Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday warned that prices of essential commodities are set to rise in the country in the coming days no doubt.

"Due to the supply chain crisis, not only fuel but other commodities will also increase in Bangladesh," Amir Khosru told reporters after a National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on LDC graduation preparedness at the Planning Ministry in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

He said, noting that this is not a problem affecting only Bangladesh but a global challenge.

''The ongoing energy crisis is already casting an adverse shadow over the national economy. The prices of food items will go up as a consequence of this crisis."

Minister Amir Khosru also acknowledged the growing fiscal pressure on the government, pointing out that while other countries have significantly raised fuel prices, Bangladesh has refrained from doing so - a decision, which is straining state funds.

"How long we can keep fuel prices unchanged is difficult to say with certainty. We are purchasing fuel using state treasury funds, which will ultimately be a loss for the people," the minister said, adding that any decision on fuel pricing will be taken with public welfare as the foremost consideration.

Sun News/ra