Bangladesh has already spent nearly 43% of its annual LNG import subsidy within the first one and a half months of the current fiscal year amid soaring global gas prices and supply disruptions.
The Finance Division has disbursed around Tk 4,700 crore, or 42.73% of the FY27 allocation of Tk 11,000 crore, for LNG imports—more than nine times the Tk 500 crore released during the same period last fiscal year.
The sharp increase follows rising LNG prices and disruptions to global supply routes amid conflict in the Middle East. Spot LNG prices recently approached $22 per MMBtu, while the government approved a spot-market cargo at $23.93 per MMBtu.
The government allocated Tk 11,000 crore for LNG subsidies in FY27, compared with Tk 6,000 crore in FY26. However, actual LNG subsidy spending last fiscal year reached around Tk 16,600 crore.
Officials warned that continued instability in the Middle East could further increase LNG import costs and pressure government finances.
Energy experts have urged Bangladesh to reduce its dependence on imported LNG by accelerating domestic gas exploration and developing a more sustainable long-term energy security strategy.
