Dhaka, April 24 (BDNEWS) – Indian industry giant Tata Group has confirmed that it will install a coal-based power plant at the country's northern area Fulbari or Barapukuria having coal resources.
A three-member delegation of the group disclosed this while meeting with State Minister for Power Iqbal Hassan Mahmood at his secretariat office Sunday.
Tata Sons executive director Alan Rosling led the delegation.
They told the minister that Tata is eager to get license for exploring coal at Fulbari and Barapukuria.
Tata will set up a 1,000-megawatt capacity power plant wherever they will get license for coal exploration.
Earlier, it was considering setting up a gas-based power plant at Sirajganj.
Emerging from the meeting, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told journalists that Bangladesh will purchase the power to be generated by Tata to meet the domestic demand.
However, he informed, the tariff will be determined later through negotiation.
Meanwhile, the visiting Tata delegation called on Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami Sunday at his ministry office.
They discussed different aspects of proposed US$ 2.5 billion investment of Tata in Bangladesh.
The group wants to make the investment for a one million ton capacity urea fertiliser factory in Chittagong, a 1,000-megawatt power plant and a 2.4 million ton steel mill in Ishurdi.
Members of the delegation said the investment in the industrial sector of Tata in Bangladesh would play a positive role in strengthening the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
They also said other foreign investor are also getting inspired to invest in Bangladesh following the Tata's proposal to invest here.
The Tata executives opined that by augmenting investment in different sectors, including steel, Bangladeshi industrial products can get access to the world market.
The minister said Bangladesh welcomes all kinds of foreign investment keeping its national interest.
Praising Tata for coming forward to set up coal-based industries in Bangladesh, he also said that the government has positive attitude regarding the investment of the Indian industry major.
He mentioned that Bangladesh government is sincere to make the investment of Tata fruitful within the shortest possible time.
The delegation also included resident director of Tata group in Bangladesh, S Manzer Hussain.
BDNEWS/1728 hrs
