Fuel costs unchanged for April
The government has decided to maintain fuel prices unchanged for April, despite rising international oil prices, prioritising public relief over immediate adjustments, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD).
As of Tuesday, EMRD data shows that domestic fuel reserves are stable, with 128,939 tonnes of diesel, 7,940 tonnes of octane, 11,431 tonnes of petrol, and 44,609 tonnes of jet fuel available. Officials said these reserves are sufficient to meet current demand.
Authorities had recently considered partially adjusting domestic fuel prices to reflect global market trends, which could have led to an increase.
However, the plan was postponed in view of the financial pressure on households.
Sources within EMRD indicated that, despite the heavy subsidy burden, the government is committed to maintaining current rates throughout April.
A circular issued on Tuesday confirmed the approved retail fuel prices under the “Fuel Pricing Guidelines.” Diesel will remain at Tk100 per litre, octane at Tk120, petrol at Tk116, and kerosene at Tk112.
The rates will take effect from April 1, as noted in the notification signed by Enamul Huq, senior assistant secretary of EMRD, and sent to the chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
To ensure continued energy security, the government approved the import of 260,000 tonnes of diesel and crude oil to meet domestic requirements and prevent shortages.
This decision was taken at the 7th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
The committee approved the direct procurement of 100,000 tonnes of EN590-10 PPM sulphur diesel from ExxonMobil Kazakhstan and 60,000 tonnes of 0.5 per cent sulphur gas oil (diesel) from Indonesia’s BSP Zapin under a government-to-government arrangement.
Additionally, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran–US–Israel conflict, the CCEA sanctioned the urgent import of another 100,000 tonnes of crude oil from Abeer Trade & Global Markets through direct purchase to meet domestic fuel needs.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed described the government’s decision to hold fuel prices steady despite global increases as a significant achievement, particularly given the challenges posed by the Middle East conflict.
Officials emphasised that the stable pricing, combined with adequate reserves and ongoing imports, is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply while cushioning consumers from international market fluctuations.
The government continues to monitor global developments closely and has indicated that future adjustments will be made cautiously, balancing public interest with fiscal responsibility.
The decision to maintain fuel prices also reflects the government’s broader strategy of managing energy subsidies while securing imports from reliable international suppliers.
Authorities noted that regular monitoring of stock levels and distribution channels will continue to prevent shortages and manage domestic demand effectively.
With these measures, the government aims to provide stability for both households and industries, ensuring that economic activities are not disrupted while keeping energy costs predictable for consumers.
