DHAKA, May 20, 2023 (BSS) - State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral 
Resources Nasrul Hamid today said that the government is striving to ensure 
uninterrupted gas for all industries as the country is going ahead to be a 
trillion dollar economy by the year 2040. 

Due to unplanned industrialization, it becomes difficult for the government 
to provide gas to all industries, he said.

Nasrul also requested the industry owners to shift their industries in the 
Economic Zones to avail quality uninterrupted gas supply.

The State Minister was speaking at a Stakeholders' Dialogue as the chief 
guest titled "Energy Strategy: Towards a Predictable Future" organised by 
DCCI today held at its auditorium. 

Lawmaker Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), former President of FBCCI, spoke as 
special gueston the occasion.

Regarding pricing of power and energy, Nasrul reiterated that gas price would 
be adjusted depending on international market price since the government is 
planning to reduce its subsidy especially in this sector.
 
"A Pricing Policy is being prepared," he said, adding that there is a need to 
go for exploration, but it will take time and requires huge investment. 

"Government will be strict and show zero tolerance to the unlawful gas 
users," he said requesting the industry owners to use energy efficiently.

Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) suggested the businessmen to be resilient. "The 
private sector is one of the integral parts of the stakeholder of this sector 
for which the policy has to be coordinated and consistent. We need employment 
and for employment generation we need industrialization and for 
industrialization we need uninterrupted power and energy supply. One is 
dependent on others," he mentioned.

Regarding inflation, Shafiul said that the whole world is suffering from 
inflation and Bangladesh is not an exception. He urged on good governance and 
efficient use of energy for sustainability. 

Later, the former President of FBCCI requested the government to disconnect 
all unlawful connections immediately. 

DCCI President Barrister Md. Sameer Sattar, in his introductory remarks, said 
taking into account the importance of smooth graduation led transition of 
Bangladesh amidst the volatile geo-economic climate, the government needs to 
prioritize energy security strategy as energy is imperative to sustain the 
growth momentum.

He suggested for investment in primary energy sourcing to enhance gas supply 
for stable energy supply. He also said that fuel and production efficiency in 
State-owned power plants need to be ensured.

Sameer also urged for a predictable pricing policy so that the private sector 
can make necessary business planning ahead. Later, he suggested for revision 
of Power Sector Master Plan (PSMP) based on the future demand and energy 
supply sourcing mapping. 

In the panel discussion session, Faisal Karim Khan, director of Summit Power, 
requested for unified taxation system for importing power plant related 
machineries.

Editor of Power and Energy Mollah Amzad Hossain suggested that the 
industrialists can use the waste heat coming out from the power plants. Ahsan 
Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of PRAN RFL Group, said there should be 
clarity of pricing. He also stressed on long-term planning and predictable 
pricing policy. 

President of FICCI Naser Ezaz Bijoy said transparency, road map, optimization 
of supply side and optimization of consumption are more important to be 
addressed.

Dr. Badrul Imam, honorary professor of department of Geology at Dhaka 
University (DU) said the country has enough gas under its soil. 

"We need to explore gas fields as soon as possible,"
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, adding that if government can stop or 
disconnect illegal connections, legally run industries will get that portion 
of gas for production. 

Moreover, he requested to reduce tax and duty on import of solar equipment. 
"For our competitiveness, export oriented industries should get support," he 
added. 

FBCCI vice-president Md. Habib Ullah Dawn said due to reduced carbon emission 
and keeping climate change issues in mind, usage of electric vehicles will be 
widened in future and for that reason there should have been a proper 
planning of establishing electric charging stations across the country.