DHAKA: Expressing satisfaction over strong bilateral ties between two countries, Thailand Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee expressed his country’s keen interest in investing in base-load power generation in Bangladesh by constructing coal-fired, gas-fired or oil-fired power plants and also in power transmission systems.
Informing that Thai companies are investing in base-load power generation in India, and in alternative and renewable power generation sector in Japan, at competitive prices, Narongchai expressed Thailand's' interested in investing in both sectors in Bangladesh.
In response to an invitation of Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem for Thailand's investment and technical collaboration in the power and energy sectors of Bangladesh, the Thailand Minister expressed his country’s interest this morning.
During the call on at his ministry, the Thai Minister also stated that Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production Company Limited would be interested in participating in any open bidding licensing process in the exploration and production of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal. 
The Minister informed that PTT has invested in 14 large-scale power generation projects in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Oman, Algeria and Iran while international subsidiaries of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) have invested in Lao PDR, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.
The Minister welcomed the proposal of the Ambassador for institutional cooperation between Thailand and Bangladesh in energy efficiency and conservation programmes.
It was agreed that the two countries will soon exchange delegations of power and energy sector experts and investors to explore potentials areas of investment and technical cooperation.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh ambassador highlighted the successes and priorities of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government towards Bangladesh's energy security, especially by doubling the country's power generation to over 13,000 MW and enhancing access to electricity from 47% to 68% over the last 5 years.
Presenting the government's Power Generation Master Plan to produce 40,000 MWs of electricity by 2030, Bangladesh Ambassador invited Thailand's private sector and Government-to-Government investment in coal-fired and LNG-based power plants as well as in alternative and renewable energy including through solar heating systems, wind, bio-mass, and solid waste technology, LNG Terminal and in power transmission and distribution systems.
Referring to the Bangladesh-Thai 2012 Joint Statement of cooperation, where both countries agreed to explore collaboration between their respective oil and gas companies in Exploration and Production (E&P) opportunities in Bangladesh, the Ambassador also invited participation of Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production Company Limited, a leading Forbes Global 500 company in offshore gas exploration and production bids in the Bay of Bengal.
Referring to Thailand’s successful energy efficiency and conservation programmes, the Ambassador also proposed institutional and technical cooperation between Bangladesh and Thailand to learn from Thailand's best practices in enhancing energy efficiency and cost-reduction in Bangladesh.
BDST: 1920 HRS, APR 23, 2015
RS/SMS
