US Keen on Investing in Bangladesh LNG Storage and FSRU Projects: Ambassador

🇺🇸 Dhaka, Bangladesh — The United States is interested in investing in floating LNG terminals, or Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) projects, in Bangladesh. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen has stressed the importance of ensuring a transparent and competitive environment for implementing such projects.

🤝 The ambassador expressed the interest during a meeting with Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at the FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) office in Motijheel, Dhaka, on Monday, 7 September 2026.

👥 Meeting Participants

📊 Also present at the meeting:

• 🏛 Industry Secretary Abdun Naser Khan
• 🏛 Commerce Ministry Joint Secretary Md Mustafizur Rahman
• 🇺🇸 US Embassy Economic Chief Angelo Palazzello

💬 Ambassador: Transparent Environment for FSRU

💬 According to the release, referring to the FSRU project, the US ambassador said maintaining a transparent and competitive environment for major infrastructure projects would further boost foreign investors’ confidence.

💬 He said US companies were highly interested in working in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of giving them an opportunity to compete on an open and equal footing.

💬 Muktadir: US Proposals Get Highest Priority

💬 In response, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said proposals from US companies would be given the highest priority if they could:

• 🚢 Implement FSRU projects quickly
• 💰 Demonstrate capacity to ensure supply
• 📊 Offer an effective supply plan within shorter timeframe

💬 If they could offer an effective supply plan within a shorter timeframe, their position in the competition would be further strengthened, he added.

📊 Meeting Discussion Topics

📊 The meeting also discussed:

• 🤝 Expanding bilateral trade
• 🛢 Partnership in energy sector
• 🏛 Recent policy reforms
• 💰 Increasing US investment in Bangladesh
• 🔍 Transparency in major infrastructure projects
• 💼 Business environment improvement

🛢 117 LNG Cargoes from US Over 13 Years

📊 Bangladesh has decided to import a total of 117 LNG cargoes, or shiploads of LNG, from the United States over 13 years, from 2026 to 2038.

💬 US Ambassador Brent T Christensen described the agreement with international LNG supplier Gunvor USA LLC as a positive step towards energy cooperation.

📋 Local Agent Requirement Scrapped

💬 According to the release, the commerce minister also raised with the ambassador the government’s decision to scrap the previous requirement for foreign companies to appoint local agents when purchasing strategic equipment.

💬 He said the move had:

• 🔍 Restored transparency to procurement process
• 💼 Created opportunities to deal directly with manufacturers
• 🚫 Curbed influence of middlemen

💬 The government was working with the protection of national interests as its highest priority in every case, he said.

🌏 Strategic Context: Bangladesh-US Energy Cooperation

📊 For Bangladesh’s energy security, the US interest in FSRU investment comes at a critical moment:

• 🛢 LNG crisis — Qatar contracted supplies disrupted by Strait of Hormuz
• 🚢 FSRU gap — government seeking 2 new FSRUs by end of 2026
• 💰 Spot market costs — $28+/MMBtu vs ~$14 contracted
• 📊 Supply diversification — reducing Qatar dependence critical
• 🇺🇸 US LNG supply — 117 cargoes over 13 years from Gunvor USA
• 📊 FSRU investment — US companies potentially building new terminals

💰 Implications for Bangladesh Energy Market

📊 For Bangladesh’s broader energy market, the US engagement offers several strategic benefits:

• 🛢 Supply diversification — US LNG reduces Middle East dependency
• 🚢 Infrastructure investment — US FSRU projects add regasification capacity
• 🤝 Bilateral trade expansion — energy partnership deepens economic ties
• 💰 Competitive pricing — multiple suppliers reduce spot market exposure
• 🏛 Transparency improvement — competitive FSRU process reduces corruption risk
• 📊 Geopolitical balancing — US investment complements Qatar LNG relationship

✅ For Bangladesh’s broader energy strategy, the US interest in FSRU investment — combined with the 117-cargo LNG supply agreement — represents a meaningful diversification of the country’s LNG supply chain. If US companies can deliver FSRU projects quickly and competitively, Bangladesh could reduce its dependence on Qatar-supplied LNG, currently disrupted by Strait of Hormuz tensions, while also adding new regasification capacity to support growing gas demand.

🌏 For the broader Bangladesh-US relationship, the energy cooperation builds on the existing trade framework — including the $3.7 billion Boeing aircraft deal and growing garment exports to the US market. The addition of LNG supply and FSRU investment creates a more diversified bilateral economic relationship that spans aviation, energy, and apparel — strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries at a time when Bangladesh is navigating complex geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.