Bangladesh has proposed importing natural gas from neighbouring Myanmar through a cross-border pipeline to revive bilateral energy cooperation and address mounting domestic energy shortages.

The proposal was presented Monday, August 3, by Bangladesh Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood during a meeting with Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe at the ministry’s Secretariat office.

During the discussion, Bangladesh expressed strong interest in building a gas pipeline connecting Myanmar directly to Chattogram, reviving an earlier regional infrastructure proposal.

"Bangladesh faces substantial and growing demand for natural gas," Mahmood told the envoy, emphasizing that direct pipeline imports from Myanmar offer a practical solution to secure stable energy supplies.

Declining domestic natural gas production has left Bangladesh increasingly reliant on expensive imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generation facilities, sustain manufacturing industries, and supply residential consumers.

Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe welcomed the proposal, noting that Myanmar is open to energy cooperation. He suggested that both nations could also explore short-term supplies of LNG to complement potential pipeline development.

The ambassador recommended reviewing the infrastructure plans through formal discussions of the Bangladesh-Myanmar Joint Technical Committee.

Mahmood indicated that Bangladesh intends to move quickly, stating he will formally invite Myanmar’s energy minister to Dhaka for bilateral talks and is prepared to visit Myanmar if necessary to advance negotiations.

Bangladeshi officials highlighted that the proposed energy conduit aligns with broader regional integration efforts.

Mahmood pointed to the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor—discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China—as a broader framework that a natural gas pipeline could strengthen.

Beyond the pipeline proposal, both delegations discussed expanding long-term bilateral trade and energy cooperation.

Senior Bangladeshi officials attending the bilateral meeting included State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, and Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh.