Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, Bangladesh has no immediate plans to increase fuel prices, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists after meetings of the advisory council committees on economic affairs and government purchase, held at the Secretariat, Dr Ahmed confirmed that the government is closely monitoring the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel but is opting to wait before making any decisions regarding fuel price adjustments.
“We are observing the Iran-Israel war. If it continues for a longer period, it could have an impact on us,” he said in response to a question on potential domestic fuel price changes.
Dr. Ahmed acknowledged that while there has been a slight increase in global fuel prices, current import orders for Bangladesh have not yet been affected. “We’ve seen a bit of a rise, but the shipments we’ve already ordered haven’t been impacted,” he said.
He added that any changes in LNG or gas prices in the future will be taken into consideration. “The LNG cargo we approved today was quoted at the older price. We’re fortunate to be getting it at that rate,” he noted.
When asked whether there are any immediate impacts on trade, Dr. Ahmed replied, “No, not at the moment. There’s no disruption to trade so far.”
Regarding future preparations, he mentioned, “Today (Tuesday), we approved proposals to import LNG and fertilizer at older prices. If we make new purchases later, we might see some impact.”
He also acknowledged that the Ministry of Energy is already considering alternative strategies should the conflict prolong. “It’s not just fuel — fertilizer and shipping routes could also be affected, especially with the Strait of Hormuz involved. But I don’t think the war will last very long,” he added.
The government’s cautious stance reflects a strategy of resilience amid global uncertainties while ensuring stability in domestic energy supply and pricing.