{
  "id": 8819872,
  "title": "Bangladesh raises fuel prices by up to 17pct amid global oil price surge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/bangladesh-raises-fuel-prices-by-up-to-17pct-amid-global-oil-price",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-21T02:08:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1537323/bangladesh-raises-fuel-prices-17pct-amid-global-oil-price-surge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DHAKA: Bangladesh has increased fuel prices by up to 17.4 percent, placing additional strain on consumers and businesses grappling with power and gas shortages. The government's move aims to counter significant losses from soaring global oil prices and higher shipping costs due to the Middle East conflict. Effective from Monday, the new rates are anticipated to escalate transportation and production costs, exacerbating inflation amid an already energy-scarce economy, particularly impacting the garment export industry. The Energy Ministry reported that international fuel prices have more than doubled since March 2026, while freight charges have surged due to regional instability. Consequently, diesel prices have risen 17.4 percent to 135 taka per litre from 115 taka, while octane gasoline, petrol, and kerosene have seen corresponding price hikes. This follows fuel price increases in April and June to offset rising import costs driven by higher global oil prices. The ministry cited the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation's losses, amounting to 228.76 billion taka (US$1.9 billion) from March to August, and claimed the price hike could trim annual losses by about 100 billion taka, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and curb fuel smuggling to neighboring countries with higher prices. The ministry also highlighted ongoing subsidies for liquefied natural gas, emphasizing continued support for electricity and gas supplies despite heightened import costs resulting from the regional energy crisis.",
  "summary": "DHAKA: Bangladesh has raised fuel prices by up to 17.4 per cent, piling fresh pressure on consumers and businesses already struggling with power and gas shortages, as the government moved to stem mounting losses from surging global oil prices and higher shipping costs linked to the Middle East conflict.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}