ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh's Finance and Planning Minister, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, announced on Wednesday that the government has requested a temporary waiver from the United States to enable Bangladesh to purchase fuel oil from Russia. The request comes in response to escalating conflicts in the Gulf region that are threatening global energy supplies.
He sought the waiver during a courtesy meeting with the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, at the Planning Commission in Dhaka.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said that the United States had recently granted India a one-month temporary waiver to import Russian fuel oil.
Similar support from the US would greatly benefit Bangladesh’s economy, he said, adding that the ambassador would convey the matter to Washington. The US imposes sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, citing the protection of its national interests.
According to the minister, the meeting primarily focused on volatility in the international energy market, particularly oil and gas supply disruptions stemming from the escalating conflict in the Gulf region.
The 33-km-wide Strait of Hormuz has reportedly seen vessel movement nearly halted after joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran and subsequent retaliatory measures by Tehran over the past 11 days.
Bangladesh, a net energy-importing country, is heavily dependent on the strait for its fuel supply. In recent years, the country has imported around six million tons of fuel oil annually, much of which passes through the strategic route.
A significant portion of Bangladesh’s imported liquefied natural gas from Qatar and Oman also transits through the Strait of Hormuz, making the country particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the waterway.
During the meeting, both sides also discussed ways to increase investment, trade, and economic cooperation between Dhaka and Washington. Issues related to strengthening the capacity of various government institutions were also raised.
