Japan finishes world's tallest communications tower

Afp, Tokyo

Construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest communications tower and second-highest building, finished yesterday, two months late because of the quake and tsunami that struck Japan last March.

Tourist bosses in the country hope the 634-metre (2080-foot) tower will be a big draw for foreign visitors, whose numbers have plummeted in the aftermath of the disaster and the nuclear crisis it sparked.

"The construction was originally scheduled to finish in December 2011 but was delayed due to a shortage of supplies after the disaster," said a spokeswoman for the operator, adding that the finished structure is sound.

"The building was officially handed over" from contractors to the operating firm, linked with Tobu Railway Co., on Wednesday afternoon, another spokeswoman said.

Construction of the tower, near the popular Asakusa traditional district on Tokyo's eastern side, began in July 2008.

The Tokyo Sky Tree tops the 600-metre Canton Tower in China's Guangzhou and the 553-metre CN Tower in downtown Toronto.

It is the world's second-tallest manmade structure, beaten only by the 828-metre Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Some 580,000 workers were engaged in the construction, which cost 65 billion yen ($806 million) for the tower alone, the spokeswoman said.

The Tokyo Sky Tree is expected to overshadow landmarks in the capital's upscale western parts, including the 333-metre Tokyo Tower, which was built in 1958 and became a byword in Japan for the country's rapid post-war growth.

EU team of lawmakers due Feb 19

Diplomatic Correspondent

The European parliamentary delegation for South Asia will arrive in Bangladesh on a six-day visit on February 19, to discuss various issues with top government officials, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.

Jean Lambert, a Green Party Member of European Parliament (MEP) for London will lead the delegation.

Diplomatic sources deem the visit to be very important because the seven-member delegation will take stock of Bangladesh's current political situation and will report to the European Union (EU).

The foreign ministry sources said the major purpose of the visit is to discuss the political, social and economic issues with the country's key decision-makers and stakeholders.

Ministry sources said the delegation will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Abdul Hamid, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, along with representatives of media and civil society.

They will also visit Jessore, Khulna and the Sundarbans to inspect various EU-funded development projects.

The other delegates are: Thomas Mann, vice-chairperson of European People's Party, Niccolò Rinaldi, vice-president of Alliance of Democrats and Liberals, Salvador Sedo i Alabart, member of European People's Party, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, member of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Nirj Deva MEP of Conservatives and Reformists and Slavi Binev a non-attached MEP.

Ctg gets Sangu gas in April

Staff Correspondent, Ctg

Australian oil and gas exploration company Santos is expecting to supply 20-30 million cubic feet gas to Chittagong's industrial areas from the first week of April.

Formally announcing their success in finding a gas reserve with the well Sangu-11, John Chambers, president of Santos Bangladesh, at a press conference here said they found the reserve after drilling 4,200 metres into the well.

Chambers, however, termed the discovery, in Block-16 of the Bay of Bengal, 'small'.

“We are yet to complete calculation of the reserve but we expect that 20-30 million cubic feet gas could be supplied to Chittagong's industrial clients every day for two years,” he said.

Chambers said they believe there is much possibility of gas in the Bay and emphasised the need for more gas exploration at both onshore and offshore spots in Bangladesh by foreign companies.

At present, the country's gas shortage is more than 400 million cubic feet per day, according to Petrobangla chairman Hussain Mansur.

Aiming at increasing gas supply to Chittagong, Santos last year took a $126 million drilling project in three new wells -- South Sangu-4, Sangu-11 and Sangu North East -- situated in Block 16.

ABA Siraj Uddowlah, vice president (government and public affairs) of Santos Bangladesh, said they first found gas reserve in South Sangu-4 but abandoned the well in November last year after facing huge water pressure.

“Later we drilled Sangu North East but failed to get any reserve,” he added.

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