TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has established energy cooperation with the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Both countries' energy ministers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday.

"This Memorandum of Understanding is based on good relations between Indonesia and Bangladesh to work together in the energy sector. Today it is between Pertamina and Petrobangla. In the future, perhaps there will be other companies that can support LNG supply for Bangladesh," Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignatius Jonan said in Jakarta, Friday.

Through the MoU, Jonan said, Bangladesh has expressed its readiness and willingness to hold further discussions related to the construction LNG infrastructure facilities in the country.

The MoU also opens an opportunity for Indonesia to supply LNG spot to Bangladesh. Also, Indonesia is eager to facilitate discussion between Bangladesh and Indonesian LNG producers and marketers.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Minister of State for Electricity, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid is grateful for the cooperation opportunities, as the country is experiencing a deficit of 1 million tons per year—a number that may rise to 11 million tons per year by 2030.

"To compensate for the gas deficit, the Bangladeshi government through Petrobangla will import LNG from Indonesia," he said.

CAESAR AKBAR