Bangladesh
TowerCos can help consumers save up to $67 billion: Study
Tower Companies (TowerCos) can help mobile network operators (MNOs) save up to $10 billion through infrastructure sharing and result in cumulative savings of up to $67 billion for consumers due to affordable 5G connectivity by 2025, according to a study.
Edotco Group, an integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company in Asia, launched the study "Towering Above: Building Tomorrow's Digital Infrastructure in Asia" in collaboration with Roland Berger.
The report, launched during a panel discussion featuring edotco, Roland Berger and the International Finance Corporation, explores the critical roles and potential impact of TowerCos across nine key Asian markets – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
It shows how TowerCos are stimulating sustainable digital connectivity to realise incremental socio-economic benefits for industries, societies and governments, in addition to assessing how key policies and regulatory reform recommendations can unlock such opportunities.
According to the report, digital infrastructure is becoming a critical digital economy enabler, with 5G expected to transform the industry.
TowerCos are now transforming their roles to become digital infrastructure providers, in addition to working closely with industry stakeholders to undertake deeper forms of active infrastructure sharing.
READ: Carbon emissions dip, at least briefly, in China, study says
Not only are these services critical to stimulate development during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, but such partnerships are also crucial for preparing economies for the 5G era – an age that will further revolutionise network usage and unlock new opportunities while easing the MNOs' investment and deployment challenges.
"While MNOs are rapidly expanding their network in low average revenue per user (ARPU) markets such as Asia, they face a significant challenge in keeping their cost per GB under control while striving to meet the industry demands and adhering to regulators' intended policy and regulatory outcomes. These can only be addressed sustainably through a higher degree of infrastructure sharing," Gayan Koralage, director of group strategy at edotco Group, said.
Although Southeast Asia and South Asia are among the fastest-growing sub-regions in terms of average data usage per user, MNOs have not been able to capitalise on the traffic trend here.
This is causing the continuous decline in ARPU, making it challenging for MNOs to generate returns that are commensurate with their cost of capital, according to the report.
The study notes that leading TowerCos are poised to assist MNOs by moving up the value chain. Namely, this is by offering innovative 5G-enabled solutions such as OpenRAN, Network-as-a-Service solutions and Edge Computing to help MNOs achieve greater cost and network efficiency.
Forward-looking regulatory reforms and policy changes are needed for TowerCos to realise their potential in the next normal, it says. "These include providing incentives and introducing a more conducive regulatory framework for TowerCos to explore more innovative partnerships and services."
1 held after Kushtia college girl forced to marry at gunpoint
Police said on Thursday that they arrested a man and were looking for several others in a case filed in connection with forcing a college girl into marriage at gunpoint.
Police named the arrestee as Md Faruk, 43, of Panti village in Kumarkhali upazila in the district.
But the main accused Golam Dastagir Titas,45, whom the girl was forced to marry was still on the run along with about 20 other alleged accomplices, police said.
Read: Two held with 2.30 lakh USD at Dhaka airport
According to the case Titas led the gang to burst into the girl’s house in Kumarkhali upazila and tied her mother up with ropes before forcing her to sign the marriage registration book.
The case was filed at the Kumarkhali Police Station on a complaint from the girl’s mother, said Kamruzzaman Talukdar, officer-in-charge of the station.
Golam Dastogir Titas, 45, was named as the main accused in the case filed against 20 people, some of them unnamed.
The girl completed her graduation from a local college this year.
Read: Chattogram brother, sister get life imprisonment for acid attacks on cousins
She complained that Titas has been pestering her with the marriage proposal for the past six years. He also threatened to kill her unless she accepts the proposal.
Efforts are on to nab the others accused, said the OC.
Another elephant found dead in Sherpur
A wild elephant was found dead near the Gajni border of Sherpur's Jhenaigati upazila Thursday, forest officials said.
The locals spotted the carcass in Beri of Gajni Obokash Kendro – a major tourism centre of Mymensingh situated in the foothills of Garo Hills in Jhenaigati – and informed the forest department.
This is the fourth elephant carcass recovered from the area in seven months.
Read: Gazipur garment factory catches fire
According to locals, a herd of 30-40 wild elephants had been roaming in the hilly areas of Jhenaigati. A sick elephant from the herd fell into a pit in the afternoon and died.
On information, the livestock department officials arrived at the spot. They confirmed the death of the elephant after examining it, Makrul Islam, the forest department's Rangtia range officer, said.
Sherpur Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Officer Sumon Sarkar said an autopsy would be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the animal's death.
Road accidents leave 10 dead in 6 districts
Ten people were killed and 20 others injured in separate road crashes in six districts on Thursday.
In Pabna two women died and at least 15 people suffered injuries as a bus overturned near Modhupur area in sadar upazila allegedly due to the driver’s negligence as he was talking over phone while driving.
The deceased were identified as Sultana Khatun, 27, from Sujanagar upazila and Morsheda Begum,70, from Ataikula thana of the district.
Masud Alam, Additional SP of Pabna, said the Pabna-bound bus from Shahjadpur fell into a roadside ditch as the driver lost control over the steering on Pabna-Kashinathpur highway, leaving two passengers dead on the spot.
The injured were admitted to Pabna General Hospital, he said.
Also read: Two killed, 11 injured in Khulna road accident
In Mymensingh, two bikers were killed in Trishal upazila as their motorcycle collided with a bus.
According to locals, the motorcycle coming from Trishal collided with a passenger bus of Shalban Paribahan coming from the opposite direction near Birampur Bhatipara area, leaving two people dead.
Nazmul Amin, Sub Inspector of Trishal police station, said of the deceased one was male and another female but their identities could not be known yet. Efforts are on to detain the driver, he said.
In Laxmipur, two people were killed and four others injured as a fish-laden pickup van crashed into a roadside tree in Ramgati upazila.
The deceased were identified as Belal Hossain, 40, and Gias Uddin 38, of Charkalakopa village in the upazila.
The accident occurred near Azadnagar area on Alexandar-Shonapur road, leaving two people dead on the spot, said Alamgir Hossain, Officer –in-Charge of Ramgati police station.
In Dinajpur, two motorcyclists were killed and another was injured being hit by a truck near Nimtala intersection in Phulbari municipality early Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Nahid Hasan Shobuj,26, from Kasapukur village, and Tazin Ahmed,18 from Shibnagar village.
Also read: 7 killed in Rajbari road crash
Ashraful Islam, Officer-in-charge of Phulbari police station said the accident occurred around 1:30 am as a rice-laden truck hit the motorcycle, leaving two people dead on spot.
In Joypurhat, a 21-year old college student was killed on Battali-Khetlal road in Khetlal upazila as his motorcycle crashed into a truck.
The deceased was identified as Shetu Shaha, a second year student of Bagura Azizul Haque College.
The accident oocurred around 10 am when the speeding truck hit the motorcycle near Battali Bazar area, said Rowshon Yazdani, Officer-in-Charge of khetlal police station.
Meanhwhile, a former student of Islamic University was killed in a road accident at Boholbaria village of Mirpur upazila in Kushtia on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Abdul Khalid Bin Kuddus, 28, son of Abdul Kuddus Anowari of Poraghati village in Tangail district and a former student of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies department of the university.
Golam Mostafa, officer-in-Charge of Mirpur police station said he was crushed under the wheels of
a bus while trying to get into it.
Locals took him to Kushtia General Hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Rains to cool off Bangladesh
Amid sweltering summer heat, showers are likely to cool off Bangladesh in the next 24 hours, the weather department said Thursday.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barishal divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The highest temperature today was recorded at 36.2 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi district, while the minimum temperature was 24 degrees in Rangpur's Tetulia.
READ: Rains to drench Bangladesh
The weather department recorded 58mm rainfall – the highest – in Chattogram's Cox's Bazar in the last 24 hours till 6pm Thursday.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged, the BMD said.
President Parade 2022 held at BAF Academy
The President Parade (Summer) 2022, marking the commissioning of 80 Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) Course and Direct Entry 2022 A of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), was held at the BAF Academy in Jashore Thursday.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan attended the ceremony as the main guest.
Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Birsreshto Matiur Rahman handed out the trophies and flying badges to the graduating officer cadets, according to the Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate.
Officer Cadet Md Zahir Uddin Babor, GD (P), was awarded the "Sword of Honour" for his best all-round performance, received the "Birsreshto Matiur Rahman Trophy" for best performance in flying training and was awarded the "Commandants Trophy" for best performance in general service training in No. 80 BAFA Course.
Read: Bangladesh seeks Swedish support to overcome climate challenges
Officer Cadet Paromita Sharmin, ATC, received the "Chief of Air Staff Trophy" for her best all-around performance in the No. 80 BAFA Course (Ground Branch).
The No. 1 Squadron was adjudged the champion squadron and was accorded the Academy colour.
Thirty officer cadets, including nine female officer cadets, were commissioned this time.
BGMEA hopes for continued support of German govt to RMG industry
A delegation of BGMEA headed by President Faruque Hassan met with Dominik Schnichels, Director General of the Trade Department at the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Change, in Germany on Thursday.
The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Bangladesh to Germany Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Md. Saiful Islam, Commercial Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Berlin, included BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hosna Ara and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud.
They had discussions about various issues related to Bangladesh’s RMG industry including the current situation, opportunities and strategies to face challenges and move forward.
The issue of LDC graduation, its implications on the economy of Bangladesh and preparedness to continue journey forward in the post-LDC era was also discussed in the meeting, according to BGMEA.
They also talked about the future priorities of the industry to retain its export competitiveness in the global market in the post-LDC era.
READ: BGMEA, Wazir Advisors to conduct study on capturing non-cotton market share
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan also apprised Dominik Schnichels of the RMG industry’s paradigm shift in the area of workplace safety and impressive strides in environmental sustainability.
He also briefed him about how the apparel industry of Bangladesh showed remarkable resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic and turned around from the fallout.
The BGMEA President extended sincere thanks to the German government for the cooperation and support extended to Bangladesh during the difficult time of the pandemic.
He expressed hope that German government’s friendly support for the betterment of Bangladesh RMG industry will continue in the coming days.
Children’s death from adulterated syrup: HC orders DGDA to pay Tk 15 lakh to 104 victims’ families each
The High Court on Thursday ordered the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) to provide Tk 15 lakh as compensation to 104 children’s families each who died between 1982 to 2009 taking adulterated paracetamol syrup.
The HC bench of Justice Md Ashraful Kamal and Justice Razik Al Jalil passed the order after hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard in 2010.
The court directed DGDA to collect the compensation money from individuals and organisations concerned complying with the order.
Senior advocate Manzil Murshid represented the petitioner’s side along with advocate Ripon Baroi, advocate Eklas Uddin Bhuiyan, advocate Sanjay Mol and Advocate Shahin Ara Laily while advocate Md Asaduzzaman appeared for the accused.
From 1982 to 1992, a total of 76 children died after drinking adulterated paracetamol syrup and in 2009, 28 more died after taking pracetamol syrup produced by Rid Pharmaceuticals.
In 2010, human rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) submitted a writ petition in public interest attaching the reports published in different newspapers.
READ: BCL-JCD clashes at DU: HC grants 35 JCD men anticipatory bail
The court held the final hearing on a rule issued over this writ petition on Thursday, said Manzil Murshid.
The court also announced DGDA’s inaction to control adulterated medicines illegal and asked it to take action against the crimes of adulterating medicines under the Special Power Act, he said.
Md Shafiqul Islam, then supervisor of DGDA, filed a case against five people including the owner of Rid Pharma over the death of 28 children in 2009 at Dhaka Drug Court. But the court acquitted all of the accused in this case after trial.
The death of 76 children between 1982 to 1992 due to kidney failure sparked huge outcry. Later lab test and probe revealed presence of toxic element Diethylene Glycol in paracetamol syrup produced by Polycam Laboratories and four other companies.
In 1993, DGDA filed a case against five people including owner of Polycam Laboratories Abdur Rab but the trial in the case came to a halt after the accused moved High Court.
After 26 years, the court sentenced Abdur Rab one year imprisonment in the case.
Malaysia to start taking workers from Bangladesh this month: Minister
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed on Thursday said that Malaysia will start taking workers from Bangladesh this month.
He was speaking at a press briefing after a Joint Working Group meeting with Malaysian representatives at the ministry’s office in the capital’s Eskaton.
Malaysian Human Resource Minister M Saravanan and some other officials represented their country at the meeting.
Read: Bangladesh seeks Swedish support to overcome climate challenges
Replying to a question Imran said Malaysia will select both the workers and the recruiting agencies according to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries.
“There are a total of 1,520 licensed recruiting agencies in Bangladesh. According to the MoU it’s the right of Malaysia to choose recruiting agencies of their liking”, he said.
Imran added that Malaysia will continue to work towards ensuring zero migration costs. There are some expenses like passport fees and medical costs that have to be borne by the workers themselves.
“Malaysia will cover much of the costs including plane fares”, he said.
The minister also said that earlier, the cost for a single worker for going to Malaysia used to be Tk 1,60,000. This year, the amount will be much less.
Read: In May export income falls to 9-month low at $3.83 bn: EPB
“Malaysia will take stern actions if any recruiting agency breaches the rules while sending workers to the Southeast Asian nation”, added Imran.
According to him Malaysia will take a total of five lakh workers in the next five years from Bangladesh.
Secretary of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Ahmed Munirus Salehin informed that Malaysia plans to take at least two lakh workers from Bangladesh this year.
“Malaysia is interested to take security guards and domestic workers from Bangladesh in the future. Their salaries will be RM 1,500 per month per worker. Malaysia will also ensure their accommodation free of cost”, said Munirus.
BSEC to set up steel factory for checking rod prices
Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation has taken initiative to set up a modern and combined steel mill with latest technology in order to make the rod prices stable.
It was disclosed at the 11th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries Ministry on Thursday.
The meeting was held at the Parliament Bhaban with its chairman Amir Hossain Amu in chair, said a press release.
In the meeting, the committee was informed that the move for the establishment of the standard factory came as part of modernizing Dhaka Steel Works Limited.
Also read: Rod prices up by almost a fifth in one year
The parliamentary watchdog recommended raising the prices of sugarcanes with a view to promote farmers amid the price-hike of essentials in the market.
The committee will visit Savar tannery industrial estate and Ghorashal Industrial zone within the next two or one months. So, the Industries Ministry was asked to take necessary steps for the two visits.
Besides, transformation of the office of Chief Inspector of Boilers into the Directorate of Boiler Engineering, implementation of the government’s decision about procuring cars for government officers, the progress in implementation of projects under the Industries Ministry and the sugar industry, among others, came up for discussion in the meeting.
Also read: Bangladesh wants fair prices for its products in European market
Committee members Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Abu Reza Mohammad Nezam Uddin Nadwi, Mohammad Shahiduzzaman, Kazim Uddin Ahmed and Parveen Haque Sikder attended the meeting.