France offers support to launch Bangabandhu Satellite

France has shown its interest in assisting Bangladesh for launching Bangabandhu Satellite in the orbit, reports UNB. The offer came when French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Sophie Aubert met Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his Secretariat office yesterday. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Muhith said France is now interested in the launching of Bangladesh’s maiden satellite since they are one of the oldest launchers of satellites. The minister said he informed the French envoy that it would be a fair competition since the government has already advertised inviting tender bids. He said the field of satellite launching is now much wider at the moment as China has appeared to be a serious competitor for their low cost offer. Besides, Muhith said, the Chinese government has informed that they would also finance the project if they get the tender for which they have an advantage. During the meeting, the French envoy has expressed her intention to boost the economic relations of the two countries through participating in various development programmes during her tenure in the country since France is Bangladesh’s good development partner. Earlier on September 16 last year, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the much-awaited ‘Bangabandhu Satellite Launching’ project with an outlay of Tk 2967.95 crore, aiming to launch the country’s first satellite in the orbit. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) under the Post and Telecommunications Ministry will implement the project by June 2017. Though there has been delay in undertaking of the project, it would save around TK 110 to Tk 120 crore every year in foreign currency in broadcasting costs once the satellite is launched.
Under the project, two earth stations will be set up at Joydevpur in Gazipur and Betbunia in Rangamati apart from a satellite.

 

France offers support to launch Bangabandhu Satellite

France has shown its interest in assisting Bangladesh for launching Bangabandhu Satellite in the orbit, reports UNB. The offer came when French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Sophie Aubert met Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his Secretariat office yesterday. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Muhith said France is now interested in the launching of Bangladeshs maiden satellite since they are one of the oldest launchers of satellites. The minister said he informed the French envoy that it would be a fair competition since the government has already advertised inviting tender bids. He said the field of satellite launching is now much wider at the moment as China has appeared to be a serious competitor for their low cost offer. Besides, Muhith said, the Chinese government has informed that they would also finance the project if they get the tender for which they have an advantage. During the meeting, the French envoy has expressed her intention to boost the economic relations of the two countries through participating in various development programmes during her tenure in the country since France is Bangladeshs good development partner. Earlier on September 16 last year, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the much-awaited Bangabandhu Satellite Launching project with an outlay of Tk 2967.95 crore, aiming to launch the countrys first satellite in the orbit. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) under the Post and Telecommunications Ministry will implement the project by June 2017. Though there has been delay in undertaking of the project, it would save around TK 110 to Tk 120 crore every year in foreign currency in broadcasting costs once the satellite is launched. Under the project, two earth stations will be set up at Joydevpur in Gazipur and Betbunia in Rangamati apart from a satellite.