Partha Pratim Choudhury
Founder and CEO, MyfuelPump

Interviewed by
Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee, Team MBR

MyfuelPump is the first IoT-enabled on-demand fuel delivery platform in Bangladesh. MyfuelPump delivers fuel to the desired locations with the help of its state-of-the-art application. Intending to automate the supply chain system of the fuel sector in the country, MyfuelPump started its journey in the year 2021. Team MBR was in a conversation with Partha Pratim Choudhury, Founder and CEO, MyfuelPump, to learn about their inspirations and vision behind MyfuelPump.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: Since its inception in 2021, MyfuelPump has been providing doorstep delivery of fuel for vehicles, generators, and construction machines. It also provides a verified refuelling service and doorstep delivery of LPG cylinders. How did you come up with this idea?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: We used to run an event management firm, and we were in that business for more than six years. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, our business collapsed overnight, and we became jobless. So, at that time, the idea of MyfuelPump came into being, and we started MyfuelPump as the first energy startup in Bangladesh.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: App-based ondemand fuel delivery at the doorstep is surely a new experience for retail customers. How is the feedback from the customers’ end?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: The feedback is very positive so far. There is a huge potential for the fuel delivery business in Bangladesh. People are now looking for doorstep fuel delivery services, but we are not ready yet to meet the huge market demand. Automation is badly needed in the fuel industry. The government and the stakeholders in the industry should pave the way for automation and the modernisation of the industry worth BDT 40,000 crore.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: What are the key features of MyfuelPump that differ from conventional channels of fuel delivery in Bangladesh?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: MyfuelPump saves time and money. Our customers can save the valuable time they waste waiting in the queue at the fuel pumps and the fuel they burn while riding to the fuel pumps to purchase fuel. MyfuelPump has minimised the need to store fuel onsite, ensuring fast on-demand delivery. It has also eliminated fuel theft and spills.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: Has MyfuelPump explored the business opportunities in the B2B segment? If so, how is it doing in this particular segment? How many corporate clients have been onboarded to date? What are the services they mainly enjoy?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: B2B is the main target segment of our business. In fact, we are concentrating most of our time and effort on thriving in the B2B market. Our ultimate goal is to be the most reliable business partner for our B2B clients. We have just entered into the B2B market and have started receiving satisfactory responses already. Some prominent corporates like Shanta Holdings, ADB, Gulshan Club, Rangs, and government agencies like Bangladesh Army, etc., are on our client list. These clients are mostly availing our diesel delivery service.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: How is MyfuelPump ensuring smooth delivery of fuel? How is it managing the logistics aspect of the business?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: We have one tanker with a capacity of 2,000 litres. Three tankers with a capacity of 2,000 litres and two tankers with a capacity of 6,000 litres are on the way to join our fleet. At present, we have a strong delivery team consisting of five individuals, and some more are about to join very soon.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: MyfuelPump has the expertise to set up electric vehicle charging stations for individuals and businesses. What are the projections of MyfuelPump regarding the adoption of electric vehicles in Bangladesh and its business in this particular segment?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: We will start installing electric vehicle charging stations in the upcoming days. But, to patronise increased adoption of electric vehicles, the government has to take steps to restrict fuel-consuming cars and promote carbon-efficient cars. Europe has taken similar policies. By 2035, fuelpowered cars will be banned in Europe. This kind of policy needs to be enacted soon.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: What is the current geographical coverage of MyfuelPump? How is it planning to expand its coverage in the upcoming days?

Partha Pratim Choudhury: Currently, MyfuelPump is serving in Gazipur, Savar and Narsingdi, along with the Dhaka metropolis. We are delivering diesel to these areas within three hours of receiving the orders. MyfuelPump takes only one hour to deliver gas cylinders within Dhaka city. We are planning to expand MyfuelPump’s operations to all the divisional cities within the next three years and to all the districts within the next five years.

Akhlaqur Rahman Sachee: What are the barriers Myfuelpump faces in the way of its operations? How is it planned to mitigate them?

 Partha Pratim Choudhury: There are regulatory challenges in this business. The shortage of skilled manpower to build oil tankers, the shortage of skilled manpower in other full-time roles needed for our smooth operations, and the lack of awareness among the customers are some of the key challenges we are facing currently. We are training our existing manpower, and more is in the pipeline. Issues regarding human resources are going to be solved soon. We are working on the regulatory challenges and focusing on creating awareness among our customers regarding our business.