Bangladesh is seeking cooperation from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to meet its long-term energy needs and strengthen its energy security.
On October 11, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, held separate meetings with officials from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as the chief executive officer of energy company ACWA Power, on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum (IEF-17) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During his meeting with Nasser bin Hadi Al-Qahtani, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Electricity Affairs, State Minister Amit sought Saudi Arabia’s cooperation in ensuring Bangladesh’s energy security. The two sides also discussed long-term energy cooperation, long-term LNG supply arrangements, the construction of LNG terminals, and opportunities for natural gas exploration and extraction both onshore and offshore.
They also discussed exchanging delegations between the two countries and establishing a framework for cooperation to help Bangladesh achieve its energy sector targets for 2030. The Saudi side described Bangladesh as a particularly important brotherly country and expressed hope for further strengthening cooperation in energy and development.
During a meeting with Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, discussions focused on Bangladesh’s growing demand for natural gas, existing LNG import arrangements, and the possibility of signing new long-term supply agreements.
The two sides also discussed increasing LNG supplies to Bangladesh through QatarEnergy’s international supply network and diversifying energy sources and supply routes. These efforts aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security amid potential disruptions to international energy supplies.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with Dr. Samir J. Serhan, CEO of Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power, Amit discussed investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector. ACWA Power expressed interest in investing in the country’s renewable energy sector, and both sides explored prospects for future cooperation and investment.
During the meetings, the Bangladeshi state minister also expressed condolences over the deaths caused by a Houthi attack at Riyadh International Airport and condemned the attack. He also sought the Saudi government’s assistance in repatriating the bodies of two Bangladeshi nationals killed in the incident and ensuring appropriate medical treatment for those injured.
Through these discussions, Bangladesh is seeking to secure long-term LNG supply agreements, diversify its energy import sources and supply routes, expand natural gas exploration and production, and attract foreign investment into its renewable energy sector.
Source: The Business Standard
