Bangladesh - The Purbottar

03 Jul

Bangladesh Records Surge in Organic Tea Exports

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh's organic tea industry has reported a 35% year-on-year export growth, primarily to Germany, the UK, and Scandinavian nations. The Bangladesh Tea Board attributes this success to increased global demand for pesticide-free and sustainably farmed products. Farmers in Panchagarh and Sylhet are now being trained in organic methods, supported by NGOs and international fair-trade bodies. Exporters say this is boosting earnings and employment for women and youth in rural areas. With India's northeast and parts of Nepal having similar growing conditions, this success could be replicated in neighboring regions keen to tap into green global markets.

28 Jun

Digital Tools Aim to Transform Coastal Agriculture

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh has launched a Smart Farming initiative in Khulna to support coastal farmers facing climate disruptions. Using IoT sensors, mobile apps, and weather alerts, the project helps farmers manage water, fertilizer, and pest control more efficiently. The pilot involves 2,000 farmers growing shrimp and rice in flood-prone areas. Experts from BRAC and Japan’s JICA are collaborating on the project. The technology could be scaled across low-lying regions in India and Nepal. Similar programs are already being tested in Assam and Bihar, creating opportunities for cross-border agri-tech cooperation.

26 Jun

Dhaka’s Northern Expansion Gains Momentum With New MRT Corridor

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Dhaka’s growing metro system has taken another leap with the launch of construction on MRT Line-5 (Northern Route), a 20-kilometre corridor set to connect Hemayetpur to Bhatara. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing technical and financial support. Officials say the project will cut travel time across northern Dhaka from 2 hours to 35 minutes and reduce carbon emissions by 250,000 tonnes annually. Over 10,000 new jobs will be created during the construction phase. Indian urban planners and policymakers are viewing this as a regional example of transit-led development. With similar projects underway in cities like Siliguri and Guwahati,…

09 Jun

Matarbari Port Expected to Transform Bay of Bengal Trade

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first deep-sea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, a $4.5 billion project funded through Japanese investment and national infrastructure bonds. Capable of handling the world’s largest cargo ships, the port is expected to reduce reliance on Chittagong and ease pressure on inland transport. It will serve as a vital hub for regional trade, connecting India’s Northeast, Bhutan, and Nepal to global shipping routes. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called it “a landmark in our economic history.” The port is projected to boost Bangladesh’s GDP by at least 2% over the next five years. Indian, Bhutanese, and Nepalese…

06 Jun

Bangladesh Launches Electric Bus Fleet in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has introduced its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban transportation. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, the electric buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transport system. The new buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition…

05 Jun

Dhaka’s New Fleet Aims for Sustainable Public Transportation

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

In a significant move towards sustainable urban transport, Bangladesh has launched its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, these buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transportation system. The electric buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition closely. …

22 May

Dhaka Metro to Launch Smart Ticketing System by December

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh is upgrading its urban transport with a smart ticketing system for the Dhaka Metro. The new system, based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, will allow passengers to pay digitally using mobile phones and smartcards. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has partnered with a Japanese firm to develop the system. Trials begin in August, and full implementation is expected by December 2025. The initiative aims to ease congestion, reduce fare fraud, and encourage more people to use public transit. Indian and Nepalese urban planners have shown interest in similar models for metro projects in Kathmandu and Tier-2 Indian…

17 May

Bangladesh Launches First High-Speed Rail Project with Japan’s Help

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has signed a major agreement with Japan to build its first high-speed rail line between Dhaka and Chittagong. The bullet train, expected to be operational by 2030, will reduce travel time from 6 hours to just under 2. This $12 billion mega-infrastructure project is being funded through Japanese ODA and involves advanced rail technology transfer. Officials said it will revolutionize domestic travel and logistics. The development has sparked interest in neighboring India and Nepal, where cross-border rail connectivity remains a growing priority. This project could serve as a model for regional rail modernization.

13 May

Bangladesh Launches First Floating Solar Farm

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first floating solar farm on Kaptai Lake in Rangamati. The 35 MW project was developed by a partnership between the government and a Singapore-based clean energy firm. The solar panels, mounted on buoyant platforms, will power over 15,000 rural homes and reduce carbon emissions by 45,000 tons annually. Officials say this is the first step toward turning lakes and reservoirs into power-generating zones. India and Nepal, with their own hydropower infrastructure, are studying the project as a potential hybrid model to combine solar and hydroelectricity for sustainable energy.

06 May

Bangladesh to Launch World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh is set to inaugurate the world’s largest floating solar power plant by 2024, which will significantly boost the country’s renewable energy capacity. The project, located on the Padma River, will have a capacity to generate 200 MW of electricity, enough to power over 200,000 homes. This ambitious move is part of Bangladesh's broader goal to increase its renewable energy capacity and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Similar floating solar power initiatives are being considered in neighboring countries like India and Nepal, which have also been working to develop sustainable energy solutions.