BANGLADESH DELEGATES TO WIREC 2008

UNCLAS DHAKA 000103 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR OES WIREC ACTION GROUP DEPUTY TRACY HALL AND OES SPECIAL ASSISTANT CAMILLE HILL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ENRG EPET SENV SOCI TRGY KPAO KGHG KSCA BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH DELEGATES TO WIREC 2008 REF: SECSTATE 05963, DHAKA 01642 ¶1. Post submits two names of representatives from Bangladesh for participation in the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008. USAID will be funding the travel expenses for these two delegates. The two proposed participants are: Mr. Kaisar Ahmed, Director, Renewable Energy, Rural Electrification Board (REB),Government of Bangladesh; and Dipal C. Barua, managing Director, Grameen Shakti. ¶2. Mr. Kaisar Ahmed has a degree in Electrical Engineering. He has over 26 years experience of working on the Government of Bangladesh's Rural Electrification Board (REB). Currently he is the Director of the Renewable Energy Directorate of REB. His responsibilities amongst others include strategic planning for roof-top solar distribution system and community based solar distribution system. ¶3. Mr. Dipal C. Barua is now the Deputy Managing Director of Grameen Bank. He has a Masters Degree in Economics from Chittagong University. He is the driving force in expanding renewable energy technologies in Bangladesh. He advocated for and succeeded in establishing pro-friendly renewable energy policies in Bangladesh His single most contribution include the adaptation by World Bank of the GS model to expand renewable energy in Bangladesh. ¶4. Post notes that we received no expressions of interest in participating in WIREC 2008 from Ministerial-level representatives of the Government of Bangladesh. ¶5. Post is assisting the two delegates with their visa application and travel arrangements.