Past ‘Plunder Economy’ Led to Import-Dependent Energy Policy, Says Information Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan has blamed what he described as a “plunder-based economy” over the past one and a half decades for creating an import-dependent energy policy despite Bangladesh possessing significant domestic energy resources.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 40th anniversary celebration of Daily Inqilab in Gulshan on Saturday, the minister said the country is currently facing a major energy challenge as a consequence of those policy decisions.

According to him, inadequate utilization of local energy resources and excessive reliance on imports weakened the country's long-term energy security and placed additional pressure on the economy and industrial sector.

Highlighting the government's strategy to address the crisis, Swapan said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is awaiting full operation and is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security. He noted that Russia financed the project through loans, making it an important strategic partner in the energy sector.

The minister also emphasized Bangladesh’s need to maintain balanced relations with multiple international partners. He noted that the country relies on the United States and Europe for garment exports, the Middle East for remittance inflows, India and China for imports, and Japan for development cooperation.

He added that a nation operating within such a complex global economic framework must also encourage diversity of thought and inclusiveness in its political landscape.

Addressing emerging technological trends, Swapan said artificial intelligence (AI) has become a central topic in global discussions and will significantly influence governance, economies, and media in the years ahead. He stressed that journalists and media organizations will need to place greater emphasis on fact-checking and maintaining credibility in the AI era.