They said all the nations in the regional initiative should harmonise their pricing formula.
“I think harmonisation in pricing of power and energy has been very essential to promote the regional trade,” said Alamgir Kabir, former chairman of Power Development Board (PDB) while making his remarks at the seminar.
Power and Energy Ministry organised the seminar at International Convention City Bashundhara in the city as part of the three-day Power and Energy Week that began on Thursday.
Taking part in the seminar, Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’ said his country has been ready for regional power and energy trade.
“We have already created enabling environment through enacting law and infrastructure. We have entered deal with Bangladesh to export electricity,” he told the seminar.
The seminar was also addressed by chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Power and Energy Ministry Tajul Islam, Asian Development Board (ADB) country director Monmohan Prakash and Dr. Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman, of Briton Consulting Group.
Syed Munir Khosru, chairman of think tank body IPAG, moderated the seminar while power secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus made keynote presentation on the seminar topic.
Tajul Islam said Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina has been continuously trying to promote regional trade.
“Bangladesh is very keen to move forward with the regional power and energy trade,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said Bangladesh so far signed agreements with India and Nepal and getting ready to sign agreement with Bhutan to import electricity.
He, however, pointed out that all the deals are made on bilateral basis. “But this will pave the way for multilateral deals,” he said.
Monmohan Prakash said multilateral power trading is a complex issue although ADB has been continuing its effort to promote such trade.