Govt to import rice, fertiliser, diesel to meet domestic demands

The government will import rice, fertiliser and diesel as well as procure sugar and lentil from local suppliers to meet the domestic demands.

The Advisors' Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) in a meeting on Tuesday, with Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair, approved a number of proposals in this regard.

Following the meeting, the finance adviser said the committee approved the proposals in order to ensure steady flow of supply of essential commodities like rice, sugar, lentil, fertiliser and fuels.

"We'll try to ensure a smooth flow of supply in the market during Ramadan… Even until the end of the coming Ramadan. Not only the supply, there needs to be strict monitoring as well," he told reporters.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, will import 130,000 MT of diesel from India.

Indian Numaligarh Refinery Limited will supply the bulk diesel at Tk1137.96 crore.

As per the proposals approved by the ACCGP, the Food Directorate, under the Ministry of Food, will import 100,000 metric tonnes (MT) of white rice (Atop Rice) from Vietnam on a G-to-G basis.

Vietnam Southern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD II) will supply the bulk rice at Tk578.58 crore, with per MT at $474.25.

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), under the Ministry of Agriculture, will import 30,000 MT of TSP fertiliser from OCP Nutricrops of Morocco under a state-level agreement at Tk161.04 crore, with per MT at $440.

Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), under the Commerce Ministry, will procure 10,000 MT of sugar through a local open tender.

City Sugar Industries Ltd will supply the bulk sugar at Tk115.42 crore with per kg at Tk115.42.

TCB will also procure 10,000 MT of lentil through local open tender.

Sheikh Agro Food Industries will supply the bulk lentil at Tk98.45 crore with per kg at Tk98.45.