News Flash
DHAKA, Sept 7, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Prof Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir today said that the country’s gas supply situation would return to normal within a few days as the government is importing gas from both government and alternative sources.
“Within the next few days, gas supply will return to its previous level due to imports from government and alternative sources,” he said.
The adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Energy Security in Bangladesh: From Crisis Management to a Resilient Energy Transition”, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital.
Dr Titumir said the power sector was in a highly fragile condition when the government took responsibility of it.
“Financially, the sector was bleeding, and strategically, there was no clear direction,” he said.
“Given today’s situation, we have been trapped in a certain situation,” he added.
The adviser said the previous government had strategically made the country’s energy sector dependent on imports.
Experts believe the current energy crisis has placed deliberate pressure on Bangladesh’s people, industries and investment, he said.
He stressed the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a balanced energy mix to build a strong and competitive energy system.
The government has undertaken various initiatives to increase gas supply, including developing new LNG infrastructure, improving pipelines and carrying out domestic gas exploration, he said.
Regarding the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Prof Titumir said the plant would go into production only after ensuring full safety.
“It is expected that the plant will be able to start full-fledged operations in 2027. First and foremost, we want to ensure safety,” he said.
The adviser said LPG prices would come down if gas could be imported through VLC cargoes.
He alleged that the previous government had established oligarchs in various sectors and said LPG prices would certainly fall if the government’s decisions regarding gas imports were implemented.
Dr Titumir said Bangladesh’s energy-related decisions should not be based on short-term considerations.
Such decisions must take into account national interests, long-term energy security and economic stability, he said.
Energy security means ensuring a reliable and growing supply of clean energy, he said, adding that at the same time, the country needs to develop a system that does not adversely affect financial stability, put pressure on foreign exchange or create imbalances in the external sector.
BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, STex Foundation Chairman Prof Dr Ejaz Hossain and Additional Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Md Manzur Alam, among others, attended the seminar.
