The government has greenlighted a proposal to take on lease an orbital slot from Russia at a cost of Tk 2.19 billion to launch Bangladesh’s first satellite, 'Bangabandhu'.
Published : 31 Dec 2014, 11:13 PM
The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) at a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair gave the nod on Wednesday.
After the meeting, Cabinet Division Joint Secretary Mostafizur Rahman said the orbital slot in the 119.1 degrees east longitude would be leased from the Intersputnik International Organisation of Space Communication of Russia.
"Lease amount will be $28 million (Tk 2.19 billion). VAT and tax will be added to it. The government will meet the expenses,” Mostafizur said.
Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a meeting on Sept 16 gave the go-ahead to the nearly Tk 30 billion project that covers the manufacture and launch of the satellite and two ground stations.
Bangladesh's first satellite on earth's orbit will have 40 transponders to provide telecommunications and broadcast services.
Of the total Tk 29.68 billion project cost, the government will provide a little over Tk 13.15 billion.
The project is likely to be implemented by June 2017 by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
US firm Space Partnership International (SPI), as a consulting firm, has already started designing the satellite.
Under the project, two earth stations will be set up at Joydevpur in Gazipur and Betbunia in Rangamati.
Apart from the lease of orbital slot, the CCGP in its Wednesday meeting also approved the procurement proposal for the Consultancy Service for Detailed Techno Economic Feasibility Study of Ramnabad Channel of Payra Port Authority.
UK-based HR Wallingford has been allotted the work at Tk 180.3 million.
The meeting also gave cleared the procurement of 50,000 metric tons of wheat through international bidding.