The New Nation - Internet Edition

Arresting the crime trend

A GANG of armed dacoits committed robbery at a city jewellery shop in broad daylight on Tuesday. According to reports, about 12 robbers entered the shop at a super market in the city at 11 AM, held the salesmen hostage at gunpoint and fled away with gold ornaments worth about Taka two crore. It is reported that both the jewellery shop and the market had close-circuit cameras and security guards. But neither the cameras were in operation nor were the security guards present at the time.

The police suspect that insiders of the shop might have been involved in the crime. Without active involvement of persons familiar with the day-to-day functioning of the shop such a crime could not have been committed. It is unacceptable that such an offence could occur in spite of the existence of so many surveillance agencies. Considering its gravity, the robbery merits investigation by more than one body. The offenders must be brought to book and given exemplary punishment for others to understand that no culprits can escape arrest and punishment.

Crimes in the city in the past had taken alarming proportions and had thrown challenges to normal economic activities. Things remained under control until recently with the heightened efforts of the Rapid Action Battalion and other law enforcers. But some acts of crime during recent months including robbery in some banks and gunfire in a city hotel once again show a rising trend of crimes. People have started getting panicked because of the latest criminal activities. The organised crimes may be an indication of either loosening of surveillance by the intelligence agencies or the growth of dangerous criminal gangs capable of hoodwinking them. This trend should be arrested at any cost to ensure safety of life and property of the people.

Melamine test imbroglio

THE government has decided to re-examine the sample of eight powder milk brands earlier tested by the Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University, The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and a private firm, Plasma Plus. The findings of the test conducted by the Dhaka University showed all the eight brands containing melamine high above the admissible limit. The Chemistry Department of Dhaka University claimed that they used state-of-the-art instruments and procedure approved by the Federal Drug Administration of America.

Being consistent with international standard, the test carried out by the Chemistry Department should have been accepted by the government without hesitation. But it is alleged that pressure was brought to bear on the Commerce Ministry by private importers and multinational companies. A meeting was held in the office of the secretary commerce where representatives of private importers and multinational companies were present. It gave the impression that the government was more concerned with their reactions than the consequences of sale and use of contaminated milk powder. This feeling was re-enforced when the Secretary Commerce refused to impose any moratorium on the use of the eight brands until further tests. Instead, he reportedly said that it was up to the parents to decide whether they should feed these brands to their children.

The government in any country has the duty to maintain the health and safety of its citizens. It beggars belief that a government can abjure this basic responsibility and pass it on to others. The handling of the melamine test has been inept and dilatory, to say the least. Now that tests of the eight brands have been initiated afresh, the authorities should ensure speedy completion of the same and prevention of any influence by vested quarters. By not disclosing the name of FAO as one of the testing bodies, confidentiality could have been maintained.

Melamine in milk

Dr. M. S. Haq

Melamine is an organic base - used in a scientific sense. Its end products are, among other things, fabrics, glues, flame retardants (its nitrogen - 66 percent by mass - if mixed with resins has fire retardant properties), and pesticides. Plants absorb melamine through pesticides and it (melamine) eventually becomes part of human food chain and animal feed, for instance. In addition, the role of for example: high profit motives; criminal intentions, including inter alia those relating to bio-terrorism; insufficient knowledge and understanding in pertinent areas; and poor governance - at local, global and other levels - in making melamine, in varying degrees though, part of human food chain and animal feed, can not be ruled out or underestimated or both in the present day universe.

China has been using melamine as an agricultural pesticide for a long time. It recently witnessed inter alia thousands of sick children (80 percent are 2 years old) due to reasons that are apparently connected with, and ancillary to, for example consumption of milk laden with melamine. Further, melamine - that was found in the Chinese pet food exported to the US last year (2007) - believed to have contributed to subsequent deaths of many cats and dogs in the country.

Taking into cognizance contemporary beliefs and realities concerning melamine, it now appears the cause, effect and causality of milk powder formula tainted with melamine is, at present, both within and beyond say, knowledge and understanding of humans in relevant areas - at medical, non-medical and other levels. No direct study has reportedly been undertaken so far on effects of melamine on humans. On the other hand, studies on animals indicate formation of bladder stones on account of consumption of melamine. Melamine in combination with cyanuric acid forms crystals that can lead to kidney stones.

It should be noted here - there exist at present certain special remarks on toxic effects of melamine on humans when they (meaning, humans) come in contact with it. Those remarks reflect on inter alia: skin irritation; eye irritation; inhalation (for example, irritation of respiratory tract); and ingestion (for example, irritation of digestive tract with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). Further, special remarks on chronic effects of melamine on humans - based on animal data - reflect on inter alia: adverse reproductive effects - fertility, fetotoxicity, etc.

As per US Food and Drug Administration, an amount - up to 2.5 parts per million (ppm) - of melamine is safe for adults. The administration has not yet been able to set a standard for children. Hong Kong has recently put caps on melamine in food - no more than 2.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) for adults and no more than 01 mg per kg for children under 3 and pregnant plus lactating mothers.

In light of above, it can be said, more research outcomes, more development outcomes and more engineering outcomes in areas of melamine consumption than those at present would be required for world people: to establish human safety levels in terms of consumption of melamine; to identify melamine related diseases, symptoms and interrelationships; to create and maintain affordable and accessible screening opportunities for melamine affected people; to build and manage melamine related early warning mechanism; to develop new antidotes or strengthen existing antidotes or both in pertinent areas; to handle, in a proactive, reactive, and other fashion, melamine driven intra-generational and inter-generational complications, consequences and ramifications in the domain of living beings - plants, animals, humans, etc.; to mention a few; all in a more scientific, accurate, convincing, acceptable and result-oriented fashion than that at present.

A brief analysis of melamine matters discussed and not discussed in the article in the context of for example, test results reportedly confirming presence or no-presence of melamine in certain brands of powdered milk in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world plus melamine related present day situation in Bangladesh - would reveal several things. A few of them have been presented below:

1. The quality of samples of powdered milk that has so far been used for testing purposes is not, among other things, immune to time, space and other variables. Because there exist possibilities of contamination - direct or indirect or otherwise, whether deliberate or not - at several stages of the product's (meaning powdered milk) life cycle: procurement; quality control; transportation; production; packing; storage; and reprocessing - if applicable; to mention a few. It should be noted here the term product refers to inter alia: raw materials for the product; the finished product; and the product-in-use by end users.

2. The quality of testing processes including skills and equipment is, in a sense, directly and indirectly proportional to the quality of tests, test results and interpretations of test results. It implies inter alia test results on levels of contamination can vary from place to place on account of above and other relationships in pertinent areas. In other words, the reported gap between say, in-country and ex-country test results is not an unusual matter.

3. The amount of melamine found in eight popular brands of powdered milk in Bangladesh - ranging from 0.45 mg/gm to 0.04 mg/gm, as per the result announced recently by Dhaka University - is a matter of concern for concerned Bangladeshis and others against the backdrop of for example, standards discussed in the article. But it should be noted here: consequences and ramifications of melamine in relation to human systems are dependent on inter alia behaviors of individual immune systems.

Bangladeshis do not know for sure since when they have started consuming melamine in the form of powered milk or otherwise, how long they have been consuming, and at what costs - in terms of say, acute kidney failures, 'blood and liver related complications'.

4. Liquid milk and milk (powdered or not) products consumed by Bangladeshis and others have not so far been tested for melamine or the outcome of tests has not yet been made public.

5. The people of Bangladesh and others are still waiting for a clear health advisory on the matter from the army-supported government and concerned others.

6. The criminal dimension of melamine contamination has not apparently been taken seriously - so far - by the army-supported government and concerned others.

7. Intra and inter-governmental coordination and cooperation in terms of say, remedying the situation arising out of and in the course of consumption of powdered milk tainted with melamine in Bangladesh appear to be poor and somewhat direction less at this point in time. Further, the country is yet to deal with in-country and ex-country suppliers (for example) of powdered milk tainted with melamine - legally, diplomatically, public health-wise, and financially - in terms of compensation, etc. In that respect, organizations such as: WTO; WHO; UNICEF; Center for Disease Control (USA); US Food and Drug Administration; SAARC; INTERPOL; ILO; and concerned others; could be of some help to Bangladesh, Bangladeshis and others.

The last word: anti-melamine measures (in terms of living systems) for Bangladesh - for example and as appropriate:

a quick completion of melamine tests in respect of all types and brands of imported and local milk should be ensured and reliable test results are shared formally with people of Bangladesh and others by the army-supported government and concerned others at the soonest - for their (meaning Bangladeshis and others) informed decision and action in pertinent areas;

II. all risky brands should be withdrawn from the market based on test results;

III. supply of melamine free milk should be increased for all children at least under 6 - whether or not breast-fed, as applicable;

IV. selling of milk products should be stopped till the availability of test results pertaining to those products and action-s taken by competent authorities based on those results;

V. an acceptable improvement in the overall supply situation of melamine free milk in the country within the shortest possible time and at minimal costs;

VI. an effective and efficient regime for monitoring and controlling (monitoring is part of controlling, though) the use of melamine throughout Bangladesh. A more productive implementation of for example, the country's labor laws pertaining to safety (say, melamine related safety) of people at work - than that at present;

VII. intensification of for example, security (Police, BDR) intelligence, BSTI, laboratory (as applicable), anti-corruption and NBR activities and activities of judiciary in pertinent areas for detecting, arresting, prosecuting, punishing or dealing otherwise with people associated with the business of contamination, per se;

mobilization of people's support and political will in favor of an anti-melamine (I mean in terms of living systems) movement in the country; and

IX. a result-oriented handling of factors mentioned vide sections 1 to 7 - as appropriate.

Let us work collectively and in a meaningful manner.

Bangladesh exports to US: Challenge and prospect

Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury

The United States is indeed a gigantic market, and the opportunities for success here are enormous. This particular attempt on the part of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to promote their products in the U.S. through a trade fair is very commendable. In fact, similar trade fairs in other big cities should also be contemplated. Although the current economic crisis may be seen as a serious setback for businesses, the situation is expected to change before long. So, I believe that with the right products and a good marketing plan Bangladesh in time will be able to increase its share of this huge market.

Now, without going into too much detail and making my discussion too boring, I will try to focus on the vital points.

We know that Bangladesh began in 1971 in a very destitute situation. But the country is a resource-rich country, and has remained so even after many years of economic exploitation by various foreign powers. The country is clearly blessed with some key natural resources, such as fertile land, rich coal, and natural gas. It is the major producer of jute, tea, and leather, and its labor force is considered quite competitive. All of these are essential ingredients not only for establishing a strong economic base for the country, but also for achieving further growth through trade and commerce.

Why then, one might ask, has Bangladesh remained poor and failed to achieve its potential in its 37 years of existence? A simple answer to this may be government policy. The government of a country is responsible for steering it in the right direction. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has never had a responsible government, and so the country's potential has remained very elusive.

Let's look at some hard facts. Trade plays an important role in the economic growth of a country. While countries like China and India are immensely benefiting from free trade that the United States has been promoting, Bangladesh has failed to take full advantage of such opportunities even though it possesses the necessary resources to do so. Most notably, Bangladesh missed a great opportunity to advance in information technology because the government reportedly rebuffed overtures from the U.S. businesses during the 1980s. Now imagine the situation in Bangladesh if a different course of action had been taken!

It is already a well established and recognized fact that the main reason why Bangladesh missed its opportunity to forge ahead was primarily because of its corrupt political system. Economists estimate that the massive corruption has cost the country nearly 2 to 3 per cent of its annual growth. From an economic point of view this is a huge loss over the years. As an example, the U.S. economy has grown at a rate of 3 per cent per annum during the past decade. If corruption in Bangladesh, on the other hand, was somehow contained at a reasonable level, instead of 5 to 6 per cent current annual growth, the country would have been forging ahead as one of the fastest growing economies in the world today.

The role of industrialization is very critical for the economic development of a country. In the case of Bangladesh, instead of progress, many of its core industrial bases continue to dwindle. Take the example of the jute industry, which has been experiencing a steady decline over the years. When petroleum-based synthetic substitute products were introduced in the 1960s, the demand for jute products was somewhat weakened, though it never disappeared. The big irony is that India has been capturing the jute market that Bangladesh was losing. Now with the high cost of petroleum, the demand for jute products is on the rise again, and the trend is likely to continue. But, looking at the troubled condition of the jute industry in Bangladesh, one would be very hard pressed to find hope that the country would be able to take full advantage of the changed circumstances. The World Bank estimates that Bangladesh has the potential to increase its share of the jute market to 80 per cent of raw jute and 50 per cent of manufactures. Leather industry is another example, where Bangladesh could have made a huge inroad, but didn't. There is a big demand for leather products everywhere, including the United States. Bangladesh has failed to fulfill its true obligation of producing and marketing of quality leather products. Similar arguments may also be made about other key industries, such as tea, cotton or sugar. The fish industry may be an exception. It has done well, though it too has fallen short of expectation. The circumstances of the fish industry may be somewhat different, yet the government couldn't escape its basic responsibility.

This is the only area where Bangladesh could claim considerable success. Today garment export is the main source of foreign earnings for the country after remittance. It is a service industry in that almost all of the components of garments are imported except labor. Its success was not necessarily influenced by the government policy but essentially by outside forces. This industry had its origin in the 1970s when the investors of other South East Asian nations ventured to set up garment factories in Bangladesh to work around the export quotas imposed on their native countries by the United States. Later Bangladeshi entrepreneurs rushed to establish their own companies, some with little or no experience. After a period of adjustments, the industry began to stabilize and started to grow, and has eventually earned the world's respect. Thus, the stabilization and growth of the garment industry in Bangladesh were achieved largely with the help and intervention of foreign investors who supplied expert technical support for quality control and had an effective marketing plan. Additionally, the country enjoyed a favorable quota system from the United States through the year 2004. As a result, of the more than 3 billion dollars of exports Bangladesh made to the U.S. in 2006, the garment sector was the major and biggest contributor. But this situation may now be rapidly changing as other least developing countries gain trade advantage from the United States, and Bangladesh fails to renew its favorable status. The failure to renew favorable status for Bangladesh may also fall on the shoulder of the government emissaries here for their inability to influence the U.S. Congress.

In any case, whether the current status on Bangladesh garments exports changes or not, to maintain the market share of garments in the United States, the country must continue to be competitive in respect to price, quality, and service. It may well be that under the prevailing circumstances, Bangladesh will lose some of its old clientele or will even face stiff competition for its products in the future. But I believe that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have gained enough experience in garments to stay competitive. What is then needed is an effective marketing plan for their success.

Bangladesh has clearly demonstrated its skills in the textiles sector. I think the country should build on the foundation of such strength. I strongly believe that the kind of skills that give Bangladesh an advantage in textiles can be easily transformed into an advantage, especially in the manufacture of leather goods. I would even go further and say that the same labor intensive skills can give Bangladesh an edge in all kinds of footwear, sports equipment (Pakistan has a stronghold on this currently), carpet weaving (another Pakistani export), and the labor intensive assembly of small electronic components-which may be imported from China or elsewhere and then assembled in Bangladesh-into electronic goods such as TV sets, personal computers, etc.

Bangladesh does not have to make any of these goods from beginning to end. Instead, it can concentrate on only the part of the manufacturing process that requires assembly by skilled hands. Food processing may also work, especially if American companies such as Dole, Del Monte, and Chiquita are made aware of Bangladesh's natural resources and skilled labor, and if they are welcomed by the government with appropriate incentives.

The pre-requisite of success in trade is a quality product, and an ongoing process of making improvements to the existing product. As has been noted, Bangladesh has come a long way in producing quality garments. In addition, the country could claim good progress in improving its quality in jute products, leather goods, and handicrafts as well as in the packaging of quality tea. All of these and many other products of Bangladesh have great prospects in the U.S. (One foot note about leather products: my wife who works in the merchandising business in the U.S. recently visited a stall in Dhaka, and saw beautifully crafted leather bags there. But after picking one up, she said she couldn't help noticing a smell from the bag. A problem like this would require correction and could be corrected very easily.)

Anyway, production of quality goods is only half the battle. Marketing is as important as production or distribution. In fact, marketing may be the biggest hurdle Bangladeshi entrepreneurs would face in the United States. Marketing requires both knowledge and skill, and in the U.S. there are business firms which specialize in marketing. It may be advantageous to seek such professional help.

But short of engaging a lavish marketing firm by an individual business or industry, other approaches can be considered. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs should consider creating a workable business consortium, which will then go on to establishing a permanent product center in New York City with possible sub-centers in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles where all the exportable products of Bangladesh will be represented. Each center will then be equipped to process sale orders in coordination with the central office in New York. For promoting various products, an attractive web site may be created, and national as well as local news media may be utilized. Based on business experience, a central warehouse for keeping certain inventories may also be planned.

Again, the name of the game is competition, and having a plan ready for the competition. If properly equipped with good quality products, competitive price, and superior service, Bangladeshi goods will have no problem in capturing as well as maintaining their market share in the U.S. A well thought out plan, which should include building and maintaining strong trade relations with reputable merchandising companies, and its proper execution will be needed.

It can, therefore, be concluded that to reap the benefit of trade with the United States, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs must be prepared to meet the challenge of marketing. The reward will be huge if they succeed.

(The author teaches Economics at CW Post Campus of Long Island University, New York. He has published articles on issues concerning Bangladesh, Communism and developing economies, which are posted on web sites)