International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has stated that the ongoing war has disrupted global oil supplies by about 12 million barrels per day. Speaking in a podcast with Nicolai Tangen, head of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Birol said around 40 key regional energy facilities have been damaged due to the conflict.

He warned that the disruption could double in April compared to March, with Europe expected to feel the impact soon. Birol highlighted that the most severe shortages are currently in jet fuel and diesel, noting that Asia is already experiencing the effects and that Europe may face similar challenges by April or May.

Analysts believe the situation has sparked renewed concerns in the global energy market, as the supply disruptions and fuel shortages threaten to intensify economic pressures worldwide.

South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank Chairman Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman said depositors’ funds are safe with the bank. Speaking at a press conference marking the bank’s 13th anniversary on Wednesday, he emphasized that the board and management are fully committed to customer service and national development. Senior officials including Managing Director Moinul Kabir, Additional Managing Director Robiul Islam, and Deputy Managing Director Altaf Hossain were present.

Rahman stated that trust is the core of banking and takes time to build through ethical practices and high standards. He said the bank prioritizes investment in agriculture, food production, and value-added services for overseas job seekers, while also supporting young entrepreneurs to engage in national economic activities. He warned against misuse of loan funds for non-business purposes, calling it a major problem in the banking sector.

Addressing dividend concerns, Rahman noted that asset quality pressure has limited payouts but efforts are underway to recover. Managing Director Kabir added that SBAC Bank has satisfactory liquidity, is avoiding aggressive lending, and is focusing on small and medium sectors while tightening recovery from willful defaulters.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has pledged full cooperation to assist the Bangladesh government in creating employment opportunities. The commitment was made by ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo during a bilateral meeting in Geneva with Bangladesh’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, who was attending the 356th ILO Governing Body session. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Labour, Employment and Education Mahdi Amin and Labour Secretary Abdur Rahman Tarafdar were also present.

Houngbo expressed solidarity with Bangladesh’s priority programs and congratulated the new government on assuming office following recent elections. He emphasized the importance of Bangladesh’s democratic process and praised the country’s diplomatic efforts for gaining international support. Minister Chowdhury conveyed the Prime Minister’s greetings and highlighted the government’s focus on employment for youth and women, seeking a more active role from the ILO’s Dhaka office. He also requested cooperation in resolving the ongoing Article 26 issue concerning Bangladesh.

The meeting discussed strengthening international labour standards, expanding social protection programs, and increasing the involvement of multinational companies and global brands in ensuring workers’ rights. The minister welcomed Houngbo’s possible visit to Bangladesh in June.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that preparing the upcoming national budget will be challenging due to a fragile economy, pressure to implement election pledges, and the ongoing war in the Middle East. He made the remarks on Wednesday after a meeting with officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), where he discussed fiscal strategies for the next financial year.

The minister noted that the economy is already under strain, and the government faces obligations to fulfill its electoral commitments. The Middle East conflict has further complicated the situation by increasing costs, particularly in energy imports. He emphasized that the government aims to design a budget that boosts revenue collection without harming investment and employment.

Chowdhury added that the government does not intend to print money and seeks to reduce dependence on borrowing, moving instead toward an investment-driven economy. The upcoming budget will focus on ensuring resources for development and encouraging both domestic and foreign investment.

The United States has pledged to stand by Bangladesh in addressing the global energy crisis triggered by ongoing instability in the Middle East. The assurance came during a high-level meeting at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., where Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman met with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The discussion was confirmed in a press release issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in the United States on April 1, 2026.

During the meeting, the Bangladeshi foreign minister highlighted the pressure on the country’s energy sector due to disruptions in global supply chains and sought U.S. cooperation to ensure energy security. In response, the U.S. energy secretary said Washington was aware of Bangladesh’s situation and committed to supporting the country in overcoming the challenges.

Both sides also discussed prospects for long-term energy cooperation, including ensuring stable energy supplies for Bangladesh and expanding opportunities for energy imports from the United States. Senior officials from both governments attended the meeting.

A severe fuel shortage in Ramganj upazila of Lakshmipur has disrupted irrigation for the ongoing Boro season, raising concerns over crop yield. Irregular diesel and electricity supply have hindered water pumping in fields, leaving many farmers unable to irrigate on schedule. As a result, uncertainty looms over this year’s Irri and Boro rice production.

Local farmers said that delayed irrigation reduces Boro yield and causes grain sterility. Many are being forced to buy diesel at inflated prices, doubling their production costs. Farmer Shamsul Alam reported that diesel, once easily available at fixed rates, now costs two to three times more and is still difficult to obtain, putting cultivation at risk.

According to the upazila agriculture office, Boro rice has been cultivated on 3,910 hectares this season. The office warned that continued fuel shortages could prevent achieving the production target. Upazila Agriculture Officer Sabbir Ahmed stated that the issue is being addressed seriously and efforts are underway to normalize fuel supply through coordination with relevant authorities.

Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, public concern has grown in Bangladesh over the country’s fuel reserves and supply duration. Despite government assurances that there is no fuel crisis, long queues have formed at filling stations, and reports of disputes between customers and sellers have surfaced. According to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, as of March 31, Bangladesh held 128,939 metric tons of diesel, 7,940 metric tons of octane, 11,431 metric tons of petrol, and 44,609 metric tons of jet fuel. Experts estimate that the current diesel stock could last around 11 days, though new imports from Malaysia and India are expected to replenish supplies.

Energy officials maintain that monthly demand will be met and that the situation is under control. However, experts warn that Bangladesh’s limited storage capacity—only 30 to 40 days of supply—poses a risk to energy security. The government has deployed “tag officers” to monitor fuel stations and launched nationwide drives against illegal hoarding. On March 30, 391 raids resulted in 191 cases, fines totaling about one million taka, and the recovery of over 80,000 liters of fuel.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that Bangladesh is also exploring alternative fuel sources and maintaining supply contracts with India, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced in parliament that the newly introduced Family Card program will enhance women’s control over household assets. The card will be issued in the name of the female head of each family, ensuring that assistance is directly spent on food, nutrition, emergency healthcare, and education. Rahman said this initiative will strengthen women’s decision-making power and social status within families, contributing to broader empowerment across society.

Responding to a question from BNP lawmaker A.B.M. Mosharraf Hossain during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the Prime Minister explained that the program began on March 10 across 15 wards in 13 districts. So far, 37,814 female-headed families have received allowances under the scheme. An additional 30,000 families are expected to be included within the current fiscal year.

Rahman added that over the next four years, the Family Card program will gradually expand to cover 40 million families nationwide, aiming to institutionalize women’s economic participation and household leadership.

Retail traders in Bangladesh have alleged that edible oil companies are deliberately creating an artificial shortage of bottled soybean oil to raise prices amid an ongoing fuel crisis. They claim that companies have sharply reduced supply over the past six weeks, citing international price increases and lower profit margins. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association recently requested the Ministry of Commerce and the Tariff Commission to adjust prices, but the government has not yet held any meeting or made a decision.

Visits to markets in Dhaka and surrounding areas revealed that one- and two-liter bottles of soybean oil are scarce, while five-liter bottles are available in limited quantities. Retailers report reduced commissions and declining profits, leading to lower sales interest. Some shops are selling oil above the maximum retail price. Wholesale prices of loose soybean and palm oil have also risen by about five taka per kilogram.

Consumer rights group CAB criticized the situation, blaming weak government oversight and syndicate activities for the artificial crisis. It warned that companies are using supply cuts and commission reductions to pressure the government into approving price hikes.

Farmers in multiple districts of Bangladesh are facing severe difficulties due to an ongoing diesel shortage that has disrupted irrigation during the peak Boro cultivation season. Reports from Rajshahi, Kurigram, Sherpur, Khulna, and Manikganj show that many irrigation pumps and agricultural machines have stopped operating because of fuel scarcity. Farmers say they are unable to water their fields on time, leading to drying crops and fears of reduced yields. In some areas, diesel prices have risen sharply above government rates, while retail pumps report having no stock.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, large portions of farmland in Rajshahi and other regions depend on diesel-powered irrigation systems. In Rajshahi alone, over 21 percent of irrigated land relies on diesel pumps. The shortage has also affected transportation in riverine areas like Manikganj, where engine boats have stopped running, disrupting vegetable supply and driving up market prices.

Farmers and local officials warn that if diesel supply does not normalize soon, Boro rice and vegetable production could face significant setbacks this season.

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe fuel shortage with no sign of improvement, leaving vehicle owners and drivers struggling to obtain petrol and diesel. Many filling stations in Dhaka and across the country remain closed most of the day, causing a sharp decline in road traffic. Despite this, the government insists that it has 192,919 tons of fuel in reserve and has approved the import of an additional 150,000 tons. Officials claim the supply is stable and that 25 percent more fuel is being imported compared to last year.

The government attributes the crisis to illegal hoarding, black market trading, and panic buying following regional tensions. Authorities have conducted 3,559 raids, recovering nearly 296,000 liters of fuel and imposing fines and jail terms. However, petrol pump owners dispute the government’s claims, saying they receive less than half their required supply and face unrest and security threats at stations.

To ease the shortage, the government has approved emergency purchases of 260,000 tons of fuel and is seeking U.S. approval to import six lakh tons from Russia, while maintaining domestic prices through subsidies.

A severe fuel shortage has gripped Dinajpur district, mirroring the nationwide crisis. Long queues of vehicles have been forming daily at filling stations, with many drivers expressing frustration over the lack of fuel. The situation has led to verbal altercations, clashes, and even a death caused by heatstroke while waiting for fuel.

In response, the district administration has intensified operations against illegal fuel hoarding and irregularities across several upazilas. On March 29, a mobile court fined Messrs Shamim Traders in Fulthola Bazar Tk 50,000 for storing 11,000 liters of petrol, exceeding its approved limit of 4,500 liters. The excess 6,500 liters were sold at government-fixed prices. Earlier, on March 28, another mobile court in Birganj seized 350 liters of diesel and 30 liters of octane, sentencing one person to seven days in jail and a Tk 5,000 fine.

Authorities have deployed monitoring officers to all 24 filling stations in Sadar upazila to ensure proper fuel distribution. The district administration stated that strict surveillance and continued operations aim to stabilize the situation soon.

Global energy prices have risen sharply following the outbreak of war involving Iran, with Brent crude oil climbing from 73 to nearly 117 dollars per barrel. The wholesale price surge has pushed up retail fuel costs worldwide, affecting both developed and developing economies.

In the United States, average petrol prices have increased by more than one dollar to exceed four dollars per gallon, marking the highest level in four years. The United Kingdom has seen petrol prices rise by 14 percent and diesel by 27 percent. South Asian nations such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have introduced fuel rationing systems, while Slovenia became the first European Union country to adopt similar measures last week.

Australia has halved its fuel tax for three months to ease the burden on consumers and introduced temporary free public transport in two states to reduce car usage.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has announced that the government plans to reopen Bogura Stolport and Lalmonirhat Airport as domestic airports. She made the statement on Tuesday afternoon during a question-and-answer session in the National Parliament in response to a query from Jamalpur-2 lawmaker A. E. Sultan Mahmud Babu.

The minister also said that a feasibility study and planning have been completed to upgrade Saidpur Airport into a regional airport. The project includes the construction of an international-standard terminal building, runway expansion, and other necessary infrastructure improvements.

These initiatives are part of the government’s broader plan to enhance regional air connectivity and improve aviation infrastructure across Bangladesh, according to the minister’s parliamentary statement.

The SME Foundation will provide Tk 125 crore in loans to cottage, micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s agro-based and food processing sectors. The financing, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will be distributed through banks and financial institutions at a maximum interest rate of 9 percent. The agreement was signed on March 31, 2026, at the headquarters of Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) in Dhaka.

Under the agreement, funds from BIFFL’s Food Value Chain Improvement Project will be used to finance entrepreneurs on easy terms. The initiative, operated with JICA’s assistance, aims to strengthen the food value chain, ensure food security, and enhance entrepreneurial skills. Women entrepreneurs will receive special priority. The program covers fruit, vegetable, and spice processing, rice and pulse milling, edible oil and seed processing, organic fertilizer, and biopesticide production, along with related wholesale, logistics, and retail sectors.

The initiative also includes financing for machinery purchase, factory upgrades, and warehouse construction, as well as training and technical support. It is expected to strengthen the food value chain, reduce import dependence, expand export opportunities, and create rural employment.