Gas crises

Natural gas crises in developing countries are the main factor slowing their economic growth. Bangladesh, one of the few countries in South Asia, is experiencing fast economic growth because of its vibrant industrial sector.

But because of the current natural gas crisis, the giant structures of Bangladesh’s Ashuganj fertiliser factory have stood silent for more than a year, shutting industries, triggering power cuts and sparking protests over fuel shortages (“Bangladesh’s gas crisis hits factories, homes and transport,” Aug.23, Gulf Today).

According to the report, the Ashuganj fertiliser factory machinery once ran round the clock, using natural gas to produce urea that farmers depended on to grow crops for the country’s 170 million people. Now the state-owned factory, which once employed more than 1,200 people and produced more than 1,000 tonnes of fertiliser a day, is a rusting shell.

I am sure the Bangladesh government will work hard to ensure the supply of natural gas to its industries, which will benefit the Bangladesh economy and make people’s lives better.

Abdul Shakoor
By email