United News of Bangladesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday recommended a number of proposals in principle, including the emergency procurement of eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from four international suppliers through the direct procurement method (DPM), aiming to ensure uninterrupted gas supply amid geopolitical instability. The recommendations came at the 24th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in this year held today at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. The committee recommended policy approval for purchasing two LNG cargoes each from Blackcube International Ltd, UK; Global Fuel Supplies Pte Ltd, Australia; Plentitude Energy Sdn Bhd, Malaysia; and Maxwell International SPC, Oman through international direct procurement to meet the country’s urgent gas demand. The emergency purchases were proposed in view of the unstable geopolitical situation following the Iran and US-Israel conflict, according to the meeting outcomes. The committee also recommended policy approval for procuring 5,000 metric tons (±5%) of LPG from Speed Marketing Corporation (Speed Group) through direct international procurement at Saudi Aramco CP plus US$97 per metric ton (CFR basis). The LPG will contain 35-40 percent propane and 60-65 percent butane and is intended to meet emergency domestic demand, increase the government’s share in the LPG market and help stabilize prices. In the transport sector, the committee recommended policy approval for implementing a project to procure around 200 electric buses, including buses for women passengers, establish charging stations and develop related infrastructure for the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) under government financing through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). A proposal seeking policy approval for the draft “Bangladesh Onshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 (Plain Lands)”, submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division was, however, withdrawn from the meeting.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday approved the procurement of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the spot market at a total cost of Tk 1,437.55 crore to help meet the country’s energy demand. The approval came at a meeting of the CCGP chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The proposal was placed by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Rule 105(3)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025, through the international quotation method. Under the proposal, one LNG cargo will be procured from BP Singapore Pte Ltd, while another from TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd, UK.

The government on Tuesday approved a proposal for procuring five LNG cargoes this year on G2G basis to meet the country’s rising energy demand. The approval came from a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan briefed reporters after the meeting. Petrobangla will procure LNG directly from Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd under a government-to-government arrangement. The price has been fixed at JKM plus US$ 0.145 per MMBTU. Read More: Advisory Council Committee recommends deal with Swiss company for LNG supply Officials said that the LNG imports will help ensure uninterrupted gas supply for power generation and industrial use.