Dhaka, Aug. 2, 2026 - Bangladesh has proposed importing natural gas from Myanmar through a cross-border pipeline as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation and diversify the country’s gas supply sources. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud and Myanmar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. U Kyaw Soe Moe, at the Secretariat on Sunday.
During the meeting, the energy minister said Bangladesh is facing a growing demand for natural gas and is keen to explore the possibility of importing gas from Myanmar through a dedicated pipeline. He emphasized that closer energy cooperation between the two neighbouring countries could contribute to regional energy security and economic development.
Responding to the proposal, the Myanmar ambassador welcomed the initiative and expressed interest in further discussions. He also indicated that Myanmar is open to exploring the possibility of supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh alongside pipeline gas. The Bangladeshi minister also responded positively to the LNG proposal.
The two sides also discussed reviving the long-standing proposal to construct a gas pipeline connecting Myanmar with Chattogram, which had been considered in the past but was never implemented.
To accelerate bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud proposed a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries. He said Bangladesh would formally invite Myanmar’s Energy Minister to visit Dhaka and expressed his willingness to visit Myanmar if necessary to advance the discussions.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, the minister noted that the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor could be further strengthened if a cross-border gas pipeline is established. He also stressed the importance of expanding long-term trade and energy cooperation between the two neighbouring countries under Bangladesh’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
The Myanmar ambassador suggested that the proposal could be examined through the Bangladesh-Myanmar Joint Technical Committee before moving forward.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh and other senior officials attended the meeting.
