Cabinet secretary says Bangladesh has sufficient fuel reserves for a month

Bangladesh has enough fuel reserves to last about a month, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani has said.

On Wednesday, Ghani said the exact quantities of each type of fuel were not immediately available.

Speaking after a special meeting at the Secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to address supply issues arising from the Iran war, Ghani said the country had previously maintained a 15-day reserve, which is now considered adequate.

He added, “Some of the recent extra purchases are due to panic buying or intentional stockpiling. Much of that will go unused and eventually be consumed over the coming days.

“Once public confidence returns, this pressure will ease. The government has also decided to increase the stockpile further, particularly to ensure sufficient fuel and fertiliser supplies in case of emergencies.”

“The [current] proportions are balanced, but I do not have the detailed breakdown to share.”

Ghani also confirmed that the premier reviewed the country’s fuel situation during the meeting.

Beyond the fuel review, the cabinet discussed converting five interim ordinances issued by the caretaker government into law.

These include:

The current fiscal year’s finance ordinance;

VAT, supplementary duties, and amendments issued mid-year;

Excise duties on certain commodities;

Amendments to the finance ordinance.

“These five ordinances, part of the 133 passed under the previous government, have now received final approval to be converted into law,” he said.

“Necessary procedures will follow before they are formally introduced in Parliament,” Ghani added.