Malaysia hopeful of getting Padma project work: Samy Vellu, He says they want to start work by Oct next

AKM Moinuddin, UNB Staff Writer, from Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, July 15 (UNB) – Although the government has chalked out an ambitious plan to construct Padma Bridge with its own funds, Malaysia is optimistic to implement the dream project and wants to start the preliminary work on it by October this year. “We’ve studied the project …we’ve also taken notes of some engineering factors. With all these, I think it’ll take off by October…we propose to start the preliminary work,” Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia Dato S Samy Vellu told UNB here at Seri Pacific Hotel on Saturday night. He, however, did not elaborate what will be the terms and conditions, and its costing if Malaysia finally goes for implementing the much-talked-about dream project, the largest-ever infrastructure of the country. Vellu said they have submitted ‘intermediate proposals’ and now they will submit the final proposal. Asked why Malaysia is so interested in the project, Vellu said, “We feel that we’re experienced and we’ve the partners who are capable to work with us…it’s one of the factors.” “Secondly”, he added, “We thought, Malaysia, being a very close friend of Bangladesh, we must find our ways as to how we can help Bangladesh as the World Bank didn’t provide the loan…” He said: “Padma Bridge is a very import project and it is not so easy project as so many engineering, technical, and many other aspects have to be considered. It has been a dream for Bangladeshi people and it’ll soon become a reality. If we’re given a job to do, we’ll make sure that the job is done to a more perfection.” He renewed his hope to finalise the negotiations with Bangladesh so that work on the project could start within the next few months. “…not so many months, may be three-four months.” The Malaysian envoy said, “We’ll be proud of doing this bridge project and we feel that we’ve an obligation to complete the bridge and hand it over to them (Bangladesh). It’ll be a bridge which will be used for many purposes… it’ll be a bridge that will unite Bangladesh into one rather than two.” Responding to a question, he said they have already submitted some of the preliminary designs of the project to the Bridge Division and they (Bridge Division) have come back with lot of comments. “We’re working on it…at the same time; we’re getting designs from E-com, the consultant appointed by the Bangladesh government.” On June 28, Malaysia submitted a draft proposal to the Bangladesh government for signing a final deal for implementing the Padma bridge project. According to the proposal, the Malaysian government will invest around $3 billion and complete the construction in three years. It will operate the bridge for 37 years and then hand it over to the Bangladesh government, official sources said. The World Bank had pledged US$1.2 billion for the US$2.9 billion project but cancelled the loan deal citing corruption concerns. Earlier, Vellu attended an event ‘Bangladesh Cultural Night’ and dinner hosted by Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) at Seri Pacific Hotel. BMCCI President Syed Nurul Islam and organizing committee chairman of Showcase Bangladesh’12 Syed Moazzem Hossain sought support from Malaysia and special initiative from Vellu to help Bangladesh implement the Padma Bridge project. Commerce Minister GM Quader and exhibition director M Alamgir Jalil also spoke at the function followed by a cultural programme and dinner. Noted singer Sabina Yasmin, among others, performed at the programme. http://unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-82264

Ministers stress Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur’s aggressive role to close trade gap: ‘Dhaka wants to move cautiously on FTA to keep local industry unhurt’

AKM Moinuddin, UNB Staff Writer from Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, July 13 (UNB) – Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur should have an ‘equal aggressive role’ to minimise the chronic trade gap between the two brotherly countries and strengthen business and social ties, ministers of both the countries said here on Friday. They pointed out some structural issues that need to be addressed urgently to boost trade between the two countries and narrow the trade gap that is heavily in favour of Malaysia right now. In 1993-94, Bangladesh exported products worth US$ 5.43 million to Malaysia while imported US$ 56.39 million. In 2010-2011, Bangladesh exported US$ 43.87 million while imported US$ 1759.60 million. “There’re some structural issues that need to be addressed…there’s trade gap and we wish to narrow it…you (Bangladesh) need to produce the products what we need. Be more aggressive to promote your products in Malaysia,” International Trade and Industry Minister, Malaysia Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said at the inaugural session of Showcase Bangladesh’12 here in Merdeka Square. On the proposed FTA (free trade agreement) with Bangladesh, Mohamed said they are working on the matter. “There’ll be some progress over it within next two months.” Bangladesh Commerce Minister GM Quader, Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud attended the session as special guests held with Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and industry (BMCCI) President Syed Nurul Islam in the chair. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia AKM Atiqur Rahman, fair organising committee chairman Syed Moazzem Hossain and BMCCI secretary general architect M Alamgir Jalil also spoke on the occasion. Commerce Minister GM Quader said, “We strongly believe that there are potentials for more Bangladeshi products in the Malaysian market.” He said though the Malaysian market is rather free, there are some non-tariff barriers in the form of import licensing/permit and standardisation requirements for agricultural and food products. “That’s why our exporters are facing difficulties to tap the full potentials. We hope these barriers can be eliminated through negotiations.” The Commerce Minister called upon Malaysian investors to undertake new ventures of investment in Bangladesh’s fast growing manufacturing, services and infrastructure sectors. “Malaysia is one of the largest investors in Bangladesh…though 84 Malaysian companies have already invested in Bangladesh, there’s still enough scope for further investment.” GM Quader said closer cooperation in investment and trade between the two countries would bring immense impact on the development of the two countries. “You’ll huge investment potentials in Bangladesh, even in tourism sector.” On the proposed FTA he said, “We need to negotiate…we’re trying to go step by step…people will be benefited if the FTA is signed but we need to move cautiously so that our local industry doesn’t get hurt.” The Commerce Minister said Bangladesh is keen to strengthen political, economic and commercial ties with Malaysia so that people of both countries benefit out of it. Dr Hasan Mahmud said, “Bangladesh is a fertile place for investment. We’ve created investment-friendly environment and Bangladesh is an ideal place for Malaysia for further investment.” “We’ve trade gap…the gap has to be narrowed down for mutual benefit. We can bring more success together,” the Minister added. He also said strengthening people-to-people contact and business ties is important for mutual benefit. “People-to-people contact and business ties between the two countries are very strong and old. It’s need to be strengthened for mutual benefit.” Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) in collaboration with Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia, Malaysia South-South Association, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation has arranged the three-day trade show. Special Envoy for Infrastructure (India and South Asia), Malaysia, Dato Seri S Samy Vellu is expected to present as the chief guest in the ‘Bangladesh Cultural Night,’ the concluding session of the fair. Besides, a cultural show will be arranged to highlight the cultural heritage of Bangladesh. Some 25,000 expatriates Bangladeshis are expected to enjoy the event. http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-82096