Coal-based production to help energy crisis

Coal-based production to help energy crisis
ET Report

The political parties should have a minimum consensus on national issues in a bid to speed up economic development of the country, said Syed Ershad Ahmed, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh while talking to this correspondent recently.
He expressed the view that politicians should reduce their differences of opinion on energy issue and work together to develop this sector protecting national interest.
He opined that the government should have a short-, mid- and long-term strategy to overcome the nagging power crisis that is seriously hampering industrial production and civic life.
He suggested that a committee comprising professionals should be set up that will send recommendations to the parliament standing committee on energy and power.
The treasury and opposition benches would discuss the matter in detail in the national parliament and should recommend necessary steps to develop the energy sector.
The economic development of the country is highly linked with the expansion and development of power sector, he said.
On deep sea port, he said that Bangladesh economy would be immensely benefited by becoming a regional hub of shipping business in the region.
Laying stress on the parliamentary democracy in the country, Ershad opined that a vibrant parliament should be the focal point of discussing issues related to the national interest.
Criticizing the culture of boycotting Parliament by MPs on mere excuses, he clearly stated that the people of Bangladesh have elected them to discuss national issues relating to education, health, social security, job creation, national security, environment, etc. in the assembly.
Laying stress on water transportation, he said the government should mull over setting up whole markets in Sadarghat, Waiseghat, Gabtali and Turag by protecting the rivers flowing round the Dhaka city.
He demanded that the government should dredge existing rivers and canals that will speed up and expand transportation of goods through waterways. The price of consumer goods will come down, provided goods are carried through waterways.
He expressed the view that industries set up in the Dhaka and outside the capital should have effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to protect water bodies as well as environment.
Expressing concern on pollution of rivers, he said civic life is in great danger and demanded exemplary punishments to culprits polluting water bodies and grabbing land to develop housing plots.
Opposing recruitment of diplomats on political consideration, he said this is era of the economic diplomacy and suggested that career, seasoned and skilled diplomats should be posted abroad to serve the nation.
He suggested a diplomat should be groomed up with culture and language with the country concerned where he or she going to be posted.
For example, if a diplomat is posed to Paris, he or she should have minimum orientation about French language and culture.
Lamenting poor services provided by Bangladeshi diplomats abroad, Ershad said embassies concerned should extend necessary support to Bangladeshi workers.
Citing examples of ASESN diplomats and even western diplomats in Dhaka, he said the traditional mindset of the Bangladesh diplomats should be changed with a view to serving national interest of the Bangladesh as well as its workers.
Nearly 80 lakh Bangladeshis are working in different parts of the world and keeping local economy vibrant. Last year expatriate Bangladeshis sent over nine billion dollars to the country.
On keeping an option of whitening black money in the forth-coming budget, Ershad opined the government can consider this option in the light of the global recession. But he suggested that this money should be invested in productive sectors, such as industries, and not in non-productive sectors, like real estates business or in purchasing cars.
That will encourage corruption, and the corrupt people will take the advantage, the way they did in the past.
This democratically elected new government came into power with the people’s mandate. They promised that they would ensure good governance and continue the fight against corruption.
He praised the government plan to introduce daylight saving time by advancing the clock by one hour from June to save electricity during the evening hours.
He also said that the government might consider introducing Saturday-Sunday as weekends, as this could bring Bangladesh in line with the global business community as well as this would meet the growing demand for it, by the business community.
He said that countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and others where the Muslims are the majority of the population keep Sunday as the weekend holiday.
Many countries of the world, including some Asian states, as well as some major corporations have now resorted to austerity measures to help overcome economic meltdown.
“We hope that the Bangladesh government would also seriously consider austerity measures towards spending the public money”, Ahmed said.
The government has to face bigger challenges in preparing the budget against the backdrop of global recession. The revenue collection may drop in the coming year. Export earnings as well as remittance flow are likely to witness slower growth.
On nagging traffic congestion in the city, he said the government can mull over handing over Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to the private sector to efficiently handle the traffic management in the city.
“Today play-grounds are being occupied by interest groups. Rivers are being grabbed, thus putting pressure on the environment. Building codes are not being followed properly, which leads to worsening traffic situation. There are numerous examples of clear violation of building codes. After gaining permission, parking lots are being rented out for other purposes than parking,” he said.