bd EnergY LinK

Govt allows import of coal
with high sulphur
Business Desk

The government has decided to allow import of coal with over one per cent of sulphur up to June 30, 2011 although the high level of sulphur in coal is considered hazardous for environment.
The government on Tuesday decided to suspend a provision in the export-import policy 2009-12 that had barred import of coal with over one per cent of sulphur, reported Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
The provision was included in section-25 and sub-section (33) of the export- import policy. A decision to this effect was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting at the ministry of commerce here, an official release said.
With Commerce Secretary Golam Hossain in the chair, the meeting was held to find out ways and means to resolve the problem regarding import of coals, the release said.
Power and Mineral Resources Division joint secretary Ahmed Ullah, Department of Environment additional director general M Abdus Sobhan, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry adviser Monjur Ahmed, Sylhet Coal Importers Association president M Emdad Hossain, among others, joined the meeting.
India’s Meghalaya, West Bengal and Bihar are the major sources of coal imports for Bangladesh. China and Indonesia are also exporting coals to Bangladesh but those are expensive, the release added.