Gas price for fertilizer factories almost doubled

The price of gas used in fertilizer factories has been increased from Tk16 to Tk29.25 per unit.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price at a press conference on Sunday.

Earlier, gas distribution companies including Petrobangla had proposed to BERC to increase the price of gas used in fertilizer factories by up to 150 percent. BERC later organized a public hearing on this proposal.

At the public hearing, BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed said: "A balance will be maintained by considering all aspects on the gas price issue. If the price increases, people are worried about the production cost of fertilizer. Of course, agriculture must be taken into account. Although the contribution of agriculture to GDP is small, the issue of food security and huge employment must be kept in mind. Again, the cost of LNG import must be taken into account."