National
PM Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate Matarbari coal-fired plant in Dec
In a significant development, the inaugural unit of the Matarbari coal-fired power plant located in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, is set to commence operations by December, injecting an impressive 600 MW of electricity into the national grid. The esteemed inauguration is expected to be conducted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself, as disclosed by project officials earlier this week.
On June 23, a vessel transporting 64,300 tonnes of coal from Indonesia arrived at the Matarbari plant, marking a crucial milestone in the project’s progress. Spanning 1,414 acres of land in Matarbari and Dhalghata unions of Maheshkhali upazila, Cox’s Bazar district, this 1200 MW power plant was constructed with Japanese funding on the coastal area, accompanied by the development of port infrastructure and a jetty dedicated to coal unloading from ships.
The ongoing efforts by the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCL), the implementing company for this mega project, are evident during recent visits to the site. Remarkably, the jetty for coal discharge near the power plant is nearing completion, with vessels already making use of the facility. The transformation of the area due to this project has been significant, according to officials.
The operational phase of the power plant will require a daily supply of 13,104 tons of coal, necessitating the construction of coal discharge jetties and silos. A massive 90-acre ash pond and a second 600-acre one have been established for ash storage during the plant’s projected 25-year lifetime. Furthermore, an 80-acre coal yard has been prepared for efficient coal storage.
An agreement signed in 2014 between the Government of Bangladesh and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) outlines the project’s funding details, with an estimated cost of Tk 51,800 crores. While JICA will provide Tk 43,921 crore as project support, the remaining Tk 7,933 crore will be sourced from the Bangladesh Government and CPGCBL’s own funds.
Progress on the project has been substantial, with approximately 95 percent of the jetty and physical infrastructure already completed, and 90 percent of the overall physical infrastructure work accomplished. Nazmul Huq, Executive Director of the Matarbari coal-fired plant project, has expressed confidence that the power plant will be operational at 600 MW capacity even before the formal inauguration in December, aiming for full functionality by January 2024 when the first unit is scheduled to be commissioned. The second unit is expected to follow suit in July, with both units contributing to the national grid.
Executive Director Huq has also assured that strict environmental measures are being adhered to, with minimal impact on the environment during coal transportation and usage. The implementation ensures that coal is directly transported from the jetty to the plant, preventing environmental pollution.
As the Matarbari Coal Power Project gains momentum, it stands as a priority project for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, further exemplifying the nation’s commitment to expanding its energy infrastructure and ensuring a sustainable future.
In a significant development, the government of Bangladesh has officially designated December 30 as ‘NRB Day’ with the aim of addressing issues faced by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and promoting their active involvement in the country’s development. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen made this announcement during his visit to London.
The primary objective of ‘NRB Day’ is to foster greater engagement with the vast community of over one crore expatriate Bangladeshis worldwide, according to Minister Momen. He emphasized the importance of celebrating this day in a grand manner at Bangladesh’s missions abroad, including the Bangladesh High Commission in London. Momen highlighted that expatriate Bangladeshis are significant contributors to the country’s foreign currency reserves.
Foreign Minister Momen also underscored the potential benefits of establishing stronger connections with expatriate professionals who possess valuable skills across various fields and work in different countries globally.
During his visit to London, Foreign Minister Momen recalled the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BBCCI)’s dedicated efforts related to ‘NRB Day.’ He mentioned that the idea of celebrating this day was initially proposed at the closing ceremony of the historic NRB World Convention in Sylhet in 2017. The minister further suggested that the Mayor of Sylhet, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, organize a three-day festival in commemoration of NRB Day on December 30, a proposal to which the mayor agreed.
The meeting held in London included notable attendees such as Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem, Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, BBCCI President Saidur Rahman Renu, and former president Shahgir Bakht Faruk, among others.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has underscored her firm stance against any recurrence of the 2013-14 incidents of arson terrorism and inhuman atrocities in the run-up to the next national election. During a community reception held in her honor at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, she emphasized that there would be no tolerance for such actions conducted in the name of a movement.
Recalling the events of 2013-14, Prime Minister Hasina pointed out that the BNP-Jamaat alliance had wreaked havoc across the country by setting people on fire, destroying public and private properties with petrol bombs hurled at various modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and launches. These actions led to severe burn injuries for many, including women, who continue to suffer from the consequences.
She clarified that her government had no objection to peaceful movements but highlighted the stark difference between peaceful protests and movements that involve killing people through arson terrorism and damaging the nation’s assets. She also referenced a past incident where 29 police personnel were killed, emphasizing that any attempt to harm innocent citizens would not be tolerated.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap were in attendance during the event, presided over by UK AL President Sultan Sharif and moderated by General Secretary Syed Sajedur Rahman Faruk.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also serves as the President of the ruling Awami League, criticized the BNP’s claims about democracy, citing their dubious election practices. She noted that the people of Bangladesh had swiftly removed the BNP from power within a short period after they conducted a controversial election on February 15, 1996.
Regarding voter lists, she pointed out that the BNP-Jamaat alliance had attempted to manipulate elections by creating a voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters. In contrast, Awami League leaders and activists had worked tirelessly to establish and protect the voting rights of the people, with some even sacrificing their lives in the process.
Prime Minister Hasina reiterated her commitment to holding free and fair elections, highlighting the reforms implemented by her government, including the establishment of an independent election commission and the introduction of transparent ballot boxes and voter lists with photographs.
She also mentioned that the BNP’s focus had shifted from political movements to seeking treatment abroad for Khaleda Zia. She clarified that she had acted within the confines of the law when allowing Khaleda Zia to stay at home after suspending her jail term in a corruption case.
Prime Minister Hasina called upon Bangladeshi expatriates to send remittances through official banking channels, acknowledging their contributions to the country’s progressive and democratic movements, including the War of Liberation in 1971.
In light of rising inflation due to global factors, she encouraged citizens to utilize every inch of land for agriculture to reduce dependency on food imports. She briefly outlined her government’s efforts to advance Bangladesh economically and digitally, with the goal of transforming it into a developed and prosperous nation by 2041.
In September of this year, the country’s export earnings from goods demonstrated robust growth, surging by 10.37 percent and reaching a total of $4,310.33 million. However, these single-month export figures fell short by 7.05 percent of the strategic export target set at $4,637 million, as reported by the latest statistics from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Comparatively, the export earnings for September in the previous year amounted to $3,905.07 million, indicating a noteworthy increase in the current year.
Taking a broader view, the data from EPB revealed that the overall export earnings during the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July-September) saw a significant growth of 9.51 percent, totaling $13,685.44 million. This exceeded the strategic target of $13,988 million set for the same period.
In contrast, during the same July-September period in the last fiscal year (FY23), the export earnings were recorded at $12,496.89 million, illustrating a noticeable upswing in the current fiscal year.
Among the various exportable items, the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector continued to dominate the overseas market during this three-month period, amassing an impressive $11,617.5 million with a growth rate of 13.07 percent.
Breaking down the RMG category, knitwear stood out as the frontrunner, securing the highest export amount of $6,762.59 million, followed closely by woven garments with earnings of $4,854.91 million.
For the current fiscal year, the government has set an ambitious target to export goods worth $62 billion, aiming for an 11.59 percent year-on-year growth. This follows a remarkable achievement in the previous fiscal year (FY23), where exports reached a record-breaking $55.56 billion despite challenging global conditions and uncertainties.
