No immediate plan to raise energy prices: Bangladesh finance adviser

In what could bring some relief to Bangladesh’s garment and textile industry, the interim government has decided not to raise energy prices, particularly for gas, despite frequent pressure, finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed recently said.

He did not, however, disclose whether the pressure was from domestic or international entities.

The Bangladesh interim government has no immediate plans to raise energy prices, particularly for gas, despite frequent pressure, finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said.
He did not, however, disclose whether the pressure was from domestic or international entities.
The government’s priority is to ensure a steady supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to prevent further pressure to raise prices, he said.

The decision was based on a careful analysis conducted by the energy and mineral resources division, he said following meetings of the advisers council committee on economic affairs and the Committee on Government Purchase.

The government’s priority is to ensure a steady supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to prevent further pressure to raise prices, he was cited as saying by domestic media outlets.

Bangladesh is buying LNG from the international market at a relatively reasonable rate, he noted.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission raised gas tariffs for new industrial and captive power consumers by 33 per cent in April this year.

Around the same time, the government rolled out multiple electricity price hikes in quick succession, raising concerns.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)