May 9, 2025 (PR) - Today, a seminar titled “An Overview of Bangladesh’s Energy Sector with a Spotlight on Women in Energy” was organized by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division at the Dr. Habibur Rahman Auditorium of Petrobangla’s office in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka.
Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar, Dr. Salwa Abdullah F. Alhajja, CEO of Saudi Development Med (SDM) Company, said that she was very excited and happy to be coming to Bangladesh for the first time. For the sustainable development of the country, women must be included at every level of society. Only then will the country move forward and the country’s economic growth accelerate. She commented that everyone, regardless of gender, should come out of their comfort zone and work together, forgetting all differences.
Highlighting the good relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, the CEO said, "We are working for the development of the underprivileged." She emphasized on women's education and technological development to increase women's participation in the country's economic and social development. During this time, she highlighted her own life struggle and inspired and motivated the participants present at the seminar from her experience.
Speaking as a special guest at the seminar, SDM Company Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rahman said that he is very happy to be working with the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. At this time, he said that now women are working in very good positions in big companies and are contributing a lot to the society. He commented that he wants to work more with this country in the field of technological development since he was able to complete the first project with Bangladesh very well. He said that the new generation of Bangladesh is quite capable and talented. Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rahman said that for the sustainable development of the country, we have to rely on ourselves and people from every level of society should be given equal opportunities to work based on their qualifications.
Speaking as a special guest at the meeting, Petrobangla Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman said that women are now much more aware than before and they are working very efficiently with their responsibilities from the field level to the highest level. The participation of women in Petrobangla and its related companies is increasing and he expressed hope that this number will increase further in the future. At the same time, he said that he is interested in working with SDM to develop Petrobangla's digital monitoring system and ended his speech by expressing special thanks to the organizers of the seminar.
Zahida Parveen, Secretary of the Cabinet Division (Coordination and Reforms), who was present as a special guest at the meeting, discussed the participation and contribution of women in the civil sector in her speech and said that women are now working everywhere. She commented that women are moving forward amidst various adversities and obstacles to contribute to the progress of the country and will continue to move forward in the future.
In his speech as the chairman of the seminar, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman (Secretary) Md. Amin Ul Ahsan said that the relationship with SDM in energy security, artificial intelligence and technological development will be stronger in the future. At this time, he highly appreciated the speech of the chief guest of the seminar, Dr. Salwa Abdullah F. Alhajja and sought everyone's cooperation to take the energy sector of Bangladesh forward. At this time, he called on all men and women to work together to take Bangladesh forward and thanked everyone present at the seminar and declared the meeting over.
Dr. Nurunnahar Chowdhury, NDC, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, delivered the welcome speech at today's seminar organized by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. Senior officials of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, representatives of relevant government and private organizations, as well as representatives of print and electronic media were present at the seminar.
