RSS Feed (xml)
industrial output, said industry insiders, pointing to more than 30
percent production loss. A Matin Chowdhury, managing director of
Rahim Spinning Mills Limited, said he has been forced to go at least
30 percent below his output capacity by the inadequate supply of
gas. "Export orders of readymade garment (RMG) from international
buyers are aplenty, but we cannot take all the orders, as we know we
will not be able to supply the items in time because of the scarcity
in gas supply to industrial units," said Chowdhury, also former
president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA). But, a
proper supply of this energy can help Bangladesh achieve $18 billion
export mark in a year, he pointed out. Textile and RMG products
account for more than 80 percent of the annual national exports.
"Maintenance of adequate gas pressure and providing other utility
services to the industrial plants should be government's first
priority," the Rahim Spinning MD said. Chowdhury said businessmen,
especially the spinners, are now in lobbying for an improved
situation, but the government is also waiting for gas exploration.
When his attention was drawn to the gas supply, the BTMA's incumbent
president, Abdul Hai Sarker, admitted to the fact that gas supply
has improved slightly in some areas, as Titas Gas is not giving new
connection to any industrial plant now. "Sill, we suffer inadequate
gas pressure, a pre-requisite to spinners' production in full
capacity," Sarker said. Abdul Aziz Khan, managing director of state-
owned Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, said industry
owners have to wait for further improvement in gas production. "We
prefer ensuring adequate gas pressure for the existing industrial
plants to providing connection to any new plant," Khan said.
Presently, there are 5000 industrial connections under Titas Gas,
while such 1000 connections under other gas distribution companies.
On any improvement in the gas sector, the Titas boss said, "We're not
in a position to ascertain anything in this regard, as Titas is
merely a distributing company."
