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November 18, 2018

Myanmar’s first dry port opens for business

KM Terminal & Logistics Ltd (KM) and Resource Group (RG) officially opened two separate dry port projects in Ywar Thar Gyi, Yangon yesterday.

A dry port is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail.

Freight trains will run from Ywar Thargyi to a second dry port in Myit Nge, Mandalay, which KM will also own and operate. The company said it invested over US$50 million (K78 billion) in both ports.

KM is joint venture company that is 70 percent owned by Kerry Logistics and 30pc owned by Mother Logistics, its local partner.

Meanwhile, Myanmar-owned RG has invested US$40 million in a similar project under which freight trains will run from its Ywar Thar Gyi dry port in Yangon to its Myit Nge dry port in Mandalay, according to RG.

The two projects are expected to help improve Myanmar’s logistics network. “Because our logistics system is not good, costs are high across the transport value chain. As such, Myanmar needs logistics hubs like these dry ports to help upgrade the system,” U Thant Sin Maung, Union Minster of Transport and Communication, said at the opening ceremony of KM’s dry port.

The Yangon dry ports will handle cargo directly transferred from the Yangon river ports and Thilawa ports and help to alleviate traffic congestion on the roads. It will also speed up the flow of cargo between vessels and major land transportation networks, which adds value for consignees and exporters.

In addition, the Ywar Thar Gyi dry port in Yangon and Myit Nge dry port in Mandalay are strategically located in the centre of Myanmar, which will support trade between lower and upper Myanmar.

“Our Yangon dry port will now be linked by road and railway to our Mandalay Myit Nge dry port, which started operations since May,” said U Nyi Htut, general manager of KM.

U Myint Maw, managing director of RG, said the ports will help to streamline trade flows and decrease logistics costs.

Last year, Myanma Railways, which is under the remit of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, signed agreements with KM and RG to construct the dry ports under a build, operate and transfer system.

Myanmar ranks 137 out of 160 countries on the World Bank’s logistics performance index 2018.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmars-first-dry-port-opens-business.html

November 18, 2018

Foreign ships, containers tripled

The number of foreign ships stood at 784 in 2017-18 fiscal year, which was only 282 in 2012-13 fiscal. The number of containers was 43,000 in 2017-18, whereas it was 20,717 in 2015-16

Arrivals of foreign ships and containers have tripled in Mongla port in a period of five years, thanks to massive development and modernization initiatives to upgrade the second largest sea port in the country.

The number of foreign ships stood at 784 in 2017-18 fiscal year, which was only 282 in 2012-13 fiscal. The number of containers was 43,000 in 2017-18, whereas it was 20,717 in 2015-16, according to data of Mongla port .

With the growing interests from the port users, the port authority has garnered enhanced revenue from its services.

In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17, the revenue earning has seen an upward trend by 15%, which turned to 50% in FY17-18. Arrivals of foreign ships and cargo handling have also increased simultaneously.

According to port users, without problems, such as poor navigability in the jetties, lack of adequate instruments to handle containers and difficulties in the customs, export-import business in the Mongla port would have boosted further, improving the financial standards of the locals as well.

Mongla port Chairman Commodore AKM Faruque Hasan said: “Among the 10 approved development projects intended for the port, seven are currently under progress.

“Once these projects- financed by India and China- are completed, the port will be better mobilized,” he added. “The government is constantly monitoring port development.”

Port users are increasingly attracted to Mongla port due to its enhanced efficiency, and better services, the chairman said.

Profitable since 2009, but problems remain

The chairman further said, after 2009, the Mongla port has been experiencing profits.

Currently, the port has six self-owned jetties, seven individually owned jetties and 22 anchorages- all of which are capable of handling 34 ships at the same time.

The port has the capacity to handle more than 10,000,000 metric tons of cargoes, 70,000 containers and more than 20,000 vehicles through four transit sheds, two warehouses, four container yards and two car parking yards.

Mongla Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Associations President Md Sultan Hossain Khan said: “According to data provided by the Chittagong customs house, 10% of the imported goods go through a physical checkup after entering the Chittagong port.”

“However, in Mongla customs house, 100% of the imported goods go through a physical checkup,” he said. “This is why importers do not want to bring ‘capital machineries’ through this port.”

He said due to the financial losses and harassments, many are unwilling to use the port.

Port Chairman Commodore AKM Faruque Hasan said as number of containers are low, the customs authority checks almost all consignments, although there is a provision of examining as low as 10% of the total consignments.

He said currently 70-80% of the capacity is used by the port users.

Meanwhile, port users say, the port can be used to its fullest potential with the cooperation of all concerned parties.

Mongla port user Shipping Agent and Managing Director of Stevedors Messrs Nuru and Sons HM Dulal informed: “Ships are continuously entering the Mongla port. Port users have increased their scope of work, creating more employment for workers.”

Former MP of Bagerhat-3 constituency- which comprises of Mongla-Rampal upazilas- and Khulna City Corporation Mayor Alhaj Talukder Abdul Khaleque said the Mongla port has gone through a lot of developments after the current government came to power.

“Through capital dredging, navigability was increased in 145km of channel area,” he said. “We are trying to ensure a safe, pollution-free and environment-friendly channel.”

The government has taken different initiatives to increase port usage. Among them, constructions of Padma Bridge, Khulna-Mongla railway, Khanjahan Ali Airport, 1320 megawatt of coal-based Rampal power plant, Special Economic Zone (SPZ) in the Mongla port area with the joint initiative of Bangladesh-India, and expansion of Mongla EPZ are some of them, the mayor said.

He hoped the construction works for all these projects will be completed by 2020-21.

According to port sources, the Mongla port does not have sufficient infrastructures. The port is going to be even busier after the construction of the Padma Bridge. And if all port-related activities of Khulna are to be transferred to Mongla port, the overall facilities of the port must be increased.

With that end in mind, Bangladesh is now seeking loans from India.

Aid from India

India will be providing Tk6,245cr in loans in the Tk6,585cr Mongla developmental project. The project, which started in June, is estimated to end by 2022.

The objective of the project is to increase the capacity of the Mongla port, as well as provide modern facilities for port users.

Port authorities say the project has a total of 12 components. They are: constructions of jetty-1 and jetty-2 container terminals, container handling yard, container deliver yard, security systems, roads, yard sheds, security walls automation, service vessel jetty, office, MPA tower, port residential complex and community facilities, mechanical workshops, equipment yards, equipment sheds, MT pools, marine workshops, signal rail crossing, overpass, entertainment sector, expansion of the preserved areas and other infrastructures and administration buildings and purchase of five harbour crafts.

Mongla port started its journey on December 1, 1950. It was opened 48km north of Khulna and 131km upstream of Bay of Bengal as “Chalna port”. In 1954, the name was changed to Mongla port for the convenience of the entry of foreign ships, port sources said.

Jute and jute-related goods, prawns, clay tiles, leather and other goods are exported through this port currently. On the other hand, food grains, fertilizers, machineries, vehicles, LP gas, coal, limestone, palm oil, wooden logs, stones and other goods are imported.

Source:https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2018/11/11/foreign-ships-containers-tripled

November 18, 2018

Local cement companies thriving over multinationals

Large government infrastructure projects and increased urbanization are boosting the local cement industries, as the sector has been growing more than 12.50% in the last five years, according to multiple studies and sector people.

Currently, more than 32 cement manufacturing companies, four of them multinationals, produce around 30 million tons of cement per annum.

Local companies hold more than 80% of market share, beating the multinationals by their attractive prices and quality.

Higher per capita incomes and sustained period of political stability helped grow the sector amid huge construction works in both public and private sectors, studies observed.

“Demand for cement has registered a robust the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.67% over the last five years. This is significantly higher than the country’s GDP growth, according to a recent study of LankaBangla Investment Ltd.

Average per capita cement consumption in the world is 500kg while that of Bangladesh is only 120kg, the study said referring to a World Bank.

According to another study of Lafarge Surma Cement, nearly 40% of total cement used in a single year is consumed in the construction of private homes followed by 33% in government buildings and infrastructure, 24% is used to build real estate and commercial buildings.

The remaining 3% cement is used for other purposes, said the study.

“A sustained period of political stability has provided stable and growth supportive environment,” said the report of LankaBangla Investment Ltd.

“Increased urbanization has been a key factor in the rise of the cement industry. Furthermore, higher per capita incomes have resulted in greater affordability while changing lifestyles have resulted in more nuclear families. These factors have contributed to consistent rise in the demand for construction materials such as cement.”

Large government infrastructure projects have sustained the growth in cement demand amid a slow real estate recovery, it further said.

People involved in the cement sector said large government infrastructure projects have shot the demand for construction materials, including cement.

In a recently surveyed report by the Cement Manufacturer’s Association, it has been found that there is production capacity of 40 million tons per annum, whereas actual production is hovering around 32million tons.

The machinery, equipment and manufacturing sites are not being utilized fully by the cement manufacturing companies. On an average the utilization rate by these companies is currently around 75-80%, the survey said.

The sector-related people say companies could not reap benefits of lower clinker prices due to the domestic price war. For the production of cement, two types of material are required — calcareous material such as limestone, chalk, etc., and the another is clay, which are extracted from quarries.

Limestone is the primary raw material for producing cement clinker. There are also other raw materials used in the cement industry.

Bangladesh depends on imports and it is one of the largest importers of clinkers globally. Of the 32 cement producers that are currently in operation, only two have clinker production facilities in their own plants. One is Chhatak Cement Factory Ltd, a government owned company, with limited production capacity and the other is LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Limited.

Out of seven listed companies in the premier bourse, six are listed in the ‘A’ category, meaning the companies regularly provide dividends to shareholders. The remaining one listed firm – Aramit Cement Limited fall under the ‘Z’ category.

The cement sector contributed 2% of the total turnover of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in the last month, compared to 2.49% in September, 1.06% in August, and 1.41% in July, according to DSE data.

The listed Cement sector companies are Confidence Cement, Heidelberg Cement Bangladesh Ltd, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, Meghna Cement Mills, M.I. Cement Factory (Crown Cement), Premier Cement Mills and Aramit Cement Limited.

Currently, only 32 factories are in operation, including four multinational companies. At present, 81% of the total market share is held by top 10 manufacturers. Among the top 10 cement market players in Bangladesh, eight are local and two are multinationals.

Multinational cement companies are facing intensive competition with local ones which are grabbing the top slot of the industry by operating along the economy of scale and with deft marketing strategies. Multinationals now hold only 25-30% of the total market share, industry sources said.

As a result of failure to penetrate the market, two of the global cement groups, UAE based Emirates Cement and Mexico based cement manufacturer Cemex have recently divested their Bangladesh operations. However, the acquisition of Holcim by Lafarge Surma will reshape the industry dominance in Bangladesh in the days to come as both companies already operate their own businesses in the domestic market, sector people said.

After the completion of acquisition, Lafarge Holcim has the 2nd place in terms of market share.

Another recent study by EBL securities revealed that Shah Cement holds 14% of the market share, while Lafarge Holcim holds 11.8%, Bashundhara Group 9.1%, Seven Rings Cement 8.1%, Heidelberg Cement 8%, Premier Cement 6.6%, M.I. Cement (Crown Cement) 6.6%, Fresh Cement 6.5%, Akij Cement 4.2%, and Confidence cement 2%, according to the study.

The sector-related people say Bangladesh is a populous country. On the other hand, the country’s economy continues to grow steadily. Therefore, construction of multi-storied buildings across the country is going on in full swing.

Urbanization in various cities including Dhaka is increasing. Construction of major infrastructure mega projects including the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail and Dhaka Elevated Expressway is boosting the demand.

Further, the use of cement in the villages is increasing more than urban areas, cement traders said.

“Foreign remittance has been playing a vital role that encourages rural people to construct buildings for their living,” a trader said.

Belal Hossen, executive director of the Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA) told the Dhaka Tribune: “The cement sector is growing day by day as demands keep soaring. At the same time, foreign currency earning is also increasing through limited scale exports.”

Terming the industry mostly dependent on import for its raw materials, the association leaders urged the government to lower tariffs for further expansion of the sector.

November 13, 2018

Coastal belt holds wind power prospects: study

Bangladesh’s southern coastal belt offers potential for generating power through wind, according to a recently published study by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, raising hopes of meeting the government’s renewable energy goals.

The government has targeted to generate 2,470 megawatts of electricity by 2021 through renewable sources, 1,153MW of which was supposed to have been achieved by this year. In reality, the government is nowhere near hitting that target.

The study, carried out on behalf of the power division, found that coastal areas of Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions have more than 6 metres per second (m/s) wind speed at 120-metre height, sufficient for generating electricity from wind turbines.

For wind speeds of 5.75-7.75 m/s, there are more than 20,000 square kilometres of land with a gross wind potential of more than 30,000MW, said the report styled “Assessing the Wind Energy Potential in Bangladesh”.

“Although this estimate is not realistic when proper filters are applied to screen out undesirable land for wind development, it suggests that Bangladesh’s 10 percent renewable target by 2021 is achievable,” the report said.

Until now, only three wind turbines with 3MW of capacity have been in operation for the last couple of years in Feni and coastal Kutubdia.

The wind turbine in Feni, with the blades’ centrepoint 50 metres above the ground, has so far generated 588,334 kilowatt hours of electricity since resuming operations in April 2014 after repairs.

It cannot always supply the generated electricity to the national grid for various reasons.

The wind turbines in Kutubdia island, each of 1MW capacity and with the blades’ centrepoint 18 metres above the ground, are yet to run in full capacity.

Since June 2016, 149,582kW of electricity was supplied by the wind turbines, according to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), which installed the turbines.

The latest study, jointly funded by the USAID and the government, has been done to develop a national wind resource assessment.

Data were collected from nine meteorological sites representing all geographical regions of Bangladesh from June 2014 to December 2017, according to the report.

The results of the wind resource assessment will help Bangladesh overcome the significant energy challenges, the report said citing the country’s power shortage against the backdrop of increasing demand and dwindling natural gas reserves.

Data obtained for the study will support informed decision making, ranging from policy and investment decisions to reliable power sector planning.

Specifically, the Bangladesh wind resource assessment will help reduce technical risks and raise interest of the private sector on the nascent wind market in the country, it said.

On the issue of whether wind energy can compete with the local wholesale energy market, the report said, “Although this work is an important first step, other data inputs are needed to answer this question, including turbine selection and knowledge of the unsubsidised cost of wholesale power.”

The report, among others, recommended the government analyse installation and financing costs for wind energy and compare against the current 20-year forecasts for Bangladesh’s cost of power.

This is the first ever study on wind resource potential in Bangladesh, said an official of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda).

“It will give an idea to policymakers and investors,” he said, adding that an investor would require collecting site specific wind and land data if he/she wants to set up wind turbines in the potential areas for wind energy.

A working committee has been formed at Sreda to frame a guideline on wind energy. Sreda also has plans to take up a project to set up three towers to collect site specific data in areas including Kuakata of Patuakhali.

A committee has been formed to conduct in-house feasibility study on the wind energy potential in Mongla and Chandpur based on the report, said Md Nazmul Haque, director of renewable energy of the BPDB.

Source:https://www.thedailystar.net/business/wind-power-plant-prospects-bangladesh-coastal-belt-1658767

November 13, 2018

UAE’s Cozmo Travel now in Bangladesh

Cozmo Travel, one of the largest and leading travel agencies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), yesterday launched its services in Dhaka to hook business from the growing number of Bangladeshi travelers.

Jamal Abdulnazar, chief executive officer of Cozmo, opened the company’s footprint at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka. Saed Mohammed Al Muhairi, UAE ambassador to Bangladesh, attended as chief guest.

The Sharjah-headquartered travel management company has partnered with local RAS Holidays, an enterprise of MGH Group, to provide total travel solutions — from planning to ticketing services, hotel bookings, the UAE visit visa, global visa process and organising activities at destinations around the world and the UAE.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdulnazar said launching business in 2010, Cozmo has developed its expertise for customised travel solutions for independent and corporate travelers.

Pointing out travel and tourism potentials among the Middle East, the UAE and Bangladesh, he said 11.3 percent of the UAE GDP came from the travel and tourism sector in 2017 and it was expected to rise by 4.9 percent this year.

Cozmo, a fully-owned enterprise of low-cost airline Air Arabia, has around three dozen branch offices in different gulf countries.

Kazi Wahidul Alam, editor of The Bangladesh Monitor; Bikramjit Ghosh, country manager of Air Arabia; Santosh Bikram Rana, business development manager of Cozmo Travel, and Abdur Rahim, director and chief operating officer of RAS Holidays, were present among others.

Source:https://www.thedailystar.net/business/tourism/news/uaes-cozmo-travel-now-bangladesh-1659262

November 13, 2018November 13, 2018

Japan’s Honda opens motorcycle plant

Japan automobile giant Honda yesterday inaugurated its motorcycles manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, in what can be viewed as a watershed moment for the country’s industrial capabilities.

The plant, which was set up for Tk 230 crore on 25 acres of land in the Abdul Monem Economic Zone (AMEZ) in Munshiganj, will help save foreign currency and make motor bikes more affordable.

“We will hit the market with the ‘Made-in-Bangladesh’ Honda bike,” said Shah Muhammad Ashequr Rahman, head of finance and commercial of Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL), a joint venture between Honda and state-owned Bangladesh Steel Engineering Corporation (BSEC).

The plant will have an initial annual production capacity of 100,000 units a year. By 2021, the production capacity will expand to 200,000 units a year, according to BHL, which has been marketing Honda brand bikes in Bangladesh for the last several decades.

It plant will make seven models of Honda motor cycles: Dream Neo 110, LIVO 110, CB Shine125, CB Trigger 150, CB Hornet 160R, and CBR150R.

Rahman declined to specify the prices of locally made Honda two-wheelers, but said they would not be more than those of the existing bikes.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, who inaugurated the plant, said he expects Bangladesh’s customers would get world-class motor cycles at a reasonable price.

So far, Tk 1,500 crore has been invested for the development of motorcycle industry in Bangladesh.

“Hundreds of jobs were created thanks to the investment,” he said.

Honda’s move to start local manufacturing comes at a time when the motor cycle market is fast expanding, spurred by price cuts brought about by a slash in supplementary duty on the import of the two-wheeler’s components and a surge in ride-sharing services in Dhaka and Chittagong.

The National Board of Revenue slashed the SD by 25 percentage points to 20 percent in fiscal 2016-17 to encourage local assembly and subsequent manufacturing.

The government also framed the National Motorcycle Industry Development Policy 2018 with a view to diversifying the country’s manufacturing and export and creating jobs.

Today, on average 1,000 units of two-wheelers are sold every day in Bangladesh as the demand is surging for the mobility it provides in the congestion-ridden urban life. The number was around 550 five years earlier, said industry operators.

Yuichiro Ishii, managing director and chief executive officer of BHL, expects the motor cycle industry in Bangladesh to expand and contribute to the national economy by generating more jobs and developing a skilled workforce.

The plant will also facilitate technology transfer, encourage the growth of a parts supplying industry and attract more direct foreign investment, he added.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Mrinal Kanti Das, both lawmakers; Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, chairman of the NBR; Paban Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority; Muhammad Abdullah, youth and sports secretary; Hiroyasu Izumi, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh; Noriaki Abe, operating officer for motor cycle operations of Honda Motor Co Ltd; and Masayuki Igarashi, president and CEO of Asian Honda Motor Co Ltd, were present.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/japan-honda-opens-motorcycle-manufacturing-plant-in-bangladesh-1659286

November 13, 2018

Bhutanese Organic Essential Oil Hits The Market

Kingdom Essences began with the motive to support the Nubi Menjong Nyamley Tshogdey (NMNT) in rural Trongsa comprising about 150 households by helping with income generation through value addition of local produce.

Kingdom Essences (K.Essences) are tiny bottles of natural local made-in-Bhutan essential oils. The products include caraway essential oil which is good for seasonal allergies, digestion and can be applied as an antiseptic whereas Mugwort oil is good for flu and headaches. Juniper and pine essential oil works as a good antiseptic, helps with arthritis and fights cramps and Thinnye (Sichuan Pepper) essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory benefits.

Kingdom Essences produces 100% pure and natural organic essential oils from local medicinal plants that are either purchased from the rural community members or sustainably harvested from the wild. Kingdom Essences extracts their oils from local raw materials like thinye (sichuan pepper), khempa (mugwort) to Juniper berries and leaves.

The project initially began in November 2015 when co-founder Kuenga started an organic farm in his village after graduation. During the same year, there was an unutilized community facility centre (CFC) which upon inquiry, Kuenga Dhendup was able to lease from the NMNT cooperative. Pema C. Gyaltshen, his partner, joined the business in 2016.

Kuenga Dhendup, 27, is from Kaba village in Nubi Gewog under Trongsa had graduated from Royal Thimphu College in 2014, whereas Pema C. Gyaltshen, 28, is from Tsamang; Monggar and graduated from RTC in 2016.

The journey started in August 2017, when both received His Majesty the King’s kindhearted blessing and were given the opportunity to receive training at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiangrai, Thailand.

The professors from the University’s cosmetic school taught them how to develop products using essential oils. Ever since then, the duo has been researching on local medicinal herbs and conducting experiments on developing safe and effective products suitable for the Bhutanese market.

The oils were extracted through distillation of these natural ingredients, resulting in an extremely concentrated products packed with healing benefits. Zanthoxylum Armatum (thingye or Sichuan pepper) and Caraway are locally grown and purchased directly from a rural community group NMNT.

The team collects some plants like Mugwort, Wintergreen, and Pine needles and others like Juniper and Cypress leaves. The wild raw materials are sustainably harvested by pruning the trees, which helps with the growth of the tree.

From holistic healing treatment, body massages to simple application, there are many methods of using essential oils on a daily basis considering its concentrated formula. As of now, the company is able to produce only a small number since it struggles with expensive packaging that it has to import from India and China.

Kuenga said their products are high quality/high end so it has proven to be a little expensive for the local market. “Most are not willing to take the risk of using essential oils for well being as the idea is still very new in Bhutan.”

He also added the availability of synthetic products that are affordable at very low prices compared to pure essential oils is also a reason why customers prefer to purchase the cheaper products. “We are trying to spread information on the benefits of pure essential oils to as many people as we can.”

“One must be firm in decision making, accountable for the results of his decision and be gentle to the environment as opportunities come along every day” he said.

Kuenga says that the youth especially must know that it is the Great Fourth who left the treasures of the nation to be discovered by its youth. “It is our time to find the best approach to monitor and sustainably utilize the nations’ wealth. This is how you as an entrepreneur can make all the difference. Look for ways to solve a problem instead of following the crowd.”

Currently, Caraway Essential Oil costs Nu 600(60ml) and Mugwort oil Nu 920.

Source:http://www.businessbhutan.bt/businessbhutan/bhutanese-organic-essential-oil-hits-the-market/

November 13, 2018

DPT President Refutes Claim On Privatizing Hydropower Projects

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) president Pema Gyamtsho has refuted allegation of privatizing hydropower projects in the country.

During his tour in Chhukha and Samtse last week, Pema Gyamtsho said privatizing hydropower projects is nowhere mentioned in their party’s manifesto.

He explained that the party has promised to promote private sectors’ participation, but not privatize the hydropower construction projects.

“It is totally false and promoting false news which is untrue,” he said, adding that the party, if it forms the government, however will look into the possibility of allocating the development of micro hydropower plants, but not the mega ones, to the private sector.

“That will also happen if the community and the private companies are genuinely interested and we will explore the possibility. With the inability and the lack of capacities, the country’s private sector is still too incompetent to start the country’s mega hydropower projects,” he added.

DPT president said the privatization would also undermine the bilateral agreements made between the two governments of Bhutan and India and India who has funded the projects till now. “We have only promised to involve private sectors in micro projects,” he said.

He also said that the party, if it forms the government, will expedite the construction of mega power projects which are ongoing. Also the party will start three other hydropower projects.

Hydropower being the primary source of national revenue, the president assured to expedite ongoing hydropower projects and start new projects if the party comes to power.

“Bunakha and Wangchhu hydropower projects in Chhukha will also get started in collaboration with the Indian government. It’s already in the plan and we will work with the Indian government,” Pema Gyamtsho said.

The DPT president also assured development of the Gedu town by promoting tourism in the country.

“The party has already charted plans and policies to promote regional tourists where Gedu will be benefitted the most by offering meals for the travelers. If rules are made clear keeping in mind the security of the nation, we can promote tourism and develop towns,” he added.

Also, DPT has a plan to set up a technical institute in Gedu if the party comes to power. Apart from these, the party, if it wins, will continue to focus on providing farm roads and medical services and addressing drinking water shortage problems in the country.

“The previous governments have done and we will continue providing necessary facilities, which is our priority,” he said, assuring that the party will work towards making the country self reliant by 2025.

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa president Lotay Tshering reaches Trongsa yesterday to campaign for the general round of the third parliamentary elections yesterday.

Source:http://www.businessbhutan.bt/businessbhutan/dpt-president-refutes-claim-on-privatizing-hydropower-projects/

November 13, 2018

ShaMa Foundation Reaches Rural Bhutan

ShaMa foundation, an international, non – profit organization dedicated to social welfare, education, and health care, which has been active since 2015, and was incorporated in 2018 initiated Shudh Program in Bhutan last year, in June 2017.

The program aims to provide access to safe drinking water in remote and challenging geographies and also strives to achieve this through installation of clean water storage tanks supported by water purifiers.

Shudh Program also aims to minimize water-borne infections caused by contaminated drinking water. Projects under the program are supporting communities in far-flung areas by providing them access to safe drinking water and thereby protecting young children from healthcare issues.

Shudh Program was initiated based on the inputs received from the community; along with that the foundation also came across news articles as how adverse weather conditions during summer and monsoon season impacted the water source of some rural communities.

The foundation received requests from multiple schools that were in urgent need of water purifiers to safeguard their students’ health as their water source had been contaminated due to weather conditions; this initiated the rapid roll out of Shudh Program.

Shudh Program have executed around 20 projects and equipped schools, Extended Class Rooms (ECRs), Early Childhood Care and Development Centres (ECCDs) with facilities as per specific needs of the location – like Gravity Water Purifiers, Electric Water Purifiers, Water Storage Tanks with up to 1000l capacity, along with plumbing supplies.

Shudh Program has supported communities across 10 dzongkhags (Chukha, Dagana, Lhuentse, Mongar, Pema Gatshel, Samtse, Sarpang, Trashiyangtse, Trongsa, and Wangduephodrang).

The foundation is running programs in the developing and under – developed world, supporting people living in challenging geographies and remote terrains with limited support infrastructure. It has active presence in Bhutan, India, Suriname and the United States.

ShaMa Foundation communicates through social media with community members like teachers, local administration, social entrepreneurs and start-ups. RFS (Request For Support) received from community is shared with the Team of Volunteers in Thimphu, who reaches out to the Initiator of the RFS.

The cause is supported by social networks across large multinational corporations across India, Europe and US. Shudh Program has four other programs (Swach, Saraswati, Sanjeevani, Sampark).

Currently, ShaMa Foundation had started a new pilot project “Village Hub” under the umbrella of Sampark Program which is established at Gangla village under Khoma gewog in Lhuentse. The program has one single room at the ground floor of a two storey house which is equipped with water purifier, LED lights, games like carrom board, ludo, chess, chinese checkers; and a library nook.

This special multi-year pilot is focused on gradually introducing more and more facilities in the rural areas, and assessesing its impact on rural-urban migration over time.

Source:http://www.businessbhutan.bt/businessbhutan/shama-foundation-reaches-rural-bhutan/

November 13, 2018

COMO – Uma Punakha Named Best Hotel In Asia

In what are truly mammoth achievements for COMO Hotels and Resorts, COMO Uma Punakha was awarded the third best hotel in the world, while COMO Uma Punakha and COMO Uma Paro in Bhutan were awarded the first and second place respectively in the ‘Best Hotel in Asia’ category.

This is as per the results of the 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards of Condé Nast Traveler which was announced last week. The winners were chosen from responses from nearly half a million Condé Nast Traveler readers, who submitted a recording-breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today.

COMO Uma Bhutan’s General Manager James Low reportedly said these were among the most significant awards in their 25-year history for COMO Hotels and Resorts.

“We have just 29 rooms at COMO Uma Paro, and 11 at COMO Uma Punakha. An award this size for properties this intimate recognises the heart of the matter in modern luxury tourism: people remember what changes them, not just what indulges them. That makes me immensely proud — for the integrity of the brand and its deep engagement with Bhutanese culture, from food to interior design. Above all, it recognises the passion shown by our staff, who consistently shine in their one-one-one engagement with every guest as they share their magnificent country. That’s the COMO difference: travel to Bhutan with COMO, and our highly trained butlers and drivers escort you through every part of this Himalayan mountain experience,” he added.

Meanwhile, COMO The Treasury in Perth also won recognition in the 2018 awards as it was awarded the first place in the Best Hotel in Australia and New Zealand category for the third year in a row. In the Resorts category, COMO Uma Ubud was awarded the second Best Resort in Asia.

Headquartered in Singapore, COMO Hotels and Resorts offers personalized luxury travel experiences at its urban hotels, island resorts, adventure retreats and wellness resorts through individualized service, commitment to holistic wellness and award-winning cuisine. It has 14 luxury properties around the globe in destinations including Bhutan, Turks and Caicos, Miami, Indonesia, Australia, the UK and the Maldives.

Meanwhile, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel”.

Source:http://www.businessbhutan.bt/businessbhutan/como-uma-punakha-named-best-hotel-in-asia/