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DHAKA: Bangladesh has raised fuel prices by up to 17.4%, \u200cpiling fresh pressure on consumers and businesses, as the government moved to stem mounting losses from surging global oil prices and higher shipping costs linked to the Middle East conflict.<\/b><\/p>\n
The new rates, effective from Monday, are expected to raise transportation and production \u200bcosts across the import-dependent economy, adding to inflationary pressures at a time when industries, including the \u200bcountry\u2019s key garment export sector, are already grappling with an acute energy crunch.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStaying in business \u2060means staying competitive \u2014 the buyer who gets a product onto the shelf fastest and cheapest wins \u2014 and \u200bgas, power, and fuel costs all feed into that equation,\u201d said Mohiuddin Rubel, additional managing director of Denim Expert \u200bLtd, which supplies brands including H&M.<\/span><\/p>\n The Energy Ministry said international fuel prices had more than doubled since March 2026, while freight charges had risen significantly because of regional instability.<\/span><\/p>\n Under the new rates, diesel prices rose 17.4% to 135 taka ($1.11) per litre \u200bfrom 115 taka. Prices of 95-octane gasoline increased to 165 taka per litre from 145 taka, petrol rose \u200bto 160 taka from 140 taka, while kerosene increased to 155 taka from 135 taka.<\/span><\/p>\n The latest increase follows fuel price \u200chikes in April \u2060and June, when the government also raised prices to help offset rising import costs driven by higher global oil prices.<\/span><\/p>\n The ministry said state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation incurred losses of 228.76 billion taka ($1.9 billion) between March and August and that the latest price hike could cut annual losses by about 100 billion taka, while conserving foreign \u200bexchange reserves and curbing fuel \u200bsmuggling to neighbouring countries \u2060where prices are higher.<\/span><\/p>\n The ministry also cited substantial subsidies for liquefied natural gas, saying the government continued to support electricity and gas supplies despite higher import costs \u200bstemming from the regional energy crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n The move drew concern from exporters, who said \u200bhigher fuel costs \u2060would further squeeze manufacturers already battling energy shortages.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe fuel price hike will hurt everyone, from common people to businesses and industries. It will fuel inflation, increase production and transportation costs, trigger job losses and force some businesses \u2060to downsize,\u201d \u200bsaid Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries.<\/span><\/p>\n