Qatar has agreed to renew a recently expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and to move forward with technical discussions on a proposed land-based LNG terminal in Cox's Bazar.

Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, made the commitment during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit in Doha on Tuesday.

"We want to support Bangladesh as much as possible, and we will continue doing that," Kaabi told the Chief Adviser, according to a press release.

The original MoU, linked to a long-term LNG supply agreement, expired in January.

Under the existing LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) signed in September 2017, Bangladesh imports 1.5–2.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG for 15 years on a government-to-government basis with Qatargas.

A second SPA was signed in June 2023 for an additional 1.5 MTPA starting in January 2026.

Qatar currently supplies 40 LNG cargoes annually to Bangladesh, with capacity to expand.

"We will sign the MoU right away," Kaabi said, adding that long-term contracts remain key to ensuring supply security. He also noted that LNG prices may drop as Qatar plans to double its production.

Chief Adviser Yunus said Bangladesh wants to explore its energy potential with Qatar's support. "We need your help to reorganise our energy sector," he said.

Energy Adviser Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said Bangladesh plans to build a land-based LNG terminal and pipeline in Matarbari to boost energy infrastructure, aiming to handle up to 115 cargoes a year.

Kaabi also said Qatar was considering increasing urea fertiliser exports to Bangladesh.