Category: Energy and Power

The government is moving towards a new urban planning policy that will ensure Bangladesh’s cities are designed to coexist with rain, water and the realities of climate change, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki has said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition ‘Dialogues in Coexistence: Shaping Inclusive Public Spaces in the Bengal Delta’ at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhaka, Saki said future urban development would focus on making public spaces, architecture and city planning more responsive to Bangladesh’s geographical and environmental conditions.

‘Cities must be designed to coexist with rain, water and climate realities, instead of treating them as disruptions,’ he said.

The minister said the government is giving priority to preparing comprehensive master plans for Dhaka and all divisional cities, with similar planning initiatives to be gradually extended to district and upazila towns

Bangladesh’s worsening energy crisis is rapidly becoming a structural threat to economic growth rather than a temporary supply disruption.

Declining domestic gas production, delayed LNG infrastructure, and heightened geopolitical risks are widening the energy defi cit while undermining industrial competitiveness.

Although exploration programs and import plans continue, they are unlikely to reverse the trend before 2030.

Without decisive action to expand domestic gas production, accelerate LNG infrastructure, and reform energy governance, Bangladesh faces prolonged supply shortages, slower investment, and mounting pressure on its broader economy.

Bangladesh’s energy crisis is no longer a temporary supply disruption-it is becoming a structural threat to economic stability.

As domestic gas production declines, LNG infrastructure expansion stalls, and geopolitical tensions unsettle global fuel markets, the country’s dependence on imported energy is exposing critical vulnerabilities.

Without urgent action to expand gas supplies and strengthen energy infrastructure, Bangladesh risks entering a prolonged period of industrial slowdown, weaker competitiveness, and heightened economic uncertainty.

Geopolitics and energy security have become two of the defi ning issues shaping the global economy.

Ironically, the vast energy resources of producing nations have become sources of strategic vulnerability as geopolitical competition for control over them intensifi es.

The resulting instability is exposing economies around the world to growing risks.

International organizations, including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have warned that the ongoing energy crisis could place unprecedented pressure on the global economy.

Importdependent countries are expected to bear the greatest burden as energy security becomes increasingly fragile.

For Bangladesh, already struggling with signifi cant macroeconomic challenges, rising energy prices and supply uncertainties have created multiple layers of pressure.

Together, they are rapidly becoming the country’s biggest obstacle to ensuring reliable energy supplies.

Bangladesh currently imports about 62.5 percent of its primary energy, leaving the economy highly exposed to volatile global markets.

Despite rising import costs, the country continues to face acute natural gas shortages that are disrupting industrial production and discouraging new investment.

Natural gas remains the backbone of Bangladesh’s commercial energy system.

Although the government continues to meet demand through a combination of domestic production and LNG imports, the country is currently facing a supply defi cit exceeding 30 percent.

Private-sector estimates suggest the shortfall has already surpassed 40 percent.

Based on data compiled by gas distribution companies, several media reports estimate that consumers connected to the national gas network now require around 5,500 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD), while maximum daily supply stands at only about 2,800 MMCFD-a defi cit approaching 50 percent.

Petrobangla, however, offi cially estimates national gas demand at approximately 3,800 MMCFD.

Energy experts believe that even if the government’s current initiatives continue, Bangladesh’s gas crisis will become substantially more severe by 2030.

Unless effective measures are taken to signifi cantly expand supply, the situation is likely to deteriorate further in the years that follow.

At the same time, unless Bangladesh can strike a better balance between developing domestic energy resources and expanding LNG imports, dependence on imported fuel will continue to increase.

Such reliance would expose the country to greater geopolitical risks and volatile international energy prices, making it increasingly diffi cult for Bangladeshi industries to remain globally competitive.

The challenge extends well beyond supply shortages.

During the past four years, gas tariffs have risen substantially under several pricing adjustments.

The previous Awami League government argued that industries would receive uninterrupted gas supplies in return for accepting higher tariffs.

In practice, however, that commitment was never fully realized.

Instead, Bangladesh’s textile and ready-made garment (RMG) industries have faced a double blow: paying signifi cantly higher energy costs while continuing to endure unreliable gas and electricity supplies.

As a result, production capacity across the sector has declined by an estimated 25 to 30 percent, pushing many factories into fi nancial distress.

Many industries are now fi nancially distressed-or at risk of becoming so- because of inadequate gas supplies and poor-quality electricity.

Consequently, a signifi cant volume of bank fi nancing tied to productive industries has effectively become impaired, increasing risks within the country’s fi nancial sector.

Bangladesh’s domestic gas production peaked at nearly 2,800 MMCFD in 2018 before entering a steady decline.

To offset the shortfall, the government commissioned its fi rst Floating Storage and Regasifi cation Unit (FSRU) later that year, enabling LNG imports.

Today, Bangladesh’s two operational FSRUs provide a combined regasifi cation capacity of approximately 1,100 MMCFD, while domestic gas production has fallen below 1,700 MMCFD.

According to Petrobangla, indigenous production is expected to decline by another 150 MMCFD each year.

Recognizing this trend, the previous government signed an agreement with Summit Group to develop a third FSRU.

Negotiations with U.S.-based Excelerate Energy for a fourth FSRU had also reached an advanced stage.

In addition, Bangladesh was close to fi nalizing two agreements to import regasifi ed LNG (RLNG) from India.

However, after assuming offi ce, the interim government canceled the agreement for the third FSRU along with the three pending negotiations.

Together, these projects would have added approximately 1,400 MMCFD of LNG import capacity between 2027 and 2029, increasing Bangladesh’s total RLNG import capacity to roughly 2,400- 2,600 MMCFD.

Meanwhile, development of a landbased LNG terminal with a planned import capacity of 1,000 MMCFD had also been progressing.

Because of delays during the interim administration, industry observers now believe the facility is unlikely to become operational before 2032.

Although the interim government canceled several LNG infrastructure projects, it did not initiate any replacements.

Since winning the February election, the BNP-led government has yet to approve any major project aimed at expanding LNG import capacity.

Even the timeline for launching new FSRU projects remains uncertain.

Likewise, the process of selecting a private-sector partner under the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) framework for the proposed land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari has effectively stalled.

As a result, energy experts question whether Bangladesh will be able to expand its LNG import capacity before 2030.

A senior Energy Division offi cial, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government has not yet decided whether future FSRUs will be developed through government-to-government (G2G) arrangements or international competitive bidding.

The ministry is evaluating both options before making a fi nal decision.

The offi cial added that the proposed land-based LNG terminal will be developed under the PPP model and that consultants are currently being appointed to carry out the project’s feasibility study.

A senior Petrobangla offi cial, who also requested anonymity, said several companies have expressed interest in developing another FSRU, but no agreement has yet been fi nalized.

According to the offi cial, if a contract is signed this year, Bangladesh could commission its third FSRU by 2029.

Until then, however, no fi rm timeline can be confi rmed.

Turning to LNG procurement, Bangladesh imported 109 LNG cargoes in 2025.

For 2026, the government initially planned to import 115 cargoes but later revised the target downward by three, bringing the total to 112 cargoes.

Bangladesh currently has longterm LNG supply agreements with six suppliers.

Qatar is committed to supplying 52 cargoes annually; three agreements with Oman provide another 32 cargoes; Excelerate Energy supplies 14 cargoes; and Aramco provides fi ve.

Altogether, Bangladesh is contracted to receive 103 LNG cargoes each year.

If these commitments were fully honored, the country would have limited exposure to the volatile spot LNG market.

However, following U.S.

military strikes on Iran and the subsequent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, damage to LNG infrastructure and disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz prompted suppliers to invoke force majeure clauses.

Bangladesh was informed that 33 contracted cargoes would not be delivered.

With regional tensions rising once again, concerns are growing that long-term LNG supplies could decline even further.

The regional conflict has also forced Bangladesh to purchase additional LNG on the spot market at signifi cantly higher prices.

Consequently, Petrobangla’s fi nancial defi cit for FY2025-26 increased from Tk 90 billion to Tk 146 billion, requiring additional subsidy support from the Ministry of Finance.

Domestic gas production deserves equal attention.

As noted earlier, indigenous production has fallen below 1,700 MMCFD.

The country’s largest gas fi eld, Bibiyana, now produces around 760 MMCFD compared with approximately 1,200 MMCFD only a few years ago.

Production is expected to continue declining.

According to the Energy Division, domestic gas production is falling by about 150 MMCFD annually.

Bangladesh therefore has little choice but to increase LNG imports.

The problem is that the country lacks suffi cient infrastructure to accommodate larger import volumes, while the completion timeline for new facilities remains uncertain.

To maintain domestic production at around 2,000-2,100 MMCFD, the government launched an ambitious 50-well exploration and development program in 2022, originally scheduled for completion in 2024.

A separate 100well drilling initiative followed in 2025, and the two have since been combined into a single 150-well program.

So far, 29 wells-including nine exploration wells-have been completed.

They have increased gross production by approximately 270 MMCFD, although only about 140 MMCFD has actually been added to the national gas grid.

Offi cials estimate that completing the remaining work, including 61 additional exploration wells, could increase domestic production by 1,400-1,500 MMCFD by 2030.

Even so, it remains uncertain whether these gains will simply offset natural declines in existing fi elds or result in a meaningful net increase in supply.

Professor Dr.

Ijaz Hossain, former Dean of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), remains skeptical that all planned wells can be completed by 2030.

Even if they are, he questioned whether the program would be suffi cient to maintain domestic production at current levels.

Energy expert Khondkar Abdus Saleque believes production from the Bibiyana gas fi eld will continue to decline over the next three years and doubts that domestic exploration alone can compensate for the loss.

As an alternative, he recommends immediately constructing a pipeline to connect the Bhola gas fi eld to the national gas grid.

A senior Energy Division offi cial, however, said no fi nal decision has yet been made on whether Bhola’s gas will be transported by pipeline, converted into LNG, or used to support industrial development on the island.

Former BAPEX Managing Director Murtuza Ahmed Faruque argued that Bangladesh has yet to undertake any initiative capable of fundamentally resolving the gas crisis.

Without urgent intervention, he warned, the situation will continue to deteriorate.

He suggested accelerating exploration drilling in Chatak and pursuing exploration in the Chittagong Hill Tracts through partnerships with international oil companies-or direct foreign participation-which could produce encouraging results within two years.

By contrast, even if international companies invest in offshore exploration through the current bidding rounds, commercial production is unlikely to begin for another seven to ten years.

The overall outlook is increasingly concerning.

Bangladesh’s gas supply defi cit is expected to widen as domestic production continues to decline, while there is no assurance that major new LNG import infrastructure will become operational before 2030.

Consequently, shortages are likely to intensify across the power, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.

The textile and ready-made garment industry is already operating at 25- 30 percent below capacity because of inadequate gas supplies.

Unless alternative energy sources and reliable fuel supplies become available, production losses are likely to deepen.

Given the scale of the challenge, Bangladesh has little choice but to pursue a wartime-scale national effort to accelerate domestic gas exploration while simultaneously expanding LNG import infrastructure.

So far, however, such an urgent and coordinated response has yet to emerge

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of Jet A-1 aviation fuel for both domestic and international airlines, lowering costs by Tk 19.22 per liter for domestic carriers and US$0.1252 per liter for international operators.

Under the revised pricing, the retail price of Jet A-1 fuel for domestic airlines has been reduced to Tk 130.99 per liter, down from Tk 150.21 per liter.

For international airlines, the price has been cut to US$0.8556 per liter from US$0.9808 per liter.

According to BERC, the latest adjustment was made based on the average Platts benchmark price for the period between June 5 and July 4, 2026.

The commission also considered the prevailing US dollar exchange rate used by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in settling Letters of Credit (LCs) for fuel imports.

Bangladesh and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have reaffi rmed their commitment to stengthening regional cooperation on climate resilience, transboundary water management and environmental governance.

The commitment was reiterated during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, and ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho in Bangkok.

During the meeting, Gyamtsho appreciated Bangladesh’s continued engagement with ICIMOD and stressed the importance of greater regional collaboration to address transboundary environmental challenges, particularly those involving glacier-fed river systems.

He called for a coordinated regional action plan for the sustainable management of shared water resources and sought Bangladesh’s support for ICIMOD’s medium-term evaluation and strategic planning process.

The BNP alliance government, led by Tarique Rahman, has already encountered signifi cant challenges during its fi rst four months in offi ce.

Beyond a fragile economy and complex geopolitical pressures, one of its greatest tests is achieving sustainable energy security-an essential prerequisite for long-term economic growth and development.

Bangladesh faces a critical challenge in securing a sustainable supply of primary energy.

Proven domestic natural gas reserves are rapidly depleting, while discovering and developing new resources in the short term is extremely diffi cult.

At the same time, the country lacks suffi cient infrastructure to increase LNG imports substantially.

The shortage of foreign currency has further complicated LNG procurement from a global market made increasingly volatile by wars and geopolitical conflicts.

For the new government, deciding on mining the country’s discovered coal reserves is politically diffi cult without a broad national consensus.

The administration has rightly placed greater emphasis on expanding clean energy, particularly renewable and nuclear power.

However, these sectors also face considerable technical, fi nancial, and institutional challenges.

Nevertheless, energy experts agree that the sector deserves the government’s highest priority if Bangladesh is to restore economic stability.

The ongoing energy crisis has severely disrupted electricity generation and industrial production.

Many small industries have shut down, while numerous large export-oriented factories have become fi nancially distressed.

Job losses have mounted, and both domestic and foreign investment continue to decline.

Because of fuel shortages, the power system struggles to generate even 15,000MW despite having more than 29,000MW of grid-connected installed capacity.

The gas situation is even more alarming.

Between July 6 and 7, 2026, total gas supply stood at only 2,537 MMCFD against a coincident peak demand of around 4,000 MMCFD Around 900 MMCFD comes from imported RLNG through two floating storage and regasifi cation units (FSRUs) anchored off the coast.

During the monsoon season, rough seas frequently disrupt LNG carrier operations and reduce the reliability of gas supply.

The present government inherited these challenges from the previous administration and is making determined efforts to stabilize the situation.

Petrobangla and BAPEX are intensifying exploration and development drilling to increase domestic gas production.

However, the supply defi cit is so large that these efforts alone are unlikely to be suffi cient.

The Bibiyana gas fi eld, which contributes nearly 40% of Bangladesh’s domestic gas production, is declining rapidly.

Unless signifi cant new gas reserves are discovered and developed within the next three to four years, Bangladesh could face a severe gas shortage by 2030.

At the same time, the government must make an early decision on exploiting domestic coal resources.

It should also undertake long-overdue regulatory reforms to accelerate renewable energy development.

Although the government has outlined ambitious plans, successful implementation will require competent institutions and capable leadership.

Power Supply Chain The previous Awami League government deserves credit for rescuing Bangladesh’s power sector from the severe electricity shortages of 2008-09, when daily load-shedding often lasted 10 to 12 hours.

Its private-sector power generation policy signifi cantly expanded installed generation capacity.

However, the overall development of the power supply chain remained unbalanced.

Generation capacity increased rapidly, but corresponding investments in primary fuel supply, transmission infrastructure, and distribution network modernization lagged far behind.

Many power purchase agreements included capacity payment provisions, leaving the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) responsible for substantial fi nancial obligations even when plants remained underutilized.

The previous government also failed to prioritize exploration and development of domestic energy resources, opting instead to increase dependence on imported fuels and electricity without fully assessing the risks associated with volatile international energy markets.

As a result, despite having more than 29,000MW of installed generation capacity, Bangladesh struggles to produce even 15,000MW consistently.

During peak summer demand, generation shortfalls of 2,500-3,000MW continue to cause widespread load-shedding.

Another major weakness is the lack of coordination between BPDB and Petrobangla.

Several gas-fi red power plants were constructed in areas where adequate gas transmission infrastructure was unavailable.

Consequently, around 4,500- 5,000MW of generation capacity remains idle because of insuffi cient gas supply Maximum Demand Served: 17,208 MW during evening peak hours of 20/05/2026 Bangladesh, therefore, has surplus installed generation capacity.

The real constraints lie in fuel shortages, transmission bottlenecks, distribution limitations, and seasonal demand fluctuations.

The country’s fuel mix clearly demonstrates these structural weaknesses.

Another strategic mistake was abandoning the highly successful Solar Home System program while expanding the national grid across the country.

This approach placed July 16, 2026 ? 23 enormous fi nancial pressure on the Rural Electrifi cation Board (REB) and the Palli Bidyut Samities (PBSs).

Given Bangladesh’s geography, distributed generation, mini-grids, and microgrids could have provided a more effi cient solution for rural and remote communities Under current conditions, domestic natural gas can supply only about 1,050 MMCFD, enough to generate roughly 7,000- 7,500 MW, even if BPDB dispatches plants strictly according to the merit order.

Except for the three units at Barapukuria, all coal-fi red power plants depend on imported coal, and import disruptions frequently limit coal generation to less than 5,000 MW.

Bangladesh also imports around 2,000 MW of electricity, although supply is occasionally affected by operational issues involving Adani Power.

Consequently, the system continues to rely heavily on expensive liquid-fuel-based power plants during periods of peak demand.

The government should gradually reduce dependence on liquid fuels by accelerating investment in solar and other renewable energy sources.

For a successful renewable energy transition, the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) must be strengthened institutionally, restructured as an autonomous body, and empowered to work closely with capable privatesector companies.

With proper planning, supportive policies, and appropriate fi scal incentives, Bangladesh should target increasing renewable energy’s contribution to at least 10% by 2030.

Rooftop solar, floating solar, hybrid solar systems, and utilityscale grid-connected solar projects can collectively help achieve this objective.

By 2027, the full 2,400 MW capacity of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant should be connected to the national grid.

The government should also begin negotiations with interested countries for a second nuclear power plant, targeting completion around 2035.

Natural Gas Scenario Years of inadequate planning prevented Bangladesh from replacing rapidly declining natural gas reserves through new onshore and offshore discoveries.

The previous government’s policy of relying almost exclusively on BAPEX for exploration during much of its tenure contributed signifi cantly to today’s gas shortage.

Its failure to engage major international oil companies (IOCs) after resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighboring countries represented a major missed opportunity.

The government also failed to establish land-based LNG terminals, which could have eased the country’s growing gas defi cit.

Addressing today’s gas crisis requires an emergency national action plan focused on accelerated exploration and development.

Energy experts believe that if BAPEX and international oil companies jointly deploy around 10 exploration rigs, Bangladesh could discover as much as 5 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of new gas reserves over the next fi ve years.

The government should also expedite the construction of at least two additional FSRUs and a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari.

To achieve these objectives, Petrobangla must be strengthened, professionally restructured, and allowed to operate independently under the regulatory oversight of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).

As part of this restructuring, BAPEX, BGFCL, and SGFL should be merged into a single integrated exploration and production company similar to Petronas, Pertamina, Petrobras, ONGC, or CNPC.

The new organization could also assume responsibility for production-sharing contracts, reservoir studies, and reservoir management.

The government should prioritize skill development within BAPEX and transform it into Bangladesh’s flagship upstream energy company.

All ongoing exploration and development projects should receive the highest priority.

The government should also establish a policy framework allowing private companies to partner with BAPEX in exploration activities.

Priority exploration targets should include Tengratila and Chhatak, structures in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Surma Basin, and northern Bangladesh.

Upskilling GTCL and Gas Distribution Companies Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), as the country’s midstream gas operator, must strengthen system management.

Its SCADA system should become fully operational, with every unit of gas accurately measured through modern metering technology.

Compressor station operations should also be optimized.

As offshore gas development progresses, GTCL will eventually need to manage subsea pipeline construction and operation.

Engineers should therefore receive specialized training well in advance.

Priority should also be given to constructing the Bhola-Barishal- Khulna gas transmission pipeline and the third parallel pipeline linking Matarbari to the national gas grid.

Gas distribution companies require digital network mapping, GIS integration, telemetry systems, and modern operational controls.

The operations of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) should be comprehensively reviewed.

If necessary, its franchise area could be divided into three independent operating companies covering: Dhaka Metropolitan area and Manikganj; Narayanganj and Narsingdi; and Gazipur, Tangail, and Greater Mymensingh.

LNG Infrastructure Development The government should immediately engage qualifi ed developers to establish at least two additional FSRUs and a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari.

By 2030, Bangladesh is likely to require an additional 1,000 MMCFD of LNG imports to meet growing demand.

Conclusion The government must recognize that planning, constructing, operating, and maintaining the power and energy sector are highly technical undertakings.

Success depends on qualifi ed, experienced, and motivated professionals capable of managing increasingly sophisticated technologies.

The right people must be appointed to the right positions based on competence rather than political considerations.

The entire power supply chain should operate under an integrated SCADA system, with the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) coordinating all distribution companies.

Smart grids and advanced metering infrastructure should be introduced to improve monitoring, effi ciency, and reliability.

BAPEX should receive the highest priority for accelerating onshore exploration while effectively supervising IOC activities offshore.

GTCL must modernize gas grid operations using state-of-the-art technologies and develop expertise in managing future offshore pipeline infrastructure.

Gas distribution companies should similarly upgrade their capabilities in metering, monitoring, and system control.

Achieving sustainable energy security will require comprehensive planning, institutional reform, and disciplined implementation.

Bangladesh must fully utilize its domestic energy resources-including natural gas, coal, wind, and solar-to build a balanced and resilient energy mix.

Finally, the roles of BPI and BPMI should be reviewed, and consideration should be given to integrating their functions to strengthen capacity building across the country’s power and energy sector

The Bangladesh Energy Transition Fund (BETF) has launched a dedicated climate fi nance platform aimed at accelerating investment in renewable energy, energy effi ciency, and climateresilient water treatment projects across Bangladesh.

The new initiative is designed to bridge the fi nancing gap for sustainable infrastructure by mobilising both public and private capital and connecting investors with commercially viable green projects.

The fund seeks to strengthen Bangladesh’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and support the country’s longterm climate and emissions reduction goals.

According to BETF, the platform will initially focus on three strategic sectors: Renewable Energy: Financing solar, wind and decentralized clean energy projects to diversify Bangladesh’s energy mix.

Energy Effi ciency: Supporting industrial energy-saving initiatives, particularly in energyintensive sectors such as textiles and manufacturing.

Water Treatment: Investing in climate-resilient water purifi cation and treatment facilities to improve water security in vulnerable communities.

BETF Co-founder Edgare Kerkwijk said the platform is intended to transform Bangladesh’s climate priorities into bankable investment opportunities.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of Jet A-1 aviation fuel for both domestic and international airlines, lowering costs by Tk 19.22 per liter for domestic carriers and US$0.1252 per liter for international operators.

Under the revised pricing, the retail price of Jet A-1 fuel for domestic airlines has been reduced to Tk 130.99 per liter, down from Tk 150.21 per liter.

For international airlines, the price has been cut to US$0.8556 per liter from US$0.9808 per liter.

According to BERC, the latest adjustment was made based on the average Platts benchmark price for the period between June 5 and July 4, 2026.

The commission also considered the prevailing US dollar exchange rate used by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in settling Letters of Credit (LCs) for fuel imports.

The U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the fi nal Record of Decision for the Hermosa Critical Minerals Project in Arizona, advancing the Trump administration’s strategy to boost domestic production of critical minerals and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

The $3.3 billion project, proposed by Australiabased South32 Hermosa Inc., will develop mining and processing operations in Santa Cruz County near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The project is expected to create up to 900 direct jobs and thousands of additional indirect employment opportunities, with a target of hiring 80% of its workforce locally.

According to the USDA, the Hermosa project contains one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc resources, along with manganese and other minerals essential for steel manufacturing, largescale batteries and modern energy technologies

Coal is regaining importance as an alternative fuel across Asia as countries respond to oil supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to industry executives, China has signifi cantly increased coal stockpiling while also expanding coalto-chemicals production to reduce dependence on imported crude oil.

The shift reflects growing concerns over energy security and volatile oil markets.

Rising demand is also supporting global coal trade and dry bulk shipping activity.

Shipping industry offi cials warn that higher fuel costs and longer shipping routes, driven by security risks in the Red Sea and Gulf region, are pushing up freight rates for coal and other bulk commodities

Bangladesh’s transition toward electric mobility is taking shape as more than an environmental initiative, with the government positioning the electric vehicle (EV) sector at the center of a broader strategy to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum and promote sustainable industrialization.

The National Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) and the Bangladesh Climate Budget Report 2026-27 outline a series of tax reductions and incentives designed to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly transportation while supporting the growth of a domestic EV ecosystem.

The move comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s heavy reliance on imported energy.

According to the budget documents, the country currently imports approximately 95 percent of its petroleum requirements, making fuel dependency a signifi cant national concern.