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Books on Bangladesh
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Update No: 016 - (26/04/07)
Toward Political Anarchy – New Beginnings
According to a Bangladesh National Party Report, former premier Khaleda Zia
"faces increasing isolation as she is preparing for exile amidst a battle
to succeed her as head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party." All this is
being orchestrated by the country's new martial government. Party sources have
reportedly told the leading independent Daily Star newspaper that several senior
BNP leaders were planning to seize the reins of power once Zia was forced into
exile. Zia has expressed anger at the disloyalty displayed by her party members.
Zia, who has been under virtual house arrest since last week, is reported to
have agreed to go abroad in return for leniency for her two sons. Her younger
son Arafat Rahaman was briefly arrested on corruption allegations last week.
Further, the government has also prohibited Sheikh Hasina Wajed, leader of the
Awami League from returning from a holiday in the United States. Murder and
extortion charges have also been filed against her in her absence. Both leaders
have been accused of misrule that has led to a political crisis. The question
now becomes whether these steps taken by the military backed government are too
extreme and have the potential of further harming Bangladesh's democratic
development. Ironically, South Asia observers are claiming that these various
developments indicate Dhaka's determination "to execute a firm solution to
the country's intractable, apparently insurmountable and often-bitter state of
political paralysis with its two leading ladies - Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia -
unable to steer a clear course." Many around the world will be glad to see
them gone with at last the possibility of a cleaned-up polity.
Ericsson Displays Confidence in Bangladesh Telecommunications Sector
In the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh, the leading Swedish telecom
equipment and Services Company, Ericsson, will continue to extend support to the
country's information and communication technology. Carl-Henric Svanberg,
president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (TLME),
who is currently in Dhaka said that his company is committed to continue their
support to the mobile operators of Bangladesh for developing skills in
telecommunications by bringing in the latest ICT technology as there is a need
to expand their activities to developing countries such as Bangladesh.
In Feb 2006, Ericsson announced the establishment of a full-fledged company in
Bangladesh, forging its long-term commitment towards the development of the
country and the growth of its telecommunications sector. The presence of
Ericsson in Bangladesh will provide a cost effective and efficient resource for
consumers, stated Mr. Svanberg. He also emphasized the need for planning to
introduce third generation (3G) mobile technology in the country, as this is
capable of transferring voice, data and video to subscribers' mobile sets at a
lower cost than 2G mobile technology. A positive result of Ericsson's proposal
is that the leading phone companies in Bangladesh such as Grameen Phone, AKTEL,
BTTB and Warid Telecom have awarded Ericsson as the prime integrator contract to
plan, design and integrate an in-building solution. Ericsson signed a major deal
with Telenor, the parent company of Grameenphone to build and integrate a
complete IP mobile backbone network for the introduction of layered architecture
across Bangladesh. This marks Grameen phone's first step towards an all-IP
network.
Bangladesh Turns Down Investment Opportunity from India
Bangladesh's Industries Minister has declared that owing to the fragile
political situation in the country, the country is turning down a US$3 billion
investment proposal by Indian corporation, Tata, even though the deal would have
greatly benefited the country. Tata proposed building a steel plant, a 1,000
megawatt gas-fired power plant and a coal mine in Bangladesh. However, the
Bangladesh industry is unable to do anything solid until the end of the
elections. The secretary-general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),
Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, said the government might consult opposition parties
before entering a deal with Tata. Tata, however seems unconvinced with their
arguments as they see economic growth as separate from the political
environment. Tata probably believes that the business opportunity should not be
influenced by the outcome of Bangladesh's elections.
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