The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is scheduled to sign a Tk2,967 crore agreement with French company Thales Alenia Space on Wednesday for developing and launching the country’s first-ever satellite Bangabandhu-1.
The contract signing ceremony will be held at a city hotel in presence of Tarana Halim, state minister for telecommunication, Jean-Loïc Galle, chairman of Thales Alenia space France.
Earlier, on October 20, the Cabinet purchase committee approved the tender proposal in favour of Thales for the satellite which will be used for telecommunication and broadcast purposes, as all other participants became non-responsive during the bidding process.
Once the satellite is launched into orbit, it will eventually help the country save US$14m annually. The government can also earn by renting the satellite.
Thales Alenia Space, a France aerospace manufacturer and work order winner of Bangabandhu satellite implementation project, will have to accomplish the task within two years as per government requirement.
If the country’s first-ever Bangabandhu satellite project missed its installation deadline, Thales will have to pay compensation as per a hefty provision.
Bangladesh has already signed a deal with Russia-based Intersputnik for taking lease of an orbital slot worth US$28m.
In June, four international companies–Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, MDA Corporation, Thales Alenia Space, and Orbital ATK from USA – participated in the tender process of the installation and post-installation support services for launching the country’s first-ever satellite.
Though MDA Corporation of Canada had the lowest bid of $222.75m, it could not win the tender because of some inconsistencies in the price quoted in its tender.
Considering all facts, the committee reportedly selected Thales Alenia Space, the second-lowest bidder worth $248m.
