The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) has expressed serious concerns regarding the recent gas tariff hike, claiming that it discriminates against new investors by imposing a 33 per cent higher cost compared to existing customers. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bida’s executive chairman, articulated these worries in a letter addressed to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on 15th April.
In the letter, Bida urged BERC to reconsider the tariff increase, warning that such a decision could undermine the country’s investment landscape and economic progress. “This discriminatory policy will discourage new investments,” Chowdhury stated. He noted that many investors view the price hike as unfair and are voicing their opposition.
Bida clarified that while it does not oppose the Government’s initiative to reduce subsidies, it insists that such measures should be implemented transparently. The timing of the announcement has also raised eyebrows, as it followed closely on the heels of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, which attracted approximately 450 investors and business leaders from 40 countries. During this summit, several investors signed memorandums of understanding and agreements to invest in Bangladesh.
Chowdhury emphasised that the gas price hike, announced immediately after the summit, could generate negative sentiment among potential investors. He urged BERC to adopt a pricing model that is more conducive to investment and proposed organizing a workshop to review and analyze the potential impacts of the price increase.
Bida’s concerns are echoed by foreign stakeholders, including the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, who have also expressed apprehension regarding the timing and implications of the gas price hike.
