1,200MW MATARBARI PROJECT

VIP security for JICA staff

Cloud over $4b mega power plant is ‘over’

Uncertainty over the implementation of the USD 4 billion Matarbari mega project is apparently over as the government has agreed to give VIP security to Japanese officials who will implement the 1,200MW project.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had refused to return to Bangladesh after seven Japanese citizens were found among the 20 victims in the Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack in July.
After negotiations with the JICA and potential bidders, the power ministry has instructed the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL), an enterprise of the government, to extend the tender submission deadline by another month. The new deadline has been fixed on November 24, 2016. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2020.
Mahbub Alam, the additional secretary of the Power Division, told The Independent, “It is good news for the nation that the uncertainty over the implementation of the Matarbari mega project is over. The Japanese officials have agreed to return to Bangladesh after a month.”
Abul Kasem, managing director of the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, said, “We are extending the bid submission date by a month. 
They (the Japanese agency) have agreed to join the project.”

According to the condition, Japan will give more than USD 4 billon as soft loan to Bangladesh. Japanese companies Marubeni Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation are eligible to participate in the mega tender.
Sources said the Japanese are returning with some tough conditions, which includes VIP security for all their officials. 
“They have imposed the condition two vehicles of security personnel in plainclothes should follow them during their movement,” a government official said.
“They have made many more demands relating to security. But we have agreed to fulfil all conditions for the interests of the country,” he added.
Khalid Mahmud, chairman of the Power Development Board (PDB), said, “The Matarbari mega project is getting delayed. So, we are trying hard to revive it.”
During the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Japanese government had promised to develop a mega power hub and economic zone at Matarbari for more than USD 4 billion. According to sources in the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the plant will borrow USD 3.7 billion from JICA at an annual interest rate of 0.1 per cent over the next 30 years, with a 10-year grace period.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the Matarbari 2X600MW Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant project, which involves Tk. 35,984.46 crore. It is expected to boost power generation in the country significantly.

1,200MW MATARBARI PROJECT

VIP security for JICA staff

Cloud over $4b mega power plant is over

Uncertainty over the implementation of the USD 4 billion Matarbari mega project is apparently over as the government has agreed to give VIP security to Japanese officials who will implement the 1,200MW project. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had refused to return to Bangladesh after seven Japanese citizens were found among the 20 victims in the Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack in July. After negotiations with the JICA and potential bidders, the power ministry has instructed the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL), an enterprise of the government, to extend the tender submission deadline by another month. The new deadline has been fixed on November 24, 2016. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2020. Mahbub Alam, the additional secretary of the Power Division, told The Independent, It is good news for the nation that the uncertainty over the implementation of the Matarbari mega project is over. The Japanese officials have agreed to return to Bangladesh after a month. Abul Kasem, managing director of the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, said, We are extending the bid submission date by a month. They (the Japanese agency) have agreed to join the project. According to the condition, Japan will give more than USD 4 billon as soft loan to Bangladesh. Japanese companies Marubeni Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation are eligible to participate in the mega tender. Sources said the Japanese are returning with some tough conditions, which includes VIP security for all their officials. They have imposed the condition two vehicles of security personnel in plainclothes should follow them during their movement, a government official said. They have made many more demands relating to security. But we have agreed to fulfil all conditions for the interests of the country, he added. Khalid Mahmud, chairman of the Power Development Board (PDB), said, The Matarbari mega project is getting delayed. So, we are trying hard to revive it. During the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Japanese government had promised to develop a mega power hub and economic zone at Matarbari for more than USD 4 billion. According to sources in the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the plant will borrow USD 3.7 billion from JICA at an annual interest rate of 0.1 per cent over the next 30 years, with a 10-year grace period. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the Matarbari 2X600MW Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant project, which involves Tk. 35,984.46 crore. It is expected to boost power generation in the country significantly.