The government has kept fuel prices unchanged for April, maintaining existing retail rates for petrol, octane, diesel and kerosene despite mounting global pressures.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Division said on Tuesday that diesel will remain at Tk100 per litre, kerosene at Tk112, petrol at Tk116 and octane at Tk120, adding that the rates will continue beyond 1 April.
The decision comes as the BNP-led government seeks to ease pressure on inflation-hit consumers by avoiding any immediate price hike, according to officials.
However, economists and energy experts warned that holding prices steady is increasing the subsidy burden as global oil markets remain heated up following the Israel-US attack on Iran.
They said the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Gulf oil shipments, has reduced global petroleum supply by more than 20 per cent, pushing up import costs.
Countries including Bangladesh are now sourcing fuel from alternative markets at significantly higher prices, in some cases up to three times the previous rates.
Experts said a gradual adjustment of domestic fuel prices would be necessary to contain subsidy pressures, particularly as Bangladesh continues under an International Monetary Fund programme.
