Bangladesh has offered to import power and gas from Myanmar while Myanmar has proposed to form a joint steering committee to work together for moving ahead with the energy sharing activities.The proposal came from the eastern neighbour during a meeting of Bangladesh delegation in Myanmar with its Minister for Power and Energy U Win Khaing at Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid led the 5-member Bangladesh delegation, said a press release of the Power and Energy Ministry.The ministers discussed different issues of bilateral cooperation in the power and energy sector.
Nasrul Hamid said economy of both the countries would be strengthened once cooperation in energy and power sector is increased.
Conveying Bangladesh’s thanks to Myanmar for resolving maritime boundary disputes, he said both the nations could be a bridge for South and South-East Asia.
He said electricity sharing could strengthen the friendship among the neighbouring nations. He noted that Bangladesh would need huge electricity to continue its pace of development.
“Myanmar could export gas and electricity to Bangladesh. Both the countries would be benefited if they are connected with the intra-regional grid,” he said.
Nasrul Hamid said if it happens, Bangladesh can import electricity from China through Myanmar while Myanmar’s energy trade would be boosted up with other ASEAN nations which would strengthen BIMSTEC and BCIM cooperation.
Inviting Myanmar Power and Energy Minister to visit Bangladesh, he said Myanmar can send delegation to identify the fields of cooperation.
The Myanmar Minister expressed his country’s interest to work together and assured Bangladesh of extending its help in offshore gas exploration works.
He said Myanmar could utilise the experience of Bangladesh and India in cross border power trading.
During the meeting Myanmar’s Deputy Minister for Power and Energy Dr. Tun Naing, Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Md Shafiur Rahman, and Bangladesh delegation members joint secretary of Power Division Mohammad Alauddin, PDB member Mostafizur Rahman and PGCB executive director Chowdhury Alamgir Hossain were present.
