Proposal to import another 100,000 tonnes of diesel approved

In response to the unstable geopolitical situation caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, the government has approved the import of an additional 100,000 tonnes of diesel to meet the country’s urgent energy requirements. 

The total cost of this import is estimated at Tk1,757.9420 crore.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement held on Thursday at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Following the meeting, the Finance Ministry informed that approval had been granted to import one lakh tonnes of EN590-10 ppm diesel from Majeda Oil Company Limited through the direct purchase method to address immediate fuel needs.

The proposal was submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. In recent weeks, the committee has been approving imports of various types of fuel oil on an almost weekly basis.

Earlier, on April 21, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decided to reduce the international open tender period for the import of refined fuel oil by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation from 42 days to 10 days. This measure aims to make the country’s fuel supply process faster and more effective.

In the same meeting, in-principle approval was given to purchase 100,000 tonnes of EN590-10 ppm sulphur diesel from Archer Energy LLC through the international direct purchase method to meet urgent energy needs. 

Subsequently, approval for the purchase at a cost of Tk 674.6 million was granted in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement.