Bangladesh Seeks Long-Term Energy Security Support from Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh aims to enhance long-term cooperation with Saudi Arabia to strengthen its energy security. To this end, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit held discussions with Saudi and Qatari representatives regarding the construction of a new floating terminal for LNG imports, gas exploration, and investment opportunities in renewable energy.
These meetings took place on Sunday (October 11) on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Details of the discussions were released in a press statement by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Monday (October 12).

According to the ministry, a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister for Electricity, Nasser Al-Qahtani, highlighted the importance of achieving Bangladesh's energy-related goals for 2030. Discussions focused on identifying potential areas of cooperation in the energy sector, maintaining regular communication between representatives of both countries, and establishing a framework for a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Bangladesh specifically highlighted its interest in ensuring long-term energy supplies, installing floating terminals to boost LNG import capacity, and exploring new gas fields in both onshore and offshore areas. The Saudi side assured cooperation in expanding development within the energy sector.

Meanwhile, the State Minister held a separate meeting with Qatar's Minister of Energy and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. Discussions covered Bangladesh's growing gas demand, existing LNG import arrangements, and the potential for increasing supplies in the future.

Emphasis was placed on diversifying import sources and transport routes, alongside opportunities to procure LNG from QatarEnergy’s international supply network. The importance of continuing commercial and technical discussions among the relevant entities to realize these possibilities was also underscored. Separately, Anindya Islam Amit discussed investment opportunities in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector with Thamer Al-Sharhan, CEO of the Saudi-based energy company ACWA Power.
The company expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh during the meeting. However, the ministry's statement did not provide details regarding the nature of potential projects, the investment amount, or specific implementation timelines.

Additionally, at the start of the meeting with the Saudi Assistant Minister, the Bangladeshi State Minister expressed condolences for the victims of the Houthi rebel attack at Riyadh International Airport. He sought the Saudi government's cooperation in repatriating the bodies of the two Bangladeshis killed in the attack and ensuring proper medical treatment for the injured.