JS body reviews steps to keep market stable

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The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Commerce Wednesday discussed the steps taken up for turning Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) into a public limited company to upgrade its role as a key market stabilising player at the time of crisis, reports BSS.
Committee chairman Lutful Hye presided over the meeting. Committee members Minister for Commerce M Faruk Khan, Sheikh Afiluddin, Md Abul Kashem, Rumana Mahmud and Tohura Ali attended the meeting.
Commerce secretary Feroz Ahmed and senior officials of the ministry were present.
The meeting discussed price of essentials, especially that of foodstuff and spices, and reviewed various steps that the commerce ministry has taken to keep the market stable during Eid-ul-Azha.
The commerce ministry functionaries told the meeting that the market is under strict monitoring and the prices of major items such as rice, wheat, sugar, meat and edible oil are steady. Only onion price is showing upward trend and lentils price is on the decline, the meeting was told.
He said there is no reason for upward movement of prices following reduction of interest rates of bank loans, strengthening import handling at ports and automation of customs processing.
They also said TCB has opened new L/Cs to import edible oil and lentils ahead of the Eid festival to increase its market intervention capacity.