Bangladesh - Country Information

Film Commissions

General Information

Location: Asia
Local Time: GMT +6
Capital City: Dhaka
Population: 7 Million
Area: 815,85 square km, square miles.
Language(s): Bengali, English
Dialling Code: 880
Emergency: Police: 999. Fire & Ambulance: 955 5555, 955 6666-7
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the left. National licence or International Driving Permit required.Temporary licence available on presentation of British licence
Electricity: 220/240V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Taka (BDT 1 = 100 Poisha)
Notes: BDT: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500
Coins: Poisha: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at Dhaka Airport on arrival. A currency declaration form must be completed whenever foreign currency is exchanged

Opening Hours
Bank: 0900-1600 Sun-Wed, 0900-1400 Thur
Office: 0900-1600 Sun-Wed, 0900-1400 Thur
Shops: 0900-2000 Sat-Thur, 0900-1230 & 1400-2000 Fri

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Year's Day, Feb 21 Shaheed Day/International Mother Language Day, Mar 26 Independence Day, Apr 14 Bangali Solar New Year, May 1 Labour Day, Jul 1 St Monday In July, Aug 15 National Mourning Day, Nov 7 National Revolution Day, Dec 16 Victory Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 Boxing Day, Dec 31 New Years Eve

Business/Social Hints: Women should dress conventionally, revealing clothes should not be worn. The business community generally speaks English. Smoking is generally accepted, but prohibited in some areas. Islamic conventions apply. When passing or receiving food or gifts it is usual to use the right and not the left hand. Local body language customs can lead to misunderstandings. Nodding the head, up and down may indicate - yes, and side to side movement - no. There are some restrictions on photography. Minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: Expected, around 10% in restaurants & 5% for taxis

Health

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate for any person (including infants) arriving by air or sea within 6 days from infected areas or transit through infected areas, or come by an aircraft that has been in an infected area and has not been disinsected in accordance with Bangladesh Aircraft (Public Health) Rules or those recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Recommended immunisations: Cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, Japanese B encephalitis*, malaria*, polio, TB*, tetanus, typhoid, rabies
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria exists all year throughout the country, excluding Dhaka city. Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Restrictions: Entry & transit is refused to holders of Israeli passports

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Bangladesh

Passport Validity: Passport valid for three months after departure required by all

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Bangladesh
2) For stays up to 30 days by nationals of Hong Kong & Macao (S.A.R. passports holders)
3) For stays up to 90 days nationals of
Nationals of Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Fasso, Congo, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, St Kitts & Nevis, Seychelles, Swaziland, Western Samoa, Zambia

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey on the same day or first connecting aircraft & not leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed tickets & documentation

Climate

Bangladesh has one of the worlds wettest climates. The rainy season between Apr-Oct combines with high temperatures to produce very humid, smothering conditions. Thunderstorms are common during Apr-Jun, this together with severe cyclones, which can occur between Sep-Oct, can cause widespread flooding in low-lying areas. The cool season between Nov-Feb is generally sunny & warm although evenings can be chilly

Clothing

Light clothes with warmer wear for chilly evenings during cool season, appropriate rainwear for heavy rain during wet season

Charts for Dhaka

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 25 28 33 35 34 32 31 31 31 31 29 26 Min Temp (C) 12 13 16 23 25 26 26 26 26 24 18 13 Humidity am (%) 46 37 38 42 59 72 72 74 71 65 53 50 Humidity pm (%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rainfall (mm) 18 31 58 103 194 321 437 305 254 169 28 2

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Information available via www.bangladeshtourism.org

Embassy
High Commission of Bangladesh
28 Queen's Gate
London, SW7 5JA
tel: +44 20 7584 0081
fax: +44 20 7581 7477
e-mail: bhclondon@btconnect.com
website: www.bangladeshhighcommission.org.uk
hours: 1030-1300 (Mon-Thur) & 1030-1245 (Fri) lodging, 1500-1630 (Mon-Fri) collection