Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Bangladesh and the State of Qatar on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to import liquefied natural gas from Doha to meet the growing demand of gas in the South Asian country.

With the signing of the MOU Bangladesh has taken the first step towards realization of import of 4.0 million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) per year, according to a message received in Dhaka from the Bangladesh embassy in Doha.

Mohammad Mejbahuddin, secretary to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division of Bangladesh, and Dr Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada, state minister for Energy and Industrial Affairs of Qatar, penned the deal on behalf of their respective governments.

“The door is now open for Bangladesh to import Liquefied Natural Gas from Qatar”, said State Minister of Qatar Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada after signing the deal.

He also said Qatar is a major LNG producing country in the world and is happy to co-operate with Bangladesh in energy sector.

Prior to signing the MOU a bilateral meeting was held in Qatar Petroleum Doha between Bangladesh and Qatar.

BBN/SSR/AD-17Jan11-7:02 pm (BST)