Jhenaidah:State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit announced that fuel prices in Bangladesh will be reduced once the international market stabilizes and the Middle East crisis eases.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the state minister explained that the recent fuel price hike was a necessary measure in response to the global economic crisis and to maintain border security. He emphasized that the decision was not deliberate but unavoidable.
Amit addressed these issues after a meeting with government officials, local elected representatives, and civil society members at the Jhenaidah deputy commissioner's office. He highlighted Bangladesh's need to adjust domestic fuel prices due to the global crisis and the significant price gap with neighboring countries.
The minister noted that from March to August, international fuel prices, shipping, and insurance costs increased significantly. Despite this, Bangladesh did not raise domestic prices during that period, leading to losses of approximately Tk 22,875 crore for the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
He stressed the importance of preventing fuel purchased with foreign currency from being smuggled to neighboring countries, taking advantage of lower prices domestically. Amit expressed optimism that fuel prices could be reduced in the domestic market once international conditions improve.
Regarding power supply, Amit assured that ensuring uninterrupted electricity for farmers during the Boro irrigation season is a priority. The government plans to expand solar-powered irrigation systems to help farmers reduce costs.
The meeting was attended by various officials, including Jhenaidah-2 MP Ali Azam Mohammad Abu Bakr, Jhenaidah-3 MP Motiar Rahman, and others, highlighting the collaborative effort to address these issues.