PM seeks backing for energy plans

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged business leaders and the media to support the government’s plans to tackle Bangladesh’s power and energy crisis, saying stable supplies were essential to protecting investment, trade and economic growth and achieving the country’s target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

He said the government had identified the longstanding problems in the energy sector and was now implementing a roadmap, but warned that a complete solution would take time.

“It is not possible to solve it within six months or a year simply by wishing to do so,” Tarique said at a three-hour meeting with business leaders and media representatives at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Prime Minister also expressed hope that gas supplies to industries would return to near the levels seen one to one-and-a-half months ago from Tuesday evening.

“We hope, Insha-Allah, from tomorrow evening the gas supply will return to something like the level it was at one to one and a half months ago,” he said.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu briefed reporters after the meeting.

Tarique said the current power and energy crisis was largely inherited by the government and could not be resolved immediately.

After taking office, the government reviewed the problems, consulted relevant stakeholders and prepared plans, he said.

“We have identified the problems, prepared plans and are now at the stage of implementing those plans,” he said.

The government is working against specific timelines to restore normal power and energy supplies, although some schedules could shift during implementation, he said.

“If we can implement these plans, not only business and trade but the overall economy will benefit,” Tarique said.

Third LNG terminal
The Prime Minister attributed the recent gas supply disruption to an accident at one of Bangladesh’s two floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, saying the incident had affected industries and other sectors.

He said the problem caused by the accident had already been resolved.
The government is also moving to install a third floating LNG terminal to address the supply shortfall, Tarique said.

Preparations for the terminal under a government-to-government arrangement had largely been completed over the past month, and work would begin soon, he said.

The government expects to connect the terminal to the national gas supply system by December 2027.

State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit presented a paper titled “Challenges and Future Roadmap of Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Sector” at the meeting.

Tarique said uninterrupted power and energy supplies were necessary for the government’s long-term economic ambitions.

“Solving the power and energy problem is not only a matter of interest for the business community. It is linked to the overall economic progress of the country,” he said.

He urged business leaders to cooperate with the government, saying damage to businesses and industries would ultimately affect the wider economy.

Call for stability
Tarique also warned that political instability could hurt business, trade and economic activity, and asked stakeholders to allow the government to implement its plans during its tenure.

“The people will decide at the appropriate time whom they want to entrust with running the government. But whichever government is in office at a given time should be allowed to complete its planned work,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government had been transparent about the difficulties facing the energy sector and had explained how it planned to address them.

“We wanted to let you know that we are working on this. So, there is no reason to be disappointed,” he said.

He said a strong and effective team was needed to implement major initiatives and added that relevant members of the government were working together to deliver improvements in people’s lives.

Media asked to explain roadmap
Tarique said media representatives had been invited to the meeting so they could gain a clear understanding of the government’s objectives and plans.

“Otherwise, fragmented information could create confusion,” he said.

“If the media have a clear understanding of the government’s plans, they will also be able to present them correctly to the people,” he added.

He asked the media and business community to cooperate with the government in implementing its programmes.

“Please cooperate with us so that we can do something better for you,” he said.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh and Energy Secretary Md Ziaul Huq attended the meeting.

Business leaders included FBCCI Administrator Fazlul Hoque, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, International Chamber of Commerce President Mahbubur Rahman, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association acting President Abul Kamal, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mohammed Amirul Haque and Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association President Mahbub Anam.

Several editors and senior journalists also attended, along with Jahangirnagar University teacher Dr Nahreen I Khan.