‘No quick fix for energy crisis’

There is no scope for a quick resolution to the country’s ongoing energy crisis, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Saturday, warning that the situation will take time to improve.

He made the remarks at a seminar on Bangladesh’s economic situation and the 2026 fiscal year, organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Motijheel.

“Although the government is taking all possible measures to tackle the energy crisis, resolving it will take time,” the finance minister said.

He acknowledged that the current energy crisis is not entirely within the government’s control but expressed hope that the situation would gradually improve.

Amir Khasru also stressed the need to boost investment to overcome the country’s broader economic challenges.

“There is no way to overcome the current economic crisis without investment,” he said, adding that the government was working to create a more investment-friendly environment to attract both domestic and foreign investors.

At the seminar, Dr Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), expressed concern over the country’s debt situation.

“Bangladesh is increasingly moving towards a risky debt situation,” he said, urging the government to adopt a new strategy and ensure greater transparency in budget management.

DCCI President Taskin Ahmed said high bank lending rates, the energy crisis and difficulties in acquiring land were discouraging foreign investment in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaidi Sattar, chairman of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), called for greater decentralisation of the country’s export sector.