MUMBAI: Dr Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Worldwide, the media consulting division of NDTV Ltd, will help a local firm launch a news and current affairs channel in Bangladesh.

NDTV said Monday it is partnering with Bangladesh-based private sector industrial conglomerate Beximco Group to launch and manage Independent Television.

Beximco Group, which also manages the publication The Independent, is planning to launch the channel by early September 2010 through its media subsidiary, Independent Television Ltd.

NDTV will be assisting the Beximco Group with the overall operational and business management of the channel.

NDTV said in a statement that this partnership will offer news in a refreshing and thought-provoking manner to its discerning Bangladeshi viewers.

"Beximco Group has planned to expand its presence in the media sector, by launching Independent Television. We aim to make Independent TV a leading news and current affairs channel in the country and would follow the highest ethical values to ensure that we achieve this objective," said Beximco Group deputy chairman Salman F Rahman. "NDTV is the ideal partner for the launch of our channel. Together, we now look forward to establishing a viewer focused channel that will transform the Bangladesh media industry." 

Commenting on the alliance, NDTV Ltd chairman Roy said, "We are delighted to tie up with the Beximco Group in their expansion plans to become a leading media group in Bangladesh. We are confident that Independent Television will set the standards in the Bangladeshi media sector for the times to come".