Qatar has agreed to renew a recently expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh regarding LNG supply and has expressed interest in moving forward with technical cooperation for constructing a proposed land-based LNG terminal in the country. The commitment came during a meeting between Qatar’s Minister of Energy, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on April 22 in Doha, held on the sidelines of the Arthana Summit.

Qatar’s energy minister stated their readiness to sign the renewed MoU and reiterated their intention to maintain strong cooperation with Bangladesh. Emphasizing long-term energy partnership, he mentioned Qatar’s plans to double LNG production, which could potentially lower global LNG prices. He noted that long-term supply contracts are the best solution to ensure energy security.

Bangladesh first signed a 15-year sales and purchase agreement with Qatargas in September 2017 to import 1.5–2.5 million tons of LNG annually, with around 40 cargoes currently arriving per year. A second SPA signed in June 2023, set to take effect in January 2026, will add another 1.5 million tons annually to Bangladesh’s LNG imports. Although the associated MoU expired in January, Qatar has now pledged its renewal.

Dr. Yunus remarked that Bangladesh seeks to explore its energy potential with Qatari support and needs assistance in rebuilding the sector. Energy Advisor Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan added that Bangladesh plans to build a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar and distribute regasified LNG through a new pipeline network, aiming to improve national energy infrastructure.

The meeting also addressed increasing the number of LNG cargoes from Qatar and Qatar’s interest in boosting urea fertilizer exports to Bangladesh. Among the attendees were Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain, National Security Advisor Khaleelur Rahman, BIDA Chairman Ashiq Mahmood, SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed, and Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam.