Dhaka: Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today announced that the interim government has accelerated the payment process to Adani Power of India, disbursing US$ 97 million to the company in October. This payment is notably double the amount paid in the previous month.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shafiqul Alam addressed a press briefing, responding to media reports that suggested Adani Power might suspend power supply to Bangladesh if payment issues were not resolved by November 7. Alam expressed hope that the government would meet its payment obligations to Adani promptly.
During the regular briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Alam emphasized that the government would not be held hostage by any individual power producer, regardless of their influence. He assured that efforts are being made to accelerate payments, supported by an increase in the country’s reserves.
Alam highlighted that the government is now able to make international payments without tapping into the nation’s
primary foreign reserves. He attributed the backlog in payments to the actions of the previous regime.
Alam also mentioned that the energy ministry had not yet received any official communication from Adani. “If it is true, we would say we are dismayed and very shocked,” he remarked.
Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were present at the briefing.