was the first visit by a Bangladeshi head of government to New Delhi in nine years, after Hasina's summit level visit in December 1996. Likewise, the Indian prime minister's visit to Bangladesh in 2005 to attend the SAARC summit was the first visit of an Indian premier to Dhaka in nearly six years.
India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Dhaka on 19-20 June, 1999 to inaugurate bus service between the two countries.
A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage will take off from Dhaka international airport at 6pm and land at Palam Air Force Base at 8pm (local time).
She will stay at Hotel Maurya Sheraton during her days in the Indian capital on her high-profile visit for resolving the long-standing issues between Bangladesh and India.
Hasina will hold official talks with her Indian counterpart, Dr Manmohan Singh, at 5:30 pm Monday at Hyderabad House when several agreements or memorandums of understanding (MOU) are expected to be signed.
Before that, she will have bilateral talks with Congress President Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janapath.
On the agenda of the official talks, foreign office said the official talks between two premiers will cover the sharing of Teesta waters, Tipaimukh dam, the dredging of Bangladesh rivers, rail connectivity, cooperation in energy and power sectors, removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers to exports, border haats, and third-country trade between Bangladesh and Bhutan and Bangladesh and Nepal through India.
Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, will have bilateral talks with India's Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, Indian's Foreign Minister SM Krishna and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at her hotel suite on the same day.
In the morning, the Prime Minister will be given a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhaban. She will pay homage at Gandhi Samadji at Rajghat.
She is scheduled to meet India's President Pratibha Devisingh
Patil at Rashtrapati Bhaban at 12 noon.
On Tuesday, Sheikh Hasina will be officially awarded Indira Gandhi Peace Award at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhaban.
She will have bilateral talks with India's Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee at her hotel the same day.
Besides, the Prime Minister will place wreaths at Shakti Sthal, the cremation ground of India's first and only woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and at Vir Bhumi, the cremation ground of her
son Rajiv Gandhi.
She is also scheduled to have interaction with Indian businessmen.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister will have a breakfast meeting with media men and at 10 am fly to Jaipur by a special aircraft to visit Ajmer Sharif, the shrine of great saint Khwaza Mainuddin Chisti (Rm).
She will fly back home from Jaipur Airport by the BG 1096 flight at 3pm (local time) and arrive in Dhaka at Bangladesh time 5:50pm.
Meanwhile, addressing a seminar on "Bangladesh- India Relations: Exploring New Horizons" held in the city yesterday, foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni said that she believed a better connectivity in this region would open a new era of cooperation and development for the mutual benefit of Bangladesh and India.
Dipu Moni said that Bangladesh was engaged with India on multimodal transport issues under SAARC and BIMSTEC.
"We are having discussions with India on these issues. We are also discussing possible cooperation with India in the communication sector developments in Bangladesh", she added.
She said Bangladesh has several links with India by rail and road on the western part of its border, and now it could think for similar connections on the eastern side.
"This would open a new era of cooperation and development in the region if this could be done for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The improved socio-cultural as well as commercial ties between Bangladesh and northeastern part of India would definitely bring benefit to the people of this region." she added.
Dipu Moni said that for furthering trade relations with India, Bangladesh is now considering establishment of border haats along the northeastern states of India, Mizoram and Tripura through Tegamukh - Demagiri and Ramgarh- Sabroom border-points respectively.
The Foreign minister hoped that upcoming talks between prime minister sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh would enable the two countries to build on the already solid foundation of Dhaka-Delhi existing friendly relations.
She viewed there were lots of opportunities for both the countries and they would join their hands together in the months and years for the mutual benefits of the peoples of two countries as well as people in this region.
The foreign minister was chief guest at the roundtable meeting organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the city.
;
my book
Cover of my book on Iraq War. “Iraq Ranaggone”—In Iraq war field, pages from a war reporter’s diary.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
JRC meet on Teesta water sharing begins today
Published on 4th jan 2010
JRC meet on Teesta water sharing begins today
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Indo-Bangla secretary-level talks of the Joint Rivers Commission will start this morning in the city in a bid to resolve the long-standing issue of the Teesta water sharing with India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi visit this month.
Indian water resources secretary U N Panjiar arrived in the city last night with six other delegates for the three-day talks, an Indian high commission official told The Independent last night.
Among others, members of the delegation are, Indian water resources ministry officials SP Kakran, chairman of central water commission A K Bajaj, principal secretary of Tripura PWD UTC Singh.
Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Sheikh Wahiduzzaman will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the meeting at the state guest house Meghna, while his Indian counterpart will lead the Indian delegation.
According to the agenda prepared by the JRC, the two sides would discuss dredging of the common river Ichhamati, irrigating and supplying potable water to Indian people from Feni river, river bank protection of the common rivers and preparing drafts on sharing the Teesta water.
Earlier in the first week of last month, experts committee of JRC met in Dhaka and discussed water sharing of the common rivers. Both the sides also informally shared the draft agreement on the Teesta water sharing but there was no decision on the agreement.
Foreign ministry sources said Bangladesh also handed India the draft of an agreement on the Teesta water sharing in 2005. The draft proposed that Bangladesh and India each would get 40 per cent water of the Teesta and 20 per cent water would go to the Bay of Bengal for maintaining the channel of the river.
However, India did not accept Bangladesh's proposal. Dhaka is going to propose again equal sharing of the Teesta water.
JRC meet on Teesta water sharing begins today
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Indo-Bangla secretary-level talks of the Joint Rivers Commission will start this morning in the city in a bid to resolve the long-standing issue of the Teesta water sharing with India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi visit this month.
Indian water resources secretary U N Panjiar arrived in the city last night with six other delegates for the three-day talks, an Indian high commission official told The Independent last night.
Among others, members of the delegation are, Indian water resources ministry officials SP Kakran, chairman of central water commission A K Bajaj, principal secretary of Tripura PWD UTC Singh.
Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Sheikh Wahiduzzaman will lead the Bangladesh delegation in the meeting at the state guest house Meghna, while his Indian counterpart will lead the Indian delegation.
According to the agenda prepared by the JRC, the two sides would discuss dredging of the common river Ichhamati, irrigating and supplying potable water to Indian people from Feni river, river bank protection of the common rivers and preparing drafts on sharing the Teesta water.
Earlier in the first week of last month, experts committee of JRC met in Dhaka and discussed water sharing of the common rivers. Both the sides also informally shared the draft agreement on the Teesta water sharing but there was no decision on the agreement.
Foreign ministry sources said Bangladesh also handed India the draft of an agreement on the Teesta water sharing in 2005. The draft proposed that Bangladesh and India each would get 40 per cent water of the Teesta and 20 per cent water would go to the Bay of Bengal for maintaining the channel of the river.
However, India did not accept Bangladesh's proposal. Dhaka is going to propose again equal sharing of the Teesta water.
Maldives to recruit Bangladeshi doctors
Maldives HC with Dipu/3-2-10/anis alamgir
Maldives to recruit
Bangladeshi doctors
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Expressing her desire to send more skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers to Maldives, foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni emphasised the importance of formalising the recruitment process with Maldives.
She appreciated Maldives’ offer to recruit 65 Bangladeshi doctors when newly appointed High Commissioner of Maldives Ahmed Sareer called on her yesterday at the foreign ministry and underscored the need to sign a MoU in this regard.
Dipu Moni enquired about the status of the MoU on cooperation in the education sector proposed by Maldives to recruit Bangladeshi teachers and professionals in the university soon to be set up in Maldives. The foreign minister wanted more Maldivian students to study in the medical and engineering institutions in Bangladesh.
Referring to the cooperation in the tourism sector, the foreign minister expressed her intention to reap benefits from the Maldivian experience and wanted a visit of some Maldivian tourism officials to Bangladesh.
Regarding issues relating to trade, the High Commissioner stated that it was one of his high priorities to introduce Bangladeshi products in the Maldivian market and to help enhance interaction between the business communities of the two countries.
The envoy said that he would work for the formation of a business council between the two countries.
On the climate change issue, Ahmed Sareer said that both Bangladesh and Maldives were frontline states and underlined the importance of working together on the climate change issues.
Maldives to recruit
Bangladeshi doctors
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Expressing her desire to send more skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers to Maldives, foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni emphasised the importance of formalising the recruitment process with Maldives.
She appreciated Maldives’ offer to recruit 65 Bangladeshi doctors when newly appointed High Commissioner of Maldives Ahmed Sareer called on her yesterday at the foreign ministry and underscored the need to sign a MoU in this regard.
Dipu Moni enquired about the status of the MoU on cooperation in the education sector proposed by Maldives to recruit Bangladeshi teachers and professionals in the university soon to be set up in Maldives. The foreign minister wanted more Maldivian students to study in the medical and engineering institutions in Bangladesh.
Referring to the cooperation in the tourism sector, the foreign minister expressed her intention to reap benefits from the Maldivian experience and wanted a visit of some Maldivian tourism officials to Bangladesh.
Regarding issues relating to trade, the High Commissioner stated that it was one of his high priorities to introduce Bangladeshi products in the Maldivian market and to help enhance interaction between the business communities of the two countries.
The envoy said that he would work for the formation of a business council between the two countries.
On the climate change issue, Ahmed Sareer said that both Bangladesh and Maldives were frontline states and underlined the importance of working together on the climate change issues.
Tk 45cr tax evasion by Warid detected
Tk 45cr tax
evasion by
Warid detected
Anis Alamgir
Customs authorities have detected evasion of taka 45 crore import duty by Warid Telecom (Bangladesh) which was termed the largest case of tax evasion in the recent times.
An evaluation team of the Customs detected this irregularity while auditing the import documents submitted to them. About two years ago the cell phone company imported the telecom equipment. But the evaluation team detected gross under- valuation and misclassification of the imported goods and asked the mobile operator to pay duty properly.
“We have given more than three letters but the cell phone company paid no heed to our letters’, said an officer of the Dhaka Custom House.
Finally, the Warid has appealed to the NBR authority to reconsider their case but the appeal board rejected the plea.
Insider of Warid Telecom hinted that they would go to the High Court to get “proper justice”.
Many apprehended that the realisation of the tax evaded by the company would be tougher after the acquisition of 70 per cent stake of the Warid by the Indian telecom giant Bharati Airtel.
*****
evasion by
Warid detected
Anis Alamgir
Customs authorities have detected evasion of taka 45 crore import duty by Warid Telecom (Bangladesh) which was termed the largest case of tax evasion in the recent times.
An evaluation team of the Customs detected this irregularity while auditing the import documents submitted to them. About two years ago the cell phone company imported the telecom equipment. But the evaluation team detected gross under- valuation and misclassification of the imported goods and asked the mobile operator to pay duty properly.
“We have given more than three letters but the cell phone company paid no heed to our letters’, said an officer of the Dhaka Custom House.
Finally, the Warid has appealed to the NBR authority to reconsider their case but the appeal board rejected the plea.
Insider of Warid Telecom hinted that they would go to the High Court to get “proper justice”.
Many apprehended that the realisation of the tax evaded by the company would be tougher after the acquisition of 70 per cent stake of the Warid by the Indian telecom giant Bharati Airtel.
*****
US will help BDR capacity building
US will help BDR capacity building
ANIS ALAMGIR
The United States is going to help Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in capacity building as part of the government’s effort to restructure the border security force ravaged by the last year’s mutiny.
An 11-member team comprising US defense members will arrive in the country on March 6 on a two-week visit to find out the areas of US assistance, home ministry sources said.
The team will meet with the director general of BDR and high officials of intelligence division of different agencies’ including RAB, Police, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.
The team will have meetings with director general, Department of Narcotics Control, and Chairman, National Board of Revenue, during its visit.
Dividing into three groups, the team will attend different meetings and will visit Jessore, Joypurhat, Kurigram and Rajshahi border areas for better understanding of Bangladesh border security, according to work plan.
“They will start their work, through command briefing, introduction, presentation to BDR command and staff on land border security issues, on March 7 at Peelkhana where the BDR is headquartered,” an high official of the home ministry said.
On March 8, they will go to Jessore for meeting BDR officials and see the border activities.
“They have plans to visit at least two border outposts in Jessore, and Benapole Port to get operation briefing from Bangladesh officials,” he said, adding that they would discuss the land border security issues with Customs, BDR, and other responsible agencies.
The US team will also meet director intelligence of RAB for discussion of information sharing and border security issues.
ANIS ALAMGIR
The United States is going to help Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in capacity building as part of the government’s effort to restructure the border security force ravaged by the last year’s mutiny.
An 11-member team comprising US defense members will arrive in the country on March 6 on a two-week visit to find out the areas of US assistance, home ministry sources said.
The team will meet with the director general of BDR and high officials of intelligence division of different agencies’ including RAB, Police, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.
The team will have meetings with director general, Department of Narcotics Control, and Chairman, National Board of Revenue, during its visit.
Dividing into three groups, the team will attend different meetings and will visit Jessore, Joypurhat, Kurigram and Rajshahi border areas for better understanding of Bangladesh border security, according to work plan.
“They will start their work, through command briefing, introduction, presentation to BDR command and staff on land border security issues, on March 7 at Peelkhana where the BDR is headquartered,” an high official of the home ministry said.
On March 8, they will go to Jessore for meeting BDR officials and see the border activities.
“They have plans to visit at least two border outposts in Jessore, and Benapole Port to get operation briefing from Bangladesh officials,” he said, adding that they would discuss the land border security issues with Customs, BDR, and other responsible agencies.
The US team will also meet director intelligence of RAB for discussion of information sharing and border security issues.
EC to help Nepal make flawless voters’ roll
EC to help Nepal make flawless voters’ roll
Anis Alamgir
The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh will help strengthen that in Nepal to prepare a faultless voters’ roll.
The decision came following a formal request by the Himalayan state through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
As part of its effort, the EC has decided to gift 120 webcams and 120 finger print scanners to the Nepalese EC.
“The UNDP had requested us to extend our cooperation to Nepal so they can make a flawless voters’ list and we have agreed,” Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Shakhawat Hossain told The Independent.
He said: As a friendly country we welcome Nepal’s initiative and are ready to provide all sorts of support, including sharing of our expertise, which was acclaimed by the international community when we had completed voters’ enrollment before our last general election.
In line with the UNDP request, the EC meantime took a decision to provide 120 webcams and 120 finger-print scanners to Nepal’s EC, considering the SAARC neighbor as one of the closest friends of Bangladesh.
The EC had purchased the webcams and scanners in 2007 and had already used it while preparing the voter list.
The UNDP has also requested the foreign ministry and the commerce ministry to expedite Bangladesh’s efforts for the Nepalese EC.
Anis Alamgir
The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh will help strengthen that in Nepal to prepare a faultless voters’ roll.
The decision came following a formal request by the Himalayan state through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
As part of its effort, the EC has decided to gift 120 webcams and 120 finger print scanners to the Nepalese EC.
“The UNDP had requested us to extend our cooperation to Nepal so they can make a flawless voters’ list and we have agreed,” Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Shakhawat Hossain told The Independent.
He said: As a friendly country we welcome Nepal’s initiative and are ready to provide all sorts of support, including sharing of our expertise, which was acclaimed by the international community when we had completed voters’ enrollment before our last general election.
In line with the UNDP request, the EC meantime took a decision to provide 120 webcams and 120 finger-print scanners to Nepal’s EC, considering the SAARC neighbor as one of the closest friends of Bangladesh.
The EC had purchased the webcams and scanners in 2007 and had already used it while preparing the voter list.
The UNDP has also requested the foreign ministry and the commerce ministry to expedite Bangladesh’s efforts for the Nepalese EC.
Japan to provide Tk 75cr as grant
Japan-climate change /18-02-10
Japan to provide
Tk 75cr as grant
Anis Alamgir
Japan will provide Bangladesh with nearly Tk 75 crore (1.5 billion yen) as grant to face natural disasters caused by climate change in the country’s coastal areas.
The money won’t be used on military purposes, an official of the Japanese embassy told The Independent, adding that such a condition set by Japan is a normal phenomenon.
Bangladesh had accepted the offer and assured that the grant won’t be used on military purposes.
The official also said that the government of Bangladesh had already informed the Japanese government of its eagerness to accept the grant. “The process is nearing completion”.
“Japan will provide the grant to fight climate change with special emphasis on the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change as well as on the improvement of access to clean energy,” he added.
According to a finance ministry source, Japan had sent a draft note for final approval after getting consent from the government of Bangladesh.
“It asked the government to give final consent by February 28 as Tokyo can provide the grant to Dhaka by next month,” the official added.
Under the project, Bangladesh will provide electricity, water and drainage facilities as well as other utility services. Japan set some other conditions for the use of the grant.
The official said that the government should give due importance on environment and social issues in implementation of the project.
Japan to provide
Tk 75cr as grant
Anis Alamgir
Japan will provide Bangladesh with nearly Tk 75 crore (1.5 billion yen) as grant to face natural disasters caused by climate change in the country’s coastal areas.
The money won’t be used on military purposes, an official of the Japanese embassy told The Independent, adding that such a condition set by Japan is a normal phenomenon.
Bangladesh had accepted the offer and assured that the grant won’t be used on military purposes.
The official also said that the government of Bangladesh had already informed the Japanese government of its eagerness to accept the grant. “The process is nearing completion”.
“Japan will provide the grant to fight climate change with special emphasis on the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change as well as on the improvement of access to clean energy,” he added.
According to a finance ministry source, Japan had sent a draft note for final approval after getting consent from the government of Bangladesh.
“It asked the government to give final consent by February 28 as Tokyo can provide the grant to Dhaka by next month,” the official added.
Under the project, Bangladesh will provide electricity, water and drainage facilities as well as other utility services. Japan set some other conditions for the use of the grant.
The official said that the government should give due importance on environment and social issues in implementation of the project.
Cairn Energy
Cairn Energy/22-2-10/anis alamgir
Anis Alamgir
Petrobangla is hopeful of tapping substantial amount of gas from the south Sangu Gas field in Block 16 after receiving primary data from the international oil company Cairn which is conducting 3D seismic survey there.
“We are hopeful to add a substantial volume of gas within one year from Sangu and Magnama after completion of present survey” said a senior official of Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation.
The Scotland base energy company started its recent 3D seismic survey in from 11th of this month in the block 16 of Bay of Bangle. M/S Geokinetics is conducting the 3D seismic survey work on behalf of joint venture partners of Block 16 PSC (production sharing contract).
The survey company already completed 5 per cent of the high-tech survey of Block 16 and hope that by April it will be finished.
But both Petrobangla and Cairn are more or less convinced that desired level of gas could not be tapped from the area.
One official of the Pertobangla said that they were planning to attach two fields before exploring gas from there for national pine line. For that they need to sign a new contract with the energy company. However, insider of the Cairn hinted that there was no necessity to sign new contract as it can cover by existing deal.
End
Anis Alamgir
Petrobangla is hopeful of tapping substantial amount of gas from the south Sangu Gas field in Block 16 after receiving primary data from the international oil company Cairn which is conducting 3D seismic survey there.
“We are hopeful to add a substantial volume of gas within one year from Sangu and Magnama after completion of present survey” said a senior official of Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation.
The Scotland base energy company started its recent 3D seismic survey in from 11th of this month in the block 16 of Bay of Bangle. M/S Geokinetics is conducting the 3D seismic survey work on behalf of joint venture partners of Block 16 PSC (production sharing contract).
The survey company already completed 5 per cent of the high-tech survey of Block 16 and hope that by April it will be finished.
But both Petrobangla and Cairn are more or less convinced that desired level of gas could not be tapped from the area.
One official of the Pertobangla said that they were planning to attach two fields before exploring gas from there for national pine line. For that they need to sign a new contract with the energy company. However, insider of the Cairn hinted that there was no necessity to sign new contract as it can cover by existing deal.
End
Indo-Bangla maritime dispute
Tribunal –India-Bangladesh/ 28.02.2010
Indo-Bangla maritime dispute
3 required
arbitrators
appointed
ANIS ALAMGIR
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) recently appointed three arbitrators to settle the maritime disputes between Bangladesh and India.
Talking to The Independent foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes yesterday confirmed the appointment and said that with the new appointments, the tribunal got the required five-member panel, which would finalise the maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
German national Rudiger Wolfrum has been made the chairman of the tribunal while Italian Tullio Treves and Australian Ivan Shearer made the members.
Earlier, Bangladesh appointed British lawyer Vaughan Lowe (QC) and India nominated Srinivasan Rao as its lawyers to the tribunal.
The foreign secretary hoped that the tribunal would bring an end to the long-standing dispute between Dhaka and New Delhi over the claim of 10 oil and gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal.
A foreign ministry official said that the tribunal would settle the disputes within three to four years.
In October last year, Bangladesh declared that it would go to the international tribunal to settle the maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar as it failed to resolve the differences through bilateral talks.
Later, in January 8-9 maritime boundary talks in Chittagong, Dhaka and Yangon agreed to resolve the dispute on the principles of ‘equity and equidistance’, but the starting point for demarcating sea boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar is yet to be settled.
The three neighbors have differences in methods for maritime boundary delimitation.
Dhaka demands for ‘equity’ method, which, it insists, will ensure win-win conditions for Bangladesh, Myanmar and India while India and Myanmar press for ‘equidistance’ principle, which, Dhaka says, will deprive Bangladesh of 17 out of 28 sea blocks.
Of the 17 sea blocks, India makes claim on 10 and Myanmar demands 7 blocks.
India and Myanmar claim the Bay of Bengal in such a way, which would block Bangladesh’s access to sea routes, the sources said.
Indo-Bangla maritime dispute
3 required
arbitrators
appointed
ANIS ALAMGIR
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) recently appointed three arbitrators to settle the maritime disputes between Bangladesh and India.
Talking to The Independent foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes yesterday confirmed the appointment and said that with the new appointments, the tribunal got the required five-member panel, which would finalise the maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
German national Rudiger Wolfrum has been made the chairman of the tribunal while Italian Tullio Treves and Australian Ivan Shearer made the members.
Earlier, Bangladesh appointed British lawyer Vaughan Lowe (QC) and India nominated Srinivasan Rao as its lawyers to the tribunal.
The foreign secretary hoped that the tribunal would bring an end to the long-standing dispute between Dhaka and New Delhi over the claim of 10 oil and gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal.
A foreign ministry official said that the tribunal would settle the disputes within three to four years.
In October last year, Bangladesh declared that it would go to the international tribunal to settle the maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar as it failed to resolve the differences through bilateral talks.
Later, in January 8-9 maritime boundary talks in Chittagong, Dhaka and Yangon agreed to resolve the dispute on the principles of ‘equity and equidistance’, but the starting point for demarcating sea boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar is yet to be settled.
The three neighbors have differences in methods for maritime boundary delimitation.
Dhaka demands for ‘equity’ method, which, it insists, will ensure win-win conditions for Bangladesh, Myanmar and India while India and Myanmar press for ‘equidistance’ principle, which, Dhaka says, will deprive Bangladesh of 17 out of 28 sea blocks.
Of the 17 sea blocks, India makes claim on 10 and Myanmar demands 7 blocks.
India and Myanmar claim the Bay of Bengal in such a way, which would block Bangladesh’s access to sea routes, the sources said.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thimpu for Delhi’s partnership /Bangladesh Power Crisis
Thimpu for Delhi’s partnership
Bangladesh Power Crisis
Friday, 14 January 2011
Author / Source : Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka, Jan 13: Bhutan’s Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley suggested holding of a tripartite meeting among Bangladesh, Bhutan and India to meet the acute power crisis of Bangladesh which Dhaka wants to meet by importing hydro-power from land-locked Himalayan country. Addressing a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday evening, Thinley sought Indian involvement as preoccupied Bhutan is unable to meet Dhaka’s needs on this front at present. He said that India has ten mega power projects in Bhutan which will be completed by 2020.
“Given the acute power crisis Bangladesh is facing why three of us should not discuss how we can meet the needs of Bangladesh sooner than later,” he said in reply to a question.
However, he would also like to consider Bangladesh in future projects either as an investment partner or as a direct buyer of power. The Bhutanese PM expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh government for offering Bhutan the use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports.
Thinley said he already visited Mongla seaport on Wednesday and was impressed to see the existing facilities. He said a team from Bhutan will come to Bangladesh to see how efficiently they can use Chittagong and Mongla ports.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister said there is tremendous goodwill between the two countries to promote mutual trade not only for economic benefit but for other benefits as well and the present bilateral trade could be increased from US$ 30 million to US$ 100 million within the next few years.
Though as of now he didn't see any difficulty in transit through India, he felt that lack of communication is still exiting and suggested ways to expedite rail-air and surface communication in the region. Asked about the recent MoU on health sector cooperation, Thinley said they would expect some highly specialised doctors and some general physicians for two to five years period from Bangladesh to be recruited or on deputation basis. The Bhutanese Prime Minister will leave Dhaka Friday morning. He arrived here on January 10 for a four-day state visit with a 20-member official delegation including a minister, officials and a six-member business team.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister was supposed to visit Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar by helicopter but it did not happen due to dense fog. He passed the chilly day playing golf at Kurmitula golf club in the city. He also visited Dhaka international trade fair in the night.
Leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia called on Bhutanese Prime Minister at his hotel suite. However, he managed to visit Sundarban on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Power Crisis
Friday, 14 January 2011
Author / Source : Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka, Jan 13: Bhutan’s Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley suggested holding of a tripartite meeting among Bangladesh, Bhutan and India to meet the acute power crisis of Bangladesh which Dhaka wants to meet by importing hydro-power from land-locked Himalayan country. Addressing a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday evening, Thinley sought Indian involvement as preoccupied Bhutan is unable to meet Dhaka’s needs on this front at present. He said that India has ten mega power projects in Bhutan which will be completed by 2020.
“Given the acute power crisis Bangladesh is facing why three of us should not discuss how we can meet the needs of Bangladesh sooner than later,” he said in reply to a question.
However, he would also like to consider Bangladesh in future projects either as an investment partner or as a direct buyer of power. The Bhutanese PM expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh government for offering Bhutan the use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports.
Thinley said he already visited Mongla seaport on Wednesday and was impressed to see the existing facilities. He said a team from Bhutan will come to Bangladesh to see how efficiently they can use Chittagong and Mongla ports.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister said there is tremendous goodwill between the two countries to promote mutual trade not only for economic benefit but for other benefits as well and the present bilateral trade could be increased from US$ 30 million to US$ 100 million within the next few years.
Though as of now he didn't see any difficulty in transit through India, he felt that lack of communication is still exiting and suggested ways to expedite rail-air and surface communication in the region. Asked about the recent MoU on health sector cooperation, Thinley said they would expect some highly specialised doctors and some general physicians for two to five years period from Bangladesh to be recruited or on deputation basis. The Bhutanese Prime Minister will leave Dhaka Friday morning. He arrived here on January 10 for a four-day state visit with a 20-member official delegation including a minister, officials and a six-member business team.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister was supposed to visit Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar by helicopter but it did not happen due to dense fog. He passed the chilly day playing golf at Kurmitula golf club in the city. He also visited Dhaka international trade fair in the night.
Leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia called on Bhutanese Prime Minister at his hotel suite. However, he managed to visit Sundarban on Wednesday.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bhutan offers hydro-power, to take docs
Bhutan offers hydro-power, to take docs
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
ANIS ALAMGIR
Dhaka, Jan 11: Bhutan Tuesday offered its vast hydro-electricity to Bangladesh while it agreed to recruit at least 100 Bangladeshi doctors for its hospitals in Bhutan for a minimum period of two years.
During the summit-level talks, Bhutan assured Bangladesh that it would extend necessary cooperation to Dhaka in the hydro-power sector. With a preoccupied Bhutan unable to walk the walk on this front at present, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested her Bhutanese counterpart to consider Bangladesh in future projects either as an investment partner or as a direct buyer of power. Dhaka and Thimpu signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the health sector after the official talks led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Jigme Y Thinley at the Prime Minister Office in the morning.
The doctors will be either recruited directly by the Bhutanese government or sent by Bangladesh on deputation.
Another MoU on cultural exchange was also signed at the function.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister, Jigme Y. Thinley, arrived here on Monday for a four-day state visit. He is leading a 20-member delegation including the health minister, Cabinet secretary, foreign secretary and a six-member business team.
An official, who had attended the meeting, told The Independent that there was no timeframe for sending doctors there, but Bangladesh had verbally agreed that recruitments for the purpose would be done jointly soon by the health ministry of Bangladesh and the Bhutanese authorities.
The terms and conditions for the medical jobs in Bhutan will be finalised later. Sources said that earlier Bhutan had offered Tk. 1.2 lakh a month for a senior doctor.
According to the official, the talks covered the entire range of economic and political cooperation between the two close neighbours.
A foreign ministry official said Dhaka had agreed to allow use of its port facilitates by Bhutan and would soon hand over a draft agreement to Thimpu in this regard.
The foreign secretary of Bhutan, Dasho Daw Penjo, signed the deals on cultural cooperation with secretary-in-charge of the ministry of cultural affairs, Suraiya Begum. He also inked the MoU on health sector cooperation with health secretary Humayun Kabir.
Both the Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony. Foreign minister Dipu Moni, health minister AFM Ruhal Haque, information and cultural affairs minister Abul Kalam Azad, Prime Minister’s finance and planning adviser Moshiur Rahman, ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin, Cabinet secretary Mohammad Abdul Aziz, principal secretary MA Karim, foreign secretary Mohammed Mijarul Quayes, and Bangladesh ambassador in Thimpu Imtiaz Ahmed, among others, were present on the occasion.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister called on President Zillur Rahman today at his office. He also attended a seminar on “Gross National Happiness” at Dhaka University in the afternoon. During his stay in Dhaka, the Bhutanese Prime Minister will visit the Sundarbans, Mongla port on Wednesday and Chittagong port and Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. Thinley will leave Dhaka for Thimpu on the morning of January 14.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
ANIS ALAMGIR
Dhaka, Jan 11: Bhutan Tuesday offered its vast hydro-electricity to Bangladesh while it agreed to recruit at least 100 Bangladeshi doctors for its hospitals in Bhutan for a minimum period of two years.
During the summit-level talks, Bhutan assured Bangladesh that it would extend necessary cooperation to Dhaka in the hydro-power sector. With a preoccupied Bhutan unable to walk the walk on this front at present, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested her Bhutanese counterpart to consider Bangladesh in future projects either as an investment partner or as a direct buyer of power. Dhaka and Thimpu signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the health sector after the official talks led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Jigme Y Thinley at the Prime Minister Office in the morning.
The doctors will be either recruited directly by the Bhutanese government or sent by Bangladesh on deputation.
Another MoU on cultural exchange was also signed at the function.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister, Jigme Y. Thinley, arrived here on Monday for a four-day state visit. He is leading a 20-member delegation including the health minister, Cabinet secretary, foreign secretary and a six-member business team.
An official, who had attended the meeting, told The Independent that there was no timeframe for sending doctors there, but Bangladesh had verbally agreed that recruitments for the purpose would be done jointly soon by the health ministry of Bangladesh and the Bhutanese authorities.
The terms and conditions for the medical jobs in Bhutan will be finalised later. Sources said that earlier Bhutan had offered Tk. 1.2 lakh a month for a senior doctor.
According to the official, the talks covered the entire range of economic and political cooperation between the two close neighbours.
A foreign ministry official said Dhaka had agreed to allow use of its port facilitates by Bhutan and would soon hand over a draft agreement to Thimpu in this regard.
The foreign secretary of Bhutan, Dasho Daw Penjo, signed the deals on cultural cooperation with secretary-in-charge of the ministry of cultural affairs, Suraiya Begum. He also inked the MoU on health sector cooperation with health secretary Humayun Kabir.
Both the Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony. Foreign minister Dipu Moni, health minister AFM Ruhal Haque, information and cultural affairs minister Abul Kalam Azad, Prime Minister’s finance and planning adviser Moshiur Rahman, ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin, Cabinet secretary Mohammad Abdul Aziz, principal secretary MA Karim, foreign secretary Mohammed Mijarul Quayes, and Bangladesh ambassador in Thimpu Imtiaz Ahmed, among others, were present on the occasion.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister called on President Zillur Rahman today at his office. He also attended a seminar on “Gross National Happiness” at Dhaka University in the afternoon. During his stay in Dhaka, the Bhutanese Prime Minister will visit the Sundarbans, Mongla port on Wednesday and Chittagong port and Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. Thinley will leave Dhaka for Thimpu on the morning of January 14.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Delhi yet to match Dhaka’s pace in honouring 2010 communiqué
Delhi yet to match Dhaka’s pace in honouring 2010 communiqué
Bangladesh has completed implementing two major concerns of India
Monday, 10 January 2011
Anis Alamgir
Dhaka, Jan 9: On the eve of one year of signing the historic communiqué with India, Bangladesh feels that its initiatives in implementing the decisions has remained unmatched by Delhi, due to a considerable lack of effort from the Indian side. Foreign ministry officials said that Bangladesh had almost completed implementing the two major concerns of India – providing transit facilities for Indian goods through Bangladesh territory, and resolving security issues between the countries. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s demands for sharing waters of the Teesta, restraining zero-tolerance at the border and withdrawing trade barriers for Bangladeshi goods, have not been fulfilled yet.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had met her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, on January 12, 2010, for delegation-level talks. A 51-point joint statement was issued soon after their meeting.
“However, both the countries have enjoyed a healthy relationship during the period, as compared to previous years. In 2002 and 2003, both countries used to summon each other’s envoys almost every month. Things are moving forward and going almost smoothly,” said a top foreign ministry official.
According to officials, tremendous progress has been made on the transit issue. After adding Ashuganj as the new transshipment point between Bangladesh and India, Dhaka has eventually allowed multi-modal transit to India. Officially, transit or transshipment was set to start from June 2010, but its actual implementation may be delayed until the roads in the border area are improved, they said.
Professor of international relations at Dhaka University Dr Imtiaz Ahmed said Bangladesh gained only on two counts---one billion dollar loan deal and joint celebrations of the 150th anniversary of birth of Poet Rabindranath Tagore--- so far from the joint communiqué.
“Talks were held on some other issues concerning Bangladesh’s interests, but no result is seen so far,” he said.
Infrastructure development projects have already been finalized for spending about $760 million out of the loan package. Again, 85 per cent of the materials for the construction works would have to be purchased from India, the international relations analyst pointed out.
However, Prof Imtiaz hoped that core issues for Bangladesh, like Teesta water sharing and settlement of maritime boundary disputes, would find some solutions during the return visit of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in April or May this year.
Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India, to use Ashuganj port for shipping heavy equipment, in order to set up a 726.6 MW power plant in Tripura. The pact will also clear transportation hurdles of about 96 over dimensional cargos (ODCs) to the Indian state of Tripura, for setting up a gas-based power plant at Palatana.
Finally, the government has formed an expert committee, headed by the Tariff Commission chairman, which will explore possible transit routes (rail-road-water) with India, and suggest a single structure on transit, along with charges, after studying such arrangements in neighbouring countries. Bangladesh has already offered facilities at Chittagong and Mongla ports to India.
According to the communiqué, India had agreed to let trucks from Bhutan and Nepal to enter up to 200 meters into the Zero Point at Banglabandh in Banglabandh-Phulbari land customs station.
On security issues, Dhaka has handed over some leaders of India-based insurgent groups and assured Delhi that the territory of Bangladesh would not be allowed for terrorist activities.
Both the countries have signed three agreements on security issues – on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, on the transfer of sentenced persons, and on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. All these accords have been ratified and would be operational after exchange. Top home ministry officials are going to meet next week in Dhaka for further co-operation in this regard.
However, Bangladesh has still been waiting to get its proper share of Teesta waters, which may not come into effect before the middle of this year, as India wants to handle the issue after polls in West Bengal. However, officials of the Joint River Commission are going to meet this week in Dhaka, to discuss the issue.
Bangladesh has also observed that, despite Indian home secretary’s promise that BSF would not kill innocent civilians in border areas, the issue has not been settled yet. The countries have still been talking about trade imbalances. Bangladesh’s demand for zero-tariffs for a number of goods, along with reduction of goods in the negative list, also has remained far from being fulfilled.
Bangladeshi officials had hoped that things would move forward on the trade front after Bangladesh commerce minister’s visit to India in October last year. During his visit, a number of issues, including formal inauguration of border haats (markets), removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, duty-free access to Indian market, further reduction of the number of items from India’s negative list, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment had been raised.
As part of the communiqué, India and Bangladesh had signed an agreement on August 7, last year, under which, New Delhi will provide a USD 1 billion line of credit for a range of projects, including railway infrastructure, supply of BG locomotives and passenger coaches, rehabilitation of Saidpur workshop, procurement of buses, and dredging projects. Both the countries had selected 14 projects under this credit scheme, some of which are progressing well.
Bangladesh has completed implementing two major concerns of India
Monday, 10 January 2011
Anis Alamgir
Dhaka, Jan 9: On the eve of one year of signing the historic communiqué with India, Bangladesh feels that its initiatives in implementing the decisions has remained unmatched by Delhi, due to a considerable lack of effort from the Indian side. Foreign ministry officials said that Bangladesh had almost completed implementing the two major concerns of India – providing transit facilities for Indian goods through Bangladesh territory, and resolving security issues between the countries. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s demands for sharing waters of the Teesta, restraining zero-tolerance at the border and withdrawing trade barriers for Bangladeshi goods, have not been fulfilled yet.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had met her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, on January 12, 2010, for delegation-level talks. A 51-point joint statement was issued soon after their meeting.
“However, both the countries have enjoyed a healthy relationship during the period, as compared to previous years. In 2002 and 2003, both countries used to summon each other’s envoys almost every month. Things are moving forward and going almost smoothly,” said a top foreign ministry official.
According to officials, tremendous progress has been made on the transit issue. After adding Ashuganj as the new transshipment point between Bangladesh and India, Dhaka has eventually allowed multi-modal transit to India. Officially, transit or transshipment was set to start from June 2010, but its actual implementation may be delayed until the roads in the border area are improved, they said.
Professor of international relations at Dhaka University Dr Imtiaz Ahmed said Bangladesh gained only on two counts---one billion dollar loan deal and joint celebrations of the 150th anniversary of birth of Poet Rabindranath Tagore--- so far from the joint communiqué.
“Talks were held on some other issues concerning Bangladesh’s interests, but no result is seen so far,” he said.
Infrastructure development projects have already been finalized for spending about $760 million out of the loan package. Again, 85 per cent of the materials for the construction works would have to be purchased from India, the international relations analyst pointed out.
However, Prof Imtiaz hoped that core issues for Bangladesh, like Teesta water sharing and settlement of maritime boundary disputes, would find some solutions during the return visit of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in April or May this year.
Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India, to use Ashuganj port for shipping heavy equipment, in order to set up a 726.6 MW power plant in Tripura. The pact will also clear transportation hurdles of about 96 over dimensional cargos (ODCs) to the Indian state of Tripura, for setting up a gas-based power plant at Palatana.
Finally, the government has formed an expert committee, headed by the Tariff Commission chairman, which will explore possible transit routes (rail-road-water) with India, and suggest a single structure on transit, along with charges, after studying such arrangements in neighbouring countries. Bangladesh has already offered facilities at Chittagong and Mongla ports to India.
According to the communiqué, India had agreed to let trucks from Bhutan and Nepal to enter up to 200 meters into the Zero Point at Banglabandh in Banglabandh-Phulbari land customs station.
On security issues, Dhaka has handed over some leaders of India-based insurgent groups and assured Delhi that the territory of Bangladesh would not be allowed for terrorist activities.
Both the countries have signed three agreements on security issues – on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, on the transfer of sentenced persons, and on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. All these accords have been ratified and would be operational after exchange. Top home ministry officials are going to meet next week in Dhaka for further co-operation in this regard.
However, Bangladesh has still been waiting to get its proper share of Teesta waters, which may not come into effect before the middle of this year, as India wants to handle the issue after polls in West Bengal. However, officials of the Joint River Commission are going to meet this week in Dhaka, to discuss the issue.
Bangladesh has also observed that, despite Indian home secretary’s promise that BSF would not kill innocent civilians in border areas, the issue has not been settled yet. The countries have still been talking about trade imbalances. Bangladesh’s demand for zero-tariffs for a number of goods, along with reduction of goods in the negative list, also has remained far from being fulfilled.
Bangladeshi officials had hoped that things would move forward on the trade front after Bangladesh commerce minister’s visit to India in October last year. During his visit, a number of issues, including formal inauguration of border haats (markets), removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, duty-free access to Indian market, further reduction of the number of items from India’s negative list, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment had been raised.
As part of the communiqué, India and Bangladesh had signed an agreement on August 7, last year, under which, New Delhi will provide a USD 1 billion line of credit for a range of projects, including railway infrastructure, supply of BG locomotives and passenger coaches, rehabilitation of Saidpur workshop, procurement of buses, and dredging projects. Both the countries had selected 14 projects under this credit scheme, some of which are progressing well.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Dhaka readies report for UN body /Maritime dispute
Friday, 07 January 2011
Author / Source : Anis Alamgir
Dhaka, Jan 5: Bangladesh is set to submit a draft delimitation report to the UN body over its claim in the Bay of Bengal territories also shared by India and Myanmar.
“We have completed a draft submission under Article 76 of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 on our claims on the outer continental shelf area in the Bay of Bengal beyond 200 Nautical Miles,” said an official on Wednesday.
He said the submission will be lodged with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for recommendations before July 26 this year, the deadline set for Bangladesh by the UN body.
However, India and Myanmar had already submitted their delimitation reports before the UN.
To review the draft submission of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Dr. Harald Brekke, a Norwegian national and a member of the Commission. After the review by Dr. Brekke, the submission will be finalised and will be placed for the government’s approval.
Dr. Halard Brekke called on Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni today at the ministry. Foreign ministry sources said Brekke had earlier advised Bangladesh to conduct seismic survey in the Bay. Bangladesh also appointed British jurist Vaughn Lowe QC as its arbitrator to plead the country's case in the world body.
On October 8, 2009, Bangladesh served legal notices on India and Myanmar to settle the maritime boundary disputes before a UN tribunal.
Simultaneously, Bangladesh is trying to resolve the maritime disputes through negotiations with India and Myanmar. Officials claim some progress over the issue with Myanmar, but they are not much hopeful that Bangladesh can solve the issue with India bilaterally.
Bangladesh needs to delimit the maritime boundary to explore oil, gas and other natural resources in the Bay.
Author / Source : Anis Alamgir
Dhaka, Jan 5: Bangladesh is set to submit a draft delimitation report to the UN body over its claim in the Bay of Bengal territories also shared by India and Myanmar.
“We have completed a draft submission under Article 76 of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 on our claims on the outer continental shelf area in the Bay of Bengal beyond 200 Nautical Miles,” said an official on Wednesday.
He said the submission will be lodged with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for recommendations before July 26 this year, the deadline set for Bangladesh by the UN body.
However, India and Myanmar had already submitted their delimitation reports before the UN.
To review the draft submission of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Dr. Harald Brekke, a Norwegian national and a member of the Commission. After the review by Dr. Brekke, the submission will be finalised and will be placed for the government’s approval.
Dr. Halard Brekke called on Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni today at the ministry. Foreign ministry sources said Brekke had earlier advised Bangladesh to conduct seismic survey in the Bay. Bangladesh also appointed British jurist Vaughn Lowe QC as its arbitrator to plead the country's case in the world body.
On October 8, 2009, Bangladesh served legal notices on India and Myanmar to settle the maritime boundary disputes before a UN tribunal.
Simultaneously, Bangladesh is trying to resolve the maritime disputes through negotiations with India and Myanmar. Officials claim some progress over the issue with Myanmar, but they are not much hopeful that Bangladesh can solve the issue with India bilaterally.
Bangladesh needs to delimit the maritime boundary to explore oil, gas and other natural resources in the Bay.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Bhutan eager to hire Bangladeshi docs /Bhutanese PM Jigmi Y Thinley’s five-day visit to Dhaka begins on Jan 10
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Author: Anis Alamgir
Dhaka, Dec 24: Bhutan is likely to express its keenness to hire skilled mid-level doctors, engineers and school teachers from Bangladesh during Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley’s five-day official visit to Dhaka. According to official sources, issues of investment and cooperation in agriculture sector will also prominently figure during the Bhutanese premier’s visit from January 10 to 14.
Besides, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be signed on manpower export between two countries, along with extension of two others MOUs on cultural exchange and air service, they said.
The sources said Bhutan had confidence in Bangladeshi doctors and was interested to appoint mid-level medical practitioners in its state-run hospitals. Bhutanese doctors, who have obtained their MBBS degree from Dhaka, also had a good reputation in the country.
“They (Bhutanese) are also interested in hiring diploma engineers from Bangladesh for their different development projects. Earlier, they also hired some Bangladeshi engineers, but they (engineers) returned due to uncomfortable weather and job locations, mainly in remote mountainous areas of the country.”
The south Asian neighbour is also likely to appoint school teachers from Bangladesh.
Moreover, Bhutan has also shown eagerness to have Bangladeshi investments in its hotel, hospitality and real estate sectors, which will be highlighted during the bilateral meeting between the two countries, according to officials here.
They said Bhutan would request Bangladesh to help out its agro processing sector, cultivation of hybrid rice and vegetables. Bhutanese Prime Minister Thinley will also call on President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Commerce Minister Faruk Khan will make courtesy calls on the Bhutanese leader.
During his visit, Bhutanese prime minister will visit Chittagong to see port facilities. They have already requested Bangladesh to allow using Chittagong and Mongla ports.
Thinley will also visit Cox’s Bazar with his entourage, though it is yet to be finalised.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Foreign ministry feels being left out/ Indian credit utilisation
Foreign ministry feels being left out
Indian credit utilisation
Saturday, 01 January 2011
Author / Source : ANIS ALAMGIR
Dhaka, Dec 31: The foreign ministry has not yet got an official copy of US$ 1 billion Line of Credit agreement from the finance ministry four months into the signing of the deal with India in Dhaka in August, exposing a dismal state of coordination among line ministries. The loan will be spent for projects in the road, railway, river dredging and power sectors.
Implementation of the development projects and other decisions as a follow-up to the joint communiqué involves a number of ministries and lack of coordination among them might leave the things in limbo and limit Bangladesh’s real gains from the loan, officials feared.
The loan deal has been marked with questions from the day it was signed, with critics saying that the high-cost loan would be used in projects to facilitate transit of Indian goods which will mainly benefit India. Bangladesh has remote possibility to gain from transit, they argue.
The deal is a part of the joint communiqué signed in January 2010 in New Delhi between Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian premier Manmohan Singh.
Foreign ministry officials Friday claimed that they were kept in the dark on the progress so far made on the joint communiqué.
“Though we have a copy of the billion dollar loan agreement, but officially we didn’t get any copy from Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the finance ministry,” complained a top official of the foreign ministry, who wanted not to be quoted.
“Not only that, we don’t know anything about the progress so far made on 14 projects to be implemented under the US$ 1 billion line of credit. We don’t have any updates on the purchase of 100 locomotives, some buses and modernization of BSTI. We are also in the dark about purchase of dredgers,” the official said.
The ministry was not even consulted when the shipping ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian authority allowing India to use Ashuganj port to ship heavy equipment for setting up 726.6 megawatt (mw) power plant in Tripura.
“Now we find that the MoU is faulty and that it needs to be modified in future.”
Moreover, the official said, National Board of Revenue issued an statutory regulatory order in June this year on transit-transshipment charges specifying the amount of money for a container or a tonne of goods payable to Bangladesh as service charges for carrying goods through Bangladesh’s territories to Indian states. The SRO was also beyond the knowledge of foreign ministry, the foreign ministry official complained.
India reacted sharply to the SRO and it led to misunderstanding with India at a time when Bangladesh was expecting huge amount of service charge by providing transit facilities to India, Nepal and Bhutan.
The government has formed an expert committee headed by Tariff Commission chairman, which will explore possible transit routes and suggest a single structure on transit and charges studying different such facilities in neighbouring countries. Again, the foreign ministry has been left out of the process, the official said.
Indian credit utilisation
Saturday, 01 January 2011
Author / Source : ANIS ALAMGIR
Dhaka, Dec 31: The foreign ministry has not yet got an official copy of US$ 1 billion Line of Credit agreement from the finance ministry four months into the signing of the deal with India in Dhaka in August, exposing a dismal state of coordination among line ministries. The loan will be spent for projects in the road, railway, river dredging and power sectors.
Implementation of the development projects and other decisions as a follow-up to the joint communiqué involves a number of ministries and lack of coordination among them might leave the things in limbo and limit Bangladesh’s real gains from the loan, officials feared.
The loan deal has been marked with questions from the day it was signed, with critics saying that the high-cost loan would be used in projects to facilitate transit of Indian goods which will mainly benefit India. Bangladesh has remote possibility to gain from transit, they argue.
The deal is a part of the joint communiqué signed in January 2010 in New Delhi between Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian premier Manmohan Singh.
Foreign ministry officials Friday claimed that they were kept in the dark on the progress so far made on the joint communiqué.
“Though we have a copy of the billion dollar loan agreement, but officially we didn’t get any copy from Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the finance ministry,” complained a top official of the foreign ministry, who wanted not to be quoted.
“Not only that, we don’t know anything about the progress so far made on 14 projects to be implemented under the US$ 1 billion line of credit. We don’t have any updates on the purchase of 100 locomotives, some buses and modernization of BSTI. We are also in the dark about purchase of dredgers,” the official said.
The ministry was not even consulted when the shipping ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian authority allowing India to use Ashuganj port to ship heavy equipment for setting up 726.6 megawatt (mw) power plant in Tripura.
“Now we find that the MoU is faulty and that it needs to be modified in future.”
Moreover, the official said, National Board of Revenue issued an statutory regulatory order in June this year on transit-transshipment charges specifying the amount of money for a container or a tonne of goods payable to Bangladesh as service charges for carrying goods through Bangladesh’s territories to Indian states. The SRO was also beyond the knowledge of foreign ministry, the foreign ministry official complained.
India reacted sharply to the SRO and it led to misunderstanding with India at a time when Bangladesh was expecting huge amount of service charge by providing transit facilities to India, Nepal and Bhutan.
The government has formed an expert committee headed by Tariff Commission chairman, which will explore possible transit routes and suggest a single structure on transit and charges studying different such facilities in neighbouring countries. Again, the foreign ministry has been left out of the process, the official said.
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