Govt Approves 5 Lakh Tonnes Diesel, Two LNG Cargoes

The government has approved the import of five lakh tonnes of refined diesel at $75.06 per barrel, along with two liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, to meet urgent energy needs amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The decision was made at a virtual meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on Saturday, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Md Siraj-Ud-Doula Khan, public relations officer of the finance ministry, confirmed that the committee cleared the procurement proposals.

Under the plan, five lakh tonnes of high-speed diesel (HSD), also known as automotive gas oil, will be imported from Kazakhstan-based Kazakh Gas Processing Plant LLP through direct procurement at $75.06 per barrel.

The committee also approved the import of two LNG cargoes from Singapore-based Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd.

Earlier, three proposals had been submitted to import a total of 16 lakh tonnes of diesel and one lakh tonnes of petrol. However, proposals to import 10 lakh tonnes of EN 590-10 ppm diesel and one lakh tonnes of gasoline from UAE-based DBS Trading House FZCO, as well as one lakh tonnes of diesel from Oman-based Maxwell International SPC, were withdrawn by the Energy Division despite prior approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.