Bangladesh’s interim government is set to settle outstanding payments amounting to $37 million for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Qatar within the next few days, according to a senior official.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made the announcement on Tuesday during the Earthna Summit in Doha, noting that the dues had accumulated under the previous administration led by Sheikh Hasina.
“The interim government has taken an initiative to pay dues in LNG imports, and all the dues will be paid within a day or two,” Alam said, adding that a substantial portion had already been cleared.
The payments relate to LNG supplied by Qatar, one of Bangladesh’s key energy partners. The delay in settlement raised concerns over energy cooperation at a time when Bangladesh remained dependent on imported gas to meet domestic demand.
Alam’s remarks came after Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were also present at the high-level meeting.
The interim government’s move to regularise payments appears to be aimed at reaffirming diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar, a key LNG supplier to the South Asian country.
