PM Tarique Rahman Pledges Dedicated Industrial FSRU and 14-Day Business Approvals

Dhaka, August 2, 2026 — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a sweeping package of measures to ease the energy crisis and boost Bangladesh's export competitiveness, including dedicating the country's third floating LNG terminal (FSRU) exclusively to industrial gas supply and issuing all business licences within 14 days. 🏭 The commitments came during a meeting with leading business leaders to discuss measures needed to raise Bangladesh's annual export earnings to $100 billion by 2030, up from $48 billion in FY2025-26. 📈

📋 The meeting, held on August 1, 2026, discussed business expansion, foreign investment promotion, and industrialisation. Business leaders highlighted that the energy crisis is disrupting industrial production and discouraging new investment, urging immediate government action. ⚡

⚡ Eight Major Announcements

📊 The prime minister announced eight key measures:

• ⛽ 3rd FSRU dedicated for industries — the proposed third FSRU at Maheshkhali will be used exclusively for industrial gas supply
• 🔧 Damaged FSRU repair — expected to resume operations by August 10, helping restore gas supply
• 📦 ISO gas containers — government considering importing gas in ISO containers for direct supply to industrial factories
• 📋 14-day business approvals — all business licences and approvals to be issued within 14 days
• 🚢 24/7 customs services — at Chattogram Port and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
• ☀️ Solar investment priority — priority land allocation in economic zones, low-interest financing
• 🌍 E-visas for investors — from five priority countries including Netherlands, UK, China, Singapore, South Korea
• 🎯 $100 billion export target — by 2030 through support for 10 priority sectors

⛽ Energy Crisis Response

🏭 In response to business leaders' demand for a dedicated FSRU, the meeting was told that the proposed third FSRU at Maheshkhali — already approved by the cabinet — will be used exclusively for industrial gas supply. Additionally:

• 📅 Damaged FSRU — currently under repair, expected back by August 10
• 📦 ISO container imports — gas would be imported in ISO containers for direct factory supply
• ☀️ Solar power — investors in economic zones get priority land; solar investors get easier low-interest financing
• 🔋 Battery storage — duty-free imports of solar batteries, policy support for local lithium battery manufacturing

📊 Moynul Islam, chairman of Monno Ceramic Industries and president of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association, confirmed:

"The prime minister said the third FSRU will be dedicated to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to industries. He also stressed importing gas in ISO containers to maintain industrial production and exports."

📋 14-Day Business Approvals and 24/7 Customs

🏛️ The PMO announced that all business licences and approvals will be issued within 14 days, dramatically improving the ease of doing business. Currently, some businesses need 31 licences and up to 650 days to launch operations, according to a BUILD study. 📊

🚢 The meeting also decided to introduce 24-hour, seven-day customs services at Chattogram Port and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Customs, ports, and related banking services will be declared "essential services" to facilitate uninterrupted import and export operations. 📦

🌍 E-Visas and Investment Facilitation

🤝 The PMO has decided to introduce e-visas for citizens of strategically important countries and waive visa fees for investors from priority nations. BIDA has proposed waiving on-arrival visa fees for investors from:

• 🇳🇱 Netherlands
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 🇨🇳 China
• 🇸🇬 Singapore
• 🇰🇷 South Korea

🎯 $100 Billion Export Target by 2030

📈 The government has set an ambitious target of $100 billion in exports by 2030, more than double the current $48 billion. Key elements:

• 📊 10 priority export sectors — identified for focused support
• 💰 $3 billion per sector — each non-RMG priority sector assigned this target
• 🇻🇳 Vietnam as benchmark — competing with Vietnam's export performance
• 🔄 Bi-monthly meetings — PM to meet business leaders every 2 months
• 📋 20 decisions from April — 8-9 already implemented

💊 The pharmaceutical sector received special attention, with discussions on LDC graduation challenges and the need to accelerate work on the API Industrial Park. Business leaders urged international certification for pharma exports by encouraging certification authorities from the US, UK, and other developed countries to operate in Bangladesh. 📊

🔮 Open Access Tariff and Energy Reform

⚡ Business leaders called for lower wheeling and cross-subsidy charges for using the electricity transmission network. The PMO said the proposed Open Access Tariff — which would allow large industrial consumers to purchase electricity directly from independent power producers — is under consideration by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). 💡

🏭 Mustafa Kamal, chairman of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), said follow-up meetings between the prime minister and business leaders will now be held every two months. He noted that entrepreneurs expressed satisfaction with the government's investment-friendly approach. 🤝

🌐 The comprehensive package — combining energy security, regulatory reform, investment facilitation, and export targets — represents the government's most ambitious economic reform initiative to date. If implemented effectively, these measures could transform Bangladesh's business environment and accelerate progress toward the $100 billion export goal. 🚀