Bangladesh and six other member countries of BIMSTEC are ready to sign a deal to establish a power grid inter-connection to facilitate inter-country electricity trade.
It would be signed at the sideline of the fourth BIMSTEC summit to be held in Nepal from Aug 30-31.
Md Shamsul Haque, Director General of SAARC and BIMSTEC of the foreign ministry, told Bangla Tribune, “It has been finalized at the BIMSTEC foreign ministers level meeting today (Wednesday) and it would be signed at the ministerial level on Aug 31.”
He said for Bangladesh, it would be signed by Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.
It is a policy level decision and technical issues will be dealt by concerned ministries of the respective countries, he added.
Another official seeking anonymity said, it will help Bangladesh to import electricity from neighbouring countries.
Bangladesh and India have already power grid inter-connection through which 600 megawatt power is supplied to our grid, he said.
Bangladesh can import from Nepal and Bhutan or even, Myanmar, under this arrangement, he added.
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand are the members of BIMSTEC.
Meanwhile, a press release of the foreign ministry said that the foreign ministers of the member countries Wednesday finalised a text of the proposed Joint Declaration by the top leaders of BIMSTEC under the theme, “Towards A Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region.”
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in the meeting urged the members to renew their pledge to build BIMSTEC as an efficient, high performing and result oriented regional organization.
The meeting was presided over by Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Foreign Minister of Nepal.
Mahmood Ali urged to conclude of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area and its constituent MoUs and Protocols for its early implementation.
He also stressed on cooperation in certain key sectors such as connectivity, energy, poverty alleviation, climate change, people-to-people contact, among others.
He also emphasised on prioritisation and rationalisation of the sectors and inclusion of new areas such as Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, participation of civil society and business sectors cooperation.