Approval given to import 3 lakh more tonnes of diesel

The government has granted in-principle approval to import an additional 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to ensure the country’s energy needs are met amid the unstable geopolitical situation arising from the Iran and US-Israel conflicts. 

The approval was given at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday. 

The meeting was chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to sources at the Finance Ministry, three separate proposals were presented to the committee for approval to secure emergency fuel supplies. All proposals involved the import of diesel through the direct purchase method in international procurement.

The first proposal sought in-principle approval to import 100,000 metric tonnes of EN 590-10 ppm quality diesel from the Switzerland-based company Yer Energy AG. 

The second proposal requested approval for 100,000 metric tonnes of 10-50 ppm quality diesel from K&R International Trading Company. 

The third proposal asked for approval to import another 100,000 metric tonnes of EN 590-10 ppm quality diesel from Sikder International.

All three proposals were presented by the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources and were approved in principle by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

Earlier, on Saturday, approval had been given to import 100,000 tonnes of diesel through the direct purchase method even on a public holiday. 

In recent times, the government has approved the import of several hundred thousand tonnes of diesel to meet urgent demand.

Officials concerned have stated that the government is taking swift decisions to address instability and supply risks in the global energy market, ensuring that the country’s energy supply remains uninterrupted.