Hasina-Bolkiah meet: Two countries agree on energy collaboration

GBNEWS24DESK//

Bangladesh and Brunei have agreed to go for long-term collaboration in the energy sector, particularly in the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other petroleum products to Bangladesh.

The agreement came during the delegation-level meeting led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

The development comes at a time when Bangladesh is looking for alternative sources of energy amid the spike in fuel prices and supply chain disruptions in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Prime Minister Hasina sought Brunei’s support in the energy sector in the development journey of Bangladesh. The Sultan happily agreed,” an official present at the meeting told this correspondent.

An MoU signed earlier on the supply of LNG and other petroleum products has also been renewed.

“The MoU, which was inactive, can now be activated for importing energy from Brunei,” the official said.

The two countries also agreed to boost maritime connectivity, which can help lower the transport cost of energy and increase trade, he said.

The Brunei sultan leading a 40-strong delegation of his family members, senior ministers and officials arrived in Dhaka on Saturday.

This is the first-ever state visit by the sultan at the invitation of President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Earlier in 2019, Hasina visited Brunei.

Red carpet was rolled out and a 21-gun salute was given in honour of Hassanal Bolkiah upon his arrival on Saturday.