To strengthen the country’s energy security and develop LPG and LNG infrastructure, the government has formed a 9-member ‘Cabinet Sub-Committee on Energy Security’. The Cabinet Division issued a notification to this effect last Monday (June 1). The Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources has been appointed as the chairperson of the committee.

The other members of the committee are: the Minister for Finance and Planning; the State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources; the Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology; the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); the Secretary of the Finance Division; the Secretary of the Power Division; and the Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

This committee will rapidly examine matters related to Bangladesh’s energy security, LPG imports, gas transportation from Bhola, and the establishment of Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRU) alongside land-based LNG and LPG terminals, and will take the necessary measures for their implementation.

Additionally, the committee may seek opinions from relevant ministries, divisions, agencies, experts, and the private sector as deemed necessary.

The committee has also been granted the authority to co-opt new members if required.

The notification further stated that the committee’s meetings will be held as needed, and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division will provide it with secretarial support.