Published on 12:00 AM, January 17, 2011

MoU signed to import gas from Qatar

Bangladesh and the State of Qatar yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar to meet the growing demand of gas in the country.
Secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division Mohammad Mejbahuddin and Minister of State for Energy and Industrial Affairs of Qatar Dr Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments.
With the signing, Bangladesh has taken the first step towards realisation of import of four million tonnes of LNG per year, according to a message received here from Bangladesh embassy in Doha.
“The door is now open for Bangladesh to import liquefied natural gas from Qatar,” said the State Minister of Qatar Saleh Al-Sada at the signing ceremony.
“Qatar is a major LNG producing country in the world and is happy to co-operate with Bangladesh in energy sector,” he added.
Prior to signing the MoU, a bilateral meeting was held in Qatar Petroleum Doha between the two countries.
Bangladesh side delegates included Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Md Shahdat Hossain, former Chairman and head of LNG Petrobangla Md Muqtadir Ali, Counsellor Mohammad Nasir Uddin and First Secretary Muhammad Maqsudur Rahman of Bangladesh Embassy.
Qatari side included Executive Director Down Stream of Qatar Petroleum International Mohammed Al- Hitmi, Manager, Gas Development of Qatar Petroleum (QP) Khalid Al- Hitmi and Head Expert of LNG of QP Taiab Balmahdi.