Business leaders urge long-term, reliable energy supply for industries

Business leaders and policymakers have called for ensuring long-term, predictable and affordable energy supplies to maintain the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s industries.

They also demanded priority gas and electricity supplies for industrial zones and export-oriented factories, along with the publication of advance and reliable load-shedding schedules so that factories can plan their production accordingly.

The demands were raised at a roundtable discussion held on Sunday at the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) conference room in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Policy Exchange Bangladesh and MCCI jointly organised the roundtable titled “Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Challenges: Ensuring Reliable Infrastructure for an Improved Business Environment.” The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development-related trade support of the Australian government assisted the event.

MCCI Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer Farooq Ahmed delivered the welcome address. Policy Exchange Bangladesh Senior Associate Hasib Hasan then presented findings on “Business Infrastructure�"Power and Energy”, highlighting the reliability of power and energy supplies, their impact on different sectors and regional conditions based on data from the Bangladesh Business Index (BBX).

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr M Masrur Reaz.

The panel featured Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Showkat Aziz Russell, LafargeHolcim Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhury, ESTEX Foundation Chairman Dr Ejaz Hossain, and Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Moinul Islam.