a. Betar signs agreement with NHK

Bangladesh Betar and NIPPON HOSO KYOKAI (NHK), Japan signed an agreement on September 17, 2010. Under this three year tenure agreement, Bangladesh Bater will re-broadcast NHK Bangla program everyday at 21:00 to 21:45 (BST) with FM transmitter on 97.6 MHz in Dhaka, 105.4 MHz in Chittagong, 105 MHz in Sylhet, 102 MHz in Khulna, 105 MHz in Rajshahi, 105.4 MHz in Rangpur and 101.2 MHz in Comilla simultaneously. For the re-broadcast service, Bangladesh Betar will earn about US$ 71,175.00 annually. In addition, NHK will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh Betar. NHK will also extend training facilities for employees of Bangladesh Betar.

A K M Shameem Chowdhuri, DG Bangladesh Betar and Makoto Harada, DG, International Planning and Broadcasting Department, NHK signed the agreement. High officials of Bangladesh Betar were present on the occasion.

b. Prime minister inaugurates 1000-kilowatt MW transmitter of Bangladesh Betar at Dhamrai

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally launched 1000- Kilowatt MW transmitter of the Bangladesh Betar by pressing a button at the Super power Transmission Centre, Dhamrai near Dhaka on December 09, 2009 . She was talking to local people in a video conference after inaugurating the newly installed 1000-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter. The prime minister understand the need for building a science and technology based modern Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by implementing the "Vision 2021". The Prime Minister said her government, after assuming office through a free, fair and credible election on December 29, is working relentlessly to build a self-reliant Bangladesh through implementing it election pledge. She said apart from bringing down the prices of essential commodities, her government has undertaken various programmes for self-employment of the country's young generation.

Information Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury briefed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the transmitter, its utility and on the whole of the installation project. Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, members of parliament, high officials of Bangladesh Betar including Md. Mahbubul Alam, DG, Bangladesh Betar and a large number of local people were present on the occasion.

Project in a brief:

• The project ended in June 2009.
• To strengthen the MW radio broadcasting of Bangladesh Betar, Dhaka by replacing the 36 year-worn out valve type 1000KW Medium Wave(MW) transmitter by a new solid-state 1000KW MW transmitter.
• Efficiency of the new transmitter will be much better than the existing one. 95% area of the country will be covered by this high quality transmitter.
• The new transmitter has the energy saving provisions which will be helpful to avoid huge electricity consumption.
• The new modern solid -state transmitter is compatible to future DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) broadcast.
• A generator of 1500KVA is included to meet power failures.
• Cost (revised) about 350 million (BDT) .