১৯তম পাওয়ার বাংলাদেশ এবং অন্যান্য যৌথ প্রদর্শনীগুলোর উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে ভারতীয় হাই কমিশনার শ্রী র্হ্ষ বর্ধন শ্রিংলার বক্তব্য বিবৃতি ও বক্তৃতা

১৯তম পাওয়ার বাংলাদেশ এবং অন্যান্য যৌথ প্রদর্শনীগুলোর উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে ভারতীয় হাই কমিশনার শ্রী র্হ্ষ বর্ধন শ্রিংলার বক্তব্য

High Commission of India

Dhaka

Remarks by High Commissioner of India, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the Inauguration Ceremony of 19th Power Bangladesh and Allied Expos, 26 October 2017 [Venue: International Convention City, Bashundhara, Dhaka] 

H.E. Mr. H. T. Imam, Political Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources

Mr. Md. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry

Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Meherun N. Islam, Group President & Managing Director, CEMS Global

  • I am happy to be here for the inauguration of the 19th Power Bangladesh Expo and other allied expos (Solar Bangladesh, Real Estate Expo, Construction Expo, Water Bangladesh, and Safety & Security Expo) being organized by CEMS Global. 
  • The Government of Bangladesh has made substantial investments in improving the power and energy infrastructure in the country in line with its vision of ‘Power for All by 2021’. Government of India is also committed to provide electricity to every household in India. Last month, our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched the Saubhagya (Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) Scheme under which, every household in India will be given an electricity connection by 31 December 2018. The scheme treats the individual household (and not the village as was the norm in earlier schemes) as the basic unit for providing last-mile connectivity. 
  • India fully supports Government of Bangladesh’s vision of ‘Power for All by 2021’ and is partnering with Bangladesh in the power and energy sectors. Cooperation between India and Bangladesh in these sectors has been an example for bilateral cooperation between two neighboring countries as a win-win partnership. Since 2013, when the first 500 MW of power was supplied from the Bherampur-Bheramara inter-connection, there has been uninterrupted power supply from India to Bangladesh. We are looking at supply of another 500 MW of power through this inter-connection by July next year. 
  • 160 MW power is also being supplied to Bangladesh using the Tripura-Comilla interconnection. Discussions are underway to finalize the 765 KV power transmission line from Assam to the eastern part of India through Bangladesh (Bornagar-Parbatipur-Katihar) through which a portion of the power will be supplied to Bangladesh. This line would be extremely useful as it would serve to bring in excess hydropower, not only from the North Eastern part of India but more importantly from Bhutan and the sub-region. 
  • Several projects in the power sector have been included in the new line of credit of USD 4.5 billion announced during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in April 2017. Agreements worth nearly USD 10 billion of Indian investment, mainly in the power and energy sectors of Bangladesh, were also signed during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. 
  • Proposals for collaboration in the LNG, LPG Sectors including the setting up of LNG terminal in Kutubdia by Petronet India Ltd, supply of re-gassified LNG by IOCL through the construction of pipeline between Haldia and Khulna and several other proposal of private sector Indian companies are under active consideration of both sides and we are confident that these initiatives will contribute to bringing about energy security in the sub-region. 
  • It is important to note that India-Bangladesh power sector cooperation which was more or less bilateral in nature has now been taken to the sub-regional plane. India and Bangladesh have already signed MoUs for trilateral cooperation in the power sector with countries like Bhutan and Nepal. 
  • I would also like to highlight another important aspect of our cooperation, that is, our cooperation in energy efficiency initiatives. The Government of India launched the Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA) scheme in 2015 with an objective to provide people with affordable energy efficient appliances. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), the implementing agency for the project, has also been collaborating with Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) of Bangladesh for the installation of energy efficient street lights in several municipalities of Bangladesh. 
  • We are also greatly encouraged by the fact that Bangladesh has been one of the first few countries to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). We hope for greater collaboration in solar power sector and the renewable energy sector in the future. In this context, I would also like to mention that the 2nd edition of the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2017) is proposed to be held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, from 07–09 December 2017.  The Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Solar Summit of ISA will also be held on 08-09 December 2017 on the margins of RE-INVEST 2017. While RE-INVEST 2017 is likely to be inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India, the Founding Conference of the ISA will see the participation of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, President of French Republic and heads from prospective ISA member countries.  RE-INVEST 2017 is expected to be attended by Heads of State or Ministers from various countries, more than 600 global leaders & investors and 10000 delegates from world over. We would like to see participation of Bangladesh companies in great numbers in RE-INVEST 2017. 
  • I am happy to note that the Indian Chamber of Commerce has organized an India Pavilion at Power Bangladesh with participation of 46 Indian companies with a diverse portfolio of products for power generation, distribution, and transmission, renewable energy, energy efficiency etc. I also welcome the other Indian companies participating in Water Bangladesh Expo. I am certain that Power Bangladesh and the allied events will present a great opportunity to Indian companies to showcase their products and connect with their counterparts from Bangladesh. I also take this opportunity to congratulate CEMS Global for organizing Power Bangladesh and other allied expos.

 

Thank you.

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