Traders have assured the government of their cooperation in maintaining normal supply chain and keeping prices of essential items under control in the marker ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
There are sufficient stocks of soya bean, onion, garlic, ginger, lentil and sugar in the country that will fulfil demands in the coming days, they said.
The traders were speaking at a review meeting on supply, prices and stocks of commodities with commerce minister Tipu Munshi in the chair at the secretariat on Wednesday.
Senior commerce secretary Md Mofizul Islam, high officials from different ministries and representatives from trade bodies, law-enforcement agencies, Bangladesh Bank, business groups attended the meeting.
The minister hoped the prices of essential items would not go up since the government has taken necessary measures to this end like the previous years.
He thanked traders to cooperate with the government in keeping the prices of essential commodities stable in the marker last Ramadan.
Mr Tipu said the government has asked the authorities concerned to take effective measures releasing the imported goods on a priority basis.
Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will launch open market sale (OMS) of key essential items if their prices show an upward trend, he cited.
The minister asked TCB to remain ready to this end.
He said the government would take measures for fast release of onion-laden vehicles in ports and the situation has improved much.
Senior secretary Mofizul Islam said the country has a sufficient stock of commodities.
"The government will try to ensure supply chain and control prices in line with demands," he added.
Mr Islam said the price situation was stable during last Eid-ul-Fitr thanks to cooperation from businesses.
The government would take effective measures to maintain prices and supply chain through strong coordination with businessmen, he uttered.
At the meeting, the traders called for speedy clearance of imported onion-laden vehicles from India to stabilise prices in the local market.
They alleged that 400 goods (onion)-laden trucks bound for Bangladesh remained stranded at Bomra land port and Sona Masjid port.
Only 70 vehicles are released daily through ports. Such delays are pushing the prices of perishable goods up.
The meeting was told that the government would act promptly to check extortion of cattle-laden vehicles on highways.
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