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The
country must find a solution as regards the best
possible utilisation of her gas resources
Energy Minister Calls for Constructive
Debate in Parliament on Gas Export Issue
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On
October 17, 2002, the CPD organised a dialogue on "National
Committee Reports on the Gas Sector: Where Do We Go
From Here?" at the CIRDAP auditorium. CPD Chairman,
Professor Rehman Sobhan moderated the discussion which
was attended by lawmakers, political leaders, experts,
academics, political leaders, businessmen and representatives
of international oil companies (IOCs). Chairman of the
gas utilisation committee, Mr. Azimuddin Ahmed, presented
the report in brief and Professor Edmond Gomes, a member
of the Reserve Committee, briefed the audience on the
reserve situation.
Participants in the dialogue were divided on the export
issue but agreed on the need for substantial investment
to develop the sector and promote downstream opportunities.
"Bangladesh could consider exporting gas in limited
scale only after ensuring a reserve for long-term domestic
consumption", a number of experts suggested.
State Minister for Energy, Mr. A.K.M. Mosharraf Hossain,
MP, noted that the country has to find a solution for
the best possible utilisation of gas to develop the
country's energy for the economic development of the
country. Pointing out the fact that Bangladesh needs
investment of at least USD 20 billion for the development
of her energy sector over the next 30 years, the Minister
observed that the government is giving substantial subsidies
to independent power producers (IPPs) allowing these
to make significant profits. He agreed that different
aspects of energy security should be taken into consideration
and there should be transparency at the time of taking
any policy decisions. The State Minister, however, said
there should be debate in parliament before arriving
at any decision on the utilisation of country's gas
resources.
Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a former Deputy Minister
and currently the Political Secretary to Leader of the
Opposition, felt that that there was a lack of consistency
and clarity in the policy pursued by the government.
Criticizing the recently submitted report from the gas
body, he said the committee was supposed to outline
a plan for optimum utilisation of the country's gas
reserves, but it failed to act on the exact terms of
reference.
Mr. Faruque Khan, MP, cautioned that there should not
be a situation in which Bangladesh has to buy
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Participants
at the dialogue on Gas Sector. From left to right: Chairman
of the Gas Utilisation Committee Mr Azimuddin Ahmed,
Political Secretary to the Opposition Leader Mr Saber
Hossain Chowdhury, CPD Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan,
Chief Guest, State Minister for Energy Mr A K M Mosharraf
Hossain and opposition lawmaker Mr Kazi Zafrullah
gas from India at a higher price. He said there is no
logic behind the export of gas from the current reserves.
Mr. James R. Stone of Unocal mentioned that Bangladesh
has enormous natural gas resources that could meet domestic
needs with surplus for export. He viewed that a clear-cut
policy decision to allow export of gas through a pipeline
is required in order to inject further investments in
the sector.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Awami
League leader Mr. Abul Hasan Chowdhury said the debate
on the gas issue has focused on the wrong areas. According
to Mr. Chowdhury, Bangladesh should not be concerned
with gas export rather she should figure out how the
gas resource could be utilised for the benefit of the
people.
Petrobangla Chairman, Syed Sajedul Karim noted that
Petrobangla had to sell gas to other government corporations
at a subsidised rate. BUET Professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain
observed that the disaggregated analysis shows that
the domestic demand for gas is much less than what is
projected in the committee reports.
Mr. G.M. Quader, MP, a Presidium Member of the Jatiya
Party, however, thought that gas export would be to
the ultimate benefit of the people and expressed his
dismay over the dilly-dallying on the gas export issue.
Most of the participants felt that there is a need for
thorough discussion, both in the parliament and outside,
before any policy decision to export gas.
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CPD
Study on Child Labour Policy
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CPD
organised an in-house dialogue on Child Labour Policy
on October 8, 2002 which was attended by policy makers,
civil society activists, academics and representatives
from various trade bodies. Among others, Ms. Rokia A.
Rahman, former adviser to the Caretaker Government,
Mr. Lutfar Rahman Matin, Director, Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Ms.
Shamima Ahmed, Deputy Director, Primary and Mass Education
Division, and Mr. Gopal Chandra Sen, Chief of Planning,
Ministry of Education attended the dialogue. The participants
called for
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a
comprehensive strategy and work programme involving
both the Government and the private sector to eradicate
the sufferings of the working children. The keynote
presenter, Dr. Sumaiya Khair, a CPD Research Fellow
and Associate Professor of Law at the University of
Dhaka, presented a review of the various development
plans, policies, laws and programmes of the state from
the perspective of addressing the child labour issues.
Dr. Khair highlighted the issues which needed to be
dealt with in the future, both through research and
by way of policy interventions.
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