Advisor expects LPG crisis to ease before Ramadan

Companies plan to import over 350,000 tonnes in January and February

Power and Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan hopes that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crisis, which has seen supplies dwindle and prices double, will be resolved before the start of Ramadan.

The advisor shared this expectation following an emergency meeting with private LPG operators on Tuesday, based on their projected import data.

During the meeting, the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) said if overall conditions remain favourable, a total of 351,700 tonnes of LPG will be imported during the remainder of January and throughout February.

A media statement issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, citing both the advisor and operators, said if the LPG import plan is implemented, the ongoing crisis will significantly ease before Ramadan.

Fouzul also directed all stakeholders to work together, placing the highest priority on ensuring there are no LPG shortages ahead of the elections and during the month of Ramadan.

Despite prices doubling, LPG is currently unavailable across the country compared with the demand, causing extreme hardship for consumers dependent on the fuel.

The supply crisis involving cooking gas cylinders has persisted for over a month.

Depending on the size, the price of LPG cylinders has surged by up to Tk 2,000.

Against this backdrop, the advisor highlighted the government's full cooperation in increasing imports.

He emphasised that the import commitments made by operators for January and February must be reflected in reality.

Operators claimed that recent LPG imports have been hindered by several adverse international situations.

They, however, denied allegations that prices are being artificially inflated to exploit the crisis.

They noted that if the scheduled import of 167,600 tonnes of LPG for January is secured, the crisis will be largely mitigated.

There are plans to import another 184,100 tonnes in February.