TCB moves to stabilise prices during Ramadan

FE Team | Published: August 27, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has taken adequate steps for supplying essential commodities during the month of Ramadan and help stabilise the market during the period.
The TCB officials said the corporation will supply lentil, onion, chickpeas and soybean during the holy month through mobile vans.
The TCB has already purchased edible oil and procurement of other commodities are in the final stage.
All commodities are being purchased locally as the international bids the TCB floated earlier for procurement of those commodities failed to attract bidders.
However, it has decided to sell those essential items in the capital city along with other divisional cities to rein in the soaring prices of the items during the month of Ramadan.
The TCB also decided that it would start selling those items two days ahead of beginning of holy month of Ramadan.
They said vans with the essential commodities will stay at different important places to sell those items at reasonable prices.
They also said the TCB's own employees will be involved in selling the essential commodities.
However, it has already procured 500 tonnes of soybean oil locally to supply during the holy month. The edible oil will be available in two litres and five litres plastic cans.
The TCB has already finalised a local tender for purchasing 50 tonnes of onion. The tender committee has already sent its recommendation to the ministry of commerce for its final nod on the tender.
The local company Wahid and Co quoted lowest price in the bid. Two other bidders participated in the bid.
TCB sources said Wahid quoted Tk 33.50 for each kilogramme (KG) of onion in the bid.
The TCB tender committee will meet to finalise another bid for procuring 60 tonnes of chickpeas to supply during the Ramadan. Two local bidders participated in the bid.
The TCB also floated tender for procurement of 500 tonnes of lentil locally. The tender will be opened August 29.
Currently, it has stocks of lentil and sugar, procured earlier. It is now selling lentil at Tk 58 per kg and sugar Tk 27 a kg from its centre, located at the TCB Bhaban in the city.
In the meantime, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) will hold an urgent meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) with all concerned trade bodies to discuss ways to stabilise market and ensure supply of the essential commodities during the month of Ramadan.