People2Biden Campaign


#People2Biden

The United States is the second largest greenhouse gas emitting country in the world while fourth largest per capita emitter among the Annex-1 countries. It is also the historically highest emitting country. As the US policymakers’ role is crucial to ensure a greener earth, most of the important international climate related instruments have been taken with consent of the United States. But historically it escaped from due responsibility by not signing up to the Kyoto Protocol and withdrew itself from the Paris Agreement. 

After winning in the election of 2020, US president Joe Biden took the decision to return the United States to the Paris Agreement on the first day in office. Consequently he called for a conference called “Leaders Summit on Climate” on 22-23 April 2021 and invited 40 global leaders to join the Summit. The thematic areas of the summit are: (i) Galvanizing efforts by the world’s major economies to reduce emissions; (ii) mobilizing public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition; (iii) transition to a new clean energy economy; (iv) Spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change; (v) showcasing subnational and non-state actors that are committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree celsius; and (vi) discussing opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change. 

But there are outcries for ambitious emission reduction by the United States economy, both nationally and internationally, divest from fossil fuel without making any late, contribute equitable share in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as pledged, reparation for loss and damage, technology transfer to the developing countries for adaptation and mitigation, stop all types of market-based solutions and ensure community-ownership in the green recovery. 

Meanwhile, US President’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Mr. John Kerry is going to visit Bangladesh on 9 April 2021, Friday to formally invite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the Leaders Summit. 

To ensure that our voices are heard, the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken a number of programs under #People2Biden Campaign with colleagues and like-minded organizations in Bangladesh and South Asia. 

The Programs are:
  • 7 April 2021, Wednesday: People2Biden Online Press Conference in Bangladesh
  • 8 April 2021, Thursday: Submission of a People2Biden Statement to on behalf of the Climate vulnerable people of Bangladesh
  • 16 April 2021, Friday: Submission of People2Biden Video Message to President Joe Biden on behalf of South Asian climate affected communities.
  • 20 April 2021, Tuesday: South Asian Online People2Biden Conference to raise our common demands together to President Biden and global leaders.
  • 21 April 2021, Thursday: Submission of Video Speeches to the US Administration

How Can You join? 
  • Register to join any of the programs to make the campaign stronger 
  • Invite your friends and colleagues to join any of our programs 
  • Organize any type of messaging program with (hashtag) #People2Biden
  • Share the programs, photos or links on Social Media with (hashtag) #People2Biden 

For any suggestions, please write to bwged.bd@gmail.com

Update on Coal Power Plants: March 2021

According to the Revised Power Sector Master Plan 2018 (PSMP 2018), the Government planned to establish 34 Coal-fired power plants in the period from 2018 to 2038. The Perspective Plan 2021-2041 (PP2041) echoed with it but emphasized on (i) least-cost power generation (ii) low-cost primary energy (iii) infrastructure (iv) investment balance and (v) energy efficiency along with other targets. During formulation of PSMP 2018, several domestic and overseas companies proposed 14 unsolicited coal power plants and received approval for 12 from the Cabinet Committee. 

It is to mention that, none of the unsolicited 14 private proposals managed to show significant progress to construct the coal power plants within 2020. On the other hand, Government signed both non-binding and binding agreement with different public and private companies to establish 18 coal power plants out of 34 including: 
  1. Adani Godda Coal Power Plant with Adani Power Limited 
  2. Banshkhali (S. Alam) Coal Power Plant (1 & 2) with 6 subsidiary companies of S. Alam Group, SEPCO-III and HTG Development Group 
  3. Barapukuria (BPDB) Coal Power Plant (Unit-3) under suppliers credit from Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) 
  4. Barisal (BEPCL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1) with ISO Tech Electrification Company Limited, Sinohydro (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited and Taylor Power Environmental Company Limited 
  5. CPGCBL-Sumitomo Coal-fired Power Plant (Phase-1) with with Coal Power Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) and Sumitomo Corporation 
  6. Gazaria (RPCL) Coal Power Plant with Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and PowerChina (Power Construction Corporation of China) and Hubei Hongyuan Power Engineering Company Limited (HYPEC) 
  7. Kohelia (CPGCBL-Sembcorp) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1) with with Coal Power Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) and Sembcorp Utilities Private Limited 
  8. Maheshkhali (BPDB-CHDHK) Coal Power Plant with China Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited (CHDHK) and CCC Engineering Limited (CCCE) 
  9. Maheshkhali (BPDB-KEPCO) Coal Power Plant Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) 
  10. Maheshkhali (BPDB-TNB) Coal Power Plant with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Powertek Energy Sdn Berhad (PESB) 
  11. Matarbari (CPGCBL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1) with Coal Power Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) under ODI loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 
  12. Matarbari (CPGCBL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-2) with Coal Power Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) under ODI loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 
  13. Patuakhali (APSCL) Coal Power Plant with Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) and China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) 
  14. Patuakhali (RNPL) Coal Power Plant with Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and Norinco International 
  15. Payra (BCPCL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1) with North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) 
  16. Payra (BCPCL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-2) with North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC) 
  17. Pekua (EGCBL-Mitsui) Coal Power Plant with Electricity Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (EGCBL) and Mitsui & Company Limited 
  18. Rampal (BIFPCL) Coal Power Plant with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited 

Recent newspaper reports revealed several numbers and names of the coal power plants in the cancellation list although nothing disclosed by the authority, except verbal statements of higher officials and the State Minister for Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources (MPEMR). So, a ground reality check is necessary to get a clear picture of the coal power projects in Bangladesh. 

The Planning Ministry cancelled the Pekua Coal power project in October 2019 through stopping finance for the project. In January 2020, the Government decided to scrap Maheshkhali (BPDB-KEPCO) Coal Power Plant and Maheshkhali (BPDB-TNB) Coal Power Plant due to delay in implementation process. The South Korean giant KEPCO and Malaysian state-owned enterprise TNB also decided not to take any new coal project. 

The CHDHK couldn’t get necessary approval from Chinese Government to proceed with the coal power project in Maheshkhali. In the meantime, the Government has changed the category of Maheshkhali Island from Industrial Hub to Tourism Hub through cancelling the Sonadia Deep Sea Port project. 

The RPCL signed an agreement in September 2018 with Marubeni Corporation to conduct a feasibility study on LNG Based Power Plant on the same site of the coal power project in Gazaria, Munshiganj. Subsequently, it cancelled the coal power project with PowerChina and HYPEC in March 2020 although Chinese counterparts expressed their chagrin on the issue. 

The extended timeline of COD for Patuakhali (APSCL) Coal Power Plant is June 2021 now. The sponsor company has taken the land and developed it but yet to form the joint venture company (JVC) or secure any credit for the project. There is very minimal progress shown in the Annual Report 2019-2020 of APSCL. 

The land acquisition for both CPGCBL-Sumitomo and CPGCBL-Sembcorp has been done and land filling works were seen on the Sembcorp site even in January 2021. But the JVC and credit is yet to be secured for the projects. It seems that Bangladeshi sponsor CPGCBL is quite hopeful about the projects as per its Annual Report 2019-2020 but both Sumitomo and Sembcorp kept silent about the projects in their latest annual reports. 

So, eight coal power projects have either been cancelled or to be cancelled by default. Out of other ten projects, two coal power plants - Barapukuria (Unit-3) and Payra (Phase-1) are under operation now which contribute 8.26% in total energy mix. The under construction coal power plants are:
  1. Adani Godda Coal Power Plant: Installed Capacity 1600 MW (Derated Capacity 1492 MW): Under Construction 
  2. Banskhali (SSPL) Coal Power Plant: Installed Capacity 1320 MW (Derated Capacity 1224 MW): Under Construction 
  3. Barisal (ITECL) Coal Power Plant: Installed Capacity 350 MW (Derated Capacity 307 MW): Under Construction 
  4. Matarbari (CPGCBL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1): Installed Capacity 1200 MW (Derated Capacity 1104 MW): Under Construction 
  5. Matarbari (CPGCBL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-2): Installed Capacity 1200 MW (Derated Capacity 1104 MW): Preparation 
  6. Patuakhali (RNPL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-1): Installed Capacity 1320 MW (Derated Capacity 1214 MW): Pre-Construction 
  7. Payra (BCPCL) Coal Power Plant (Phase-2): Installed Capacity 1320 MW (Derated Capacity 1214 MW) 
  8. Rampal (BIFPCL) Coal Power Plant: Installed Capacity 1320 MW (Derated Capacity 1214 MW): Under Construction
Hope the list will help to get a picture of coal power projects in Bangladesh now.

Lawyers and activists term speedy energy supply act ‘unconstitutional’

10 July 2020 | The Daily Star 
-------------------------------------- 


Speakers at a virtual seminar today urged the government to scrap the speedy energy supply act, officially known as the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010, terming it "unconstitutional". 

They also urged the government to immediately cancel all coal and gas-based rental, quick rental and coal-fired power plant projects. 

Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) and the School of People's Law today jointly organised the seminar titled "Challenges of Energy Sector Immunity in Bangladesh", says a press release. 

While speaking at the seminar, eminent environmentalist Syeda Rizwana Hasan criticised the government's plan to build 29 coal-fired power plants without having a coal policy in place. 

"In the last 14-15 years, a number of coal policies were drafted, but none was finalised. Without finalising a policy, how did the government go on building 29 plants?" asked Rizwana.

Rizwana, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), also criticised the government's intolerance to opposition voices. 

"In the past, people could protest against the open pit coal mining and power plant. But now it's impossible for even 200 people to gather and protest against a power plant. They will be beaten by the police. No exceptions, [not] even for university professors," Rizwana said. 

The speedy power supply act was enacted in 2010 for two years. The law was first extended by two years until 2014 and by four years until 2018. In 2018, the tenure of the act was extended for the third time, until 2021. 

Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua presented the keynote speech at the seminar. He said, "This law is a clear violation of the constitution. It has unfettered power and is being used against public interest." 

He also criticised the law as it protects officials from prosecution for awarding contracts without tender. 

In late June, former Power Division secretary Fouzul Kabir Khan also demanded that the act be revoked, saying it had turned out to be a reason for the power sector's inefficiency. The law has been renewed multiple times which is no longer necessary. 

The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports also recently asked the government to scrap the law. They demanded a transparent, pragmatic and pro-people power policy for ensuring the country's energy security through full utilisation of domestic resources. 

Call for EOI: Preparation of a Country Assessment Report on COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by the bilateral and multilateral financial institutions in Bangladesh


21 January 2021 
The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is seeking qualified researcher among its members and well-wishers to develop a a Country Assessment Report on COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by the bilateral and multilateral financial institutions in Bangladesh. The Terms of Reference of the job are as follows: 


Background 

Bangladesh is one of the countries seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic - both economically and socially. It is also one of the MVCs due to adverse impacts of climate crisis. The rural livelihoods, along with the urban, especially the non-formal sector who contributes around 85% of total economy, was affected highly due to inconsistent lock down, and lack of proper safety net services. The migrated labors and expatriates lost their jobs and were stuck in places which are far from their families. 

Bangladesh is also one of the countries facing massive debt-burden in recent years. The total loan of the country crossed USD 63.2 billion with an outstanding loan of USD 38.7 billion. To meet the COVID-19 economic crisis, the GOB has declared several stimulus packages of USD 8,787.00 million for Export Oriented industries, public expenditure and social safety net services, informal sector workers and health & security workers. 

Most of the amount from COVID loan went to the national budget directly which has come out again as bail out support for the export oriented industries. A portion of the money has also gone to the private fossil fuel power producers as capacity charge. A large portion of money has gone to the health sector. But media reports revealed massive corruption and mismanagement in the COVID related programs. There are several cases of basic human rights violations also. 

Considering the situation, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken an initiative to start a stock taking on utilization of COVID-19 recovery loans, corruption, human rights violation and responsibilities of the IFIs is important to ensure transparency and accountability as well as human rights in the project activities under the emergency loans. 

Broader Objective 

Revitalizing Transparency, Accountability and Public Interest in the COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by International Financial Institutes (IFIs) considering impacts of climate change in Bangladesh. 

Specific Objectives 

  1. Unwrapping the misuse, corruption, human rights violation and ineffectiveness of the COVID-19 economic recovery finances provided by the International Financial Institutions, especially ADB and AIIB in Bangladesh 
  2. Creating a regional and international space to question eligibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 funds in Bangladesh 
  3. Create an opportunity of evidence based advocacy on COVID-19 recovery financing. 

Deliverables 

  • Preparation of a Country Assessment Report on COVID-19 Recovery Loans especially covering the issues of Debt Burden, Access to Health and other Essential Services, Access Recovery Facilities, Corruption and Misuse of Funds, Human Rights and Civil Society Space. 
  • Participation in the National and International Webinars on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, particularly: 
  • National Discussion on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Burden & Access to Essential Services 
  • South Asian Regional Dialogue on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Servicing and Role of IFIs 
  • International Meeting on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Corruption and Basic Human Rights. 

Study Timeline 

3 Months (1 February - 30 April 2021) 
  • Preparation of a Country Assessment Report on COVID-19 Recovery Loans: 15 days (1 Feb - 15 Mar 2021) 
  • Participation in the National Discussion on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Burden & Access to Essential Services: 1 Day (20 - 25 March 2021) 
  • Participation in the South Asian Regional Dialogue on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Servicing and Role of IFIs: 1 Day (1 - 10 April 2021) 
  • Participation in the International Meeting on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Corruption and Basic Human Rights: 1 Day (20 - 30 April 2021) 

Budget 

The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) will contribute a consolidated amount of BDT 100,000.00 (Bangladesh Taka One lakh only). 

Expression of Interest 

BWGED Members/allies are requested to submit their Expression of Interest within two pages which includes: 
  • Background of the Concept 
  • Process & Methodology of the Study
  • Action Plan 
  • Necessary Inputs 
  • Curriculum Vitae of the Lead Researcher 

Interested members of BWGED are requested to send their Expression of Interest (EOI) through a two-page Concept Note and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Lead Researcher to tuhin@cleanbd.org by 25 January 2020, Monday 5:00 PM (Bangladesh Time).

Call for EOI: Preparation of a Factsheet on COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Climate Crisis in Bangladesh


Saturday, 6 February 2021:
The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is seeking qualified researcher among its members and well-wishers to develop a Factsheet on COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Climate Crisis in Bangladesh. The Terms of Reference of the job are as follows: 

Background 

The economy of Bangladesh is seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic. It is also one of the MVCs due to adverse impacts of climate crisis with only 573 KGs of per capita emission. Bangladesh is also playing the role of Chair in Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) now. The energy demand, especially the electricity, had come down to around 50% during the pandemic which contributed to reduce overall emission. On the other hand, allocation of money for fossil fuel based new power plants is supposed to add more emission especially in the coastal zone which is well recognized as global hotspot of climate crisis.

To meet the COVID-19 economic crisis, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) estimated a total requirement of USD 25,835 million including USD 8,810 million as additional financing. So far, the government has taken USD 4,415.80 million (BDT 36,651 crore) from different bilateral and multilateral sources. The loan amounts are as follows:
  1. COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project: World Bank: USD 100.00 million
  2. COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project: AIIB: USD 100.00 million
  3. COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project: ADB: USD 100.00 million
  4. COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program: ADB: USD 501.00 million
  5. COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program: AIIB: USD 250.00 million
  6. COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance: IMF: USD 732.00
  7. COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan: JICA: USD 329.00 million
  8. COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (APDRF) ADB-Japan: USD 3.00 million
  9. COVID 19 School Sector Response (GPE): World Bank: USD 14.80 million
  10. COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project: ADB: USD 1.00 million
  11. COVID-19 Emergency and Crisis Response Facility: AIIB: USD 300.00
  12. Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) Project: World Bank: USD 500.00 million
  13. Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project: World Bank: USD 295.00 million
  14. Second Programmatic Jobs Development Policy Credit: World Bank: USD 250.00 million
  15. Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX): ADB: USD 940.00 million

Among the total loan, USD 2,862 million (BDT 23,754 crore) has been allocated as supplement to the national budget directly in respective sector. A good amount of money has allocated for the private power producers a capacity charge from the budget. Another part of the budget has allocated for new power plants, including coal-based ones. Besides economic burden, these investments has significant impacts on climate crisis including additional carbon emission and risks on the vulnerable people.

Considering the situation, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken an initiative to develop a Factsheet on the COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Impacts on the Climate Crisis for sensitizing policymakers and financiers through campaign and advocacy targeting IFIs and their guiding principles.

Broader Objective

Ensuring climate-responsive expenditure of COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by International Financial Institutes (IFIs) considering impacts of climate crisis of Bangladesh. 

Specific Objectives

  1. Analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on climate change, particularly on energy sector.
  2. Unwrapping the allocation of amount for the Private Power Producers and new energy projects from COVID-19 recovery loans
  3. Create an opportunity of evidence based advocacy on COVID-19 loans and its impact on the climate crisis.

Deliverables

  1. A Factsheet on IFI financed COVID-19 Recovery Loans and its impact on climate crisis in Bangladesh (maximum 5,000 words).
  2. Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues on COVID-19 and Climate Crisis.

Study Timeline

13 Days (within 10 March - 19 April 2021)
  • Factsheet: 10 Days (10 Mar - 19 Apr 2021)
              Submission of the first draft: 30 Mar 2021
             Submission of final report: 15 Apr 2021
  • Dissemination: 3 Days: Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues

Budget

The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) will contribute a consolidated amount of BDT 25,000.00 (Bangladesh Taka Twenty Five thousand only) for the job.

Expression of Interest

BWGED Members/allies are requested to submit their Expression of Interest which includes:
  1. Background of the Concept
  2. 2. Process and Methodology for developing the Factsheet (Secondary Data Collection, Data Analysis, Key Informant Interview, Focus Group Discussion etc.)
  3. Action Plan
  4. Necessary Inputs
  5. Curriculum Vitae of the Lead Researcher

Interested members & allies of BWGED are requested to send their Expression of Interest (EOI) with a maximum two-page Concept Note and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Lead Researcher to info@cleanbd.org by 1 March 2021, Monday.

Call for EOI: Case Study on ADB-AIIB financed COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program


3 February 2021

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Background
Bangladesh is one of the countries seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic - both economically and socially. It is also one of the MVCs due to adverse impacts of climate crisis. The rural livelihoods, along with the urban, especially the non-formal sector who contributes around 85% of total economy, have been affected highly due to inconsistent lock down and lack of proper health and safety net services.

Bangladesh is also one of the countries facing massive debt-burden in recent years. The total loan of the country crossed USD 105 billion which is around 34.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To meet the COVID-19 economic crisis, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) estimated a total requirement of USD 25,835 million including USD 8,810 million as additional financing.

In response of GOB's call, ADB has granted a budget-support loan of USD 250 million from Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR), USD 250 from Asian Development Fund (ADF) and USD 1.00 million grant from Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASF) [1] along with USD 250 million from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program [2].

The major activities under the USD 751 million project are [3]:
  1. Special honorarium for 2,000 frontline doctors, nurses and other medical workers;
  2. Monthly allowance of BDT 500.00 for 750,000 newly enrolled senior citizens (40% women);
  3. Monthly allowance of BDT 500.00 for 250,000 newly enrolled widow and husband-deserted women;
  4. One time allowance of BDT 2,000 for 2,000,000 poor families (20% female-headed);
  5. Monthly 20 kgs of food support for 1 million poor and vulnerable families;
  6. Wage subsidies of BDT 30 billion to the workers in export-oriented industries (50% women);
  7. Subsidized interest-loan of BDT 170 billion for affected industries, sectors and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises;
  8. Training on better management of Social Safety Net Services for 150 staffs from Ministry of Social Welfare (MOSW), Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA), and Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MODMR);
  9. Digital financial services, banking channels and other tools are developed for improved poverty targeting and better financial services;
  10. Development of a guidance note for inclusive and gender-responsive social protection and welfare services;
  11. Upgradation of the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system to provide timely and accurate sex-disaggregated M&E reports. 
Several reports on discrimination, corruption and misuse related with CARES Program have already been published in the national newspapers. There are significant human rights violations also for criticizing ineffectiveness of Recovery Program. The progress level is also shown in ADB and AIIB Monitoring Report [4].

Considering the situation, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken an initiative to develop a Case Study on the CARES Program for revitalizing transparency, accountability and public interest through campaign and advocacy targeting ADB and AIIB and their guiding policies. 

Broader Objective 
Revitalizing Transparency, Accountability and Public Interest in the COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by International Financial Institutes (IFIs) considering impacts of climate change in Bangladesh. 

Specific Objectives 
  1. Unwrapping the misuse, corruption and ineffectiveness of the ADB-AIIB financed COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program 
  2. Creating a regional and international space to question eligibility and effectiveness of CARES Program 
  3. Create an opportunity of evidence based advocacy on CARES Program. 

Deliverables 
  1. Case Study on ADB-AIIB financed COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program focusing on access to health and social safety net services, vested interest of private corporations, misuse, corruption and ineffectiveness. 
  2. Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues on CARES Program: (i) National Discussion (ii) South Asian Regional Dialogue (iii) International Meeting

Study Timeline 
13 Days in 2 Months (20 February - 19 April 2021) 
  1. 10 Days (within 20 Feb - 19 Apr 2021): Preparation of the Case Study on COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program: (i) Submission of the first draft: 30 Mar 2021 (ii) Submission of final report: 14 Apr 2021 
  2. 3 Days: Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues on CARES Program: (i) 1 Day (within 20-25 Mar 2021): Participation in the National Discussion on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Burden and Access to Essential Services (ii) 1 Day (within 1-10 Apr 2021): Participation in the South Asian Regional Dialogue on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Debt Servicing and Role of International Financial Institutions (iii) 1 Day (within 20-30 Apr 2021): Participation in the International Meeting on COVID-19 Recovery Loans, Corruption and Basic Human Rights 

Budget 
The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) will contribute a consolidated amount of BDT 40,000.00 (Bangladesh Taka Forty thousand only) for the job. 


Expression of Interest (EOI) 
BWGED Members/allies are requested to submit their Expression of Interest which includes: 
  1. Background of the Concept 
  2. Process and Methodology of the Study (Secondary Data Collection, Data Analysis, Key Informant Interview, Focus Group Discussion etc.) 
  3. Action Plan 
  4. Necessary Inputs 
  5. Curriculum Vitae of the Lead Researcher 
Interested members & allies of BWGED are requested to send their Expression of Interest (EOI) with a maximum two-page Concept Note and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Lead Researcher to tuhin@cleanbd.org by 15 February 2020, Monday 5:00 PM (Bangladesh Time). 

Reference

China-Bangladesh Deal under BRI on 14 October 2016

Both Chinese and Bangladeshi institutions, including private companies, signed some 13 non-binding agreements under Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) during Bangladesh visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agreements are:
  1. Banshkhali 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Rajakhal:
    China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): Undisclosed
  2. Boalkhali 660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): USD 861.0 million
  3. Construction of International Cricket Complex at Purbachal in Dhaka: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh: Amount undisclosed
  4. Construction of Sheikh Kamal Football and Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh: Amount undisclosed
  5. Daudkandi 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (PowerChina) with Meghna Electricity Generation Company Limited (MEGCL): USD 1.7 billion
  6. Designing and Building Double Line between Joydevpur - Ishwardi section of Bangladesh Railway: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with Bangladesh Railways: USD 1.5 billion
  7. Dhaka Safe City Project for Bangladesh Police: China Electronics Technology Group (CETG) International with Ministry of Home of Bangladesh: USD 620 million
  8. Establishing Digital Connectivity: China Railway International Group with Department of ICT of Bangladesh: USD 1.0 billion
  9. Gazaria 350 MW Coal-fired Power Plant:  Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (PowerChina) and Hubei Hongyuan Power Engineering Company Limited (HYPEC) with Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) of Bangladesh: USD 433 million
  10. Investment on Renewable Power Projects and Power Industry Park: China Electric Power Construction Group Company Limited (CEPCA) and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA): 2.8 billion
  11. Mirsarai 2X660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant: Zhejiang Jindun Holding Company Limited with Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA): USD 2.5 billion 
  12. Sustainable River Management in Bangladesh: Sinohydro Corporation and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB): USD 1.5 billion
  13. Teesta 200 MW Solar Power Plant: TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis Company Limited (TXSCL) with Beximco Power Company Limited (BPCL): USD 400.0 million


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