Bangladesh is awaiting a waiver from the United States that would allow it to import fuel oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, as the country seeks to secure stable energy supplies amid renewed volatility in global fuel markets, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday.
“There is potential for Bangladesh to import oil, gas and LNG from Russia, and Moscow is also interested in supplying energy resources,” the minister told journalists after a meeting with Russian Ambassador Alexander Khozin at the Planning Commission in Dhaka.
However, he said US sanctions on Russian energy exports remain a major obstacle.
“We are waiting for a waiver from the US. If Bangladesh receives an opportunity similar to India, it would greatly support our economy,” Khasru said.
The request follows discussions with the US ambassador in Dhaka a day earlier, where Bangladesh asked Washington to grant a temporary exemption similar to the one-month waiver recently given to India.
The move comes at a time when global energy markets have been rattled by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns about supply disruptions and price volatility.
LNG subsidy pressure
State-run Petrobangla has sought up to Tk26,000 crore in additional government subsidies this fiscal year to maintain gas supply as global LNG prices surge.
Officials say the agency has already received Tk4,000 crore from the Tk6,000 crore subsidy allocation for the current fiscal year but needs further support due to rising import costs.
The revised proposal has been submitted to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and is expected to be reviewed by the finance ministry.
Petrobangla estimates were based on three possible LNG import scenarios for the April-June period, when demand typically rises with the onset of summer.
Under the original plan, Bangladesh was expected to import 31 LNG cargoes during those three months, but disruptions in global supply chains have forced the government to reassess its strategy.
Fuel panic triggers local tensions
Meanwhile, tensions over fuel availability have surfaced in some areas. In Rangamati town, a dispute between customers waiting to buy diesel at a filling station escalated into a brief scuffle, with videos of the incident circulating on social media.
Witnesses said the argument began over queue positions as customers rushed to buy fuel after a two-day supply interruption. Local authorities said no injuries were reported and police quickly restored order.
Officials insist there is no nationwide fuel shortage, but acknowledged that supply delays in some regions have led to temporary disruptions.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
