100pc population comes under electricity coverage

Bangladesh has achieved yet another milestone as the government is set to announce that it has brought 100 per cent of the population under electricity coverage. The achievement will put Bangladesh ahead of India and Pakistan, among the countries in South Asia, that have brought 98 per cent and 74 per cent of their population under electricity network. Installed power generation capacity rocketed to 25,514 megawatts from 4,942MW in 2009, while the maximum power production rose to 13,792 MW, up four-fold from 3,268MW13 years ago. In 2009, only 47 per cent of the population had access to power. Per capita power generation more than doubled to 560 kilo-watt-hour from 220 kWh during the period, making a frequent power outage a thing of the past.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/100pc-population-comes-under-electricity-coverage-2983111

Booming concrete block industry up to grab brick market

Concrete block-manufacturing industry finds a boom-time in Bangladesh to seize bulk of the Tk 90-billion brick market, as the new-generation building blocks are eco-friendly and cheaper. As the government has decided to ban the use of the traditional bricks in the next three years in phases because of the environmental hazards brick kilns create, people are looking to the eco-friendly construction material to come up to their relief. As a result, the demand for concrete blocks is on the rise-so is the silent but steady growth of the modern manufacturing industry. According to experts, the current market size of the country’s brick industry is over Tk 90 billion -and concrete-block makers have already grabbed a share of the market amounting to nearly Tk 2.0 billion. Business groups like Concord, Mir Group, BTI, and Meghna are the market leaders right now with 20 per cent of the concrete-block market in their possessions. The large factories invested Tk 300-500 million each for setting up an automated concrete block-manufacturing factory. Besides, there are midsize players having invested Tk 50-60 million each for setting up a factory, industry-insiders say, adding that an automated unit could be procured from China for Tk 50 million.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/booming-concrete-block-industry-up-to-grab-brick-market-1647283735

New MD & CEO of Bangladesh Commerce Bank

Mr. Md. Tajul Islam joined as the Managing Director and CEO of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited (BCBL). He started his banking career in 1988 as a Senior Officer at Janata Bank after obtaining Bachelor’s (Honors) and Master’s degrees in Public Administration from Chittagong University. In his academic career, he holds a special place in the merit list of all academic examinations.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/new-md-ceo-of-bangladesh-commerce-bank-1647278195