Dhaka: Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced on Sunday that it will take at least two years to resolve the ongoing gas and electricity shortages in Bangladesh. He explained that the establishment of necessary infrastructure, such as floating LNG terminals, will require one and a half to two years, thereby making an immediate solution impossible.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister made these remarks as the chief guest at a luncheon discussion titled ‘Building Investor Confidence: From Policy Reforms to Effective Implementation’, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at a city hotel. He also addressed the capital deficit in the country’s banking sector, attributing it to massive money laundering, and stated that the government is exploring alternative financing mechanisms and dedicated investment funds to support economic growth.
Khosru emphasized the urgency of recapitalizing the banking sector, as depositors are struggling to retrieve their funds. He mentioned that Bangladesh is designing alternative financial channels and receiving positive responses from foreign countries and international organizations to create dedicated investment funds.
Furthermore, the minister acknowledged the structural bottlenecks in business and trade, noting that Bangladesh remains an “over-regulated” country. He highlighted several reform initiatives, including the structural division of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to separate policy-making from tax execution, and plans to automate investor services, tax processing, and customs logistics.
Khosru underscored that the primary allocation in the national budget will focus on implementing comprehensive structural reforms. He added that Bangladesh is moving towards advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) management to enhance administrative efficiency.
Addressing questions on energy shortages, the minister stressed the importance of a long-term strategic approach over short-term solutions. AmCham President Syed Mohammad Kamal opened the discussion by emphasizing the business community’s priorities on energy security, stable tax structures, and macroeconomic stability.
HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Mahbubur Rahman expressed optimism for foreign investment in Bangladesh, citing the country’s large market, flourishing export sector, and growing remittance inflows that contribute to currency and foreign exchange stability. The AmCham event gathered prominent businessmen, economists, senior government officials, foreign trade delegates, and AmCham members operating in Bangladesh.