Bangladesh Seeks Gas Imports via Myanmar Pipeline

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood meets Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh UKyaw Soe Moe at the Secretariat today. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh has expressed interest in importing natural gas from Myanmar through a cross-border pipeline to help meet the country's rising energy demand.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Saturday.

During the meeting, the minister said enhancing energy cooperation with neighbouring countries remains a key priority under the government's "Neighbours First" foreign policy.

The Myanmar ambassador welcomed the proposal and suggested exploring the possibility of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies alongside the pipeline project. The minister responded positively to the suggestion.

The discussions also revived a long-standing proposal to construct a gas pipeline from Myanmar to Chattogram to supply natural gas to industrial zones in southeastern Bangladesh.

To move the initiative forward, Mahmood proposed holding ministerial-level talks and said he would invite Myanmar's energy minister to visit Dhaka. He also expressed his willingness to travel to Myanmar if required.

The minister further highlighted broader regional connectivity initiatives, including the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor, saying a cross-border gas pipeline could support regional infrastructure development and strengthen long-term trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Myanmar ambassador also proposed convening a meeting of the Bangladesh-Myanmar Joint Technical Committee to assess the project's technical and commercial feasibility.

State Minister Aninda Islam Amit, Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The renewed discussions come as Bangladesh seeks additional sources of natural gas to address ongoing supply shortages. Earlier this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his country's interest in exploring LNG exports to Bangladesh during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.