The government of Bangladesh will ensure adequate funding to maintain the country’s energy security and may seek financial assistance from international institutions if necessary, Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said.
Speaking to journalists at his office in the Ministry of Finance at the Secretariat on March 15, Titumir said the government is considering approaching global lenders such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to finance fuel imports if required.
He emphasized that ensuring energy security is a top priority for the government under the current global situation. If needed, the government will seek funding from international development partners to cover the cost of importing fuel.
“We will try to secure support from any available source for financing fuel imports—whether from the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, or the World Bank,” he said, adding that the goal is to obtain financing at the lowest possible interest rate.
The adviser also noted that the government is adjusting spending in different sectors to free up funds for the energy sector. Savings from those adjustments are being redirected to help finance energy imports.
At the same time, Bangladesh is continuing discussions with several countries to secure new energy sources and diversify supply, he added.
Currently, Bangladesh relies on imports for more than 56 percent of its energy and electricity needs. In 2024 alone, the country spent about $20 billion on energy imports and related debt repayments, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could significantly increase these costs.
