The government has prepared a long-term energy strategy to address one of the most critical challenges facing the economy, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after chairing separate meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dr Salehuddin said ensuring a reliable supply of power and fuel remains vital for sustaining economic activity.
“Energy is a major challenge for us. If fuel supply cannot be ensured, domestic production will inevitably be affected,” he said.
He said the newly prepared strategy takes a comprehensive view of both the power and energy sectors and focuses on strengthening domestic sources. The plan covers issues such as offshore exploration, the use of coal and the utilisation of domestic coal resources, bringing all related aspects under a single framework.
“We have recently prepared a long-term plan on energy, and a presentation on this was made a few days ago,” he said, adding that energy security has been examined from multiple dimensions.
Asked about the legacy of the current interim government, with around a month remaining before the national election, Dr Salehuddin said it would be unrealistic to claim complete success.
“It is not that everything has been done or that we have achieved full marks. There were expectations that we could not fulfil due to various limitations,” he said.
He cited procedural constraints, the need for coordination among agencies, the role of officials, shortages of skilled manpower and varying levels of commitment as key challenges. “Without addressing these issues, it is not possible to implement everything simply because we planned or wanted to,” he added.
Responding to questions about the overall economic situation, the finance adviser said Bangladesh’s macroeconomic position remains stable and is viewed positively internationally.
“In areas such as SDG financing, even the United Nations acknowledges that Bangladesh has the capacity to mobilise funds. When Bangladesh agrees, other countries tend to follow,” he said.
He also addressed the issue of persistently high inflation, saying it cannot be controlled through monetary policy alone. “Inflation is not just a supply-and-demand issue, nor can it be solved simply by raising the policy rate. Supply-side constraints, market behaviour, governance and public cooperation all play important roles,” he said.
“Political governance matters as well. You cannot control prices simply by deploying inspectors or magistrates. That does not work anywhere,” he added.
On the ongoing cylinder gas crisis, Dr Salehuddin confirmed that he had seen a letter sent by the Energy Ministry to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), noting that the issue highlights the complexity and interlinkages within the energy sector.
“Steps are now being taken, and recent measures reflect our focus on reducing the sufferings of the people,” he said.