Roadshows in New York and Singapore have called for investment worth $7 billion in Bangladesh's energy and power sector, the prime minister's energy adviser said yesterday. A large number of investors took part in the roadshows and showed keen interest in investing in Bangladesh, said Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.

Chowdhury said there were no specific commitments on the investment to be made, but the roadshows raised hopes for huge investment in the power sector. He briefed reporters at the power, energy and mineral resources ministry on the outcomes of the roadshows.

Bangladesh investment conferences and roadshows were held in Singapore on January 25-26 and in New York on January 28 to attract investment in the power and energy sector.

Chowdhury said foreign experts would visit Bangladesh in March to discuss liquid natural gas (LNG) imports.

The government plans to install an LNG terminal in the Bay of Bengal, considering the country's ongoing and future gas crisis, at a time when several gas-based power and industrial units are installed.

The terminal will help ease off-loading of imported LNG containers by ships and transmit LNG into the national gas system. The terminal should have the capacity to deal with 3.5 million tonnes of LNG.

The adviser said they were able to gain back the confidence of foreign investors lost in the past seven years.

“Their main concern was whether Bangladesh was capable and had an investment environment. We told them that Bangladesh is back in business.”

Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the government would invite pre-qualification (PQ) bids from power developers this month to set up four power plants in Bangladesh, aiming to generate 800 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The four power plants will be set up at Savar (100MW), Kaliakoir (100MW), Bhola (150MW -- 2nd phase) and Bibiyana (150 MW -- 2nd Phase).

Azad said PQ bids would also be floated in July to set up four coal-based power plants to generate 2,000MW of electricity. The plants will be set up in Chittagong, Mongla, Meghna Ghat and Jazira.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Md Enamul Haque said the country's commitment to private-sector investment was lost in the past seven years, which many foreign companies questioned during the shows.

“We have convinced them that the present government is committed,” he said.

Power Development Board Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir, Petrobangla Chairman Dr Hossain Monsur and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation chief Anwarul Karim were present.