Dhaka, March 8 -- The ongoing devastating conflicts in the Middle East could put fresh pressures on Bangladesh's foreign-exchange reserves as fallouts from spikes in global prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel oils, leading economists warn.

They also urge the government not to pass on the higher global energy costs to domestic consumers, cautioning that any increase in fuel prices could intensify inflation and further strain household budgets.

The economists made the observations during a meeting with newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman at the central bank headquarters on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by eight economists, including Dr. A K Enamul Haque, director-general of Bangladesh Institute of ...