Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07DHAKA195, 2007 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT - BANGLADESH
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07DHAKA195.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07DHAKA195 | 2007-02-05 09:03 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Dhaka |
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKA #0195/01 0360903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050903Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3132
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 1602
RUCPCIM/CIMS NTDB WASHDC
UNCLAS DHAKA 000195
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV OPIC KTDB USTR BG
SUBJECT: 2007 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT - BANGLADESH
REF: STATE 178303
Post is pleased to submit the Investment Climate Statement
for 2007. A copy will be emailed per reftel instructions.
BEGIN TEXT
Investment Climate Statement -- Bangladesh
Openness to Foreign Investment
------------------------------
The stated policy of the government of Bangladesh (GOB) is to
pursue foreign investment actively, and it has enacted a
number of policies to this end. There are no distinctions
between foreign and domestic private investors regarding
investment incentives or export and import policies.
Incentives for investors include: 100% ownership in most
sectors; tax holidays; reduced import duties on capital
machinery and spares; duty-free imports for 100% exporters;
and tax exemptions. There are few performance requirements,
and these do not generally present a problem for foreign
investors. Customs bonded warehouses assist exporters. Free
repatriation of profits is allowed and is almost fully
convertible on the current account. Although discrimination
against foreign investors is not widespread, some
discriminatory policies and regulations exist. For example,
advertisements for imported products are assessed a 60%
advertising surcharge for television spots on state-owned
television. Licensing regulations issued in 2006 governing
freight forwarding agents impose higher bonding and capital
requirements on foreign-owned companies.
The immediate past parliamentary government's term expired in
October, 2006. In accordance with the constitution, a
Caretaker Government was formed to organize and hold
elections within 90 days. In response to growing political
instability and the threat of violence during the elections,
the President of Bangladesh declared a State of Emergency
under the constitution on January 11, 2007. The initial
Caretaker Government resigned and was replaced by a new
Caretaker Government. Elections scheduled for January 22
were canceled. The current Caretaker Government has pledged
to create the conditions necessary for free, fair and
credible elections and to hold elections as soon as possible;
however, it had not announced a specific timeframe for
elections as of January, 2007.
Major laws affecting foreign investment are the Foreign
Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act, 1980, the
Industrial Policy Act of 2005, the Bangladesh Export
Processing Zones Authority Act of 1980, the Companies Act,
1994, and the Telecommunications Act, 2001. Trade has
gradually been liberalized over the past five years, although
import duties and supplemental taxes remain high and
constitute the largest single sources of government revenue.
The FY2004 budget reduced the maximum import duty rate by 5%
to 25%. In the FY2007 budget, the government reduced the
minimum duty rate to 5% instead of 6% and maximum duty rate
to 25%. The FY2005 budget adjusted supplementary duty at four
slabs on the imports of products of a general nature and the
government continues to revise supplemental duty rates from
time to time. See the section on Import Tariffs. The
government's fiscal year ends June 30th.
No prior approval is required for foreign direct investment
(FDI) except registration with the Board of Investment (BOI).
Registration with the BOI is necessary to obtain benefits
such as importing machinery at concessionary duty rates or
importing items on the "restricted list." The BOI also
administers the approval of foreign loans and technology
remittances on behalf of the Bangladesh Bank (the country's
central bank). Authority within the government for dealing
with foreign investments, however, is fragmented. BOI,
frequently touted as a one-stop shop for all investors, is
set up only to register investors in industrial projects
outside the export processing zones (EPZs) and assist them
with tax inquiries, land acquisition, utility hook-ups, and
incorporation. The corresponding EPZ authority is the
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA).
Investors in infrastructure and natural resource sectors,
including power, mineral resources and telecommunications
must seek approval from the corresponding government
ministries. Although the BOI is housed organizationally in
the Prime Minister's Office, regulatory and administrative
powers remain vested in the line ministries, and thus the BOI
has not proved to be an effective advocate for foreign
investors.
Privatization is another critical part of the government's
stated economic reform policy. After assuming power in 2001,
the immediate past government prepared a list of 94
state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for privatization by the
Privatization Commission (PC). The PC has privatized 30 SOEs
since 2001. Apart from these, three large industries -the
Adamjee Jute Mill, the country's largest and most costly SOE,
the Karnaphuli Chemical Mill, and the Chittagong Chemical
Complex were closed and their assets (principally land)
transferred to BEPZA for industrial development. The
government privatized six additional industrial units in
FY2005. For FY 2006 (ending June 30), the government had
planned to privatize 16 additional SOEs but did not so. The
PC is now working to complete these privatizations in FY2007.
Biman Airlines tried to sell a controlling interest but could
not find a willing partner due in part to the company's weak
financial condition. The government has agreed to sell
control of the state-owned Rupali bank to Saudi Arabian
investors and is pursuing privatization of the other three
state-owned commercial banks.
The government still resists privatizing utilities and
opening critical sectors to full competition, although that
is starting to change. Bangladesh allowed private investment
in power generation and natural gas exploration, but efforts
to grant autonomy in petroleum marketing and gas distribution
have stalled. The government has significantly reduced its
role in the provision of telecommunications services. Six
private firms, each of which includes foreign investors, are
licensed to provide cellular phone services. The government
has granted approximately 40 public switched telephone
network (PSTN) licenses to as many as 18 new private
operators to provide telephone services. Only one of these
firms is authorized to operate in the capital city. BTRC was
preparing to conduct competitive bidding for the award of
PSTN licenses to more companies to cover the Dhaka
multi-exchange area, but the process is now on hold due to
court proceedings among some PSTN companies and BTRC.
The government has selected a private firm to operate five
new container berths at the Chittagong Port. Final award of
the contract is suspended pending the outcome of litigation.
The government has also selected a private firm to manage the
Chittagong international airport; however, award of that
contract also remains pending due to opposition from some
existing operators, which led to renegotiation of the
contract terms. Administrative approval of the production
plan of a foreign owned open-cast coal mine in northwest
Bangladesh has remained pending since November 2005 due to
local opposition and political pressure from a private
citizens' group that advocates adoption of a national coal
policy before proceeding to authorize coal production at the
mine.
According to central bank statistics, annual net FDI flows
averaged $520.6 million from FY2002 - FY2005, with inflows
rising significantly in FY 2004 ($776 million) and FY2005
(est. $675 million). According to the central bank, FDI
inflows for the first six months of FY2007 are estimated to
be $400 million.
The London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in its
2006 report on "World Investment Prospects to 2010: Boom or
Backlash?" projected that Bangladesh will rank 77th among the
82 countries surveyed in terms of possible FDI inflow during
the 2006-2010 period. They added Bangladesh will receive a
yearly average of US $600 million in FDI during the period
between 2006 and 2010. The amount is only 0.05% of the
world's total FDI share of $1.16-trillion. Among the South
Asian nations, India and Pakistan were ranked 19th and 64th
respectively while Sri Lanka was ranked 81st, four positions
below Bangladesh.
Investors from the United States and from other countries,
however, continue to show interest in Bangladesh. At the end
of 2006, proposals for $10 billion in new FDI were at various
stages of negotiation for projects in the power, mining,
telecommunications, industrial, and transportation sectors.
Investors report both positive and negative experiences. Two
U.S. firms are pursuing investments in the power sector worth
over $1 billion. Most of these projects were carried forward
from 2005 and negotiations were generally inconclusive, in
part because the government became increasingly focused on
elections as it approached the end of its term in office
(October, 2006). Several foreign business delegations have
visited Bangladesh to explore trade and investment
opportunities including Indian, French, Turkish, Malaysian,
Taiwanese Chinese and Korean delegations.
Foreigners often find that ministries require unnecessary
licenses and permissions. Added to these difficulties are
such problems as an uncertain law and order situation, poor
infrastructure, inadequate commercial laws and courts,
inconsistent respect for contract sanctity, and policy
instability (i.e., policies being altered at the behest of
special interests, and decisions taken by previous
governments being overturned when a new government comes to
power). Authority and responsibility for decisions lacks
transparency and government decisions frequently lack a clear
rationale. Corruption remains a serious impediment to
efficient business operations. In 2005, Transparency
International for the fifth year in a row ranked Bangladesh
last on its Corruption Perception Index. Bangladesh ranked
156 out of 163 countries in 2006.
To a lesser extent, difficulty in attracting foreign
investment also results from Bangladesh's image as an
impoverished and undeveloped country subject to frequent and
devastating natural disasters. This is a partial
misconception, as the annual floods, which inundate up to
one-third of Bangladesh, are vital for agricultural
production each year. Prior to political instability and
warfare in the 1950s, Bangladesh had been one of the
wealthiest regions in Asia and its land is still considered
among the most fertile in the world.
Conversion and Transfer Policies
--------------------------------
The official currency of Bangladesh is the taka. The
Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh, does not fix
the exchange rate of the taka against foreign currencies.
Individual banks set their own buying and selling rates for
foreign currency based on supply and demand. The taka is
almost fully convertible for current account transactions,
such as import trade and travel needs, but not for capital
account transactions, such as investing or currency
speculation. The Foreign Investment Act of 1980 guarantees
the right of repatriation of invested capital, profits,
capital gains, post-tax dividends, and approved royalties and
fees. The central bank's exchange control regulations and the
U.S.-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty (entered into
force in 1989) provide similar investment transfer
guarantees. In practice, foreign firms are able to repatriate
funds without much difficulty, provided the appropriate
documentation is in order. Foreign firms in joint ventures,
which are only able to remit profits in the form of
dividends, also report no difficulties. There are no specific
restrictions on repatriation of capital gains in the Foreign
Investment Act of 1980 or otherwise. The Board of Investment
may need to approve repatriation of royalties and other
technology transfer fees over 6% of sales.
Expropriation and Compensation
------------------------------
In the years immediately following independence in 1971,
widespread nationalization resulted in government ownership
of over 90% of fixed assets in the modern manufacturing
sector, as well as all banking and insurance interests,
except those in foreign (but non-Pakistani) hands.
Domestically owned cotton textiles, jute, and sugar
manufacturing units, none of which was owned by foreigners,
were placed under government control. However, the Foreign
Investment Act of 1980 has forbidden nationalization or
expropriation without adequate compensation, and there have
been no instances of foreign property expropriation since the
Foreign Investment Act was passed.
Dispute Settlement
------------------
A fundamental impediment to investment in Bangladesh is a
weak and slow legal system in which the enforceability of
contracts is uncertain. The judicial system does not provide
for interest to be charged in tort judgments, and hence there
is no penalty for delaying proceedings. While the Supreme
Court and High Court (appellate level courts) are
independent, the lower courts are part of the executive
branch of government. An interim government formed in January
2007 is undertaking the steps necessary to separate the lower
courts from the executive branch; however, practical
implementation could take more than a year to complete. It is
widely acknowledged that in the lower courts, where cases are
first brought, corruption is a serious problem. The highest
levels of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, have
had a reputation for fairness and competence; however,
appointments to the court in 2005 were publicly criticized by
many Bangladeshis as politically motivated.
Bangladesh is a signatory to the International Convention for
the Settlement of Disputes (ICSID) and it acceded (on May 6,
1992) to the United Nations Convention for the Recognition
and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Bangladesh is
also a party to the South Asia Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) Agreement for the Establishment of an
Arbitration Council, signed November 13, 2005, which will
establish a permanent alternative dispute resolution center
in one of the SAARC member countries. A provision of the
U.S.-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty permits
submission of investment disputes to ICSID for third-party
settlement.
The ability of the Bangladeshi judicial system to enforce its
own awards is weak, and there is no reason to think
enforcement of foreign judgments would be stronger. The
Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau is sometimes helpful in
assisting in dispute settlement of export-related
transactions. Major Bangladeshi trade and business
associations can also be helpful in assisting in transaction
disputes.
Many laws affecting investment in Bangladesh are old and
outdated. Some of these laws have been amended, but many
drafts of proposed new legislation produced by ad hoc
government committees are more than 10 years old and
themselves out of date. Resource constraints in the Law
Ministry are a major problem. The insolvency laws, which
apply mainly to individual insolvency, are not being used
because of a web of falsified assets and uncollectible
cross-indebtedness supporting insolvent banks and companies.
A Bankruptcy Act was enacted in 1997 but has been ineffective
in addressing the insolvency and cross-indebtedness problem
of borrowers. It should be noted that one way companies have
dealt with legal issues is by including a clause in
arbitration agreements that allows for one of the parties to
bring a dispute before another nation's court. This practice
is allowed under Bangladeshi law.
Dispute settlement is also hampered by shortcomings in
accounting practices and the registration of real property.
With the exception of those conducted by a few
internationally affiliated accounting firms, audits of
balance sheets and profit and loss statements often follow
clients' instructions and fail to conform to international
standards. Documents affecting title to real property are
often not registered, complicating transfer of ownership and
collateral agreements.
Performance Requirements and Incentives
---------------------------------------
The government's industrial policies emphasize manufacturing
and labor-intensive industries that use local inputs. There
are a variety of subsidies and other incentives provided to
different industrial sectors, primarily the export sectors
and, to a certain extent, import substitution sectors. The
government also provides loans at concessionary rates through
its nationalized banks and government-owned development banks
for exports, cottage industries, and agriculture. These
incentives are available to both domestic and foreign
investors.
There is a provision for full duty drawback at the time of
export on imported raw materials used in manufacturing
products for export. In lieu of the duty drawback, exporters
can use the special bonded warehouse facility to import raw
material duty-free. In order to qualify for the duty drawback
and special bonded warehouse schemes, the exported item must
have at least 25% domestic content. The government also
provides direct subsidies to export-oriented ready-made
garment manufacturers if their exports use 100% locally
manufactured raw materials or have paid duty on imported raw
materials. This cash incentive, designed to encourage
"backward linkages" in the textile sector, amounts to 10% of
the export value. A similar 5% export cash assistance
incentive is available for jute and 15% for leather products.
These incentives are designed to encourage exports with
domestic content.
The government also provides a variety of tax incentives to
selected sectors of the economy, including:
-- A 50% rebate for taxable income generated from export
earnings.
-- Export earnings from handicrafts and cottage industries
are exempted from income tax.
-- Tax holidays of five to seven years, depending on
location, for new industrial enterprises in these sectors:
textile, pharmaceuticals, melamine, plastic, ceramics,
sanitary ware, iron and steel industries, fertilizer,
insecticide and pesticide, computer hardware, petrochemicals,
drug chemicals and pharmaceutical raw materials, agricultural
equipment, shipyard, boiler and compressor, textile
machineries, and infrastructure facilities. The tax holiday
is expected to be available up to 2008.
-- A 10-year tax holiday for enterprises in the EPZs
-- Accelerated depreciation for enterprises not eligible for
a tax holiday
-- Income tax exemption for 15 years for power projects
As of December 2006, the World Trade Organization was not
reporting any notifications alleging Bangladeshi violations
of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures.
Right to Private Ownership and Establishment
--------------------------------------------
Foreign and domestic private entities can establish and own,
operate, and dispose of interests in most types of business
enterprises. Four sectors, however, are reserved for
government investment:
-- Arms and ammunitions and other military equipment and
machineries
-- Production of nuclear power
-- Security printing and mining
-- Afforestation and mechanized extraction within the
boundary of reserved forests
Although inefficient SOEs continue to stifle Bangladesh's
potential for greater economic performance, the closing of
several enterprises shows that the government can take the
necessary actions to push for overdue economic restructuring.
Protection of Property Rights
-----------------------------
Although land, whether for purchase or lease, is often
critical for investment and as security for loans, antiquated
real property laws create significant legal uncertainty. Land
registration records are unreliable. Parties avoid
registering mortgages, liens, and encumbrances because
certain stamp duties and charges have been set at high
levels. Instruments take effect from the date of execution,
not the date of registration, so a bona fide purchaser can
never be certain of title.
The government is progressing slowly in bringing its
intellectual property rights laws into compliance with the
World Trade Organization's Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. The
government enacted a Copyright Law in July 2000, updating its
copyright system and bringing the country's copyright regime
into compliance with TRIPS. The government is drafting
legislation to implement its TRIPS obligations with respect
to patents and design as well as trademarks. The Amendment of
Trademark Act 1940 is undergoing interministerial substantive
review. The draft Patent and Design Act is ready for legal
review by the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs.
These amendments are intended to bring the country's
intellectual property laws into fully compliance with WTO
TRIPS requirements. Implementing regulations, however, must
also be drafted.
The government allocates too few resources to IPR
enforcement, and is experiencing a worsening IPR situation.
The prevention and punishment of IPR violations is very low
in proportion to the number of infringements. The government
also sets a poor example by failing to account fully for
software in its tenders. A number of American firms,
including film studios, manufacturers of consumer goods, and
software firms, have reported violations of their
intellectual property rights. Some commercial establishments
have adopted the trade name, trademarks and trade dress of
U.S. businesses without authorization. Bangladesh is a member
of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and
acceded to the Paris Convention on Intellectual Property in
¶1991.
Transparency of Regulatory System
---------------------------------
Starting from a position of extreme over-regulation, the
trend since 1989 has been a gradual decrease of governmental
obstruction of private business. Many regulatory changes,
however, have not yet been politically possible to implement.
Although some civil servants and ministers have displayed
genuine commitment, reforms face broad based resistance from
many groups in the economy, including influential members of
the business community. The official chambers of commerce
include manufacturers in protected industries and
well-connected commission agents pursuing government
contracts. Chamber members call for a greater voice for the
private sector in government decisions and for privatization,
but at the same time many support protectionism and subsidies
for their own industries.
Policy and regulations in Bangladesh are often not clear,
consistent, or publicized. Generally, the civil service,
businesses, professionals, trade unions and political parties
have vested interests in a system in which confidentiality is
used as an excuse for lack of transparency, and in which
patron-client relationships are the norm. Businesses must
always turn to civil servants to get action, yet may not
receive any, even with the support of higher political
levels. Traditionally, the country's poorly paid civil
servants have regarded business people as exploitative, and
regard themselves as having a near monopoly on economic
acumen and patriotism. Accounts from foreign investors of
solicitation of bribes by public officials and politicians
are common. Bangladesh's donors regard public administration
reforms as central to overall economic reform.
In practice, government laws and regulations and their
implementation do not reduce distortions or impediments to
investment, but create them. Unhelpful treatment of
businesses by some government officials, coupled with other
negatives in the investment climate, raise startup and
operational costs, add to risk, and tend to counteract the
government's praiseworthy investment incentives. There is
generally little opportunity for the private sector to
comment on proposed regulations.
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment
--------------------------------------------- -----
Foreign investors have access to local credit markets, but
many seek offshore financing. If they finance locally, it is
usually with a foreign bank branch. Four state-owned banks,
known as nationalized commercial banks (NCBs), comprise a
significant portion of the banking sector's total assets. The
largest NCB has assets totaling approximately $4.6 billion.
An estimated 30% of the country's total asset base is
non-performing, primarily because of long-outstanding debts
to the NCBs. The share of non-performing assets for private
commercial banks ranges from two to eleven percent. The World
Bank has approved a $250 million International Development
Association (IDA) soft loan to Bangladesh for an ongoing
enterprise growth and bank modernization project. As a part
of the process, private management teams from international
consulting firms have been put in charge of the four NCBs.
One of the four is in the final stages of privatization.
The private sector can receive financing from leasing
companies and by issuing shares or debentures on the Dhaka
Stock Exchange (DSE) or the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).
All CSE-listed shares are also listed on the larger and older
DSE. Among the world's smallest share markets, the
privately-owned Dhaka Stock Exchange (established in 1954)
lists 346 companies with a market capitalization of $4.5
billion; the Chittagong Stock Exchange (established in 1995)
lists 213 with a market capitalization of $4.3 billion.
Foreign portfolio investment, never more than $200 million,
has virtually disappeared. Both the CSE (July 1998) and the
DSE (August 1998) have automatic trading services.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was formed in
1993 to regulate the DSE and CSE and protect investors. In
1997, the SEC imposed new restrictions on the involvement of
foreign investors in the Bangladesh capital market. The
guidelines stipulate that 10% of primary issues are reserved
for non-resident Bangladeshis. Major foreign investors have
protested these measures. Foreign investors point out that
this measure exacerbates the market's greatest drawback: the
difficulty of buying or selling in volume over a reasonably
short period. The SEC and the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Bangladesh have the task of enforcing
reporting and audit requirements and bringing those
requirements up to international standards.
Political Violence
------------------
Incidents of politically directed damage to foreign projects
or installations have occurred, although violence targeted
against business concerns generally has been isolated and
criminal, rather than political, in nature. Following U.S.
military action in Iraq, a number of sizeable anti-American
demonstrations occurred (between 10,000 and 80,000
participants.) A few of these demonstrations resulted in
minor property damage to U.S.- affiliated businesses. Calls
for boycotts of American goods and services had limited
impact and ended within a few months.
Extortion of money from businesses by thugs claiming
political backing is common. Clashes between supporters of
rival political parties and their student and youth wings and
even factions within the same party are frequent occurrences.
General strikes and blockades called by political parties
mostly affect businesses by keeping workers away with the
threat of violence and blocking transport, resulting in
productivity losses. Vehicles and other property are at risk
from vandalism or arson during such programs, and looting of
shops has occurred.
Responding to public concern over law and order, the
government in March 2004 authorized a special elite force,
known as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as part of its
anti-crime initiative. The RAB is comprised of members of the
armed forces, the police, and the Bangladesh Rifles and
Ansars, both paramilitary groups. The RAB became operational
in June 2004 and has been credited by many Bangladeshis with
improving domestic law and order. Soon after its formation,
however, the local media began reporting on "crossfires." a
euphemism for extrajudicial killings, particularly by the
RAB. In 2006, law enforcement officials were responsible for
355 cases of deaths, 290 of which were attributed to
crossfire. The RAB was responsible for 181 crossfire deaths;
members of the police were responsible for 100; other
security forces were responsible for nine crossfire deaths.
In February 2005 the government banned two extremist groups:
Jama'atul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) and Jagroto Muslim
Janata Bangladesh (JMJB). On August 17, 2005, JMB, with the
assistance of JMJB, exploded several hundred small,
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a coordinated attack
in 63 of the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The devices were
accompanied by leaflets demanding the establishment of
Islamic law in Bangladesh. From September to early December
2005, JMB conducted several suicide attacks targeting local
judges, courts and district government facilities. The
government responded vigorously, arresting several
high-ranking leaders of JMB and recovering detonators,
explosives and related materials used to construct IEDs. As
of December 2006, there had been no attacks by extremist
groups on foreign diplomatic, commercial or social interests
in Bangladesh.
Corruption
----------
Corruption at all levels in the bureaucracy is rampant, and
should be taken into account by foreign investors considering
doing business in Bangladesh. The World Bank estimates that
corruption exacts a toll of 2-3% on annual GDP growth each
year. Transparency International's Corruption Perception
Index has ranked Bangladesh as the most corrupt nation for
five consecutive years (2001-2005) and ranked it 158 out of
163 countries in 2006. Local and foreign business persons
often report their experiences with petty corruption, such as
paying extra "fees" for obtaining government services (post
office boxes, telephone lines, licenses, customs clearance).
Complaints of higher-level corruption in the fair awarding of
public and private tenders are frequent, as are allegations
of insider trading in the stock market. In this regard,
business people consider Bangladesh Customs to be among the
worst, a thoroughly corrupt organization in which officials
routinely exert their power to influence the tariff value of
imports and to expedite or delay import and export processing
at the ports. A mandatory pre-shipment inspection system of
import valuation was introduced in 2001 to help reduce
discretionary power of customs officials and lower costs and
improve efficiency at Bangladesh's trade entry points.
However, Bangladeshi Customs officials are often the first to
point out that the valuation system remains weak.
The Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (BAC) was well known as
an ineffective body due to reported corruption among its
officials and lack of independence from the political
authorities. Parliament passed legislation in February 2004
to create the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission of
Bangladesh (ACC), which was formally established in November
¶2004. Provisionally staffed with all of the employees of its
predecessor organization, the ACC was embroiled in
controversy within a few weeks of its formation. It remains
an ineffective organization two years after its establishment.
Bilateral Investment Agreements
-------------------------------
The Foreign Investment Act includes a guarantee of national
treatment. National treatment is also provided in bilateral
treaties for the promotion and protection of foreign
investment. Treaties have been signed with: the United
States, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Italy,
Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Republic of
Korea, Romania, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands,
Turkey, and the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan. The
U.S.-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty, signed on March
12, 1986, entered into force on July 23, 1989.
A bilateral treaty between the United States and Bangladesh
for the avoidance of double taxation was signed on September
26, 2004 and ratified by the United States on March 31, 2006.
The parties exchanged Instruments of ratification on August
7, 2006. The treaty is effective for most taxpayers beginning
in their 2007 tax year.
OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs
--------------------------------------------
The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation provides
insurance coverage for some U.S. firms currently doing
business in Bangladesh. In recent years, government
authorities have been cooperative in approving requests for
OPIC insurance. OPIC and the government signed an updated
bilateral agreement in May 1998. Bangladesh is a member of
the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (ExIm Bank) is an
independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the
overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. It provides export
credit insurance policies to cover political and commercial
risk, and loan guarantees to banks for medium and long-term
loans. In Bangladesh, only the Bangladesh Government is
eligible for ExIm Bank cover with a sovereign guarantee. The
bank does not lend or provide cover to private enterprises in
Bangladesh purchasing U.S. exports except in the following
case: ExIm Bank can provide a guarantee to the lender to
enable a private firm to buy U.S. products to construct a
processing facility whose output will be sold offshore for
hard currency where such funds can be captured offshore.
Labor
-----
Bangladesh has a population of about 144 million people. The
labor force is 65.5 million people, with 63% working in the
agricultural sector, 11% in industry and the remaining 26% in
the services sector. Low official unemployment statistics
obscure a huge and growing under-employment problem in
Bangladesh. Bangladesh's comparative advantage in cheap labor
for manufacturing is partially offset by low productivity,
due to low skills, poor management, and inefficient
infrastructure and machinery. Foreign managers report that
Bangladeshi workers generally respond well to training.
Skilled Bangladeshis often seek and find employment in the
Middle East and East Asia at substantially higher wages than
they would receive in Bangladesh. Over the past 20 years,
Bangladesh has become a reliable source of labor. Expatriate
workers remitted over $4.8 billion in foreign exchange to
Bangladesh in FY2006 through official banking channels.
Remittances have become an important source of foreign
exchange in recent years, and now exceed aid provided in the
form of concessionary loans and grants.
All employers are expected to comply with the government's
labor laws, which specify employment conditions, working
hours, wage levels, leave policies, health and sanitary
conditions, and compensation for injured workers. Freedom of
association and the right to join unions is guaranteed in the
Bangladesh Constitution. There are over 6,400 registered
trade unions in Bangladesh, with over 1.9 million union
members.
In July 2004, the Bangladesh parliament enacted a law
granting limited freedom of association rights in the export
processing zones. Workers of the industrial units are allowed
to form a welfare council to develop and grow into
organizations, defending their welfare through collective
bargains, according to the law. As of November, 2006, workers
are permitted to form unions at firms located in the export
processing zones.
Bangladesh's labor unions, most of them associated with
political parties, can be militant. Violence and the threat
of violence by some trade unions have produced wage increases
in excess of productivity increases, raising unit labor
costs. Worker layoffs, or the mere threat of
reductions-in-force, can be expected to cause some of the
most serious and confrontational labor disputes. Labor
disputes do not necessarily need to be heard before a legal
court. Many companies have found it effective to resolve
issues before a Labor Tribunal. Labor in private sector
enterprises is mostly not unionized and comparatively more
productive. Productivity in Bangladesh has been affected by
hartals (general strikes) called by political parties and
movements. These hartals, enforced by political activists,
essentially close down business throughout the country and
raise the cost of doing business in Bangladesh due to the
downtime they impose on commercial activity.
Bangladeshi laws do not uniformly prohibit the employment of
children or set a minimum age for employment. Numerous laws
prohibit child labor in certain sectors, ranging from
transport workers to tea plantation labor, but these have not
addressed the informal sectors, such as agriculture and
domestic work, where the majority of children are employed.
As a result, child labor in Bangladesh has historically been
a fact of life. On July 4, 1995, Bangladesh's garment
exporters association signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and
the International Labor Organization (ILO) under which child
laborers in the EPZ textile factories were removed and
enrolled in education programs. ILO-assisted monitoring
teams, which found child laborers in 43% of EPZ factories in
1996, found fewer than 5% in 2001. The MOU program has been
phased out, and the U.S. Embassy considers the project a
success, with most child labor now eradicated from the EPZs.
Child labor laws outside of the EPZs are not effectively
enforced. Bangladesh, however, is working to comply with ILO
conventions on child labor in an effort to eradicate child
labor in all sectors.
Foreign-Trade Zones/Free Ports
------------------------------
Under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Act of
1980, the government established an EPZ in Chittagong in
¶1983. Additional EPZs now operate in Dhaka (Savar), Mongla,
Ishwardi, Comilla, and Uttara. In addition, two new EPZs are
being established: Karnaphuli EPZ (Chittagong) and Adamjee
EPZ (Dhaka). A private EPZ reserved for Korean investors has
been set up in Chittagong, but is waiting for final licenses
to be issued.
Investments that are 100% foreign-owned, joint ventures and
100% Bangladeshi-owned companies are all permitted to operate
and enjoy equal treatment in the EPZs. In terms of
investment, employment and exports, the country's EPZs have
been extremely successful. Due to increased demand by
investors, the government has doubled the capacity of the
Dhaka EPZ. Investors seem generally satisfied, although there
has been occasional labor unrest associated with the
introduction of workers associations in the EPZs.
Approximately a dozen U.S. firms - mostly textile producers -
are currently operating in Bangladesh EPZs. South Korea is
the largest foreign investor in the Dhaka and Chittagong
EPZs; Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom,
Sweden, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Germany, Taiwan, China,
U.A.E., France, Italy, Denmark, Panama and Pakistan are the
other foreign investors in the EPZs. The remaining EPZ
industries are Bangladeshi. The U.S. is the top destination
of exports from EPZs. Industries range from garments and
textiles to electronics, sporting goods, steel chains, and
services (including equipment leasing and container repairs
and handling).
Foreign Direct Investment Statistics
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2006, total
inward foreign direct investment to Bangladesh was $692
million in 2005, a 50% increase over figures for 2004.
Outward foreign direct investment flows were negligible.
UNCTAD estimates the stock of inward foreign direct
investment was $3.5 billion in 2005. UNCTAD figures show that
the stock of inward direct investment grew 62% from 2000 to
¶2005.
UNCTAD reports the following annual FDI inflows (in millions)
for Bangladesh:
1990-2000
(Annual Average) 2002 2003 2004 2005
190 328 350 460 692
According to UNCTAD, the stock of inward FDI was:
2000 - $2,162 million
2004 - $3,098 million
2005 - $3,508 million
Figures from the Bangladesh Bank (the central bank) show
total net FDI flows (in millions) for the fiscal years
2002-2005 (ending June 30) as follows:
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
$391 $376 $385 $776 $675
Note: discrepancies with UNCTAD data reflect calendar year
versus fiscal year accounting. UNCTAD figures show FDI
inflows; central bank figures are for net FDI.
There are no reliable figures in Bangladesh on
country-specific stocks or flows of foreign direct
investment. Studies by various organizations rank the U.S.
among the five largest foreign investors in Bangladesh,
together with Norway, Malaysia, Japan, and the United
Kingdom. The second tier of investors is Singapore, India,
Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, and South Korea. U.S.
investment in Bangladesh includes power and energy companies,
numerous manufacturers, a life insurance company, banking
operations of a U.S. commercial bank, and various U.S.
services and marketing firms.
Web Links
---------
Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act,
1980
http://www.vakilno1.com/saarclaw/bangladesh/g uidetoinvestment/
guide to investment in banglades.htm
Industrial Policy Act of 2005,
http://www.jetro.go.jp/bangladesh/eng/pdf/
bdIndustrialPolicy.pdf
Companies Act, 1994
http://www.vakilno1.com/saarclaw/bangladesh/c ompanies act.htm
Bangladesh Bank
http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA)
http://www.epzbangladesh.org.bd/
Board of Investment - Bangladesh
http://www.boi.gov.bd/
Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE)
http://csebd.com/
Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE)
http://www.dsebd.org/
Privatization Commission (PC)
http://www.pc.gov.bd/
END TEXT
BUTENIS