RUSSIAN FUEL IMPORT APPROVAL: US yet to respond to Bangladesh’s letter

The United States has not yet responded to Bangladesh’s letter seeking permission to import fuel from Russia, according to Monir Hossain Chowdhury, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Joint Secretary (Operations Division).

Speaking on Thursday (April 2) at a press briefing at the Secretariat on the overall energy situation, he said that Bangladesh has so far received no reply regarding the letter requesting approval to import Russian crude oil.

Chowdhury added that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves, and there is no shortage of diesel. He said oil shipments are arriving according to the monthly import plan, ensuring that Bangladesh remains fully secure through April.

Earlier, on March 30, the energy ministry spokesperson noted that the United States had provided a sanctions waiver to India for importing oil from Russia. In a meeting with the U.S. State Department just before Eid, Bangladesh had requested permission to import at least two months’ supply, or six lakh metric tons of diesel, from Russia under a similar waiver.

The letter requesting this approval was submitted around March 22, and Bangladesh is awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reportedly assured Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman in Washington that Bangladesh’s request for special permission to import refined diesel and other petroleum products from Russia would be positively considered.

The discussions also covered disruptions in fuel supply through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war.

Chowdhury emphasised that although there is no fuel crisis, energy conservation remains important. In line with this, the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association has decided to close all shops, retail outlets, and shopping malls nationwide by 8 pm daily to conserve electricity and fuel. Hotels, pharmacies, essential service shops, and fresh markets have been exempted from this rule.