Hasina asks officials to fast-track oil refinery under Kuwait proposal

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has expressed interest in helping Bangladesh set up the refinery

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meets Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bangladesh Faisal Mutlaq Aladwani at her official residence, Ganabhaban, on Thursday, Nov 17, 2022. Credit: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked government officials to quickly implement the necessary changes in order to move forward with Kuwait's proposal to set up a petroleum refinery in Bangladesh.

Hasina made the statement during a meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bangladesh Faisal Mutlaq Aladwani at her official residence, Ganabhaban, on Thursday, the PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said at a media briefing.

Hasina also called for the launch of the Bangladesh-Kuwait joint commission as soon as possible.

During Hasina's visit to Kuwait last year, her counterpart Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed his country's interest in building a refinery in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh government has already allocated land for the refinery, Hasina told the envoy.

She thanked the Kuwaiti government for looking after Bangladeshi workers and members of the armed forces in Kuwait.

Hasina appreciated Kuwait's support for Bangladesh's development programmes and recalled Kuwait's contribution to Bangladesh's reserves in 1996 when the Awami League was elected to form the government.

The premier said Bangladeshis working in Kuwait are contributing to the economies of both countries.

She extended her greetings to the Kuwaiti emir as well. The Kuwaiti ambassador said his country will aid Bangladesh's development efforts.