Commerce Minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan Sunday said the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would be strengthened further as an enterprise through public-private partnership efforts, reports UNB.
The government, he said, will take necessary steps to import essential commodities at least three to four months ahead of Ramadan to ensure sufficient supply in the market during the holy month of fasting.
"We'll seek support from the businessmen to import sufficient essential commodities before Ramadan and the government will provide them all-out support including special loan facilities to ensure smooth import," Faruk Khan said.
The Commerce Minister shared the government's plans while talking to
Netherlands Ambassador Bea M ten Tusscher at his office Sunday noon.
He said TCB would be activated but traders would have to play key role in keeping prices of essentials within the purchasing capacity of the common man.
"It's not the TCB's key objective to keep prices of essentials at a tolerable level. Traders have to play a responsible role in this regard," Faruk Khan said.
He said had the traders been more responsible in doing business, TCB's necessity would not have been felt widely.
Talking on the issue of child labour, the Minister said at present, there is no child labour in the country's garment sector.
"In some other sectors, children are seen staying with their working parents, which should not be treated as child labour," he said.
Faruk Khan sought support from the Netherlands to enhance foreign investment and discussed joint venture investment in Water Management and Energy sectors.
Netherlands Ambassador Bea M ten Tusscher appreciated the government's strong stand against corruption and said: "It's a positive sign."
She said a sound relation between the government and the opposition is needed for the country's welfare.
Later, the Commerce Minister met with the leaders of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) at his office.
The BARVIDA leaders urged the minister to take steps so that none outside the BARVIDA can import vehicles.
They also urged the minister to review the import policy for allowing import of bus and truck over six years old.
