The government will hire renowned economists of the country to assist the government expert team in negotiating the price of gas and electricity with the Tata Group.

Mahmudur Rahman, advisor to the energy ministry, in a meet-the-press with the Energy Reporters' Forum yesterday said, "We are hiring local economists along with

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foreign experts to make sure that the dealings with Tata is done in a transparent manner."

Rahman talked on a wide range of issues including Tata's investment in Bangladesh, the Tengratila blowout, and the India-Myanmar gas pipeline over Bangladesh.

Facing a barrage of questions from the reporters on the price Bangladesh will charge Tata for gas, Rahman said, "Why is everybody so sensitive about Tata? We supplied gas to Lafarge in the past, but we did not see such hue and cry in the media then."

As far as foreign investment is concerned, the Board of Investment (BoI) does not have different lists for "sensitive" and "insensitive" companies for different treatment, he said.

On the issue of allotting land for Tata, Rahman said when thousands of hectors of land are occupied by land grabbers no one dares to object. But now when land is being acquired for the sake of huge foreign investment, everybody appears to be in great shock, he said.

He also said the $600-700 million investment in Kushtia will greatly benefit the people and the economy of that region.

Rahman said there are six to seven fundamental factors in the negotiation with Tata and consensus on those issues will finally determine whether Tata will invest or not.

Land, power purchase, gas supply and coal mining are the main features in the ongoing round of negotiation between the government and Tata. After these issues are settled, the pricing of gas and power will come up in the next round.

Rahman also said the government will have to consult the devel-

opment partners about Tata's investment, because Bangladesh will need their help for developing the infrastructure when the investment deal is finalised.

The local steel mill owners meanwhile expressed concern saying if Tata is provided gas at a price lower than they have to pay, the local steel industry will face uneven competition.

Mahmudur Rahman, however, explained that the local steel manufacturers produce iron rods while Tata will produce raw materials. He pointed out that these raw materials are imported at present, but when Tata will go on production the local business will be rather benefited.

He also said the government is going to add a new condition for the tender of coal mines, under which the winning company will be bound to construct a power plant.

On India's gas import from Myanmar through Bangladesh, Rahman said India and Myanmar are presently discussing the route of the gas pipeline, and for the moment, Bangladesh will have to wait and see the result of their discussion.

About awarding of gas blocks, Rahman said the third bidding will be done by next January and the deep-sea blocks will get preference in this case. Besides, the companies who have already won different blocks but have not yet started work might lose the blocks, which might be re-allocated to others, he added.

Mahmudur Rahman also said if he remains at the helm of affairs for the remaining period of the present government, he hopes to bring in some significant changes such as making an energy policy, collecting arrears gas bills, and disciplining the ministry's activities.