DHAKA: Bangladesh has raised fuel prices by up to 17.4%, piling fresh pressure on consumers and businesses already struggling with power and gas shortages, as the government moved to stem mounting losses from surging global oil prices and higher shipping costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
The new rates, effective from Monday, are expected to raise transportation and production costs across the import-dependent economy, adding to inflationary pressures at a time when industries, including the country's key garment export sector, are already grappling with an acute energy crunch.
