Govt to import rice, wheat

The government will import 200,000 tonnes of rice and 400,000 tonnes of wheat within 15 days, reports UNB.

The Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs (ACEA), in a meeting with Finance Advisor of the interim government Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair, gave the approval on Wednesday.

Normally, suppliers are given 42 days to supply the products as per the public procurement law (PPA) 2006 and public procurement rules (PPR) 2008.

After the ACEA's approval, the supply tenure has been reduced to 15 days in order to facilitate the quick import so that there is no shortage of the food.

About the proposed import, the Finance Advisor told reporters that the government initiated the move to import rice and wheat as the government does not want to see a shortage of the food supply.

These are not immediately required, but the government wants to keep our stock ready for supply," he added.

As per the proposal, placed by the Ministry of Food, the government will import 200,000 tonnes of rice in the current fiscal year 2024-25 and 400,000 tonnes of wheat through the G2G (Government to Government) system.

In the financial year 2024-25, the government set a target to procure 350,000 tonnes of rice from international sources and 1.923 million tonnes from domestic sources.

It also set a target to procure 700,000 tonnes of wheat from the international market and 10,000 tonnes from the domestic market for the financial year 2024-25.

Meanwhile in another meeting, the government decided to import 60,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The Adviser Council Committee on Government Purchase, in the meeting with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair on Wednesday, approved two separate proposals in this regard.

After the meeting, Dr Salehuddin told reporters that after the end of Amon season, Boro season will need the most fertiliser.

"We hope that there will be no shortage of fertilisers and foodstuffs. Our stock is also adequate." he added.

As per the proposal, 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser will be imported from Saudi Arabia at a cost of Tk 1.18 billion with each metric tonne costing $327.83.

The remaining 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser will be imported from Qatar through a state agreement. The import will cost Tk 1.18 billion with each tonne costing $327.83.