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The fact is, India still has a long way to go. There is a disproportionate amount of poverty (India is estimated to have one third of the world’s poor) and the health and education systems outside the major population centres are as bad as anywhere else in South Asia. How can a nation call itself a democracy when an estimated 200,000 farmers have committed suicide in the last 20 years, 20 million female foetuses have been aborted in the last 10 years, and people remain unequal due to the caste system? There is a strange mix of pride and denial amongst the Indian elite, resulting in little room for criticism and a lack of recognition that India is still struggling - it’s the image that is thriving.

No doubt, there is an inferiority complex that can be associated with any smaller nation. But Bangladesh should realise that it has a lot to offer in terms of fighting terrorism (both separatist movements in Assam and religious extremism), allowing transit to the Seven Sisters, and, of course, taking the edge off the threat posed by an increasingly unstable Pakistan. However, the lack of magnanimity shown by the current Indian government and its predecessors with regards to water sharing, the lowering of tariffs and transit to Nepal has left Bangladeshi politicians with their hands tied. To be seen as giving in to India would be tantamount to political suicide.

"This indicates the frivolous and volatile nature of the country's politics, from which, unfortunately, the major parties have again failed to break out," Ataur Rahman, a Dhaka University professor and chairman of Bangladesh Political Science Association, said of the dispute. "They are (fighting) each other on a largely non-political issue at a time when the country badly needs a new democratic structure and a sustainable administration," he told Reuters on Sunday. Analysts say such disputes are a distraction when Bangladesh's government should be concentrating on measures to stem corruption and increase transparency, steps that would help attract much-needed investment and aid to the impoverished South Asian country of more than 140 million people. Asif Nazrul, a law professor and analyst, said the government and opposition should go to court to resolve the dispute over Khaleda's residence. "It could temporarily calm down the situation. But the mistrust created through this incident may manifest in various ways and impact future politics," he told Reuters on Sunday.

Cargo handling at Chittagong port rose 2.3 percent to record 27.6 million tonnes while container handling increased 9.3 percent to 958,020 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2007, from the previous year.

Amin was speaking as the Pacific Consultant International (PCI) of Japan placed a study report on feasibility of a deep seaport proposed by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). PCI suggested that Bangladesh should build the proposed $1.2 billion deep seaport near the country's main Chittagong port by 2055 in three phases, with the first phase completed by 2016.

PCI was awarded a $1.62 million contract to conduct the study in 2006, after the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) had took up a plan for the deep seaport off Kutubdia coast, 65 km (40 miles) south of the port.

Cargo handling at Chittagong port rose 2.3 percent to record 27.6 million tonnes while container handling increased 9.3 percent to 958,020 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2007, from the previous year.

Shipping ministry officials say India and Myanmar repeatedly seek transit facilities from Bangladesh through Chittagong port.

Pacific Consultant International (PCI) of Japan placed a study report on feasibility of a deep seaport proposed by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). PCI suggested that Bangladesh should build the proposed $1.2 billion deep seaport near the country's main Chittagong port by 2055 in three phases, with the first phase completed by 2016.

  The EPZs of Bangladesh is known in investment sector as an emerging star of South Asia because EPZs of Bangladesh called Asia’s low cost production base, the release mentioned. > > > >

Korean Youngone Group to expand in Dhaka EPZ

BEPZA elected vice-president of World EPZ Association

The cyclone was around 735 kilometers (456 miles) southwest of Chittagong Port, 685 kilometers (425 miles) off Cox's Bazar and 600 kilometers (372 miles) south/southwest of Mongla Port at 6 p.m. (local time), the Met office said."It is likely to intensify further and move in a north or north-easterly direction," the Met office bulletin added.

Clothing manufacture underpins impoverished Bangladesh's industrial activity, accounting for 80 percent of overseas sales and pulling in 11 billion dollars a year.

At the start of Bangladesh's financial year in July, garment exports were up 72 percent from a year earlier, but by February growth had slowed to four percent year-on-year as orders from Western retailers evaporated.

"The whole economy can unravel if garment exports continue to slow down as many other sectors such as transport, services and construction are directly dependent on this sector," said Masato Miyazaki, an IMF adviser on Bangladesh.

"The markets are awash with cheaper Indian powder (milk) that has forced prices of liquid milk and also encouraged local buyers including milk factories to buy from them," said one farmer in Sirajganj district. Farmers say prices have fallen below productions costs to 35 taka ($0.51) per litre and buyers want it even lower. There are more than 80,000 dairy farmers in Bangladesh. The dairy farmers have asked the government to raise taxes on imported milk powders, which they cut last year to 35 percent from 75 percent.