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Failing to export gas may mean missing the bus

Dhaka should get highest benefit out of its gas, observes Shell MD
With an estimated reserve to meet domestic need for at least 45 years. Bangladesh should seriously consider exporting gas falling which may mean missing the bus. says a top executive of a multinational company, reports UNB.
"Bangladesh should look at getting the highest benefit out of its gas. It should fix an energy policy and consider exporting to generate funds for reinvestment in energy sector." said managing director Andrew Vaughan. Shell Bangladesh, as Intense lobbying went on to get their suggestion through.
The Anglo-Dutch oil and gas exploration company's Bangladesh Chief said yesterday gas In I he ground Is worthless and Bangladesh has too much of It for a small domestic market.
Bangladesh has a proven recoverable gas reserve of 13 trillion cubic feet, three trillion of which have already been extracted. Shell maintains the reserve is 15 trillion, and more to be found.
"If neighbouring India even tually decides to buy gas from the Middle East. Bangladesh Is likely to miss the bus." he told members of Overseas Correspondents Association. Bangladesh (OCAB)
He. however, said Shell or other companies are not the authorities to decide on the Issue. It is the Bangladesh government. and to some extent the Indian side, who are to take the decision.
Vaughan said export of gas through pipeline would be easier and more profitable for
Bangladesh instead of selling power after building plants and connecting with the buyer coun-
He identified corruption, indecision and bureaucracy as obstacles to the pace of development in the sector, but has-lencd to add Shell has never paid any bribe in Bangladesh."
The Shell managing director proposed setting up of a separate body comprising representatives from both public and private sectors to overcome the problems in the energy sector.
Bangladesh should seriously take up an energy policy possibly on the basis of a 1993 one. which was again brought forward In 1996... It will help guide the energy sector." he told the Journalists. Asked whether US President Bill Clinton would be talking on energy sector with Bangladesh leaders, he said: I don t know, but I believe the issue will be high on his agenda."
Asked if Bangladesh could be robbed by multinational companies as is the case with Nigeria. Vaughan defended the foreign oil explorers, saying the Nigerians are now running the Industry and same will happen in Bangladesh.
He is informed that Shell has already started decreasing expatriate officials here and lo cals were being trained up to replace them. "Someday Shell will really be a Banglac --sh company/'
Vaughan told the newsmen that Shell has inveated 450 million dollars, while the total capital invested by all such companies in the sector stood at one billion dollars.