In order to accelerate the development of its economy, Bangladesh has decided to build strong infrastructure facilities to import power from India. With Bangladesh focusing on enhancing investments and making strategic expenditures to develop a robust power infrastructure, new avenues are likely to open up for a number of Indian firms, especially SMEs. 

The finance minister of Bangladesh has extended his consent to set aside Taka17 billion from the annual budget for the purpose of building the requisite infrastructure to import 500 mega watts (Mw) of electricity from India.

Greater import of power from India not only holds benefits for the Indian government but also for a number of small-scale Indian firms engaged in construction of power transmission lines and power equipment. As services of Indian SMEs will prove to be cost-effective, Bangladesh will look forward to hire more contractors from this segment to construct the necessary infrastructure.

Analysts believe that technical assistance and manpower from a number of Indian SMEs in the power sector will be taken by Bangladesh government in order to set up a transmission line, from Berhampur in Orissa to Bheramara in Bangladesh, and a substation with the help of the allocated funds.

Sucheta Dhoot