GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines to bring power to rural Bangladesh
November 20, 2008
A new 93-megawatt, independent power plant will feature GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines to provide needed power to thousands of homes in Bangladesh as part of major rural electrification initiative. The project is one of the latest to be developed by independent power producers (IPPs) that are rapidly building new power plants-with government support-to improve electricity supplies in rural areas of Bangladesh that do not have reliable transmission grids.
Oil prices drop close to $50
November 20, 2008
Oil prices dropped on Wednesday, with Brent crude falling close to 50 dollars a barrel, as demand for energy weakens worldwide and as the market awaits data on the health of US crude stockpiles. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in January was down 27 cents at 51.57 dollars a barrel in late morning trade on London’s InterContinental Exchange (ICE). Earlier it touched 50.61 dollars.
Banglalink posts 19pc revenue rise
November 20, 2008
The country’s second largest mobile phone operator Banglalink posted a 19 percent revenue increase in third quarter compared to the previous quarter, thanks to its lower subsidy given to new connections. According to the company’s financial report posted on its owning company Orascom Telecom Holding’s website, Banglalink’s revenue increased to $75,875,000 in the three months to September from $63,619,000 by the end of June 2008.
Square, Eskayef and two others eye $10m exports
November 20, 2008
Domestic pharmaceutical companies including Square Pharmaceuticals and Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd have slowly made inroads into the lucrative business of contract manufacturing of bulk drugs and formulations for global clients. Four top companies are eyeing exports of about $10 million this fiscal through contract manufacturing deals with European pharma majors.
Govt asked to up taxes on imported steel
November 19, 2008
Leaders of the associations of steel mills, re-rolling mills and ship-breakers have urged authorities to duty and VAT on imported rods to protect the local steel industry. The leaders also demanded reduction of import tax on chemical products used in the steel industry from seven to three percent,
Global slowdown to impact Lanka’s $2b tea export target
November 19, 2008
Global slowdown can put a spanner in Sri Lanka’s ambitious target of achieving USD 2 billion tea exports by 2010 with the country’s foreign minister urging “friendly” tea importing nations to continue buying more tea from the island nation.
Increase import duty on MS rod to save local industry or face movement: Steel, re-rolling millers threaten
November 19, 2008
Steel and re-rolling millers and ship breakers on Monday threatened for a tougher movement if the import duty on foreign MS rod is not increased within 15 days to save the country’s huge potential rod industry
BTRC publishes draft guidelines on IP telephony
November 19, 2008
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has published a draft regulatory and licensing guidelines on internet protocol telephony service provider (IPTSP). The telecoms regulator uploaded the guidelines on their website on Sunday and encouraged feedback that can be emailed to iptel@btrc.gov.bd by Nov. 30.
No more block allocation in next budget
November 18, 2008
The military-backed interim government has decided not to keep any block allocations in the next budget with a view to trim down corruption and inefficiency in utilisation of these funds. It was informed by the finance ministry in a recent circular to all other ministries asking for their estimated resource ceilings for the next three years under the mid-term budgetary framework.
‘Zero tolerance’ against illegal VoIP trade
November 18, 2008
Illegal VoIP dealers will lose their ISP licences, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has warned. A top commission official, who asked he not be named, told bdnews24.com that any ISP found engaged in illegal VoIP activities would “lose the ISP licence right away”.