Dhaka, May 16 -- Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the West Asia conflict has increased Bangladesh's fuel oil and gas import costs by around Tk 400 billion, warning that the country is going through "very difficult times".

On Saturday, he pointed at disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking during an event at Chattogram Maa O Shishu General Hospital in Agrabad, he said it had affected shipping routes and fuel supply chains, forcing Bangladesh to raise domestic fuel prices despite efforts to stabilise the market.

"You think I am sitting on a treasury as finance minister, ready to write cheques and money will appear. It is not that simple," he said.

He added that around Tk 400 billion had already been absorbed fr...