Shahedul Islam Helal, Former President, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI): Failure in estimating the gas reserves and appropriate demand has deepened the gas supply crisis. For attracting investment of Tats in 2005, the then government had stated of huge potential gas reserves. The gas crisis triggered from 2007, only two years after the superfluous statement about gas reserves. Now that crisis has grown to alarming situation, particularly in the domestic sector.
For a flawed government policy not only in the domestic sector, many gas-based industries investing in captive power generation are at serious crisis. Many industries for keeping their industry running compelled to install diesel generators or taking power from grid along with their captive gas generators. This is increasing the cost of doing business and industries are losing competitiveness.
The government assured of commencing LNG supply from this month and increasing LNG supply gradually. It also pledges to overcome the gas supply deficit. But a question remains, whether industries would remain competitive with high-priced imported LNG. Otherwise, it may create new crisis with fuel supply.
This article has been printed under a syndication arrangement with energy and power