Bangladesh has proposed importing gas from neighbouring Myanmar through a pipeline.
The Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, made the proposal to Myanmar’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Kyaw Soe Moe, when the latter visited his office in the secretariat on Sunday.
As a close neighbour, Bangladesh is prioritising enhanced energy cooperation with Myanmar, he said
Bangladesh has significant domestic demand for natural gas, and the government is particularly interested in sourcing energy from Myanmar via pipeline, the minister stated in the meeting.
The ambassador welcomed the proposal positively and shared an idea for supplying gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) too.
Mr Mahmood responded favourably to the Myanmar idea.
The discussion also revisited earlier proposals for a pipeline from Myanmar to Chattogram, showing renewed interest in the matter.
To accelerate bilateral energy cooperation, the Bangladeshi energy minister also proposed a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries.
He also extended a formal invitation to Myanmar’s Energy Minister to visit Bangladesh and expressed his own willingness to visit Myanmar if necessary.
Recalling Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, the Minister mentioned the proposal for a China–Myanmar–Bangladesh corridor.
He emphasised that a pipeline between Bangladesh and Myanmar could play a supportive role in this initiative, while also strengthening long-term commercial ties and energy cooperation.
He added that there are many potential areas of collaboration between the two countries.
Highlighting the principle of “Neighbours First,” the Minister conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s sincere commitment to enhancing mutual relations.
The Myanmar Ambassador suggested that the matter could be reviewed through a Bangladesh–Myanmar joint technical committee meeting.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, and Power Secretary Mirana Mahruq were also present at the meeting.
Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bangladesh-proposes-importing-gas-via-pipeline-from-myanmar
