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Qatar interested in BD energy sector


Published : 30 Oct 2019 09:29 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 10:53 AM

Qatar is willing to work with Bangladesh in the energy sector, Qatar’s State Minister for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, said on Wednesday.

The Qatar Minister expressed the interest during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the capital, Dhaka. “We are keenly interested to work with Bangladesh in the energy sector,” said the State Minister for Energy.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said that his country has already initiated a move to increase electricity generation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022, to be held in Doha. About the economic progress of Bangladesh, he said Qatar wants to continue its support to Bangladesh’s development. “More you grow, the more you need energy,” the visiting state minister was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled her visits to Qatar in the past. PM's International Affairs Adviser, Gowher Rizvi, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, and Qatar Ambassador to Bangladesh Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Dehaimi were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resource, also said that Qatar wants to invest in a bigger way in Bangladesh’s power and energy sector.

Following an hour-long meeting, Nasrul Hamid informed reporters that Qatar’s main focus was investment in the country’s LNG-based power sector.

Nasrul Hamid made the remark after a meeting with an eight-member delegation of the Gulf country, led by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. The meeting was held at Power Division office on Wednesday.

“They have shown keen interest to set up LNG regasification terminal and also LNG-based power plant in Payra area of Patuakhali,” he said, adding that they have already participated in a bidding process invited by the government to set up LNG-based power plant.

“They bid for the project in joint venture with Exxon Mobil. Now their bid is being evaluated along with the proposals of their bidders,” said Nasrul Hamid.

Bangladesh has been importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar’s RasGas under a 15-year-long term agreement.

The import of LNG is a follow-up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries to enhance cooperation in the energy sector.

Nasrul Hamid said Qatar wants to extend the purview of the MoU to create more opportunities for investment in other areas as well.

Responding to a question, he said the proposed investment from Qatar will be within the government’s master plan regarding power sector, as this investment will take place targeting the need of 2030.

He also disagreed with media report on surplus in power generation saying that the excess electricity generation is required for creating stability on the supply side.

He claimed that private entrepreneurs want stable and quality supply of electricity and the power sector gained that trust of the investors.