Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) -A two-day conference on regional energy cooperation began in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday aiming to strengthen collaboration among the South and South East Asian nations to address their energy crisis through utilizing the potentials.
Speaking at the inaugural session as chief guest, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader urged the energy experts in the region to find out a solution for the nagging energy crisis.
He also said the government has been working with a mid-term agenda to solve gas and electricity problem to achieve its target of becoming a middle income country by 2021.
"The government has a plan to reach electricity at the door- step of the people for taking the economy more forward with a view to achieving a middle income country status by 2021," he said noted.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) and South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation (SAFIR) jointly organized the conference on “Energy Security and Regional Cooperation: Role of Regulators.”
Chaired by BERC chairman Syed Yusuf Hossain, the session was also addressed by Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque, World Bank Country Director Ellen Goldstein, SAFIR chairperson Dr. Promod Deo and BERC member Emdadul Haque.
The issue of cross border energy trade is the main focus of the conference and the participants are expected to discuss the issues to address the local and regional energy crisis.
Tawfiq-e-Elahi laid emphasis on strengthening energy cooperation among South Asian countries, saying that the regulators can play a very important role in energy sharing for the benefits of the people.
Mohammad Enamul Haque said the nations of the region have to think about finding out alternative and non-conventional energy sources as the conventional energy sources are depleting.
Ellen Goldstein said the multilateral development partners will continue its support for energy development. Regulations are required to create level playing field in the energy sector, she added.
BBN/SSR/AD-09May12-8:07 pm (BST)
