Japan plan keeps nuclear as key energy source
Japan unveiled its first draft energy policy since the Fukushima meltdowns three years ago, saying nuclear power remains an important source of electricity for the country.
The draft presented Tuesday to the Cabinet for approval expected in March, said Japan's nuclear energy dependency will be reduced as much as possible, but that reactors meeting new safety standards set after the 2011 nuclear crisis should be restarted.
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Indian co to explore in Bay of Bengal
ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and its partner Oil India Ltd (OIL) have signed contracts to explore for oil and gas in two areas in Bangladeshi waters.
An equal joint venture of OVL, the overseas arm of state owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), and OIL on Monday signed production sharing contracts (PSC) for shallow water blocks SS-04 and SS-09 in Bangladesh.
“OVL along with OIL formed a consortium (50:50) and participated in the Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2012, launched by Bangladesh Government during December 2012,” the company said in a statement.
India downgraded in aviation safety, joins Bangladesh, Indonesia
India has joined countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Bangladesh that have a Category 2 rating in aviation safety. US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authority has downgraded India's aviation safety rating, citing a lack of safety oversight, meaning the country's carriers cannot increase flights to the world's biggest aviation market and face extra checks for existing ones.
As of November 22, FAA kept 81 of the 96 countries reviewed in Category 1. India had been in Category 1 since 1997, the FAA said in a statement.
Trade boost bid with Biman Bangladesh
Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh is set for a boost with the decision of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to begin services between Dhaka and Guwahati from July.
The industry today welcomed the decision, saying it would facilitate people-to-people contact and boost trade, primarily in the hospitality and tourism sectors, reports the Telegraph.
“People-to-people contact is a must for trade relationships to thrive. Confederation of In...
“People-to-people contact is a must for trade relationships to thrive. Confederation of In...
Best Western sees Bangladesh key growth market
The US-based hotel company, BEST WESTERN International is looking south, as it continues its fast-paced Asian expansion. The company, which operates more than 4,000 properties around the world, has identified the South Asian countries of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as key growth markets.
Sri Lanka welcomed one million international visitors for the first time in 2012, and is targeting 2.5 million arrivals by 2016. To cater for this rapid growth, Best Western has already announced plans to launch its first hotel in the country - a 60-room Best Western mid-scale property in Colombo, which is expected to open in the next few months, reports the Nation.
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Pvt oil-fired power plants seek permission to import fuel
Two dozen privately owned oil-fired power plants in Bangladesh have asked the government for permission to import petroleum products to use for electricity generation, a senior energy ministry official said Wednesday.
The plant owners have objected to the quality of fuel currently being supplied to them by state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corp., which imports required oil products for the privately owned power plants.
The ministry official, who asked not to be named, said the plants amounted t...
The ministry official, who asked not to be named, said the plants amounted t...
