Bangladesh and Nepal have agreed to work together under a sub-regional framework to produce hydroelectricity for mutual benefits.
Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes said this on July 31 after official talks with his Nepalese counterpart Durga Prasad Bhattarai.
A Nepalese delegation, led by Bhattarai, discussed entire range of bilateral relations and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold regular consultations at the foreign secretary level once a year.
Among eight SAARC states, Bangladesh has the MoUs for such Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while Bhutan is on the pipeline. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Current estimates show that Nepal has approximately 40,000 MW of economically feasible hydropower potential, but only around 600 MW are realized, leaving three in every five Nepalese people without access to electricity. Nepal and Bhutan have together a potential of up to 85,000 MW of hydroelectricity much of which could be exported to India and Bangladesh.
A foreign ministry circular said the two foreign secretaries noted with satisfaction that a technical team from Bangladesh Power Division had recently visited Kathmandu to exchange views with their Nepalese counterparts, a step seen as a crucial first step in commencing any discussions on cooperation in power sector.
The two Foreign Secretaries also discussed cooperation in regional forums such as SAARC and BIMSTEC and in the UN. They also discussed issues relating to climate change, migration and issues of concern to LDCs of which Nepal is the current Coordinator.
On trade and investment, they noted that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Nepal was far below the potential. They also stressed the need for encouraging private sectors of the two countries to meet and explore the synergies to mutual benefit.
On connectivity, the foreign secretaries said Nepalese exports to Bangladesh would be greatly facilitated with the operationalising of the Standard Operating Procedure permitting Nepalese trucks carrying bilateral cargo to enter 200 meters beyond the zero point.
Bhattarai expressed the deep appreciation of his government for the opportunities offered by Bangladesh for use of Chittagong and Mongla ports by Nepal. He also touched upon possibilities of expanding cooperation in tourism, hospitality and civil aviation sectors, including investments in hospitality sector.
Source : Energy Bangla