Speech of High Commissioner of India
on occasion of signing of EPC Contract for 1320 MW Rampal Power Project
H.E. Mr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury
Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh
H.E. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, Hon’ble Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources, Government of Bangladesh,
H.E. Mr. Abul Kalam Azad
Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Mr. Monowar Islam, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of Bangladesh
Mr. Pradeep Pujari, Hon’ble Power Secretary of India.
Distinguished Guests,

1.        The signing of the of the EPC contract for the  Maitree Super Thermal Power Project at Rampal, Bagherhat represents an important milestone in the cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the power sector.

2.        The success of our multifaceted and extensive cooperation in the power sector is increasingly being regarded as a new paradigm for mutually beneficial cooperation between two neighbouring countries.  India is already transmitting power to Bangladesh’s on the Behrampore-Behramara line.  Recently, the second grid interconnection from Agartala, India to Comilla, Bangladesh was inaugurated jointly by our two Prime Ministers. Several far reaching proposals in the power sector are under the consideration of both sides.

3.        I am extremely happy that Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd has been awarded the EPC Contract for the 2X600 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power project in Rampal.  With its cumulative overseas installed capacity of approximately 10,000 MW spread across 21 countries, I am confident that BHEL will complete the project on time and in conformity with international quality standards.  BHEL’s vast experience of working in the sub-continent will give it an added advantage.

4.        It is also significant to note that financing for the project has been arranged by EXIM Bank under the special financing package for strategic projects approved by the Government of India.

5.        The Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company is the flagship enterprise of our two countries in the power sector. I wish the company the very best in the implementation of this prestigious the project

6.        Let me take this opportunity to thank the Government of Bangladesh for its unflinching support and commitment to the project. Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed that India stands committed to working “shoulder to shoulder” with Bangladesh to achieve its vision of ‘power to all’ by 2021.

Thank you
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