Dhaka: Export of gas from Bangladesh would be "suicidal" as the country itself needs huge domestic requirement, the government committees appointed to assess the situation have noted.

The National Committee on Gas Utilisation and National Committee (NCGU&NC) on Gas Reserve, constituted early in 2002 to help the government take a decision on the issue, are scheduled to submit their reports to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on August 27.

The Daily Star newspaper reported that majority of the panel members were against export of gas either through pipeline or value added form.

The donor countries and international oil companies have been pressing the government to export gas arguing that the foreign direct investment, which is already very low, would dwindle unless the government resolves the issue.

The proposed pipeline with a daily capacity of carrying 500 million cubic feet of gas could fetch between $200 to 250 million and help bridge trade gap between India and Bangladesh.

The Star said that the proven gas reserve in the country was 16 trillion cubic feet, adding the committees felt that at a gas demand growth rate of seven per cent, the present gas reserve would be exhausted by 2014-15.

"That is why majority of the committee members believe that gas from UNOCAL's Bibiyana field would be suicidal," it said.

PTI