Energy, transport crises block FDI-German team for prompt coalmining development

News Report

The visiting German business delegation leader Peter Clasen has identified energy crisis and transportation problem as the major impediments to attracting foreign investment in Bangladesh. Addressing a press conference at Lake Shore Hotel in the city on Wednesday, Clasen attached great importance to the energy and inland water transports sectors and indicated German investors” cooperation in this regard.

The German business leader laid emphasis on coalmining development and said the government should take immediate decision on mining method of Fulbaria coal field. Coal-fired power generation can resolve the ongoing power crisis in Bangladesh, he said. Pointing to the bureaucratic red tape, another impediment, Clasen said: “Decision makers have to change their attitude to encourage economic life instead of regulating it. Essentially this means reducing red tape and wiping out excesses of bureaucracy with the government focusing much more than hitherto on improvements of infrastructure.”

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Holger Michael, who was also present at the press conference, said the government should send unambiguous signals about Bangladesh’’s openness to foreign investment and that it maintains political framework conditions, which are conducive to long-term invest. He said functioning of Parliament is of vital importance and all political parties represented and all elected MPs should contribute to make it effective.

Asked whether the current political and economic situation is conducive to attracting foreign investment, Michael said: “Bangladesh is on a good way to a stable democracy, but we want the government put emphasis on the implementation of the ”charter for change.” The German business leader lauded the quality of Bangladesh shipbuilding industry and said: “Quality and cheap labour have attracted Europeans to buy ships from Bangladesh.”

He laid emphasis on skilled manpower development and said mere cheap labour would not be the sufficient for attracting foreign investment, “technical quality of Bangladeshi labourers should have to be improved.” He suggested developing more vocational training institutions. Clasen said German companies would invest in development of small-scale power generation plants and also in development of the renewable energy.

The German companies in collaboration with the local partners would also invest in production of different electrical appliances. Md Saiful Islam, president of Bangladesh Germany Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Western Marine Shipyards, was also present at the press conference. The eight-member German business delegation, arriving in Dhaka on October 25, will be staying in Bangladesh till October 30.

UNB reports: The German business and investment delegation Wednesday apprised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of their keen interest in investing in Bangladesh in sectors like gas exploration, coalmining, and renewable energy. Meeting the Prime Minister at her office Wednesday, the delegation led by Peter Clasen, Head of Bangladesh Section of OAV, the Network of German companies doing business in the Asia-Pacific countries, said they are especially interested to expand their trade and business in Bangladesh.

The Germans prefer Dhaka and Chittagong as their chosen places of investment, Prime Minister’’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told newsmen after the meeting. The delegation also expressed their willingness to help Bangladesh in modernising its agriculture system by building modern technology-based farms and imparting training to the farmers on processing organic food items.

Regarding renewable energy, the German team said Germany as an expert country in the sector can help Bangladesh introduce solar energy and biogas system in the country on a massive scale. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her happiness following the German delegation’’s interest in making investment in Bangladesh. She told the delegation that following the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh through the December 29 parliamentary polls in 2008, a congenial atmosphere for investment is prevailing here now.

She said Germany can import ceramics, leather products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh. In this context, the Prime Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has already started exporting ships to Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, opening up a new vista for the country’’s external trade. Sheikh Hasina observed that Bangladesh could not achieve its development at required level as its democracy could not run uninterruptedly in the past.

“Now the people have their own government and the democratic government is working relentlessly to ensure economic emancipation of the people,” the Prime Minister told the Germans. Sheikh Hasina said though Bangladesh has faced electricity crisis for the last seven years, the present government within the last few months has been successful in improving the situation through proper management and hard work.

“But the climate issues have appeared as a major threat to the development process of Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister observed. Sheikh Hasina said the government has chalked out various plans, including the launch of capital and maintenance dredging in the rivers, setting up embankments and land reclamation to face the challenges stemming from the global warming.

She said though the government is taking all possible preparations to protect its people from the natural calamities, it is not possible to face the climate-change challenges alone. Hasina also reaffirmed her promise to turn Bangladesh into a food-sufficient country again the way the previous Awami League government did it. The German delegation lauded Sheikh Hasina’’s leadership in the international forums and hoped that she would be able to free the people of Bangladesh from poverty and all other socioeconomic problems.

Hasina thanked Germany for its continuous support and assistance to Bangladesh since its independence in 1971 under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim, Prime Minister’’s Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman, Ambassador Ziauddin and German Ambassador in Dhaka Holger Michael were present.

Source: http://www.newstoday-bd.com/frontpage.asp?newsdate=10/29/2009#22456

Date: 29 October 2009, Bangladesh

German investors talk energy with Hasina

Unb, Dhaka

A high-profile German business and investment delegation yesterday apprised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of their keen interest to invest in sectors such as gas exploration, coalmining and renewable energy. Meeting with Hasina at her office, the eight-member delegation led by Peter Clasen, head of Bangladesh section of OAV, a network of German companies doing business in the Asia-Pacific countries, said they are interested in expanding trade and business in Bangladesh.

 

The Germans prefer Dhaka and Chittagong as their chosen places of investment, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters after the meeting. The delegation also expressed their willingness to help Bangladesh in modernising its agriculture system by building modern technology-based farms and imparting training to the farmers on processing organic food items.

On renewable energy, the team said Germany as an expert country in this sector can help Bangladesh introduce solar energy and biogas systems on a massive scale. Hasina expressed her happiness following the delegation’s interest in making investment in Bangladesh. She said Germany can import ceramics, leather products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh.

In this context, the prime minister mentioned that Bangladesh has already started exporting ships to Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark-opening up a new vista for external trade. Hasina observed that Bangladesh could not achieve its development at required level as its democracy could not run uninterruptedly in the past.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=111766

Date: 29 October 2009, Bangladesh

Coal extraction: Geoscientists can help find best choice: Tawfiq

Staff Reporter

Prime Minister’s Adviser for Power and Energy Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, BB said that the country’s geoscientists can help resolve prevailing controversy regarding the method of coal extraction.

Addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural session of six -day international conference on ‘Geo science for Global Development’ at the Osmani Auditorium, he said, “It is a duty of geoscientists to find out the best choice of Bangladesh in coal mining.” Association of Geoscientists for International Development (AGID), Bangladesh Geological Society (BGS), Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), International Geo science Education Organisation (IGEO) and International Union of Geological Education (IUGS) jointly organised the conference.

State Minister for Power and Energy Enamul Huq said that geoscientists can help the government through their experience and knowledge in sectors like energy, mineral and water resources.

Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mohammed Mohsin said that Global worming can be significantly reduced through sustainable environmental management by geoscientists.

About 500 geoscientists from 30 countries are participating in the conference.

Source: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/10/27/news0820.htm

Date: 27 October 2009, Bangladesh

Challenges of Petrobangla New Chairman : Part 3

Engr. Khondkar Abdus Saleque

Dr. Hussein Mansur was made Chairman Petrobangla for few months at the last stage of Awami League Government of the last term. He is known as Awami League leaning intellectual. He was involved in the preparation of Awami League Election Pledges and was reportedly lobbying for the position since formation of Mahajote Government. He has good links with the highest level of the Bangladesh government. One hopes that he uses his links effectively to salvage Gas and Coal based energy sector from the brink of collapse. Mahajote Government has definite plan with him as it relied on him to deliver at this very critical stage of energy security.

Coal Exploration:

Apart from natural gas and gas liquid Petrobangla is also responsible for extraction and exploitation of other mineral resources – Coal, Hard Rocks etc. Two Petrobangla Companies are looking after two active mines at Dinajpoor. We have finite Natural Gas Reserve and resource potential may not be enough for our long term energy security. C But we have very high quality and less polluting coal reserve. According to independent estimate we have about 65 TCF equivalent Bituminous Coal in 5 discovered Coal mines. There is possibility of getting some more if explored properly. The coal seam at the largest mine at Jamalgonj is pretty deep while at Barapukuria and Phulbari the coal seam is between 15-500 Meter below surface. This multiseam coal resource is reasonably thick and is buried under soft silty water bound Dupitilla overburden. The entire coal belt spreads over 100 SqMiles and is mostly in Dinajpoor Rangpoor area. While the nation is busy talking about utilization of about 6-7 Tcf proven gas resource most of the 65 TCF equivalent Coal resource remains buried for a long time. Nation is locked in unnecessary debate over mining techniques, mining methods. Petrobangla does not have many active miners, no senior mining Engineer on job. Non miners mostly university teachers having no hands on experience of mining on energy sector have confused policy makers and successfully stalled all efforts to mine economically in Bangladesh. Bangladesh wasted 4 years in disputes and debates over coal policy.

Dr Mansur as PB Chairman having blessing of highest level of Government has to break the ice. The only active Bangladeshi Coal mine is bleeding. Underground Coal mining in shallow depth multi seam Coal mine with soft silty over burden that prevails at Barapukuria is a technical blunder – a crime. Bangladesh can ill afford to extract less than 10 % of recoverable coal from a mine in very unsafe and hugely expensive mining method. Moreover inevitable mine subsidence which eventually will require permanent relocation of all mine affected community has set in. In a recent site visit by a practising NRB mining engineer it appeared that further mining in Long wall Underground method beyond 2011 at Barapukuria will be a waste of time. Money and efforts. The present mining method with poor ventilation and in absence of standard Health, Safety and Environmental plan may cause catastrophic accident any time.

Dr Mansur was with us in Jamuna Resort in June 2006 during our NRB brain storming on Coal Mining strategy. We made specific recommendations on Barapukuria Mining and Coal policy. We hope he as Geologists could appreciate what we shared with Bangladeshi professionals and policy makers. If he needs further consultation we will volunteer to do that. But Chairman PB must be proactive for Coal mining.

There are proven techniques and technology how to conduct mining in similar geology, soil Condition and environment in Bangladesh. To achieve Millennium Development Goal Bangladesh needs to supply power to all its population. Bangladesh does have enough other alternative resources to fuel power generation. It has to explore and extract most of its coal sooner or later. It will take several years to aquire technology and financial capacity to carry out mining by its own expetrts . It has to engage leading mining companies who have technology to mine managing all associated impacts. Government has to relocate and rehabilitate all type of affected community – land and property owners, marginalised farmers, vulnerable group in proper manner. Dr Mansur must set the trend.

Many say Barapukuria is the ideal candidate for conducting surface mining on experimental basis. In this modern age when any sensible person can access relevant documents of the state of the art technology do we need experiment? Do we have time and money to still waste? We have seen from 3D model of Barapukuria that thickest coal seam is now lying below mine surface structure and Mine Mouth power plants. Are we planning to relocate power plants and demolish mine structure? Well this is major decision. Moreover fresh feasibility survey is going to take time.

While on the other hand another similar mine at Phulbari where some leading international companies have conducted extensive studies at detail feasibility stage is ready for mining. There may be some concerns about water management, Rehab issues. Experienced consultants can re-examine those. The scope for export and limit of royalty can be revisited. But in such a critical stage why government should seat on such a potential project?

Some people say expert Committee opined against it. Who were in the committee? The 8 of the 12 members did not agree with the remaining four – two University teachers, an accountant and one Petrobangla appointed Lawyer signed the so called expert committee report which did not analyse or discuss the TOR issues of the committee at all. Why not PB and government call all members of that expert committee and listen to the opinion of each individual? If that can be done by Government the veils of so called patriots will be exposed. The barriers to surface mining and Phulbari mining will be removed. We hope Dr Mansur will try to do that.

We hope that PB Chairman will voice his concern against continued use of polluting high sulphur Indian Coal in our brick fields. We can not understand why BELA, BAPA or BEN never talk about unhindered access of polluting Indian Coal in Bangladesh? Most of this coal comes through Shriakandi and Tamabeel Borders of Sylhet. We hope that our Syhlhetti Finance Minister and Energy Advisor to PM will stop entry of polluting coal through their neighbourhood soon.

Coal mining in Bangladesh in appropriate technology is the only feasible option now to confront energy crisis. Other options will never bring any relief in mid term – long term. Bangladesh can not afford to rely on expensive liquid fuel option for along term. Renewable source may not meet more than 10% in 20 years. Off shore gas will take at least 10 years to provide comfort. Bangladesh will get no steam coal from India for power generation.

PB Chairman must explore possibility of developing Dighipara Coal Mine under PPP with major mining Company selected in a transparent manner. We feel existing MOU with whatever company for Khalaspeer must be scrapped and PB could be given license to develop under PPP as well. Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) may be studied for Jamalgonj Coal mine as well under PB.

Source: http://www.energybangla.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=SomethingtoSay&article=2218

Date: 26 October 2009, Bangladesh

Power, Coal Plants-Road shows mulled to woo investors

Star Report

The government plans to stage road shows in London, New York and Singapore in early December to attract investors for several of its large power projects including 2,000-megawatt coal-fired power plants. The Power Development Board (PDB) sent a proposal in this regard to the power ministry earlier this month suggesting the show may be held in mid-November. “But now it looks like the shows cannot be held before early December,” said a top PDB official.

The power projects include four 500 MW coal-fired projects, Meghnaghat phase two 450 MW, Bibiyana phase two 450 MW and Bhola 150 MW projects. Officials at the shows would inform prospective investors about the government’s plans to set up more plants in the proposed Savar leather processing zone and Jaidevpur high-tech park. These plants would require more than $3 billion investment.

“The road shows in December will be the power sector’s largest overseas shows ever. Previously the government held a road show in Dhaka for the 450 MW Meghnaghat-1 plant back in 1996-97,” said the official. The road show will give prospective investors information about the government’s financial incentives for foreign investment, tax benefits and how their investment would be secured.

Power plant equipment price has come down to the decade’s lowest right now. So, it is a good time to push through the bids to bag cost effective deals involving high quality machinery, the sources pointed out. These projects represent a vital part of the government’s planned mid-term solution to power crisis beyond 2011. In the next five years, the government plans to implement 7,000 MW new power projects along with transmission and distribution lines. These would require around $10 billion investment.

The government aims at raising one fourth of this investment from local banks, and getting the rest from international financiers. Four study groups of the PDB have been working out details of the coal-fired and other power projects. So far the country has focussed on gas-based power projects. Implementing coal-fired projects demands that the PDB work out how coal would be purchased, supplied, transported and stored.

The PDB proposed that the coal should be of high quality to ensure least possible pollution. Such high quality coal may be imported from Indonesia. The PDB rules out Indian coal as it contains high level of sulphur. It is primarily estimated that the country would need one lakh tonnes of coal each month to generate 2,000 MW power. Such a huge quantity of coal would be imported through ships and transported through waterways.

Consequently, the sites selected for the plants– Khulna, Chittagong, Zazira and Rajshahi– are all located by major rivers and seashore. “We will need adequate environment and infrastructure support to ensure sound implementation of these projects,” said a PDB source.

The coal plants should be equipped with efficient and least pollutant machines like those currently used in India and Germany. We do not have ready-made knowledge about it. That is why we need to have a consultant to guide us through this process,” he said.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=111250

Date: 25 October 2009, Bangladesh

Government favours open pit coal mining

AKRAM TALUKDER, DINAJPUR

Despite  strong opposition by a section of  local people  the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Planning Ministry yesterday advocated  open pit coal mining  system at Barapukuria in Dinajpur. While exchanging views  with  some local people at the  office of the Barapukuria  coal mining site, Chairman of the Standing Committee Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed   explained the reasons in favour of open pit coal mining.

Members of the standing committee-Shafiqul Islam, Dr Azizul Haque Chowdhury, Hamida Banu Shova and Col (Retd) Nazrul Islam were also present during the meeting. Col Oli said extraction of 90 per cent of coal   will be  possible under the open pit system  as against  30 per cent  under ground system.

“Houses will collapse and the areas will become unlivable if coal is extracted in under ground system. But extraction of coal under  open pit system  will be environment friendly,”  Oli Ahmed claimed. A section of people is against the open pit, said Oli adding, “these people are acting as  brokers by taking money from foreign companies. They are serving  the interest of  foreign countries  to deprive us of  our own resources”.

He said Bangladesh will not  have to  import coal for the next one thousand years  if coal is extracted under open pit system. “The government will ensure appropriate compensation including rehabilitation of the affected people and their lands. The government will never do anything against the interest of the people,” Col Oli  assured. Mahfuzur Rahman, president of Hamidpur Union Awami League (AL) opposed the parliamentary committee’s opinion and said, “We don’t  want to go anywhere from our ancestral homes by leaving  the  graves of  our  forefathers .” 

We don’t need any facilities in exchange  for lands and homes for coal mining under open pit system,   he further said. Shabuddin, a social worker, said it will seriously affect the environment if coal is extracted under  open pit system instead of under ground mining.

Source: http://www.theindependent-bd.com/archive.details.php?nd=2009-10-20&nid=146596

Date: 20 October 2009, Bangladesh

Vast energy sources remain untapped, says FICCI-Power crisis blamed on indecision

FE Report

Foreign investors continue to grumble over the country’s perennial energy crisis and demand uninterrupted electricity and gas supply to boost industrial growth. They said the country has significant energy sources, most of which remained unexplored due to indecision leading to the acute energy crisis.

“The country is not poor but poorly managed,” said the President of Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan at the chamber’s luncheon meeting at a city hotel Sunday. State Minister for Energy and Power Muhammad Enamul Huq was guest of honour at the function, which was also addressed by FICCI Vice President Steven N Wilson.

Pointing to the country’s energy supply crunch and its impact on the economy the FICCI president said the country’s industrial units especially the export oriented ones were bearing the burnt of the crisis as production had being badly hurt. “Some entrepreneurs have set up captive power units to have energy supply of their own,” the FICCI president said and added, “Those plants are also not working properly due to low gas pressure.”

“We have been demanding constant and sufficient energy supply over the past several years but to no effect,” Mr Bhuiyan added. The state minister assured the overseas investors of mitigating their energy problem with the implementation of, what he said, the government undertaken short, medium and long-term measures along with fast-track projects. “Improving power and energy sector is one of the major government pledges which will be executed in the current tenure,” said Mr Huq.

The government has already taken initiative to develop the energy sector, he assured. Some 752 megawatts (MW) of additional electricity supply would be added to the national grid by December 2009, some 1360 MW by 2012 and 1445 MW more by 2013-2014. He said the government has introduced daylight saving time, began distribution of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs free of cost to ensure efficient energy use.

The government is also working seriously for setting up of nuclear and coal-based thermal power plants and augmenting renewable energy use to diversify the fuel sources for energy, the state minister said. The country is now reeling from an acute energy crisis with the power supply hovering around 3,700 MW against the peak hour demand for 5,500 MW, while the natural gas supply is around 1980 million cubic feet (mmcf) daily against the daily demand for over 2200mmcf.

“Bangladesh’s energy sector still remains unexplored to a great extent,” said the FICCI vice president. The country has been under a moratorium on exploration of energy sources, said Mr Wilson, who is also the President of Chevron Bangladesh.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/10/19/81947.html

Date: 19 October 2009, Bangladesh

Minister signals green after visiting German open-pit coal mining

Special Correspondent

The government on Monday requested Germany to assist Bangladesh to extract coal by the open-pit mining method. The commerce minister, Faruk Khan, called upon the German ambassador, Holger Michael, to provide some expert advice as the government is still in doubt about the possible impact of open-pit mining on the environment.

Holger met Faruk at his secretariat office and discussed investment in the renewable energy sector and dredging to deepen the rivers and increase their navigability. ‘We are examining the pros and cons of open-pit mining in the country which is densely populated and suffers from scarcity of land,’ Faruk Khan reportedly told Holger. Holger said that the German government would provide all technological and investment support to Bangladesh through the GTZ, the German technical agency.

From the very beginning of Awamileague government, a move regarding this, has been underway to use the open-pit mining system in the country, and the UK-based company, Asia Energy, has demanded to get permission to use the open-pit mining system at Phulbari coal field in Dinajpur.

State minister for environment Hasan Mahmud visited Germany on September 6-9, reportedly to acquire some knowledge of open-pit mining and coal-based power plants. An official of the environment ministry, who had accompanied the minister, told reporters on Monday that the minister’s visit was arranged by the GTZ and they had visited many coal-mines and power plants including that of German company RWE.

The official said that after Hasan Mahmud’s visit, he submitted a report to the government saying that they had seen nothing wrong in open-pit mining in Germany and that it was successfully generating electricity from coal. ‘We have collected still pictures, videos and other materials in favour of open-pit mining. We have seen that Germany was doing a tremendous job in operating open-pit mines. The RWE is producing around 7,000MW of electricity from the coal from two mines. We have seen nothing wrong with open-pit mining, but some people in Bangladesh are against the system as they do not want the development of the country,’ said official of the environment ministry.

The energy ministry last month recommended that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allow open-pit mining at Barapukuria coal-field, and she told the ministry to carry out a detailed study and present the findings to her after which she will decide what to do.

Source: http://weeklyeconomictimes.com/news-details.php?recordID=4492

Date: 18 October 2009, Bangladesh

Coal less costly power source, says Mohammad Enamul Haque

R.Akter

The State Minister for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque said recently in generation of electricity from diesel and furnace oil is very costly. He termed coal as the only option for generating electricity at low costs and emphasised the need for its immediate extraction. Power generation has reached a point where the economy is seriously hampered for shortage of electricity by about 1,500 megawatts.

He said, production falters in many industries where gas is either a fuel or a raw material or both. Gas supply to some sectors has to be suspended to meet demands of others. The crisis is such that some big investment proposals for gas-based industries have been deferred for at least three years. This happens due to short supply of natural gas that fuels about 80 percent of power generation. The existing recoverable gas reserve is estimated to last a few years.

Against this backdrop, coal can be the best option for power generation. Solar, wind and nuclear energies are the other options but those would take longer time to harness in bulk. The country has a proven reserve of 2,086 million tonnes of quality coal, which is equivalent to about 19 TCF of natural gas. According to experts, this coal is enough to generate 5,000mw of electricity for up to 90 years. The local coal is safer as it contains less sulphur and carbon than the imported coal. It will also save about US$500 million that Bangladesh spends annually to import this fossil fuel. Bangladesh should therefore go for quickest possible extraction of the coal resource in a cost effective and environment-friendly way. Coal is still the source of world’s 30 percent energy. But a day may come soon when use of coal might be discouraged as part of global action to reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Surce: http://weeklyeconomictimes.com/news-details.php?recordID=4493

Date: 18 October 2009, Bangladesh

Now coal is the answer

Editor

The State Minister for Power and Energy has said generation of electricity from diesel and furnace oil is very costly. He termed coal the only option for generating electricity at low costs and emphasised the need for its immediate extraction. Power generation has reached a point where the economy is seriously hampered for shortage of electricity by about 1,500 megawatts. Actually, production falters in many industries where gas is either a fuel or a raw material or both. Gas supply to some sectors has to be suspended to meet demands of others. The crisis is such that some big investment proposals for gas-based industries have been deferred for at least three years. This happens due to short supply of natural gas that fuels about 80 percent of power generation. The existing recoverable gas reserve is estimated to last a few years.

Against this backdrop, coal can be the best option for power generation. Solar, wind and nuclear energies are the other options but those would take longer time to harness in bulk. The country has a proven reserve of 2,086 million tonnes of quality coal, which is equivalent to about 19tcf of natural gas. According to experts, the coal is enough to generate 5,000mw of electricity for up to 90 years. The local coal is safer as it contains less sulphur and carbon than the imported coal. It will also save about US$500 million that Bangladesh spends annually to import this fossil fuel. Bangladesh should therefore go for quickest possible extraction of the coal resource in a cost effective and environment-friendly way.

Source: http://weeklyeconomictimes.com/news-details.php?recordID=4523

Date: 18 October 2009, Bangladesh