BTCL to Build Green Data Center in Hathazari under PPP Model
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) is set to establish a state-of-the-art green data center in Hathazari, Chattogram. The Economic Affairs Committee of the Advisory Council has given policy approval to a proposal in this regard, submitted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
According to meeting sources, the project will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model on 149.48 acres of unused land owned by BTCL in Fatikcha Mouza of Hathazari Upazila.
The proposal was approved in principle during a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee held on Thursday (April 17) at the Cabinet Division’s conference room in the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Economic Affairs Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
If implemented, the project is expected to attract foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and accelerate economic growth. In addition to fulfilling domestic data storage requirements, it would also allow BTCL to generate revenue by leasing storage facilities. With these prospects in view, the committee approved the proposal for implementation under the PPP model.
It has been confirmed that after receiving policy approval, a feasibility study will be conducted to finalize the technical and financial aspects of the proposed project. Following this, a private partner will be selected through open tender in accordance with the PPP guidelines. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already expressed interest in providing technical assistance and transaction advisory services for the initiative.
Earlier, on January 3, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the PPP Authority and relevant stakeholders to establish the first advanced data center in Bangladesh under ADB support. Among those present at the MoU signing ceremony were A.K.M. Abul Kalam Azad, Director (Finance and Administration) of the PPP Authority; Md. Anwar Hossain, Managing Director of BTCL; Abul Khair Mohammad Salehuddin, Additional Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division; and Hyoeun Jenny Kim, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh. Also in attendance were Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, PPP CEO Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, and ADB’s Director for South Asia, Takeo Konishi.
