Dhaka: Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a category-I miniratna central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas now has a liaison office in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

This move will not just expand the NRL's footprint in the region but strengthen bilateral ties and foster greater collaboration in the energy sector, it said in a release. The NRL, which became operational in 1999, is located at Numaligarh, Golaghat district, Assam.

The liaison office was inaugurated on March 11 by Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in the presence of  Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, the managing director of NRL.

Verma commended NRL for its strategic decision to establish a liaison office in Dhaka and emphasized NRL's role in the India-Bangladesh relationship. 

He also mentioned the successful completion of NRL's India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which marked a "historic milestone in the collaborative efforts between the two nations", according to Verma.

"The pipeline, jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh in March 2023, stands as the first cross-border conduit for the supply of petroleum products to Bangladesh", Verma said.

"The power and energy sector is a hallmark of the comprehensive and multifaceted relationship between India and Bangladesh", Verma said. "The sector's role as a crucial pillar in subregional economic integration has fostered mutual growth and cooperation."

Expressing optimism about the liaison office's potential, Verma anticipated that it would pave the way for enhanced bilateral collaboration in the energy sector between the two countries. "NRL's expanded presence in Dhaka is poised to act as a catalyst for fostering deeper ties and creating new avenues for cooperation, ultimately contributing to the broader economic development goals shared by India and Bangladesh."

Phukan emphasized the company's commitment to furthering its engagement in the Bangladesh market. "NRL's liaison office will serve as a key hub for facilitating communication, coordination, and joint initiatives in the energy sector, fostering a new era of mutually beneficial partnerships."

"The energy sector collaboration between India and Bangladesh is set to reach new heights, underlining the continued commitment to regional economic integration and cross-border cooperation," he said.

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