Bangladesh plans general policy to open fuel oil import and sales to private firms

The government plans to introduce a general policy allowing eligible private companies to import and sell fuel oil, Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku has said.

He said the initiative was not intended to benefit any particular company but to create opportunities for qualified private-sector firms to enter the fuel oil business.

The minister also said private companies could operate petrol pumps alongside those run by state-owned companies.

He stressed that if such a policy is introduced, it will apply generally and will not be designed for the benefit of any single business.

Tuku made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised by the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB).

The seminar, titled "Energy sector crisis: prospects and ways forward", was held at the Samson H Chowdhury Centre of Dhaka Club in Dhaka.