Tag: Rotomoulding machine suppliers

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

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

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

TEHRAN: Iran is selling oil and gas at a discount to Asian customers as it prepares for the return of US sanctions, state news agency IRNA reported on Monday.

The “informed source” in Iran’s oil ministry did not give details of the discount but sought to downplay the move as common industry practice.
“Discount is part of the nature of the global markets being offered by all oil exporters,” the source told IRNA.

Bloomberg reported on Friday that the state-run National Iranian Oil Company was reducing official prices for September sales to Asia to their lowest level in 14 years, compared with Saudi crude.

The United States will seek to block Iran’s international oil sales from November 5, when the second phase of sanctions are reimposed as part of Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Several key buyers, including China and India, who account for roughly half of Iran’s sales, have said they are not willing to make significant cuts to their energy purchases from Iran.

But analysts predict Iran could still see its oil sales drop by around 700,000 barrels per day from their current level of around 2.3 million.
Much will depend on the European Union, which has vowed to resist US sanctions on Iran, but whose companies and financial institutions are more vulnerable to US financial pressure than their Asian counterparts.

French energy giant Total has already said it is pulling out of its multi-billion-dollar investment project in the South Pars oil field in southern Iran as a result of the renewed sanctions.

Source:http://www.arabnews.com/node/1355571/business-economy

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and Total are weighing jointly buying businesses such as Tas’helat Marketing Co. to gain access to networks of retail fuel stations in the Gulf kingdom, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The state-owned company, known as Aramco, and the French oil giant are also looking at a range of options from consolidating some service stations to potentially starting the business from scratch, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private.

French lender Credit Agricole SA and local investment bank Saudi Fransi Capital are advising the firms on their plans, which are still in the early stages, they said.

No final decisions have been taken and the group may decide against acquiring Tas’helat, which operates fuel stations under the Sahel brand, or any other business, they said. Representatives for Total and Credit Agricole declined to comment. Spokesmen for Aramco and Saudi Fransi didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Aramco and Total this month entered into a preliminary accord to study the joint purchase of a retail service station network in Saudi Arabia, and another worth about $9 billion for the potential expansion of a refinery and petrochemicals complex in Jubail, according to a statement April 10.

A division of Aramco, known as Saudi Aramco Retail Co., may enter into a joint venture with the French company to operate the business following a takeover, one of the people said.

Aramco, which is planning what could be the world’s largest initial public offering, is scouting for acquisitions as it seeks to become an integrated energy company with operations spanning the full spectrum of activities in the industry.

The company asked banks to pitch for roles to help identify natural gas assets globally, people familiar with the matter said this month.

Other large energy majors are looking to divest distribution assets and focus more on core exploration activities. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., another Middle East state-owned explorer, raised 3.1 billion dirhams ($844 million) from the sale of a stake in its fuel retail unit this year.

Source:http://www.arabianbusiness.com/retail/395040-aramco-total-said-to-eye-saudi-fuel-stations-such-as-tashelat