South Asia Monitor: Energy In Bangladesh: Step By Step - August 01, 2000

August 1, 2000

The Bangladesh government is moving, cautiously and unevenly, to create a sounder policy framework for using the country's natural gas. No major decisions are likely until after the next elections, due before September 2001. The government is likely to move toward commercializing, but not privatizing, the gas and power sector. Exports are still politically controversial, but in circles where policies are debated the tone of discussion is markedly more rational and realistic than a year ago. The economic case for gas exports is overwhelming, but a decision to export will also require Bangladesh to tool up for complex international negotiations both with private companies and with its trading partners.