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Government exchequer gasps under ?scal-pressure buildup as power-sector subsidy is projected to overshoot its budgetary mark in the current ?scal year (FY)-much of the burden stemming from overrated hiring of private plants.

the government had already disbursed Tk 320 billion during the ?rst nine months (July-March) of FY2025-26, and the amount is likely to reach some Tk 430 billion at the ?scal yearend, Ministry of Finance (MoF) of?cials say. With an estimated Tk 110 billion required to make up the gap for the remaining three months (AprilJune), the total subsidy requirement for the scal comes to nearly Tk 430 billion, says a senior MoF of?cial. Consequently, the nance ministry is nalizing a revised national budget substantially raising the power-sector allocation from its initial cap at Tk 370 billion, they say.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has shown interest in ?nancing the overhaul of two aging units at the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, Bangladesh’s only hydropower plant, as the project remained stalled for more than seven years due to procurement complications.

of?cials from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said preparations are underway to develop a detailed project proposal with JICA support for the rehabilitation of Units 4 and 5 at the Kaptaibased power station.

according to plant oficials, the two 50 MW units are currently generating only around 40 MW each because of mechanical deterioration and structural weaknesses, reducing the plant’s overall output by nearly 20 MW.

the units have exceeded their scheduled overhaul periods. Unit 4 was last renovated in 2010, while Unit 5 underwent overhaul in 2011. Engineers said cracks in generator support structures and other mechanical faults have forced operators to carry out regular inspections, welding, and temporary maintenance to keep the units operational

Ag ainst the backdrop of a chronic energy crisis, the Bangladesh government, led by the BNP alliance, has launched a new Production Sharing Contract (PSC) bidding round for offshore exploration in the Bay of Bengal.

the initiative is considered a major step toward strengthening the country’s long-term energy security through the discovery and development of offshore petroleum resources.

the updated Model PSC (MPSC) 2026 includes a range of incentives aimed at attracting international oil companies (IOCs) to invest in both shallow and deep-sea blocks. Given continuing volatility in global oil and gas markets, along with growing regional energy demand, the revised terms are expected to encourage participation from major global energy companies. However, the success of the bidding round will largely depend on how effectively the government manages geopolitical sensitivities, ensures transparency and accountability, and guarantees equal treatment for all bidders.

offshore exploration and development typically require six to seven years before production can begin. Some deepwater blocks are located nearly 400 kilometers from the coast, and major discoveries may require subsea pipelines or Floating Lique?ed Natural Gas (FLNG) facilities, potentially extending development timelines to eight to ten years.

even so, successful offshore gas discoveries could become a gamechanger for Bangladesh’s medium-term energy security. Bangladesh secured sovereign rights over a vast maritime area in the Bay of Bengal following international arbitration, gaining control over an offshore region nearly equal in size to its land territory. Geological assessments suggest strong hydrocarbon potential in the offshore basin. Neighboring India and Myanmar have already discovered substantial offshore gas reserves and are bene?ting economically from them. Bangladesh, however, delayed offshore exploration for years due to policy hesitation, overly conservative approaches, and confusion created by sections of civil society lacking a clear understanding of PSC arrangements. Growing geopolitical competition among global powers such as the United States, China, and India in the Bay of Bengal has also added complexity.

understanding Production Sharing Contracts A PSC is essentially an agreement between a state-owned enterprise and an international oil company for the exploration and development of petroleum resources.

ownership of the resources remains with the state.

under the arrangement, IOCs undertake exploration at their own risk and expense.

if commercially viable reserves are discovered, the IOC recovers its investment through a portion of production known as ‘cost petroleum,’ while the remaining ‘pro?t petroleum’ is shared with the stateowned enterprise according to an agreed formula. Pricing mechanisms are a critical component of PSC agreements, with market risks shared between the IOC and the state entity.

therefore, PSCs do not transfer ownership of national resources to foreign companies. Rather, IOCs serve as investors, developers, and operators.

it is worth noting that Chevron currently accounts for nearly 60 percent of Bangladesh’s total gas production from three gas ?elds. Many of the country’s major gas ?elds-including Titas, Habiganj, Bakhrabad, Rashidpur, Bibiyana, Kailashtila, and Sangu-were discovered by international oil companies. Bangladesh has not concluded any major successful onshore PSC agreements since 2000, and several offshore PSC initiatives were also poorly managed. Much of the current gas crisis could have been avoided if exploration efforts had continued through partnerships between IOCs and BAPEX. Key Features of Offshore Bidding Round 2026 Earlier offshore bidding rounds received weak responses due to inadequate ?scal and ?nancial incentives.

the updated MPSC 2026 attempts to address those concerns through more attractive commercial terms.

the bidding round covers all 26 offshore blocks-11 shallow-sea (SS) blocks and 15 deep-sea (DS) blocks. Separate applications are required for each category, although bidders may apply jointly for two adjacent deep-sea blocks under a single contract. Companies may submit bids individually or through consortium arrangements. Separate work programs and bank guarantees must be submitted for each deep-sea block, even under joint applications.

each block will be evaluated independently.

the deadline for bid submission is November 30, 2026. Prequali?cation Requirements For shallow-sea blocks, bidders must demonstrate a minimum production experience of 5,000 barrels of oil per day or 75 million cubic feet of gas per day from at least one offshore acreage. For deep-sea blocks, the requirement rises to 10,000 barrels of oil per day or 100 million cubic feet of gas per day. Bidders must also have at least one international exploration and production experience outside their home country.

the bid package includes an information package, promotional package, and data package.

these provisions are broadly consistent with PSC frameworks used in countries such as India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Previous PSC terms related to gas pricing, third-party sales, export provisions, pipeline tariffs, and bonus structures failed to attract suf?cient IOC interest.

the updated framework offers more ?exible and commercially attractive terms.

the revised provisions on gas pricing, third-party sales, and export rights areexpected to address investor concerns regarding market risks. Bangladeshis should not be overly concerned about export provisions, as domestic gas shortages and rising future demand are likely to absorb most future production within the country. Petrobangla and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) must ensure a transparent and competitive evaluation process that builds investor con?dence.

the pricing of data packages should also be reviewed to encourage broader participation rather than maximize short-term revenue from data sales. Government agencies should proactively engage with foreign missions and international investors. Bangladesh could organize a major roadshow in Dhaka, inviting potential investors and development partners. Diplomatic missions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Norway, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia should actively encourage companies from their respective countries to participate. BAPEX could also consider forming partnerships with leading Bangladeshi business groups for joint bidding in offshore blocks, helping develop domestic expertise alongside international operators. Reports suggest that ExxonMobil is particularly interested in all 15 deepwater blocks. Bangladesh has also entered into a long-term energy cooperation framework with the United States.

the government must ensure that the open bidding process remains free from geopolitical complications that could discourage participation from companies based in Russia, China, or elsewhere. Given the Bay of Bengal’s strategic importance, Bangladesh must pursue smart and balanced energy diplomacy. Conclusion Bangladesh should engage intensively with potential investors through proactive and strategic energy diplomacy.

in addition to pre-bid meetings, a well-organized international roadshow should be held in Dhaka, preferably between August and September. Based on investor feedback, minor adjustments to the MPbe considered.

offshore exploration requires multi-billion-dollar risk investments, and investors must feel con?dent about the commercial environment and potential returns. Bangladesh’s past PSC experiences, including the Scimitar and Niko controversies, damaged investor con?dence.

the government must now work proactively with successful bidders to ensure transparent and mutually bene?cial agreements.

offshore gas exploration is critical for Bangladesh’s medium-term energy security.

at the same time, the government should also consider launching a fresh PSC bidding round for onshore exploration areas.

The UAE is to fasttrack construction of a new oil pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, of?cial media said recently, after the Middle East war crippled exports through the vital waterway.

the West-East Pipeline will double state oil giant ADNOC’s capacity through Fujairah port and is expected to become operational next year, the Abu Dhabi Media Of?ce said.

abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ‘directed ADNOC to accelerate delivery of the project’, the report said. An existing, 360-kilometre (224 miles) pipeline from the Habshan oil ?elds to Fujairah has a capacity of 1.8 million barrels per day, according to the Port of Fujairah website.

the UAE, which made waves by quitting oil cartel OPEC at the start of this month, has plans to raise production capacity to ?ve million barrels a day by next year.

Bangladesh’s LPG industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, transforming from a limited alternative fuel into a major energy source for households, transport, restaurants, and industries.

the expansion was largely driven by declining domestic natural gas reserves and the suspension of new residential gas connections, which increased reliance on LPG as a cleaner and more accessible energy option. LPG has signi?cantly improved energy access in urban, periurban, and rural areas where pipeline gas infrastructure is unavailable.

it also plays an important role in reducing dependence on traditional biomass and supporting cleaner cooking solutions. However, the industry remains heavily dependent on imports, exposing it to global price ?uctuations, foreign exchange pressures, and supply chain disruptions.

ef?cient port handling, storage infrastructure, inland transportation, consumer safety awareness, and a stable regulatory framework are therefore essential to ensure affordability, safety, and uninterrupted supply.

as Bangladesh continues its energy transition, LPG is expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening energy security, supporting industrial growth, and diversifying the country’s fuel mix. Sustained policy support, infrastructure development, and improved regulatory coordination will be critical for the long-term sustainability of the sector. LPG Import, Rising Demand and Growth LPG import and distribution in Bangladesh are currently dominated by the private sector, while the government plans to engage BPC in imports to stabilize the domestic market and protect consumers.

in FY 2024-25, public production through Eastern Re?nery Limited (ERL) was 12,560 tonnes, complemented by private sector imports of 1.44 milliontonnes.

the LPG production and import from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 is as follows.

the market is overwhelmingly dominated by the private sector, which accounts for approximately 98% of total supply, while the public sector, through BPC, contributes only about 2%.

to date, 58 LPG licenses have been issued, supporting 27 companies.

among them, 20 operate import terminals and 7 function as satellite operators, re?ecting a diverse infrastructure network.

the industry has attracted an estimated USD 3.5 billion in investment, supported by around 5,000 dealers and 45,000 retailers nationwide. Current storage and distribution capacity includes approximately 40 million LPG cylinders.

the rapid growth of the LPG sector began after the government stopped providing new natural gas connections to households in 2008. Since then, LPG has emerged as a key alternative fuel for domestic, commercial, industrial, and transport sectors amid rising natural gas shortages. Current annual consumption is estimated at 1.5-1.7 million tonnes and is projected to exceed 3.5 million tonnes by 2030 and reach 5.0 million tonnes by 2035, highlighting the need for strategic import planning and regulatory reform. Household consumption accounts for nearly 80% of total LPG use, while industry and commercial users represent about 12%, and Autogas around 8%. LPG is widely used in sectors such as textiles, ceramics, food processing, metal works, and chemical m a n u f a c t u r i n g , particularly where pipeline gas is unavailable or insuf?cient.

the transport sector has also supported LPG expansion.

as demand for CNG increased, LPG has been promoted as an alternative automotive fuel to reduce pressure on the domestic gas supply.

its adoption is growing due to lower emissions compared to gasoline and diesel, expanding conversion facilities, and improved fuel availability. Bangladesh’s LPG demand has been growing at nearly 10% annually.

at present, LPG accounts for about 2% of the country’s primary energy mix and plays an increasingly important role in energy security and fuel diversi?cation.

ensuring Safe LPG Cylinder Transportation and Distribution The transportation of LPG cylinders from import terminals to storage depots, from storage facilities to industrial consumers, and onward to Autogas refueling stations should remain the full operational responsibility of LPG operators. Operators must ensure that all cylinder movements are conducted in compliance with approved safety standards, including proper handling, secure loading, certi?ed transport vehicles, and trained personnel. Regular inspection and veri?cation are essential to con?rm that cylinders are stored and transported under safe and compliant conditions throughout the supply chain.

this includes checks on stacking practices, ventilation, ?re safety arrangements, cylinder integrity, and adherence to designated storage limits. For monitoring domestic LPG cylinder storage and distribution, a certi?ed and authorized third-party inspection mechanism may be introduced as a supportive oversight system. Such entities should be independently accredited, technically competent, and institutionally structured to carry out routine audits and compliance veri?cation at retail points, godowns, and distribution networks.

the development of clear quali?cation criteria, certi?cation standards, and capacity-building programs for these thirdparty organizations is crucial to ensure their effectiveness. This will strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance safety compliance, and reduce operational risks across the LPG distribution chain. Financial Burden for LPG Operators The LPG industry in Bangladesh faces a signi?cant ?nancial burden due to multiple layers of licensing, compliance, and regulatory requirements.

on average, operators incur direct regulatory costs exceeding about Tk-1.0 crore annually, while indirect costs, including administration, manpower, inspections, travel, and coordination with multiple agencies, can raise total compliance expenses to around Tk-1.2 crore per operator per year. Major costs include fees to the BERC, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, BPC, and the DoE, along with BSTI compliance and safety certi?cations. Recently imposed mandatory in-house laboratory requirements have further increased operational costs, as establishing and maintaining a compliant LPG testing laboratory may require investment ranging from approximately Tk-1.5 crore or more per plant, depending on the scope and accreditation requirements. LPG Cylinder Accidents LPG cylinder accidents have become a growing safety concern in Bangladesh, re?ecting both the rapid expansion of LPG usage and gaps in safety practices. Incidents ranging from household leaks to largescale explosions at refueling stations and during transportation have resulted in signi?cant loss of life and property.

these accidents highlight the urgent need for stronger safety standards, better consumer awareness, and stricter regulatory enforcement to ensure that the bene?ts of LPG as a clean energy source are not overshadowed by preventable technological disasters. Recent LPG cylinder accidents are as follows: 2026 : Dhaka (Dhanmondi): Burner leakage in an airtight kitchen; 1 death. 2026 : Cox’s Bazar: Explosion at new refueling station; 3 dead, 15 injured. 2025 : Rangpur: Tank explosion during repair; 1 dead, several injured. 2025 : Cumilla: A truck with 200 cylinders overturned and exploded; roadside shops were damaged. 2024 : cGazipur: Vapor cloud explosion on ongested road; 16 deaths, many injured. 2024 : Mymensingh: Fire at Autogas station during unloading; 3 dead, 6 injured. 2024 : Dhaka (Baily Road): Restaurant ?re; 46 deaths, many injured. 2023 : Savar (Ashulia): Cylinder leakage; 10 burn injuries. 2023 : Savar (Fantasy Kingdom): Warehouse explosion; 5 burn injuries. 2023 : Dhaka: Faulty cylinder leakage; 2 deaths. Role of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) The LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh should play a leading role in promoting safety, ef?ciency, and sustainable growth in Bangladesh’s LPG sector. Working with the Government and BERC, LOAB can help develop safety regulations, strengthen compliance, and raise technical standards across the industry. Regular safety awareness campaigns, stakeholder coordination and promotion of best practices are essential to reducing accidents. Consumer education on the safe use of LPG cylinders and appliances, especially in households, should also remain a priority to improve public safety and con?dence in LPG as a cleaner energy source. Safety Aspects of LPG Safety is a critical concern in the LPG industry due to its highly ?ammable nature and risks across the supply chain, including production, storage, transportation, distribution, and end use. Any gas leakage must be treated as a serious hazard requiring immediate action.

although LPG is odorized for leak detection, leaked gas can accumulate in low-lying or poorly ventilated spaces because it is heavier than air, increasing ?re and explosion risks. Incomplete combustion may also produce toxic, odorless carbon monoxide. Most LPG accidents occur at the consumer level due to poor installation, unsafe handling, substandard appliances, and a lack of safety awareness.

improper cylinder placement in con?ned or poorly ventilated areas further increases danger.

as pressure vessels, LPG cylinders require proper inspection, maintenance, and adherence to safety standards. Strengthening safety, therefore, requires coordinated action by industry, regulators, and consumers through standards enforcement and widespread awareness campaigns.

in Bangladesh, rapid LPG expansion makes safety compliance and public education essential to prevent accidents and ensure safe, reliable energy use. Regulatory and Safety Framework for the LPG Sector Despite the rapid growth of the LPG industry in Bangladesh, there is still no fully approved and comprehensive national safety regulation governing LPG storage, bottling, transportation, and dispensing operations. BERC prepared drafts of the ‘LPG Storage, Bottling, Transportation, and Dispensing Codes and Standards (2016)’, as well as the ‘LPG Codes and Standards Regulation (2023)’. However, these regulations are yet to be ?nalized through consultation with key stakeholders, including LOAB, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, LPG operators, and experts. Bangladesh now urgently needs a modern, integrated, and enforceable regulatory framework to ensure safe, ef?cient, and sustainable growth of the LPG sector.

one of the key priorities should be consolidating approvals, licenses, inspections, and compliance monitoring under a coordinated authority to reduce institutional fragmentation and overlapping responsibilities among different agencies.

the licensing and compliance process should also be fully digitalized to improve transparency, ef?ciency, and ease of doing business.

at the same time, strict safety and quality standardsmust be enforced for LPG cylinders, storage facilities, transportation systems, bottling plants, and re?lling operations.

effective oversight of imports and domestic distribution is equally important to ensure an uninterrupted supply and equitable market access across the country.

in addition, a balanced regulatory mechanism is needed to protect consumers from arti?cial shortages, unsafe practices, and excessive price volatility.

the framework should also encourage new investment in terminals, storage infrastructure, and distribution networks while ensuring accountability, regular monitoring, and strong governance.

as Bangladesh becomes increasingly dependent on LPG to address energy shortages, active government oversight and a clear regulatory structure will be essential for establishing a safe, competitive, and reliable LPG market in the long term. Regulatory Challenges The LPG sector in Bangladesh continues to face major regulatory challenges that affect operational ef?ciency, investment growth, and timely project implementation.

at present, LPG operators are required to obtain about 26 separate approvals and licenses from over ten different agencies, including BERC, Department of Explosives, DoE, BSTI, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, and the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

this fragmented and multilayered approval process involves repeated physical visits, extensive documentation, multiple inspections, and lengthy administrative procedures, signi?cantly increasing compliance costs and delays.

in many cases, overlapping responsibilities among regulatory bodies create duplication of work, procedural inconsistencies, and uncertainty in regulatory compliance. Such inef?ciencies not only slow down infrastructure development and business expansion but also discourage new investment in a sector that is becoming increasingly important for Bangladesh’s energy security.

as LPG demand continues to rise, the need for regulatory reform has become critical.

to support the sustainable growth of the sector, Bangladesh should introduce a more streamlined and integrated regulatory framework with improved coordination amongagencies. Digitalization of licensing and compliance processes, reduction of overlapping approvals, and establishment of a single-window clearance mechanism would signi?cantly improve transparency, ef?ciency, and ease of doing business in the LPG industry. Regional Best Practices International best practices in energy regulation show clear models for Bangladesh. Vietnam uses a consolidated licensing system with 10year validity, ensuring predictability and ef?ciency.

turkey’s EMRA demonstrates the bene?ts of a single energy regulator supported by strong digitalization. Pakistan’s OGRA offers long-term licenses up to 15 years with simpli?ed inspections, reducing administrative burden.

india’s PESO combines uni?ed safety regulation with digital licensing through ePESO, balancing oversight and ease of doing business. Sri Lanka maintains a centralized regulator with low fragmentation and a stable, investor-friendly framework.

together, these models highlight the value of consolidation, digitalization, and longterm licensing. Proposed Regulatory Reform To strengthen Bangladesh’s LPG sector, regulatory reform should focus on stability, ef?ciency, and alignment with international best practices.

a key step is introducing long-term licenses of 5-10 years to reduce frequent renewals, lower administrative burdens, and improve investor con?dence, as seen in countries like Turkey, India, and Vietnam.

a fully digitized licensing system is also essential, enabling online applications, integrated payments, automated renewals and time-bound approvals. A centralized digital platform would reduce physical interactions and improve transparency.

in addition, duplication among regulatory agencies should be eliminated through a single integrated inspection framework. Designating BERC as the principal authority and establishing a singlewindow system would streamline licensing, enhance accountability, and support ef?cient, investor-friendly LPG sector growth. Safety Standards for Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances Bangladesh previously had no national safety standards for domestic gas cooking appliances, despite frequent household gas accidents affecting women and children.

in 2025, with support from the ADB, Petrobangla, and BSTI developed and published BDS ISO Safety Standards for Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances aligned with international best practices. The standards will become mandatory after a three-year transition period to allow compliance preparation, testing, and enforcement. However, accessories such as hoses, joints, and regulators remain largely unstandardized, although these are the most common sources of hazardous gas leaks in households. Standardizing these and related supply accessories is therefore essential to ensure gas supplies in domestic households are much less prone to leakage of gas. Consumer Safety Awareness Consumer safety awareness is a critical component of LPG safety in Bangladesh, especially as household dependence on LPG continues to grow.

effective awareness campaigns should highlight the quality-safety link between gas, appliances, and installation, the risks of poor workmanship, the importance of adequate ventilation, recognition of odorized LPG, and the immediate actions to take in case of a leak. Despite rapid LPG expansion, public awareness and technical knowledge have not kept pace, creating signi?cant safety risks. Many domestic users lack a basic understanding of safe cylinder handling, regulator use, ventilation requirements, and leak detection.

at the same time, a lack of appropriate training and certi?cation systems allows unskilled technicians to perform installations, increasing accident risks. Safety gaps are also evident at the distribution level, where some facilities operate without full compliance, and unsafe practices such as unauthorized storage and illegal cross-?lling further heighten hazards.

these issues highlight the need for stronger enforcement and coordinated action.

a nationwide LPG safety awareness program should be implemented through television, radio, social and print media, focusing on simple, practical safety messages. BERC, in collaboration with LOAB and industry stakeholders, should lead these initiatives.

in addition, mandatory safety instructions in the Bengali language should be provided at the point of sale with visual guidance, while distributors should demonstrate safe installation practices.

a basic certi?cation or orientation program for domestic users, especially in urban areas, can further improve safety outcomes. Finally, strict enforcement should ensure that only certi?ed technicians handle installation and maintenance, supported by LPG operators and LOAB. Overall, improving consumer awareness is essential for reducing accidents and ensuring safe, reliable LPG use across Bangladesh. Recommendations Key reforms should include the introduction of long-term licensing, digital governance systems, and a single-window regulatory authority under a uni?ed framework. Consumer safety and awareness should be strengthened through nationwide awareness campaigns, structured training programs, and strict enforcement of accountability for installation quality, equipment standards, and appliances. Strong stakeholder engagement between government, regulators, industry operators, and consumer groups is essential for developing a credible and investmentfriendly policy framework.

the LPG regulatory framework should be streamlined and made more ef?cient to reduce fragmentation and compliance costs, strengthen safety outcomes, and create a more investment-friendly environment.

a comprehensive LPG policy is required to cover the full value chain, including import, storage, bottling, distribution, and retail, along with end-user safety standards. Safe and reliable LPG cylinder transportation and distribution must remain the responsibility of licensed operators, strictly following established safety standards throughout the supply chain.

introduce mandatory technical standards certi?cation for all LPG equipment and appliances, with strict market surveillance to eliminate substandard cylinders, regulators, and burners. Establish a transparent and predictable LPG pricing mechanism linked to international benchmarks to reduce market volatility while ensuring affordability for lowincome households.

Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever electricity generation, with power production reaching 17,200 megawatts at 9:00pm on a day recently, according to a noti?cation issued by Power Grid Bangladesh PLC.

the new record surpassed the previous peak generation of 16,794MW achieved on July 23, 2025. The state-owned power transmission company said the record volume of electricity was transmitted smoothly across the national grid without any disruption.

according to the company, the achievement was made possible through coordinated efforts among power generation plants and electricity distribution agencies across the country.

The road transport and bridges ministry has sought a Tk 4.0 billion grant from the ?nance ministry to procure 100 electric buses for the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) ?eet.

the move is aimed at developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable public transport system in the country, of?cials said.

as part of efforts to modernise public transport and reduce carbon emissions, the transport ministry has submitted the proposal to the ?nance ministry, requesting budgetary support in the form of a grant for the procurement of electric vehicles.

the initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto to build an integrated, ef?cient, and green transport system, under which the introduction of electric buses in the BRTC ?eet is considered both timely and necessary.

Exxon Mobilis continuing its long-term up stream investment strategy despite ongoing market volatility , focusing on production growth, technology deployment and operational ef?ciency. Speaking at CERAWeek 2026, ExxonMobil Upstream President Dan Ammann said global energy demand will continue to rise, supporting the company’s long-term expansion plans. He highlighted the company’s operations in the Permian Basin as a key growth driver, noting that improved recovery technologies could signi?cantly boost production from unconventional reservoirs.

ammann said ExxonMobil is deploying advanced completion technologies, including lightweight proppants, which are already increasing recovery rates by up to 20%.

the company aims to further improve recovery ef?ciency as part of its strategy to strengthen long-term upstream earnings growth.

The government has a plan to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity from solar panels over the next ?ve years, Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, the minister for power, energy and mineral resources, said recently. ‘Immediately after taking of?ce, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue of solar power in his second cabinet meeting and asked us for a concrete plan on how to increase solar power generation,’ he said pointing out the government’s move towards establishing solar power.

the minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled, ‘Roadmap Towards 10,000 Megawatts Solar Power, 2030,’ at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), marking its 78th founding anniversary.

engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam, president of the IEB and chairman of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), chaired the event.

Mohammed Amirul Haque has been elected president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), cementing the dominance of the United Business Forum after its clean sweep in the biennial polls.

the chamber’s directors sealed the leadership decision at their recent presidium meeting at the chamber of?ce in Agrabad World Trade Center in the presence of the Chamber Election Board.

the newly elected directors unanimously formed the presidium, with Amirul from the Town Association Trade Group chosen as president Mr. Haque also the President of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB).