Fouzul: Bangladesh shifting towards clean transport, renewable energy

Bangladesh is making steady progress towards clean transportation and renewable energy, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the “State of Investment Climate – Bangladesh” webinar, organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Dr Khan highlighted the government’s comprehensive initiatives to ensure energy security, promote electric mobility, and attract investment in sustainable infrastructure.

He announced that, with World Bank support, 450 electric buses will be introduced alongside EV charging facilities at existing petrol and gas stations. “The government will fully back investors engaged in EV charging, imports, and operations,” he assured.

Dr Khan, a former Power Division secretary and economist, said an integrated multimodal transport plan is in progress to synchronise road, rail, and waterways through data-driven logistics, aiming to reduce costs and identify infrastructure gaps to enhance global competitiveness.

He pointed to the newly approved Renewable Energy Policy 2025, which offers long-term tax holidays and duty exemptions on solar technologies. Under the National Rooftop Solar Programme, government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions will adopt solar installations via net metering, with over 3,000MW expected from rooftop and ground-mounted projects. Private sector participation will be strengthened through merchant power policies allowing direct energy sales to consumers.

On energy security, Dr Khan noted Bangladesh’s plan to import 104 LNG cargoes in 2025, up from 84 in the previous year. He added that financial discipline has been restored by repealing the controversial 2010 special contracting law and reducing outstanding energy liabilities from $3.2 billion to under $700 million.

He also confirmed that an updated Integrated Power and Energy Master Plan is being developed to diversify the energy mix with gas, coal, nuclear, solar, and wind. “Our long-term strategy is clear: diversify and secure sustainability. The next government will inherit a financially stable and forward-looking energy sector,” he said.

The webinar was moderated by BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, who also chairs the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). In his remarks, he praised Bangladesh’s economic resilience, citing stable GDP growth, controlled inflation, a flexible exchange rate, rising remittances, and increased foreign direct investment.

He added that BIDA has launched 32 major reform initiatives to improve the ease of doing business and attract quality investments. “Bangladesh is entering a new era of confidence. With reforms and resilience, we are ready to welcome global investors,” he said.