Calls for utilising Bhola gas to drive industrialisation in Barishal

Speakers have called for the planned use of Bhola's gas resources and other energy potential in southern Bangladesh to accelerate industrialisation and economic development in the Barishal region.

They also urged the government to improve industrial, transport and investment infrastructure to turn Barishal into one of the country's major economic hubs.

The recommendations came at a seminar "Tomorrow's Barishal: Challenges, Prospects and the Way Forward", organised by the Barishal Divisional Journalists Association in the capital today (11 September).

A keynote paper presented at the seminar identified uncertainty over energy supply as one of the major barriers to industrialisation in the region.

It said planned utilisation of Bhola's gas resources could ensure uninterrupted energy supplies to local industries while attracting new investment.

The paper, presented by the association adviser and Independent Television Chief News Editor Mostafa Akmal, noted that although the industrial sector contributes more than 30% to the national economy, its contribution from the Barishal region is below 2%.

Despite having Bscic industrial estates, new investment remains constrained by capital shortages and uncertainty over energy supplies, it said.

Chief guest and Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni said Barishal has significant potential but remains behind in development, trade and industrialisation.

He said the region's abundant water resources could be an important economic asset if properly utilised.

"Chattogram has built a strong economic base by utilising its water resources. Despite having abundant water across Barishal division, we have not been able to use it properly," he said.

He called for a coordinated action plan focused on the coastal region.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman stressed the need to develop skilled human resources alongside physical infrastructure.

He also called for efforts to develop capable political leadership, saying a lack of good leadership could create a vacuum in the future.

Housing and Public Works State Minister Ahammad Sohel Monzoor said past development initiatives in Barishal had been stalled because of vested interests, holding back the entire region.

"Now is our golden opportunity. If we can work together on key demands, comprehensive development will be easier," he said.

Shipping State Minister Md Razib Ahsan also stressed political and institutional unity in pursuing development demands.

He said demands for roads, bridges and other infrastructure were achievable if presented clearly and prioritised collectively.

South-central economic corridor proposed

The seminar also proposed establishing a southern economic corridor centred on Payra Deep Sea Port.

Speakers recommended developing a logistics hub and processing zones around the port, alongside value-added industries based on agricultural and fisheries products such as rice, fish, guava and hog plum.

They also called for developing industrial zones using Bhola's gas resources, dredging important waterways, establishing cold-chain facilities and special economic zones, and improving road and other transport infrastructure.

They proposed a long-term "Vision Barishal-2050" development plan covering the next two to three decades.

The plan should prioritise river management, coastal embankments, safe drinking water, energy, industrialisation, connectivity, tourism, skilled manpower and climate adaptation, they said.

Several lawmakers, including State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Nurul Haque Nur, and representatives from different professions also attended.