Chief adviser's Special Assistant Dr M Tamim yesterday said the government is considering importing gas from Myanmar even if it might require sharing fertiliser with that country.

“We'll either have to find new gas fields or import gas to solve the crisis in the long run,” he said talking to reporters at the power, energy and mineral resources ministry.

Tamim, chief adviser's special assistant in charge of power, energy and mineral resources, said the demand for gas now stands at 1,833 million cubic feet per day while the current production is 1,738 million cubic feet.

He said the government has already received a proposal from Myanmar. “We're thinking of buying gas from Myanmar as it is the only country around us with gas surplus,” he observed.

On Myanmar's condition that they will export gas to Bangladesh if a portion of the fertiliser to be produced in Chittagong is shared with them, he said, “I think it's possible in principle. There shouldn't be any problem with that.”

Imported gas could be used in producing fertiliser, he said adding, “Most importantly, we will have a pipeline built that we can use if we find any other sources later.”

Tamim said he is yet to read the Myanmarese proposal. The government may send a formal proposal after studying theirs.

Asked when the gas deficit would be eradicated, he said, "As per our plan, we can overcome the deficit by 2009."

About his plans to solve power and energy crisis, he said exploration for new gas fields would be one of his priorities. Besides speeding up the process of setting up two big power plants, he would seek to recruit skilled manpower.

Referring to the ongoing vigilance and investigation by a government task force at Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd, he said similar measures should be taken for the Power Development Board.