Delayed fuel oil payments due to international price hikes and LC issues have led to concerns about fuel imports in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) reports that arrears are increasing as payments are delayed by 10-50 days, potentially disrupting fuel imports. Private banks, such as One Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, Eastern Bank Ltd, SCB, and HSBC, which previously opened LCs, have refrained from doing so for about two years.
BPC currently imports fuel oil only through state-run banks. The BPC recommended urgent measures from the Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance to pay arrears and ensure energy security. Additionally, the Power Division suggests raising electricity prices to reduce the projected subsidy of Tk35,000 to Tk37,000 crore required for the current fiscal year due to gas shortages and rising international fuel prices. An increase of Tk1 per unit at the wholesale level could cut the subsidy by about Tk9,000 crore annually.