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Low pressure problem in gas supply to industries to be resolved: Nasrul

Business leaders meet State Minister on gas crisis issue
Staff Correspondent
26 Oct 2022 18:44:50 | Update: 26 Oct 2022 20:29:24
Low pressure problem in gas supply to industries to be resolved: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid speaks in a meeting with business body leaders at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), October 26, 2022 — Courtesy/UNB

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said necessary measures will be taken to address the low-pressure problem in gas supply to industries.

"We'll take a move to resolve the local problem in gas supply so that the situation doesn’t deteriorate,” he told reporters after a meeting with business body leaders at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at Agargaon in the capital on Wednesday.

The minister said the business leaders have complained that industries are not getting gas under adequate pressure in some particular areas.

"We'll look into those to fix them," he assured.

A group of business leaders, led by the president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Jashim Uddin, participated in the meeting. The Prime Minister's Private Sector Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman was also present.

The meeting was held at a time when the export-oriented industries, especially textile, garment and ceramic manufacturers are desperately persuading the top policymaker to get adequate gas and power supply against the backdrop of the ongoing energy crisis.

Nasrul said he has discussed with the business leaders to address the local problems that the industries are now facing in gas supply. He also said the meeting mainly focused on the issues of local gas supply.

The minister assured the business leaders they would get a similar supply that they received previously. We all will together try to keep the supply better in the coming months and also next year".

Responding to a question, Nasrul said that if the global situation further deteriorates, things will be different.

On the issue of the business leaders' request for increasing the gas import spending annually by $1.2 billion, Salman F Rahman said the issue does not depend on foreign exchange reserves.

"It's the issue of availability of gas at an affordable price... The global gas market is not stable. After a fall the price has again gone up,” he said.

FBCCI President Jashim Uddin said the business leaders have placed different options for enhancing gas supply to industries.

"We'll further discuss the issue. We'll all be trying to resolve the problem unitedly,” he said.

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