Global energy shock may add Tk610b burden to Bangladesh, warns DCCI

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President
Taskeen Ahmed today (9 April) warned that the ongoing global energy shock could
impose an additional Tk610 billion annual burden on Bangladesh and
significantly strain the country's economy, urging immediate strategic
interventions.
He made the remarks while
presenting a keynote paper at a round-table discussion titled "Navigating
the Global Energy Shock: Impact on Bangladesh & Way Forward," held at
the DCCI auditorium.
Taskeen Ahmed said Bangladesh's
heavy reliance on imported energy – about 95% of consumption – has made the
economy highly vulnerable to global price volatility, especially amid
geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. "If global oil prices remain
above $120 per barrel, Bangladesh could face an additional $4-5 billion in
costs alongside increased subsidies for LNG and fuel imports."
He noted that rising fuel costs are already fuelling
inflation, widening fiscal deficits, and putting pressure on foreign exchange
reserves. Every $10 increase in oil prices may add roughly $1 billion to
Bangladesh's annual expenditure, while losses of the Bangladesh Petroleum
Corporation have cumulatively exceeded Tk45,000 crore.
The DCCI president said the country
is experiencing a widening energy-demand gap, with gas supply to industries cut
by around 40% and electricity shortages exceeding 3,000 MW. These constraints
are affecting manufacturing, exports, and domestic supply chains.
According to the presentation,
energy-intensive sectors such as ready-made garments, cement, steel, and
pharmaceuticals are facing rising production costs, while freight charges have
increased by 20-40%, and additional container fees of $500 to $4,000 are pushing
up export prices.
Taskeen Ahmed also highlighted the
broader socio-economic impact, noting that SMEs report energy as a top business
constraint, rural areas face 8-14 hours of load shedding, and higher diesel
prices are increasing irrigation costs for farmers, posing risks to food
security.
He stressed that Bangladesh must urgently diversify energy sources, accelerate
renewable energy adoption, and secure long-term LNG contracts to mitigate
risks.
The presentation also recommended
rationing energy use, promoting rooftop solar, prioritising export-oriented
industries for uninterrupted supply, and expanding storage and LNG
infrastructure.
The DCCI president warned that
without a clear energy strategy, Bangladesh risks sliding from a fragile
recovery into a structural economic crisis, urging coordinated policy action to
safeguard growth and industrial competitiveness.
















