The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar suggested developing an interest at home and within Bangladeshi diaspora abroad for building a joint venture factory to mitigate the fertiliser crisis in the country.

The call was made, as the demand for fertiliser surpasses the production by about 10 lakh tons per year.

They also suggested recently for establishment of a condensate processing plant and coal-based power plant to lessen the pressure on gas.

The Department of Chemical Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) organised the seminar titled "Chemical Engineering Education and Practice" as part of the 60th founding day celebration of the Engineering Education in Bangladesh at BUET Council Bhaban.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) of BUET Prof Dr AMM Safiullah addressed as chief guest the seminar chaired by two former VCs, Prof Dr Iqbal Mahmud and Prof Dr Nooruddin Ahmed.

The speakers pointed out that the World Bank and IMF were not interested in funding such venture like fertiliser factory.

They said the investment in this sector was virtually risk-free, as the demand for production of these projects was very high.

They emphasised on the improvement of the quality of Chemical Engineering Education, Laboratories and teaching.

They said the experienced teachers should be encouraged to teach in the university.

The agricultural sector of Bangladesh was heavily dependent on fertiliser. Importing fertiliser to meet the demand was creating a pressure on the economy, as fertiliser price in the foreign market was excessively high due to high gas price, the said.

They also said Eastern Refinery Ltd did not have the processing capability to use the condensate gas to produce fertiliser, resulting in a loss of thousands of crores of taka.

The country Government should aim at efficient use of gas, as the gas reserve in the country was limited, they added.

BUET VC AMM Safiullah said the engineers of the country did not receive proper recognition, which was why many qualified engineers did not stay back to serve the country. If this trend continues, the progress of the country will be slowed down, as every country is heavily dependent on the services of engineers, he added.

Prof Safiullah also said the engineers must be given due credit where it is deserved.

Besides, Engr Hasanul Murshed, former Chairman of BCIC, Engr Saber Ali, former Director Operations and Plant Manager of KAFCO, Engr Abdur Rahim, General Manager of KAFCO, Asif Malik, General Manager of Operation and Planning of Easter Refinery Limited and Kamruzzaman, Chief Coordinator of Global Heavy Chemical Ltd, among others, expressed their views at the seminar.