Dhaka, March 6 -- Bangladesh now looks to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Saudi oil- giant Aramco under an envisaged long-term deal to reduce reliance on volatile spot market for the must-have fuel.

Market insiders say the country may import around 1.0-million-tonne-per-year (MTPA) of LNG, to begin with, from this year once the deal is inked.

The Saudi energy pact is coming close on the heels of such a long-term deal a US firm has already clinched to supply the liquefied gas meant to ramp up the fuel supply to energy-starved economy, industries in particular.

"Aramco has sent a proposal to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) expressing its intention ...