Bangladesh is awaiting a decision from the United States regarding a waiver that would allow the country to import fuel oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday.
The minister made the remarks after holding a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin at the Planning Commission in Dhaka.
He said Moscow has shown interest in supplying energy resources to Bangladesh, creating potential for cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
“There is an opportunity for Bangladesh to import oil, gas and LNG from Russia, and the Russian side is also interested in expanding energy cooperation with us,” Khasru told reporters.
However, he acknowledged that existing international restrictions pose a challenge, adding that Bangladesh is waiting for Washington’s approval before moving forward.
Khasru said the government has already taken up the matter with the United States and requested a temporary waiver similar to the exemption granted to India.
The request was raised during a meeting with the US ambassador in Dhaka a day earlier.
According to the minister, Bangladesh explained that allowing the country to purchase Russian fuel would help ease pressure on the national economy, especially at a time of uncertainty in global energy markets.
US officials informed Bangladesh that the request would be sent to Washington for further consideration.
The United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil exports after the outbreak of the Ukraine war. Recently, however, Washington granted India a one-month waiver to import Russian oil as tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, disrupted regional energy supplies. Bangladesh is now seeking a similar arrangement to secure alternative sources of fuel.
