Reuters proprietarily analyzes the economies of Pakistan and Bangladesh amidst a shortage of imported gas. With just over a month until peak Ramadan shopping season, the head of Pakistan’s retail industry body is pressing officials to relax orders that forced malls to shut by 8.30 p.m. to save energy. More than 40% of annual retail sales occur in the 30 days of the holy month, and malls are packed between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fear in the retail sector highlights how a shortage of imported gas has cut power output and hit the economy in Pakistan, just as it reels from soaring inflation and a sliding currency.
EconomyEnergy
Analysis: Gas shortage exposes fragile South Asian economies to more pain
20 February 2023, 6:53 pm 1 minute
Market Impact
Pakistan and Bangladesh are heavily dependent on gas for power generation but have had to slash their imports of LNG after prices rocketed on a surge in Europe’s demand to replace Russian supplies following the Ukraine war. Despite LNG prices having fallen from last year’s record highs, the superchilled fuel is still expensive for South Asian buyers as their currencies have weakened sharply, making it hard for them to boost LNG imports this year.
Article Tags
Topics of Interest: EconomyEnergy
Type: Reuters Best
Sectors: Commodities & EnergyEconomy & Policy
Regions: Asia
Countries: BangladeshPakistan
Win Types: Exclusivity
Story Types: Exclusive / Scoop
Media Types: Text
Customer Impact: Important Regional Story
