Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament that recent conflicts in Iran and the wider Middle East, along with global energy market instability, have sharply increased Bangladesh’s subsidy burden in four key sectors—oil, gas, electricity, and fertilizer. Preliminary estimates show that by June of the 2025–26 fiscal year, additional subsidies of about Tk 42,600 crore will be required. He provided the figures in response to a question from BNP lawmaker S. M. Jahangir Hossain during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to the minister, the estimated extra costs include Tk 10,258 crore for oil, Tk 11,170 crore for gas, Tk 19,821 crore for electricity, and Tk 1,350 crore for fertilizer. Despite these pressures, the government continues policy and financial support to protect citizens, agriculture, and production sectors. The minister said the Middle East unrest poses both immediate and potential risks to Bangladesh’s economy, particularly in energy, imports, inflation, foreign exchange, remittances, and overseas employment.

He added that the government is closely monitoring the situation and has initiated measures such as diversifying energy import sources, expanding local gas exploration, maintaining supply stability, managing foreign exchange prudently, and exploring alternative labor markets.