Govt striving to ensure uninterrupted gas for all industries: Nasrul

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has 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 industrialisation, it becomes difficult for the government to provide gas to all industries, he said.

Nasrul also requested the industry owners to shift their industries to the Economic Zones to avail the good 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 at its auditorium on Saturday.

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

Regarding the pricing of power and energy, Nasrul reiterated that gas prices would be adjusted depending on international market prices 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, saying, "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 industrialisation and for industrialisation, we need uninterrupted power and energy supply. One is dependent on others."

Regarding inflation, Shafiul said that the whole world is suffering from inflation and Bangladesh is not an exception. He urged 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 prioritise energy security strategy as energy is imperative to sustain the growth momentum.

He suggested investment in primary energy sourcing to enhance the gas supply for a 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 the 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 machinery.

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 in pricing. He also stressed long-term planning and a predictable pricing policy.

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

Badrul Imam, honorary professor of the 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 the 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 the 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 emissions and keeping climate change issues in mind, usage of electric vehicles will be widened in future and for that reason, there should have been proper planning for establishing electric charging stations across the country.