Bangladesh is seeking to strengthen its energy security through expanded cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, gas exploration and investment in renewable energy.
The government has also explored potential investment in the country’s renewable energy sector with Saudi power developer ACWA Power as it seeks to diversify energy sources and secure supplies to meet growing domestic demand.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit held separate meetings with Saudi Assistant Minister of Energy for Electricity Nasser bin Hadi Al-Qahtani, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, and ACWA Power CEO Dr Samir J Serhan on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum in Riyadh.
According to a message received in Dhaka, the discussions focused on strengthening energy security, securing long-term LNG supplies, expanding bilateral cooperation and attracting foreign investment in renewable energy.
During his meeting with Nasser Al-Qahtani, Amit expressed condolences over the deaths caused by a Houthi rebel attack at Riyadh International Airport and condemned the incident.
He reaffirmed the solidarity of the Bangladesh government and people with Saudi Arabia and briefed the Saudi official on a condolence message sent by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Saudi crown prince and prime minister.
Amit also sought Saudi assistance in repatriating the bodies of two Bangladeshi nationals killed in the attack and arranging medical treatment for those injured.
On energy cooperation, the state minister called for Saudi support to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security.
Al-Qahtani described Bangladesh as a brotherly country of special importance to the Saudi government and expressed optimism about expanding existing cooperation in energy security and other development initiatives.
The two sides emphasised the need for exchanges of official delegations and a framework for understanding to identify areas where Saudi Arabia could support Bangladesh in achieving its energy targets by 2030.
Their discussions also covered long-term energy cooperation, the development of floating LNG terminals and offshore and onshore gas exploration.
Dhaka explores fresh LNG deals with Qatar
In his meeting with Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Amit discussed Bangladesh’s rising natural gas demand, existing LNG import arrangements and the possibility of signing new long-term supply agreements with Qatar.
The two sides also explored the potential for securing LNG from QatarEnergy’s international portfolio and diversifying supply sources and routes to improve Bangladesh’s energy security.
Both sides stressed the importance of continued commercial and technical discussions between the relevant organisations to advance cooperation.
ACWA Power eyes renewable energy investment
In a separate meeting, ACWA Power CEO Dr Samir J Serhan discussed investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector with Amit.
The Saudi company expressed interest in investing in the sector, potentially opening up avenues for foreign capital and expanding Bangladesh’s renewable energy capacity.
Officials from the Bangladesh delegation and the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh attended the meetings.
The discussions form part of Bangladesh’s efforts to strengthen international energy partnerships, diversify fuel supplies and attract investment to support its longer-term energy requirements.