No access to gas in SW foils industrialisation

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The government initiative to promote industrialisation in the country's southwestern region during the last one decade has met with failure in absence of gas supply, reports UNB.
Once hustling industrial belts of Khalishpur and Rupsha have been gradually dying out in the face of uneven competition with those enjoying cheaper fuel supply of natural gas in other areas.
The government has developed a large export processing zone (EPZ) at Mongla a decade ago with the hope of creating a regional business hub close to the country's second sea port and exploit its potentials.
But the effort had gone in vain. Mongla EPZ could not attract investment as it was expected. Though the EPZ accommodated 124 facilities, barely 12 units had so far been set up in the EPZ. Entrepreneurs were willing but they asked for gas supply, said an official.
Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Shahruzzaman Mortuza said the region as a whole was lagging far behind in industrialisation mainly because of non-availability of gas.
He said Khulna was once in leading position with larger number of manufacturing units. "But most of the small and large industrial units and businesses have either been shut down or moved elsewhere," Mortuza told the news agency.
Bangladesh Export Proce-ssing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Chairman Brigadier General Jamil Ahmed Khan identified three main reasons for the failure of the Mongla EPZ. The reasons are: Non-availability of natural gas; non-operation of the airport, and absence of adequate facilities at the seaport.
"Entrepreneurs including those from abroad find huge potential of the Mongla EPZ. They are keen to invest. But finally they are discouraged in absence of gas supply and go back," said Khan.
He said Mongla port was included in the proposed regional gas pipeline network. "But it could not be achieved in a decade."
The energy ministry saw a bright prospect of the Mongla EPZ with the hope of finding gas in the southwestern region. "There is every likelihood we will strike gas at Shahbajpur (Block-10) and at offshore (Block-7) where work on drilling well is to start in the next dry season," said an official.
The state-owned BAPEX was conducting exploration at Shahbajpur field where gas had been discovered. But the reserve had not been confirmed for commercial exploitation.
US-based international oil company Chevron and Irish company Tullow were carrying out additional seismic survey in Block-7 on completion of the first phase.