Amid an acute energy crisis, the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase has approved the procurement of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes at a significantly higher cost, with rates reaching up to $24.63 per MMBtu.
The decision was finalised on Monday during a committee meeting at the Secretariat, presided over by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
The newly approved rate of $24.63 per MMBtu represents a rapid price escalation from last week, when the committee cleared the purchase of a single LNG cargo at $23.93 per MMBtu.
To secure these two shipments, the government initiated an international quotation collection process in strict compliance with Clause (a) of Sub-rule 3 of Rule 105 of the Public Procurement Rules 2025.
Under the approved proposals, the 46th LNG cargo, scheduled for delivery between September 13 and 14, will be supplied by Posco International Corporation at a price of $24.625 per MMBtu.
The 47th LNG cargo, set to arrive between 23 and 24 September, will be delivered by TotalEnergies Gas & Power Limited, UK, at a rate of $24.25 per MMBtu.
These transactions mark a substantial financial shift compared to the previous week, when the government approved a cargo from Aramco Trading Singapore Private Limited at $23.93 per MMBtu.
That shipment cost the exchequer Tk39.52 crore. The current expenditure highlights a stark surge in energy costs, given that the government procured LNG at less than $10.50 per MMBtu as recently as December 2025.
