Adani, an Indian power company, has encountered payment difficulties as the Power Development Board (PDB) in Bangladesh grapples with a shortage of dollars. Adani supplied 700-750 MW of electricity during the trial production period, totaling around 1.5 million units to PDB.

The company submitted a bill of approximately $17.5 million or Tk 187 crore, reflecting a unit price of Tk 12 (11.88 cents) for coal. However, PDB faced obstacles in opening a letter of credit (LC) due to a lack of dollars, with both local and foreign banks refusing to assist. Furthermore, Adani submitted additional bills after a month of commercial production, but the amount was undisclosed. PDB officials estimate that the bills, including the trial period, amount to over $100 million (Tk 1,087 crore) until May 2023. The electricity department is seeking special government approval to address the payment predicament.

Following the government’s approval of onion imports from India, onion prices experienced a significant decline in various regions of Bangladesh. The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh reported that the local variety of onion was being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 90 per kilogram on Monday, marking a Tk 10 decrease compared to the previous day. Over the past month, prices of the local onion variety had risen by 81%, leading the agriculture ministry to allow imports to stabilize the volatile market. However the Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP), claimed that a group of traders had manipulated the market for higher profits.

Farmers in Pabna, a major onion-producing area, accused wholesalers in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet of being responsible for the unstable onion market, asserting that they control wholesale prices and manipulate the market. The government aims to continue imports until the onion market stabilizes, with the goal of reducing prices to Tk 50 per kilogram. Wholesale traders in Dhaka, Pabna, and Chattogram reported a decrease in onion prices following the announcement of imports. The government has approved 210 import permits for 280,800 tonnes of onions. Despite domestic production being around 34 lakh tonnes, the country still needs to import around 6.50 lakh tonnes of onions due to storage limitations and waste.

Telecom operator Grameenphone has set an ambitious target to cut its carbon emissions by 50% before 2030, using 2019 emissions as a baseline. The company is actively implementing various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. These include enhancing energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy sources, fostering an energy-conscious culture, and collaborating with partners to minimize environmental impact, particularly in the supply chain.

Grameenphone has already converted approximately 1,200 towers into solar energy-powered sites in remote areas, such as Hatiya, ensuring connectivity in previously underserved regions. These hybrid sites not only save fuel but also contribute to reduced carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating the company’s commitment to its environmental goals.

CEO highlighted the importance of this green shift, citing Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Deploying solar-powered towers enables Grameenphone to reduce its carbon footprint, overcome electricity supply challenges, and pave the way for a greener future. As a frontrunner in green initiatives in Bangladesh, the company remains dedicated to comprehensive sustainability efforts.