Bangladesh is set to sign a non-binding power and energy cooperation agreement with the United States next month, a senior official confirmed.
Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam said the agreement is currently at the drafting stage and will not be legally binding.
“We are discussing increased imports of LPG as well as petroleum fuels from the United States under the deal,” he told Just Energy News following a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
The secretary said Bangladesh has bilateral energy agreements with several countries, including India, but does not yet have a similar arrangement with the United States.
While he did not elaborate on specific terms and conditions, he emphasized that the proposed agreement would remain non-binding.
Separately, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported that Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood sought US support to help meet the country’s growing energy demand amid global uncertainties.
“The government has been preparing to import energy from alternative sources amid growing uncertainty over global energy supplies due to the conflict in the Middle East,” the minister said after his meeting with Kapur.
He expressed concern over ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies in light of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“Not only Bangladesh but the whole world is worried about energy supplies. The government is trying to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of energy,” he added.
According to the minister, Bangladesh has requested fuel assistance from the United States at this time. The US Assistant Secretary assured him that he would convey the matter to higher authorities.