The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has agreed to extend budgetary support to Bangladesh to help the country manage its ongoing energy crisis and broader economic pressures.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury shared the development on Saturday following a meeting with private sector representatives and advisory council members at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
The session was chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The minister said the AIIB’s support is expected to ease the stress in the energy sector caused by global market fluctuations, while the bank is particularly keen to fund climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable projects.
The government is also focusing on expanding solar power generation and providing financial backing for the electric vehicle sector.
“Our goal is to generate 20 per cent to 30 per cent of Bangladesh’s electricity from solar energy in the coming years,” Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury noted.
During the meeting, business leaders raised challenges related to operational costs and ease of doing business.
The Prime Minister addressed some issues on the spot and instructed authorities to resolve the remaining concerns promptly.
The finance minister further highlighted initiatives to reopen recently closed mills and factories, which are expected to create employment opportunities in the short term. Efforts are also underway to revive older development projects to boost jobs and economic activity.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasised that the situation remains manageable through a combination of domestic resources and international assistance, though he did not provide details on fuel pricing or the size of the upcoming national budget.
He expressed confidence that coordinated government and private sector action would enable Bangladesh to overcome current economic and energy challenges efficiently.
.jpg "LPG cylinder price reduced to Tk1,885 in Bangladesh")