Bangladesh awaiting US waiver to import Russian oil, LNG: Khasru
“There is potential for Bangladesh to import oil, gas and LNG from Russia, and Moscow is also interested in exporting energy resources to the country,” he says.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today (12 March) said the government is waiting for a waiver from the United States to import fuel oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, as Moscow has shown interest in supplying energy to Bangladesh.
"There is potential for Bangladesh to import oil, gas and LNG from Russia, and Moscow is also interested in exporting energy resources to the country," he told journalists after a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Khozin at the Planning Commission in Dhaka.
However, the minister noted that some challenges remain. "We are waiting for a waiver from the United States to import fuel from Russia. There is scope to work with Russia in the energy sector and they are also willing to cooperate," the minister said.
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Yesterday, during a meeting with the US ambassador in Dhaka, Khasru sought a temporary waiver from Washington to import Russian oil, similar to the exemption granted to India.
After the meeting, he said the government informed the United States that providing Bangladesh with a similar opportunity would significantly support the country's economy. "US officials said the matter will be forwarded to Washington for consideration."
According to media reports, the United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil exports following the war in Ukraine. However, amid disruptions in Middle Eastern energy supplies due to escalating tensions involving Iran, Washington recently granted India a one-month waiver to import Russian oil.
