Bangladesh may import gas import from Myanmar

Dhaka, Feb 3 (UNI) Bangladesh could consider gas import from Myanmar to meet a growing demand for the fuel.

''I don't see any alternative either to go for import or for more exploration,'' a junior advisor of the caretaker government Dr Tamim told reporters here today.

Dr Tamim, who is in-charge of the Power and Energy Ministry, said he would take the initiative to move a formal proposal on import of the natural gas from the neighbouring country.

He said it was a good proposal even if Myanmar tagged a condition that it would take out a portion of the fertiliser to be produced from the imported gas.

Experts believe Bangladesh's remaining 15 (tcf) trillion cubic feet of gas, out of total 20 tcf (already 5 tcf consumed), will get exhausted by 2015 if no new discoveries were made.

The country has already started facing gas shortage by about 100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd). Its daily production is 1735 mmcfd against a demand for 1835 mmcfd.

Earlier, the Power Division had moved to import electricity from Myanmar by setting up a hydropower plant over there. Initially, Myanmar agreed to the proposal, but there had been no progress in this regard.

Dr Tamim, the engineering university teacher-turned government functionary, said country's port city Chittagong and its surrounding places were facing acute shortages.

He said his top priority is to conduct the proposed 3rd- round international gas-block bidding as part of long-term solution to the nagging gas crisis.

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