Govt approves LNG and fertiliser imports worth over Tk2,800cr

The government has approved a set of procurement proposals, including the import of three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from the spot market and around 2.45 lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser along with 15,000 tonnes of rock sulphur, to meet the country’s rising energy and agricultural needs.

The approvals came at the meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), held Tuesday at the Cabinet Division’s conference room in the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.

LNG procurement

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division’s proposal to import three LNG cargoes was cleared at a total cost of Tk1,442.03 crore, with all shipments to be sourced TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd, UK, will supply the cargoes, scheduled for delivery in October 2025. Each shipment is priced differently, reflecting fluctuations in the spot market.

The first cargo, due between October 19-20, will cost Tk480.68 crore at $11.44 per MMBtu. The second cargo, set for October 6-7, will cost Tk476.48 crore at $11.34 per MMBtu, and the third cargo, arriving October 28-29, is priced at Tk484.88 crore at $11.54 per MMBtu.

Officials said the imports are crucial to maintaining stable energy supplies, particularly for industry and power generation. They added that, despite volatility in global LNG prices, Bangladesh was able to secure the shipments at competitive rates through timely purchases from the spot market.

Fertiliser procurement

The committee also approved several fertiliser import proposals, amounting to 2.45 lakh tonnes, to maintain adequate agricultural input stocks ahead of upcoming cultivation seasons.

These include 30,000 tonnes of bagged granular urea from Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO), Bangladesh at Tk169.69 crore, 35,000 tonnes of Muriate of Potash (MOP) from JSC Foreign Economic Corporation (Prodintorg) at Tk154.90 crore, 40,000 tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) from OCP, NUTRICROPS, Morocco at Tk384.45 crore, two consignments of 30,000 tonnes each of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) from OCP, Morocco, at Tk215.39 crore and Tk215.04 crore, and two consignments of 40,000 tonnes each of MOP from Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) at Tk177.32 crore and Tk177.03 crore.

In addition, the government approved the procurement of 15,000 tonnes of rock sulphur, including bright yellow sulphur and sulphur crude, from various sources at an estimated cost of Tk71.42 crore.

Officials said these procurements are part of a strategic effort to maintain sufficient fertiliser and agricultural input stocks ahead of upcoming cultivation seasons, supporting farmers and ensuring continued food production nationwide.