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It will take at least two years to resolve the ongoing electricity and gas crisis in Bangladesh, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said.
“Everyone has talked about electricity and gas. We are facing a problem, and I must acknowledge that it is also a legacy of the past. Unfortunately, nothing related to electricity and gas can be resolved within six months. No solution is possible even within a year. It will take at least two years—at least,” he said.
The finance minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Sunday (August 16).
Amir Khosru said the economy could not move forward without reliable electricity and gas supplies. He assured businesses that the government was working to address the crisis as quickly as possible.
“We are not wasting a moment on this issue. For gas, floating LNG terminals and onshore storage facilities are being finalised. You will know about these developments within the next few days,” he said.
Regarding the power sector, the minister said transmission had become a major challenge despite substantial electricity generation.
He said the government was finalising its power and energy mix policy, which would include renewable energy and gas-based power, while coal would also be considered as a domestic resource.
“We are moving forward with an integrated energy mix and have largely finalised its composition. Hopefully, we will see major changes in the electricity and gas sectors in due course,” he said.
