5 trade bodies for cancellation of increased gas, power tariffs

Five trade bodies in steel and cement manufacturing sector yesterday demanded that the increased gas and power tariffs be rescinded as it will hit the industries hard, reports UNB.
The demand came from a joint press conference of Bangladesh Auto Re-Rolling and Steel Mills Association, Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association, Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association, Bangladesh Small and Captive Power Producers Association, and Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association at the Jatiya Press Club.
Leaders of the associations said the increased prices of gas and power jeopardy the industries that would ultimately lead to a social anarchy by labourers and workers unemployed.
“We urge the government to revert to the previous rate in the interest of local industries as well as foreign investment,” said Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud, chairman of Bangladesh Auto Re-Rolling and Steel Mills Association.
Giving a seven-day ultimatum to Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to pursue the government to accept their demand, the associations’ leaders threatened to observe sit-in programme in front of the apex business body.
“If the top business body fails to pursue the government on our behalf in one week, we’ll observe our first action programme in front of the FBCCI and gradually launch next programmes,” said Sheikh Masud.
He said the country’s re-rolling and steel sector has long been facing a setback due to gas and power shortage as they are producing 40 lakh tonnes against the country’s demands of 30 lakh tonnes although they have the capacity to produce 80 lakh tonnes.
Masud mentioned the government in the past had raised power prices on eight occasions on the plea of increased oil prices on the international market. “But, now when the oil price is declining, the government has raised the gas and power prices again which is totally illogical and unfair.”
He also criticised the gas price hike for captive power plants saying that this will create a further pressure on the steel, re-rolling and other industries which use this captive power plants for the operation of their manufacturing units.
Masud alleged that the government’s development programmes in the country’s construction sector has got stalled creating a sluggishness in the sector. “Only the private sector is buying our products for individual civil construction.”
Business leaders like Md. Shahjahan, Md Abu Bakar Siddique, and Mostafa Kamal were also present.

5 trade bodies for cancellation of increased gas, power tariffs

Five trade bodies in steel and cement manufacturing sector yesterday demanded that the increased gas and power tariffs be rescinded as it will hit the industries hard, reports UNB. The demand came from a joint press conference of Bangladesh Auto Re-Rolling and Steel Mills Association, Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association, Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association, Bangladesh Small and Captive Power Producers Association, and Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association at the Jatiya Press Club. Leaders of the associations said the increased prices of gas and power jeopardy the industries that would ultimately lead to a social anarchy by labourers and workers unemployed. We urge the government to revert to the previous rate in the interest of local industries as well as foreign investment, said Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud, chairman of Bangladesh Auto Re-Rolling and Steel Mills Association. Giving a seven-day ultimatum to Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to pursue the government to accept their demand, the associations leaders threatened to observe sit-in programme in front of the apex business body. If the top business body fails to pursue the government on our behalf in one week, well observe our first action programme in front of the FBCCI and gradually launch next programmes, said Sheikh Masud. He said the countrys re-rolling and steel sector has long been facing a setback due to gas and power shortage as they are producing 40 lakh tonnes against the countrys demands of 30 lakh tonnes although they have the capacity to produce 80 lakh tonnes. Masud mentioned the government in the past had raised power prices on eight occasions on the plea of increased oil prices on the international market. But, now when the oil price is declining, the government has raised the gas and power prices again which is totally illogical and unfair. He also criticised the gas price hike for captive power plants saying that this will create a further pressure on the steel, re-rolling and other industries which use this captive power plants for the operation of their manufacturing units. Masud alleged that the governments development programmes in the countrys construction sector has got stalled creating a sluggishness in the sector. Only the private sector is buying our products for individual civil construction. Business leaders like Md. Shahjahan, Md Abu Bakar Siddique, and Mostafa Kamal were also present.