Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said Bangladesh’s economy is facing mounting pressure from rising energy costs and long-standing liabilities in the power sector, warning that the country may need nearly two years to fully recover from the current financial strain.
Speaking at an event at Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Medical College Hospital on Saturday, Amir Khasru said the ongoing Middle East conflict has sharply increased Bangladesh’s expenditure on fuel imports, forcing the government to spend an additional Tk40,000 crore on oil and gas alone.
He also pointed to nearly Tk50,000 crore in outstanding dues accumulated in the power and energy sectors from previous administrations, describing the combined burden as one of the biggest economic challenges currently facing the country.
According to the finance minister, the rising import cost of fuel and unresolved liabilities in the electricity sector are creating significant pressure on government finances at a time when global energy markets remain unstable.
Amir Khasru indicated that the government is trying to stabilise the economy despite these headwinds, but acknowledged that the scale of the energy-related financial burden could prolong the recovery process.
He said Bangladesh must focus on improving efficiency and accountability across sectors to cope with the growing fiscal pressure created by higher energy costs and subsidy demands.
The minister also stressed the importance of long-term planning and institutional efficiency, saying that large investments alone are not enough without proper management and skilled manpower.
Highlighting broader infrastructure concerns, he noted that poor planning and lack of accountability can create future operational problems even in major public projects.
Amir Khasru’s remarks come at a time when Bangladesh is facing increased pressure on energy imports, subsidy management and overall economic stability amid continued volatility in global fuel markets.
.jpg "LPG cylinder price reduced to Tk1,885 in Bangladesh")
