B Mirror Report : Amid escalating prices and an ongoing domestic LPG shortage, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has began seeking sources for importing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through a government-to-government (G2G) agreement for the first time. The state-owned enterprise has issued letters to 12 state-run firms across 11 nations in Asia and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Algeria, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Oman, Kuwait, and the UAE.

BPC has requested information on potential suppliers’ interest, conditions, and capacity to meet Bangladesh’s growing LPG demand. The letters, sent on January 21 and 24, detailed supply arrangements, shipping logistics, and discharge procedures at Chattogram Port.

The corporation is considering two options: smaller shipments of 5,000–10,000 tonnes discharged directly at Chattogram Port, with a lead time of around 10 days, or larger shipments of 40,000 tonnes per month, requiring transfer from deep-sea vessels to lighter vessels, which could take up to 25 days to unload.

A.K.M. Azadur Rahman, BPC Director, said the most practical option will be chosen after evaluating shipping arrangements, lightering capability, and price. He added that BPC is not favoring any specific country, focusing instead on suppliers who can meet the conditions and deliver promptly.

The import plan follows formal approval for G2G imports granted on January 21, under conditions that BPC will not engage in bottling or direct marketing and will supply bulk LPG only to approved private operators coordinated through the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB).

LOAB President Amirul Haque said nearly all private LPG operators are cooperating with BPC and have expressed interest in sourcing LPG through the initiative. Out of 52 registered LPG companies, 23 have import capabilities, though only eight regularly imported LPG last year. Reduced imports have been a key factor in the recent market shortage.

Officials noted that with global shipping costs rising and vessel availability limited, sourcing LPG quickly and reliably is critical to stabilizing the domestic market. Several companies from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Azerbaijan have been asked to respond by January 30, while BPC awaits prompt feedback from other countries.