US businesses invited to invest in water, waste management, renewable energy

Bangladesh has invited US businesses to invest in water supply, waste management and renewable energy projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam said today (24 August).

He came up with the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting between LGRD Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen.

The state minister, who was present at the meeting, said it was primarily a courtesy call, but the two sides also discussed government policies and the progress made by the ministry over the past six months in implementing its priorities.

"Water supply, waste management and renewable energy are areas where we have identified opportunities for US investment under the PPP model," he said.

The US ambassador expressed interest in taking the matter forward officially and holding further discussions, Shahe Alam said.

He said the meeting also discussed ways to further deepen the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the US. "The minister and the ambassador agreed that the good relations between the two countries should be further strengthened and taken forward," he said.

The state minister said the two governments will work together in the coming days and reiterated that US businesses have been encouraged to cooperate in water supply, waste management and renewable energy projects under the PPP framework.

Officials from the two countries will hold further discussions at the secretary level and with other relevant officials, he added.

Asked about the type of renewable energy projects under discussion, Shahe Alam said waste-to-energy could be one of the areas.

He said large quantities of waste are dumped in city corporations across the country, creating opportunities for waste-to-energy projects.

The state minister cited an ongoing initiative involving a Chinese company and Dhaka North City Corporation, under which the company is expected to generate around 40 MW of electricity from waste and supply it to the national grid within 18 to 20 months.

"Projects of this type in renewable energy are areas where our ministry can work with potential investors," he said.

Shahe Alam clarified that issues related to trade agreements between Bangladesh and the US were not discussed at the meeting, as those matters fall under the jurisdiction of the foreign affairs and commerce ministries.

"Our discussion was mainly focused on local government-related issues," he said.