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Power distributors too many

PM's adviser tells inauguration of energy show

Star Business Report
The excessive number of power distribution companies under (he Rural Electrification Board (REB) of the government is not business friendly for a small country like Bangladesh. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, power and energy- adviser to the prime minister, said yesterday.
"Seventy to eighty power distribution companies are not viable for us." said the adviser.
He criticised foreign donors saying that the number of such distribution companies was increased in line with their suggestions.
He said Bangladesh was not in a situation in the past to withstand the pressure from donor agencies and countries.
"The donor groups in the past had tagged such suggestions as preconditions for granting financial support. but Bangladesh is no more in a condition now to pay heed to such suggestions," he added.
"Over the previous years, maturity of the government
’ and our entrepreneurs has augmented," said the adviser.
He was speaking at the inauguration of POWER Bangladesh International
Expo 2009" at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at Agargaon in the capital.
Presently 70 REB companies operate commercially across the country (o supply power (o 76.41 lakh people, according to the board website.
The adviser also said the government expects around $5 billion investment in the power sector from road show’s to be organised next month.
The government plans to stage road shows in London, New York and Singapore in mid- December to attract investors for several of its large power projects, including 2.000-megawatt coal-fired power plants.
Chowdhury said the government is very sincere to promote green energy.
He said total power generation of the country now accounts only one percent of w hat the US generates.
"So we have to go a long way in this sector," he said, adding that the fair would play an important role in developing the power sector of the country.
Development of pow’er generation and transmission of the country, alternative power, photovoltaic power, renewable energy
devices, generator, wind power devices, biogas, including others, are being presented at the show, scheduled to end on Saturday.
A total of 78 companies from 16 countries including Bangladesh arc showcasing their products and services at the exhibition, which is open from 10:30am to 7:30pm without any entry fee.
State Minister for Power Enamul Haque said this exhibition would play an important role to reach the goal of mass electrification by 2020.
The show will provide the exhibitors and visitors an opportunity to further establish business contacts and get face-to-face interaction among the sector people, said Meherun N Islam, president and group managing director of CEMS Global, which is organising the show.
ASA Muiz, additional managing director of Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd, also spoke at the function.
Bangla Trac Limited (Bangla Cat) is the cosponsor of the fair, while Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd is the insurancepartner.