PM urges India to be liberal in resolving bilateral issues

AGARTALA (Tripura), Jan 11 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday urged the Indian government to come forward with liberal mindset to resolve issue of sharing waters of the common rivers.

"There are many bilateral problems among us. India needs to take the lead in resolving the issues through discussions," the prime minister said addressing a meeting of business leaders of Bangladesh and Tripura at Pragna Bhavan in the evening.

Hasina said her government is willing to procure electricity from Tripura to meet the growing demand in Bangladesh.

"We are interested to procure electricity from Tripura, directly or on partnership basis," she said.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) jointly arranged the meeting in cooperation with the Tripura government.

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Indian Union Minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarker and Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury, FBCCI president AK Azad and CII official Shekhar Dutta also spoke on the occasion.

Mentioning that there is immense potential in the information technology (IT) and telecommunication sectors, Hasina urged businessmen from both Bangladesh and India to tap the potentials and derive their benefit.

She said the mutual cooperation depends on the political will of the two governments. "Presently, this political will is prevailing among us," she said.

The prime minister hoped that the businessmen will come forward to implement the political will of the two governments to benefit the people of Bangladesh and India, especially Tripura.

She said the governments of Bangladesh and India have taken steps introducing 'border haat' to facilitate the growers to get fair price of their products.

The two countries are working to remove the non-tariff barriers and improve the facilities at the land ports, she added.

Hasina urged the Indian investors to make more investment in Bangladesh and also requested the business community of Tripura to import goods from Bangladesh in a big way.

Citing the long standing trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh, she thanked the Indian prime minister for recently withdrawing duty on 46 garment items of Bangladesh in Indian market, which was followed by allowing duty-free access of all items under SAFTA agreement.

The decision has created an opportunity for access of Bangladeshi products to the Indian market at competitive prices, she added.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is the biggest importer of Indian goods in South Asia. Bangladesh's import from India amounts to over US$ 3 billion per year against its meager export of $ 250 million.

She said decisions have already been taken to allow transporting goods to India from Chittagong and Mongla sea ports as well as the use of Ashuganj river port for carrying cargos to Tripura via Akhaura-Agartala.

She mentioned that the decision that allows transporting cargos to Palatana power plant in Tripura is putting immense pressure on the existing infrastructures of Bangladesh.

Hasina said the Bangladesh government has also taken the decision to establish rail link between Akhaura and Agartala, and construct a bridge over the Feni River, apart from constructing a new land port at Sagrom-Ramgarh point.

Emphasising improved connectivity for enhancing bilateral relations, she said the geographical location of Bangladesh is very important for road, rail, waterways and air communications.

The prime minister also recalled that during her previous tenure from 1996-2001, direct bus services from Dhaka-Kolkata and Dhaka-Agartala were launched.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Agartala on a 2-day visit to the Indian state of Tripura by a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at about 3:10 pm (local time) at Singerbhil Airport here.

The Union Minister for Human Resources Development of India Kopil Sibal, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Industries Minister Jatindra Chowdhury received her at the Singerbhil Airport.

After the ceremonial reception, Sheikh Hasina was taken to the state guesthouse at Kunjaban township where she will be staying during her visit.

During her stay in Tripura, Hasina will attend the convocation of Tripura University and discuss boosting trade at a meeting with the business community.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

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Make public Core Committee report on transit to India

Leading businesses and experts suggested Sunday the use of entre-pot and re-export facility as an alternative to transit or transshipment to help grow local entrepreneurship.

They expressed the view that the alternative would protect the best interests of the country.

They were speaking at dialogue on Transshipment or Transit for India?, organised jointly by International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B) and Daily Star at a city hotel.

A number of participants at the dialogue wanted the government to make public immediately. The 'Core Committee' report on transit and transshipment to remove confusion over the issue.

Commerce minister Muhammed Faruk Khan joined the dialogue as chief guest while prime minister's advisor on international affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi and another advisor on economic affairs Dr Mashiur Rahman attended it as special guests.

President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annisul Huq said re-export will ensure 10 per cent value addition for the local entrepreneurship.

Mr Annis also a former FBCCI president said entre-pot facility will help grow entrepreneurship in the country.

He said: "We can earn at least 5.0 per cent from the entre pot facility and it will also help improve the infrastructure."

Mr Annis said use of the entre-pot and re-export facility might help eliminate the misunderstanding between the two major political parties as both while in government had ratified the entre-pot and re-export facility.

Former commerce secretary Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury narrated the background of the options saying: The option until now has remained ineffective."

Speaking at the function he said transshipment is preferable for the country.

"After 5-7 years, we will be able to provide transit facility efficiently," Mr Sohel added.

The speakers comprising businesses and economists said the recommendations of the government-formed 'Core Committee' should be made public immediately to ensure transparency in the much-talked about the transit issue.

They also underscored the need for making a detailed cost-benefit analysis by internationally reputed consultants prior to providing such facility to the neighbouring country.

They felt that domestic manufacturers would loose their competitive edge if transshipment facility is allowed.

While delivering the welcome address, ICC-B president Mahbubur Rahman said granting of transshipment or transit facility to India is not a simple issue.

"Before providing such facility, a detailed and serious study must be undertaken by internationally reputed professionals, appointed through international bidding," the ICC-B chief said.

He said: "Consignments coming from India are being given preference in crossing to Agartola over export consignments from Bangladesh which is rather worrying for us.

Mr Mahbubur Rahman said the concept of transit should be re-visited and Bangladesh should go for a transshipment agreement to help India gain access to their seven north-eastern states.

He said methods could be developed for seamless movement from one truck to another directly, at the borders.

"If needed Bangladeshi trucks could go into the warehouses in India, and then deliver goods to another Indian point after traversing the territory of Bangladesh," the ICC-B chief added.

He also said the same procedures could be adopted for the railway as well.

He said in the case of transit to India, it is not known who will pay for the development of massive infrastructure involving investments worth billion of dollar and for its regular maintenance when Indian cargoes start rolling on them.

Former FBCCI president Annisul Huq said the government must clear its stance on the transit issue.

He said the core committee report in relation to transit fees and charges should be unveiled immediately.

Mr Annis said Bangladesh might explore the alternative options like entre- pot trade and re-export facilities. This will help grow entrepreneurship, he added.

He said the entire nation is confused over the transit issue.

Former caretaker government advisor Dr AB Mirza Md Azizul Islam said Bangladesh needs to think about its subsidized fuels.

"Bangladesh provides subsidised fuels to the transport and agriculture sector. Who will bear the cost of re-fuelling of Indian lorries from Bangladesh,? he asked.

Mr Mirza said the issue should be addressed immediately.

Mirza wanted to know whether or not the government has any choice relating to transit and transshipment?

Addressing the dialogue another former caretaker government advisor M Hafiz Uddin Khan regretted that there was no focal point to deal the issue.

"We don't know which ministry is the focal point, we're hearing different comment from different ministries on the issue," he added.

Mr Hafiz said government has talked about regional connectivity. Is Bangladesh invited Myanmar or China for taking part in the transit facility?

He said, "Have China and Myanmar shown any interest in transit issue?

Taking part in the dialogue distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Debapriya Bhattacharya said Bangladesh and India are now using the old river transit protocol. There is no need for a modern and comprehensive treaty for this facility.

He, however, said the existing protocol does not cover scanning of goods and dispute resolutions.

Bhattacharya felt that the highest level of transparency needed to be maintained in the case of transit or transshipment as this is an important national issue.

He said four critical factors -- legal framework, regulatory framework, infrastructure and financial charges -- should be taken into consideration while granting transit to India.

Mr Rahmatullah said Bangladesh's road infrastructure right at this moment is not capable of taking the load of heavy duty trucks.

Mr Rahmatullah advocated for granting limited transit facility to India.

Bangladesh tariff commission chairman Md Mozibor Rahman said the core committee has recommended charges and fees taking into cognisance the best practices followed in other countries.

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Amjad Khan Chowdhury said Bangladesh needs trade expansion and the transit and transshipment will create opportunities for the country.

He said local exporters face many non-tariff and para-tariff barriers while exporting to India.

He said Bangladesh should negotiate with the Indian government in this connection.

Dr Toufiq Ali said: "I don't know what he means when one of the advisors say there is no need for transit agreement."

Dr Jafar Ullah said: "We cannot trust India. It had failed to keep its promises on several occasions earlier."

Prime minister's advisor on international affairs Dr Gowher Rizvi said Bangladesh has studied the world's best practices.

"The committee has also recommended the best one," Mr Rizvi added.

Mr Rizvi said corridor and transit are not the same.

Mashiur Rahman said the transit regime should provide opportunity for adjustments of tariff periodically say after 2-3 years.

He also underscored the need for mobilisation of resources for efficient maintenance of railway and river routes and investment for capacity expansion, particularly of Chittagong and Mongla port.

Commerce minister Faruk Khan said the core committee has submitted its report on the transit issue.

"We're now actively considering it and we will announce it," Faruk added.

He said the government wants regional connectivity.

"We think that there will be a win-win situation in the transit," he added.

"We will protect the interest of Bangladesh. We will not compromise on the issue," the commerce minister asserted.

He also said Bangladesh has prepared a list of 16 new items for duty free access to Indian market.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

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India Outsourcer predictions 18 percent growth

Agence France-Presse. New Delhi

India's flagship outsourcing industry is expected to post from 16 to 18 percent export growth despite fears of a fresh collapse in the American and European key markets, an industry body said.

The National Association of software and service companies, or NASSCOM, projected area score would export in February up annual sales of $68 Milliarden-$ 70 billion in the fiscal year began 1 April.

"Our discussions with companies make us believe that 16 to 18 percent sales growth is still achievable," NASSCOM President som Mittal the AFP on the edge of an outsourcing event said Tuesday.

"We change not our forecast," Mittal said, adding that the aim of this year's "conservative." was framed

Other leading Indian outsourcing companies are also bullish about growth.

'So far, we have seen no signs of a slowdown in our business' Matthew Vallance, Chief Executive of Firstsource solutions, told AFP.

Outsourcing companies were under pressure on concerns about the revenue shares having the slowdown amid fears of a double-dip recession in the United States and Europe, and analysts was the sector downgrade.

But on Tuesday, stocks of India's largest outsourcing company, TCS, 6.7 percent of Infosys, recovered reinforced 981.6 rupees ($21) during India's second-largest software services company, almost four percent to 2,276.95, as investors by the NASSCOM celebrated projection.

At the same time, former NASSCOM Chairman Pramod Bhasin, founder of the Indian back-office services Genpact, said he 'more rhetoric' expected in the United States against job outsourcing.

Is already high, fueled by increased unemployment in the United States against outsourcing.

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Hillary, to visit India in April

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has to downright brazen on vacation India sees you Apr to claim that the two Nations efforts to promote to shape both secure and fast world metal an even more vital partnership.

' I conduct brazen to my revisit India Apr to in claim efforts during the subsequent event of strategic dialogue,' said the nod India summary at the 62 ° Republic day Wednesday.

' I stick to President (Barack) Obama as the American people in the people of India to congratulate because you the 62. Anniversary of 26 of this Jan. 2009, Republic day applaud ' said.

She said the two Nations 'of mutual respect, common values, as well as the freedoms enshrined in the constitutions together' were.

"Our people and forging the Governments have a stronger vital partnership both secure even greater teamwork in mercantile development, open Government and recognised values as quickly throughout the world to promote, also expect", she said.

View the original article : Bangladeshi News

Hillary, to visit India in April

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has to downright brazen on vacation India sees you Apr to claim that the two Nations efforts to promote to shape both secure and fast world metal an even more vital partnership.

' I conduct brazen to my revisit India Apr to in claim efforts during the subsequent event of strategic dialogue,' said the nod India summary at the 62 ° Republic day Wednesday.

' I stick to President (Barack) Obama as the American people in the people of India to congratulate because you the 62. Anniversary of 26 of this Jan. 2009, Republic day applaud ' said.

She said the two Nations 'of mutual respect, common values, as well as the freedoms enshrined in the constitutions together' were.

"Our people and forging the Governments have a stronger vital partnership both secure even greater teamwork in mercantile development, open Government and recognised values as quickly throughout the world to promote, also expect", she said.

View the original article : Bangladeshi News

Freelancer.com has 2 million now and most of you is from India

I'm not a huge fan of outsourcing sites like Freelancer.com because very poor pay rates. Of course some people quantity are money in countries such as India programming and Russia deserve. My skills is not programming, but write and writing related projects that money is really bad. As always, I live in a poor country and even I find the pay of most projects in sites like Freelancer.com or oDesk very poor. It is so that the highest number of members from the United States from India are really shocking. This is shocking, because I wonder how someone for projects of these websites and payment can work invoices. Maybe the recession has very bad state for many people in the United States. Of course, the number 2 million makes me not excited because I can easily understand most either inactive or from each are far user happiness, because so that only approximately 900,000 projects completed and $71,071,404 USD user result occurred. So you can easily do the math. Then, on the other hand, if you try to start learning about money making online then these websites a good place are to start.

View the original article : Bangladeshi News