Bangladesh Wants to Import Gas from Myanmar via Pipeline
Collected Photo
Bangladesh has proposed Myanmar for importing natural gas from the South-eastern neighbor through a cross-border pipeline. Dhaka is interested in expanding cooperation in the energy sector with Naypyidaw based on the 'Neighbors First' policy.
The proposal was discussed today (Sunday) at a meeting held at the Secretariat between Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, and Myanmar's Ambassador to Bangladesh, U Kyaw Soe Moe. Sources concerned informed the media about the matter.
The State Minister said that Bangladesh's demand for natural gas is steadily increasing and the country is interested in importing gas from Myanmar via pipeline. The Myanmar Ambassador responded positively to the proposal. He also mentioned exporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Bangladesh as another potential avenue for cooperation.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the long-standing, older proposal to construct a gas pipeline from Myanmar to Bangladesh's Chittagong. Recalling the previous initiative, the State Minister said that in 2003, the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had proposed importing gas via pipeline. He also expressed the current Prime Minister's interest in advancing the matter.
The Minister expressed interest in arranging a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries for detailed discussions on the matter. He invited Myanmar's Energy Minister to visit Bangladesh. He also expressed his willingness to visit Myanmar for talks if necessary.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China, the State Minister said a China–Myanmar–Bangladesh economic corridor has been proposed. The initiative could also serve as a platform to strengthen energy cooperation between Bangladesh and Myanmar. He also expressed Bangladesh's interest in establishing long-term commercial relations with Myanmar.
The Myanmar Ambassador suggested that the existing 'Bangladesh–Myanmar Joint Technical Committee' could meet again to review and advance the proposal.
The meeting was attended by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh, and other senior officials.
