Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has decided to increase the supply of octane and petrol in divisional cities by 10 percent to ensure fuel availability.
According to a press release signed by BPC Secretary Shohina Sultan on 11 March, the corporation also reduced the planned cut in fuel supply to 15 percent, down from the previously announced 25 percent.
BPC said the revised fuel allocation strategy was adopted considering the ongoing global energy situation and the need to maintain stable fuel supply for consumers.
The corporation has instructed depot superintendents, sales officers and dealers of its marketing companies to distribute fuel according to the updated allocation chart.
Meanwhile, the government has sought support from China to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply under existing long-term agreements with Chinese suppliers. The request was made during a meeting at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on 10 March, attended by the energy minister, state minister, senior officials and Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen.
Amid growing concern and panic buying in the fuel market, Bangladesh imported 5,000 tonnes of diesel from India, a day after BPC imported more than 27,000 tonnes of diesel. BPC Chairman Muhammad Rezanur Rahman confirmed the import.
State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit said there is no plan to increase fuel or electricity prices despite rising global energy costs.
Earlier on 5 March, state-owned oil marketing companies — Padma Oil Company Limited, Jamuna Oil Company Limited and Meghna Petroleum Limited — proposed raising fuel prices to discourage panic buying.
However, the government says Bangladesh has sufficient capacity to maintain normal energy supply until May, and there is currently no fuel shortage in the country.
