Bangladesh to resume gas connections for industries after months-long pause
After a months-long suspension, the Bangladeshi government has announced plans to resume gas connections to industries, a move seen as critical to supporting the country’s economic growth.
Zanedra Nath Sarker, chairman of Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation), stated that authorities are actively considering new gas connections in the industry, as reported by Xinhua.
Sarker noted that Petrobangla has already shared its recommendations with the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.
“We do hope that the division will soon take its final decision in this regard,” Sarker told reporters, highlighting the importance placed on industrial sectors when allocating gas resources to support economic priorities.
This decision follows a policy introduced under ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in April, which restricted new electricity and gas supplies to factories built outside of government-designated economic zones or industrial enclaves.
The policy aimed to concentrate industrial growth in specified areas to streamline resource management and support regional planning.
Hasina also encouraged industrialists to self-fund energy production rather than rely on government subsidies, creating a pathway toward energy independence for industries. This approach aimed to reduce pressure on the national grid and ensure that resources reached critical sectors.
As of recent data, about 85% of the population has access to electricity, a substantial increase from just 20% in 2000. Despite these improvements, the country has experienced significant blackouts in recent years due to issues like natural gas shortages and infrastructure problems.
