The New Nation - Internet Edition

Government needs to find out alternative sources of energy

A.T.M.Nurun Nabi

The proven gas reserve in Bangladesh is 15.189 TCF, according to Bangladesh Economic Survey and the experts. Till date, the cumulative production being 6.793 TCF, the gas in hand stands at 8.396 TCF, which is likely to exhaust by 2011.

In the country, there are 67 wells in 16 fields at present. These are Titas Gas Field having 16 wells followed by Habiganj with nine, Rashidpur seven, Sangu six, Bakhrabad, Moulvi Bazar and Jalalalabad four each, Kailastila and Feni three each, Sylhet, Beani Bazar and Fenchuganj two each, Salda River two, Narshingdi, Bangura and Meghna one each. The Begumganj, Samutang, Shahbazpur and Bibiana Gas Fields are not in operation at the moment while that at Chhatak and Kanta are under suspension.

The position of three largest gas fields is as under in BCF:

Power plants used 247.80 BCF of gas during the fiscal of 2006-07 followed by fertiliser factories 98.91 BCF, industries 76.99 BCF and residential houses 65.41 BCF. The estimated use of gas in the FY 2007-08 is: Power plants 268.30 BCF, fertiliser factories 107.30 BCF, industries 86.00 BCF and residential houses 72 BCF while during the FY 2008-09 the probable use of gas in these four sectors are probably 291.60 BCF, 136.50 BCF, 112.50 BCF and 79.10 BCF respectively.

The experts view if no substitute energy is explored in Bangladesh, a large number of the power plants, the fertiliser factories, the industries and the residential houses will be automatically shut down, resulting in the great disaster for the nation.

In such situation, the government must find out substitute energy either by exploring new gas fields in the mainland or in the off shore islands. As the matter is too costly and needs high technology, it is hard for the government alone to do the job.

In this regard, it may be said that between the years 1991 and 1996 eight gas fields were leased to the foreign companies, overlooking the working capacities of BAPEX. The tragedy continued when six more were leased to the foreign companies between the years 1996 and 2001. Even there is allegation that a foreign company, which had no past experience, was able to sign deal with the government in exploring gas field. According to the available reports, BAPEX has achieved 50 percent success in digging wells so far whereas the foreign companies have scored 10 percent only.

In this backdrop, experts say that the ministry of power and energy needs to be cautious about finding out the substitute sources of energy to keep the country's economy on run. They further claim that Bangladesh cannot accede to any guarantee clause of supplying gas to any foreign company for investment of any amount when its own gas reserve may exhaust by 2011.

Holcim signs deal with Birds Bangladesh Agencies

Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, the leading cement manufacturer of the country has recently entered into an agreement with Birds Bangladesh Agencies Ltd for supply of cement to build 20-storey commercial building namely "Makkah Medina Trade Centre" in Chittagong .

In this regard, an agreement signing ceremony was held at Birds Bangladesh Agencies Ltd in Dhaka office. Niaz Uddin Mahmood, General Manager of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd and Nazmee J. Chowdhury. Senior General Manager of Birds Bangladesh Agencies Ltd has signed the agreement in their respective sides.

Under this agreement, Holcim Cement will exclusively be used for the purpose of construction of this prestigious project. The project is expected to complete by February 2010. With the completion of this project, this "Makkah Medina Trade Centre" would be the first tallest building in the port city Chittagong.

As a global cement producing company in over 70 countries. across all continents, Holcim has a long tradition of supplying quality cement for the construction of longest bridges, tallest buildings and biggest infrastructure projects in various countries In all continents of the glove. In maintaining this trend, in Bangladesh too, Holcim Cement have been used major infrastructure icons like, Bhairav Bridge, Rupsha Bridge (i.e. Khan Jahan Ail Bridge) Pakshi Bridge (i.e. Lalon Shah Bridge), recently completed Kanchan Bridge, Muktarpur Bridge, and 37-storey City Center in Dhaka etc. Conversely it may be mentioned, Holcim Cement is now being used to construct 3rd Karnafully Bridge in Chittagong.

After signing the agreement, both the companies have expressed their satisfaction to get involved with this prominent project of 20-storey Makkah Medina Trade Centre Building.

Aristopharma donates Tk. 2 lakh to Dr. Razib of NITOR

Aristopharma Ltd, a pharmaceutical company of Bangladesh, extended its hand to Dr. AI Razib Humayun Kamal of NITOR, who is now suffering from Rhabdomyosarcoma. Dr. Razib, an MS student of NITOR, is being treated under the supervision of Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, Asst. Prof. of Oncology Department of Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital Dhaka. As a socially responsible company Aristopharma takes the opportunity to stand by Dr. Razib to partially meet the huge expenditure of total treatment cost. Sales Managers Kazi Monir Ahmed & Md. Mizanur Rahman of the company handed the cheque of Tk. 2 lakh to the family members of Dr. Razib in Dhaka on January 31, 2008. Professor Kh. Abdul Awal Rizvi, President, Bangladesh Orthopedic Society, Professo Ramdew Ram Kairy, Associate Prof. Dr. Md. Abul Kalam, Head of Plastic Surgery Unit, NITOR, and other doctors of the institute were present on this occasion.

RBL launches WU money transfer service

Rupali Bank Limited (RBL) launched Western Union money transfer service at its 150 locations across the country. ATM Fazlul Karim, Chairman-Rupali Bank Limited, along with Anil Kapur, Managing Director-Western Union, South Asia inaugurated the launching ceremony. Abdul Hamid Miah, MD and Md. Joinal Abedin, DMD-Rupali Bank Limited and other high officials were present from Rupali Bank and graced the occasion with their presence. Ratheesh Kumar, Country Director Western Union with other officials were also present at the occasion.

Nasiruddin promoted as AMD of Prime Bank

Nasiruddin Ahmed had been promoted as Additional Managing Director of Prime Bank Limited from 1st February 2008. Previously he was holding the position of Deputy Managing Director of the same bank since 7th January 2004. Prior to joining Prime Bank Limited he was the Deputy Executive President of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited.

Nasiruddin has a successful banking career of more than thirty seven years having exposure in almost every area of banking operations management including finance and investment, fund management, assets management, human resources management and development, performance budgeting, integration of information technology and quality control in banking operations as Trainee Officer, Branch Manager, Divisional Head, Operational Chief, Zonal Manager, AGM, DGM and Deputy Executive President of the then State Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, Agrani Bank Limited and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited respectively.

Hossain Mehmood, Vice-Chairman of City Bank

In the 345th meeting of the Board of Directors of the City Bank Limited held recently Hossain Mehmood, Director of CBL has been elected Vice-Chairman of the bank. Hossain Mehmood is a dynamic and promising industrialist of the country. He is also the Managing Director of Anwar Group of Industries Textile Division, Director of City General Insurance Company Limited & Bangladesh Finance and Investment Company Limited.

ACME introduces new product

The ACME Laboratories Ltd. recently launched a new product of Tramadol HCI as Dolonil. It is a potent pain killer and is indicated in postoperative pain, traumas and fractures, musculoskeletal pain, neurogenic pain, cancer pain etc. Dolonil is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic with fewer side effects.

It is as effective as pethidine with reduced respiratory depression, sedation and constipation currently available in both injection and capsule form.

UCBL holds 23rd AGM

United Commercial Bank Ltd. held its 23rd Annual General Meeting for the year 2006 in a local five star hotel in Dhaka on Thursday last with Md. Jahangir Alam Khan, Chairman of the bank in the chair.

In the said AGM agenda relating to receipt and adoption of the Audited Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2005 and report of the directors and auditors thereon, and ratification and confirmation of directors and confirmation of appointment of auditors and their remuneration were transacted and approved of by the shareholders.

Mrs. Qumrun Nahar, Vice Chairman, M. A Kalam, E.C. Chairman, directors namely M. A Sabur, Aziz Al-Mahmood, Sharif Zahir, Shabbir Ahmed, Kazi Enamul Huq, Aziz Al-Masud, Ahmed Arif Billah, Farhana Akhter, Kaiser Ahmed and Managing Director Hamidul Huq, Addl Managing Director M Shah Alam Sarwar, Deputy Managing Directors namely AKM Kamal Uddin and M. S. Kamaluddion, Company Secretary M M. Rafiqur Ralunan, and senior executives as well as a large number of shareholders were present in the AGM.

The country's first generation private sector bank, United Commercial Bank Ltd has stepped into its Silver Jubilee this year with a remarkable growth.

Chevron distributes scholarships to school students

Steve Wilson, President of Chevron Bangladesh distributed scholarships to students from four schools of Srimangal upazila near the Moulavi Bazar gas field recently in a low-key ceremony.

Under the ongoing annual Education Support Program, which was launched in 2005, some 120 students, selected on the basis of both financial need and merit, received scholarships this year. Chevron awarded each student Tk 6,000 with an aim to promote education for the underprivileged.

During the program, Wilson reiterated the need for aligning all Chevron initiatives under the umbrella of partnerships.

"Our aim is to lend momentum to the community's stride towards a sustainable future, and promoting education is an important element in that matrix. Opportunities for employment are made possible only through proper education," said Wilson

Also present during the ceremony were teachers, parents, community leaders, local government officials, and other Chevron Bangladesh officials.

DBBL signs ATM sharing agreement with City Bank

Dutch-Bangla Bank limited (DBBL) signed ATM sharing agreement with The City Bank limited in a simple ceremony held in the Head Office of DBBL on January 31,2008.

Under this agreement, customers of The City Bank limited will be able to withdraw money and get other services from the DBBL's ATM booth. It is mentionable that DBBL has developed the largest ATM network in the country. The customers of City Bank can also use DBBL's POS network for payment of their shopping/dining bills at shops and restaurants.

K. Mahmud Sattar, Managing Director of The City Bank and Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of DBBL signed the agreement on behalf of their respective banks.

Among others, Sohail R. K. Hussain, Deputy Managing Director and Mashrur Arefin, Executive Vice President of The City Bank Limited and K. S. Tabrez, Deputy Managing Director (Operation), Abul Kashem Md. Shirin, Deputy Managing Director (Administration) of DBBL, and a number of executives from both the institutions were present at the signing ceremony.