Bangladesh to hike utility charges, petrol prices from new year
( 2001-12-25 17:13 ) (7 )

Bangladesh is to hike utility charges and prices for all kinds of petroleum products from the new year, officials here said Tuesday.

They said the increase was the first in two years and was implemented apparently under donor pressure due to subsidies given to the sectors as well as a cash flow shortage.

State Minister for Energy Mosharraf Hossain said the new prices would come into effect from January 1 after approval from Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

"In principle it has been agreed to increase the prices," he said, without elaborating.

Newspapers said the rise would lead to an increase in prices for general consumer goods.

The last time there was an increase in petroleum product prices by the then-government of Sheikh Hasina Wajed two years ago, the opposition and current ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party staged street protests.