The Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) has launched an intensified effort to recover outstanding natural gas bills amounting to Tk 30,000 crore.
“We held a meeting last Tuesday to accelerate the recovery process to ensure uninterrupted gas supply and to meet external debt obligations,” an EMRD official told Just Energy News.
According to the official, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is the largest defaulter, with unpaid dues totaling Tk 19,000 crore. The fertilizer sector also owes Tk 1,100 crore in arrears.
“Multinational companies such as LafargeHolcim still have outstanding dues,” the official added. “LafargeHolcim owes Tk 754 crore, despite winning an arbitration case in an international court regarding a gas tariff dispute with Petrobangla.”
The Ministry of Industries has begun settling its outstanding bills following the resolution of its gas tariff dispute, while BPDB has also started releasing payments.
BPDB officials stated they are working to clear dues to gas distribution companies and have recently requested Petrobangla to recover unpaid gas bills from private sector entities, including United Group, Summit Group, and Meghna Group.