Biz Letters

Towards a stable Bangladesh

The year 2009 started with great hopes and expectations as we witnessed the coming of a new government to power through a free and fair election. The military backed caretaker government ruled the nation for almost two years. Now, as the nation welcomes the newly elected democratic government, who came to power after a landslide victory, people's expectations have also become more demanding.
People now expect more from the Awami League-led grand alliance as they have majority seat in the parliament.
People will be anxious to see the new government to accomplish most of their promises one after the other, as mentioned in their manifesto. The first and foremost task for the new government will be to strengthen the economy of the nation.
Awami League has promised to provide jobs for the youth and they have to implement efficient strategies in minimising the rate of unemployment.
At the same time, the new government also has to keep in mind that the country's foreign loan stands at $20.4 billion as of September 30, 2008. Efficient planning should be done to disburse funds in various sectors so that the funds are not being misused. We cannot afford to take too many loans and burden our next generations.
In order to settle the foreign loans and develop our economy, our government should seek opportunities. In this case, foreign remittance plays a vital role for the economic growth of our nation. Foreign remittances have earned us $8.22 billion so far, topping at $6.55 billion in the year before. We are headed to cross the $10 billion mark by the end of the current financial year. We know that those who live abroad send money here in Bangladesh but in return they do not get many facilities. In fact, they are often harassed by the recruiting agencies. The government must set up stringent laws for the recruiting agencies so that they stay away from further foul play.
Our government can also encourage business people to set up training facilities that provide proper training an knowledge on various services so that when people go abroad for jobs, they are well trained.
Another sector our previous governments have often neglected is the tourism sector. Statistics from the civil aviation and tourism ministry shows that a total of 3.50 lakh foreign tourists visited Bangladesh until October 2008, which was a sharp rise from 2.65 lakh in 2007, 2 lakh in 2006 and 2.07 lakh in 2005.
Our country has the largest mangrove forest and the world's longest unbroken beach, Cox's Bazaar. These are our assets but we fail to utilise these. We are backed by rich cultural history as well. During Pohela Boishakh our government can take initiatives to introduce special packages to foreigners, so that they will not only get to know about our culture but they will also have the chance to see the scenic beauty of Bangladesh.
Our Government should encourage the private sectors to set up five star hotels, theme parks and shopping complexes at Cox's Bazaar. These will allow us to earn more forex.
I wish our new government would take drastic and proactive initiatives to boost the economy of our nation and make this country a stable one.
Minhaj Ahmed, Dhaka

Fertiliser distribution not a trifle matter

Urea fertiliser consumption was estimated at 30 lakh tonnes in the fiscal year 2008-2009 in Bangladesh. However, state-owned fertiliser factories can support only 15 lakh tonnes of urea. The rest of urea has to be imported from countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Belarus and the joint venture factory KAFCO in Bangladesh.
The hefty amount of fertiliser distribution is not a trifle matter. More than five thousand dealers are engaged from grass root level to every union parishad area. To distribute fertilisers, BCIC (Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation) is using fertiliser factories' warehouses, which each contains 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser. Another twenty-one ex-BADC abandoned godowns are now also using potential buffer stocks.
A total of 28 urea dispatch points are divided among 64 districts considering the distance, location, road transport and river navigation accessibility issues. For the eastern regions, the Cittagong fertiliser factory Ltd, Natural Gas Fertiliser Factory Ltd, Zia fertiliser Factory Ltd, Polash fertiliser Factory Ltd, Ghorasal Fertiliser Factory Ltd are present.
In the northern regions, the buffer points are Bagabari, Shantahar, Joypurhat, Kurigram, Mohendra Nagar, Natore, Parbutipur, Dinajpur, Sheromoni, Kaligong, Jennidha, Jessore, Barishal, Bola, Bogra, Rajshai, Thakurgoan.
In the peak season, 4000 private trucks are available and 20 thousand day laborers, helpers, and drivers are engaged for loading, unloading and dispatch, around 24 hours in a day. The BCIC has a near about 300 officers; who are successfully performing day and night for the uninterrupted supply of urea, ignoring all government holidays, except Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha all around the year.
There are three seasons for urea distribution; the peak season, lean season and normal season.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Industries jointly surveyed the Boro and Aman paddy lands with the help of Upazilla agriculture extension officers in Bangladesh.
Every dealer gets urea allotments and it is sent to commanded fertiliser factories and buffer in chargers, on a monthly basis. Dealers or their representatives deposit money with 'exfactory rate' in specific bank accounts. The dealers names are published on a 'first come, first serve' basis. Private trucks and laborers are engaged at every dispatch point to receive delivery.
Now a days, two paths are available, one is the truck line and the other is the shipping line. But the truck lines, for its door-to-door services, charm most dealers. Then the upazilla agriculture officers physically receive the amount of urea and hoist per kilogram retail prices.
Farmers are complacent with this present system. The UNO, AEO and other law enforcing agencies also actively perform their duties. Recalcitrant will not be able to use trucks for smuggling. Quick service systems have ensured a smooth supply of urea for the past 13 magnanimous years of BCIC.
MZ Haider, Narsingdi