Bangladesh to buy 2,000MW electricity from Nepal, Bhutan
Nepal and Bhutan have pledged to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh.
A Bangladesh delegation expressed eagerness to import 2,000 megawatt (MW) of electricity -- 1,000 from each of the neighbouring countries -- during a recent visit.
Prime minister's Finance Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman led the seven-member delegation to Nepal and Bhutan from November 21 to 25.
Returning home on Friday, he told the news agency that Nepal would give the electricity from its Saptokoshi project while Bhutan from its Sangkosh project.
Besides, there was much progress in discussions on the issues of transit, transshipment, water supply and expansion of bilateral trade with the two countries.
As all these things would require using the Indian territory, the whole issue would be discussed during Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's forthcoming Bangladesh visit early next year.
Meetings in both the countries observed that the Bangladesh-India joint communique, signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Delhi visit, enhanced opportunities for the countries in the region to expand cooperation.
During official talks in Nepal, the issues of water resource development and river management, generation and distribution of electricity at Shaptakoshi reservoir with partnership, communications, transit and transshipment, use of Mongla and Chittagong seaports, expansion of trade and taking joint initiatives in global arena regarding climate change were discussed.
The Bangladesh delegation, during the visit to Bhutan from November 23 to 24, conveyed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's greetings to the King and Prime Minister of that country.
Dr Moshiur Rahman said Bhutan has fixed a target of generating 10,000 MW of electricity from Sangkosh reservoir. Bangladesh has expressed eagerness to import 1,000 MW from there, he added.
He said Bangladesh would set up a land port at Nakugaon in Sherpur district to facilitate Bhutanese trucks to come 200 meters inside the Bangladesh territory for bilateral trade.
The government has amended Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) system for the purpose. The US $ 20 million trade volume between the two countries could be increased five times.
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