Bangladesh raises fuel prices to ease subsidy burden

Bangladesh raised oil prices effective the first week of January, the latest in a series of price adjustments designed to lessen its subsidy burden, a move that could fuel more protests by the opposition. The government has been under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to raise power prices that have been heavily subsidized.
 
To resolve the crippling electricity shortages brought about by a shortfall in natural gas, the country was forced to resort to heavy importation, which further strained the country’s financial resources. (January 4, 2013)