Bangladesh Revives 20-Year-Old Myanmar Gas Pipeline Proposal Amid Energy Crisis
Facing a severe energy shortage, the Bangladesh government is reviving a dormant proposal to import natural gas from Myanmar via a cross-border pipeline. The initiative follows a major fire at a floating LNG terminal operated by US-based Excelerate Energy in Maheshkhali, which caused a nationwide supply crisis. Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, held talks with the Myanmar ambassador to explore both pipeline imports and short-term LNG shipments via a Joint Technical Committee. Historical Context A similar trilateral project (Bangladesh-India-Myanmar) was negotiated between 2003 and 2005 to transport gas to northeastern India via Bangladesh, but it collapsed after India rejected Bangladesh's transit conditions. Officials hope to re-evaluate the project now within the context of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor. Challenges and Constraints Export capacity: Most of Myanmar's gas reserves are already committed to China under long-term agreements. Investment and timeline: Pipeline infrastructure requires multi-billion-dollar investments and takes years to complete, offering no immediate relief for the current emergency. Economic Implications The crisis highlights the vulnerability of the ready-made garment (RMG) sector and the national economy to fragile, import-dependent supply chains. Analysts emphasize that long-term resilience requires diversifying short-term supply channels and accelerating investment in grid-connected renewable energy infrastructure.
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