Bangladesh, US sign MoU on energy cooperation

Bangladesh and the United States of America on Thursday formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation in energy, which Washington sees as a historic development in the Bangladesh-US ties.

The MoU was signed at the Department of Energy (DoE) in Washington, DC.

On behalf of the USA, Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the MoU, while Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman signed it on behalf of Bangladesh.

The MoU is signed at a time when many countries in the world, including Bangladesh, are facing serious challenges to ensure their energy security due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC.

This MoU would contribute to the efforts of Bangladesh to enhance its long-term energy security by diversifying its energy sourcing options based on affordability and supply chain sustainability and would open up new avenues of broader energy cooperation between Bangladesh and the USA.

It would facilitate capacity building, exchange of knowledge and expertise and study on oil, gas, geothermal and bioenergy between the two countries and also Bangladesh's import of US LNG, LPG and other energy products at an affordable price.

In his brief remarks at the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Khalilur termed the MoU as another milestone in the growing Bangladesh-US relationship.

He thanked Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US President Donald Trump for their support for this initiative.

Energy Secretary Wright mentioned this MoU as a historic development in the Bangladesh-US ties.

Bangladesh Embassy officials and high officials of the US Department of Energy were present at the signing ceremony.