Bangladeshi Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury Meets Energy Minister Dipak Khadka to Discuss Bilateral Energy Cooperation

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, today. The two held discussions on strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh cooperation in the energy and water resources sectors.

Minister Khadka highlighted Nepal’s vast potential for hydropower development and emphasized that this meeting could enhance energy cooperation between the two countries, especially as Bangladesh faces increasing energy demands. He expressed optimism about an upcoming meeting of secretaries and joint secretaries from both nations, which will focus on key topics such as large hydroelectric projects, cross-border transmission line agreements with India, and the initiation of electricity trade.

The Minister also mentioned the historic power trade agreement that will soon be signed between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Bangladesh Power Development Board, and Power Trading Corporation (PTC) India. He conveyed confidence in finalizing a joint venture between the NEA and Bangladesh Development Board for the 680-MW Sunkoshi reservoir hydropower project.

Ambassador Chowdhury reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening trade ties by signing a power purchase agreement for 40 MW of electricity with Nepal. He also offered support for power production, transmission development, and the introduction of new agricultural technologies used in Bangladesh to boost production in Nepal.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Energy Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel and energy expert Prabal Adhikari.