Five TV stations in the offing

A Chinese state-owned firm got the nod to build five full-fledged TV stations in five divisional cities of Bangladesh to promote local talents.

The five TV stations will be set up in Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barisal, and the total cost has been estimated at Tk 1,499 crore.

China will provide 65 percent of the sum as buyer's credit, according to the proposal from the information ministry, which was approved by the cabinet committee on economic affairs earlier this month.

The Chinese company, Aerospace Long-March International Trade (ALIT), won the initial permission without competitive bidding.

Two Chinese firms -- ALIT and Radio, Film & TV Design and Research Institute (DRFT) -- will jointly make the studio and architectural design of the administrative building and construct it, according to the information ministry proposal for the cabinet committee, The companies will design other equipment, purchase and install them.

ALIT last month conveyed to the BTV about its interest in building the TV stations. 

After a detailed discussion, BTV and the Chinese company have prepared the draft commercial contract, said an information ministry official. It will be activated after the financial agreement is signed.

BTV authorities have already prepared the draft of the contract, which will be signed with the proposed company.

Alongside production and airing of programmes of national interest, local artists will be given the platform to showcase their talent so that they can later participate in national programmes, the official said.

For example, they will telecast local news as well as national level BTV news.

No decision has yet been taken as to whether the five TV stations will operate 24 hours or less, the ministry official said.

Initially, the stations will most likely air programmes for five to six hours, with the air time gradually increased.

If everything goes smoothly, the stations may go on air within the next two years, the official said.

BTV has its own land in four divisional cities hence there will be no problem; only in Barisal will the BTV have to acquire land.

The project for setting up the five TV stations has not yet got the approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

The information ministry official said the preparation of the project paper is at the final stage and it will be sent to Ecnec for approval soon.