Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday appealed for backing from commercial leaders and media figures to help execute the administration's strategies aimed at tackling the nation's severe electricity and fuel constraints, asserting that the government must be afforded the space to carry out its initiatives free from political turmoil throughout its mandate.

He additionally expressed optimism that industrial gas distribution would bounce back to previous volumes beginning Tuesday evening.

Addressing a three-hour interactive session convened with corporate executives and press representatives at his office within the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Prime Minister cautioned that any domestic volatility would inflict damage upon commerce, trade, and the broader economic framework, according to remarks relayed by Prime’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

“The people will decide at the appropriate time whom they want to entrust with running the government. But whichever government is in office at a given time should be allowed to complete its planned work,” he stated.

Characterizing the prevailing energy and power shortfall as a legacy obstacle passed down to the current administration, PM Tarique Rahman emphasized that a complete resolution cannot be achieved overnight within a span of six months or a year.

“But we have identified the problems, prepared plans and are now at the stage of implementing those plans,” he explained.

The Prime Minister underscored that the authorities are operating in accordance with structured timelines designed to restore stability to electricity and fuel supplies.

“If we can implement these plans, not only business and trade but the overall economy will benefit,” he noted.

“We hope, Insha-Allah, from tomorrow evening the gas supply will return to something like the level it was at one to one and a half months ago,” PM Tarique Rahman added.

State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit delivered a detailed briefing titled "Challenges and Future Roadmap of Bangladesh’s Power and Energy Sector" during the proceedings.

Elaborating on the root causes of the ongoing fuel crunch, the Prime Minister clarified that methane shipments experienced severe disruptions following an accidental mishap at one of the country's twin floating liquefied natural gas terminals, which subsequently crippled industrial operations and alternate sectors.

He confirmed that the complications stemming from that specific incident have already been rectified.

PM Tarique Rahman disclosed that the administration is actively pursuing the establishment of a third floating LNG terminal to permanently mitigate the delivery deficit.

Preparations for setting up an additional terminal via government-to-government arrangements advanced significantly over the preceding month, with physical operations slated to commence shortly.

The government projects that the third terminal will be successfully integrated into the national gas distribution grid by December 2027, the Prime Minister affirmed.

He remarked that infrastructural hurdles within the power sector are similarly deep-rooted.

Upon assuming office, the administration audited existing obstacles, consulted with key industry stakeholders, and formulated comprehensive blueprints to rectify them, PM Tarique Rahman stated, adding that the execution phase of those strategies is currently underway.

“Planning for anything and implementing it takes time. This problem in energy and power has been inherited. It is not possible to solve it within six months or a year simply by wishing to do so,” he observed.

The administration also shared provisional target dates with commercial leaders for completing various slated projects.

While acknowledging that completion schedules might experience slight adjustments during execution, the Prime Minister stressed that the government maintains a clear framework and timeline.

Pleading for solidarity from the business community, he warned that any setbacks faced by enterprises and industries will generate repercussions across the entire economy.

“So, solving the power and energy problem is not only a matter of interest for the business community. It is linked to the overall economic progress of the country,” PM Tarique Rahman asserted.

Recalling that Bangladesh has outlined an ambitious objective of transforming into a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034, he noted that reaching this milestone is contingent upon reliable and uninterrupted flows of power and fuel.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the state's long-term developmental blueprint has been designed with this precise target in view.

Addressing concerns over setbacks, PM Tarique Rahman asserted that the business community is already well-acquainted with the scale and intricacy of the current difficulties.

Rather than concealing shortcomings, the government has transparently laid out the issues alongside its roadmap for remediation, he observed.

“We wanted to let you know that we are working on this. So, there is no reason to be disappointed,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He exhorted enterprise leaders to support the realization of these initiatives if they deem the strategies sound, pointing out that successful execution will yield dividends for the nation collectively rather than businesses alone.

Reiterating his previous caution, PM Tarique Rahman warned that unrest or instability would deal a severe blow to trade networks and financial stability.

Explaining the rationale behind inviting media delegates and prominent commentators to the dialogue, he stressed the importance of conveying official objectives and strategies accurately to the public. “Otherwise, fragmented information could create confusion,” he said.

“If the media have a clear understanding of the government’s plans, they will also be able to present them correctly to the people,” the Prime Minister noted.

He further observed that a cohesive and capable team is imperative for driving forward large-scale structural reforms.

PM Tarique Rahman emphasized that all relevant governmental departments are collaborating closely to ensure that policy execution translates into tangible enhancements in the daily lives of citizens across all strata.

Addressing the gathered corporate and press delegates, he appealed, “Please cooperate with us so that we can do something better for you.”

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh, and Energy Secretary Md. Ziaul Huq were in attendance.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Fazlul Hoque, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan, International Chamber of Commerce President Mahbubur Rahman, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association acting President Abul Kamal, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mohammed Amirul Haque, and Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association President Mahbub Anam, among other prominent commercial leaders, participated in the gathering.

Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, BNP Media Cell Convener Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, Daily Waadaa Editor Shafiqul Alam, alongside journalists Ashraf Kaiser, Mostafa Firoz, Abdun Noor Tushar, Akbar Hossain, Shahed Alam, Rezaul Karim Rony, Azizur Rahman Ripon, and Tariqul Islam Sourav, were among the media personalities present, alongside Jahangirnagar University academic Dr. Nahreen I Khan.