Dhaka, Oct 30 (V7N)- To address domestic demand, the government has authorized imports of LNG, fertiliser, soybean oil, sugar, and chickpeas. The approval was granted during a meeting of the Advisors' Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP), chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.

Following the meeting, Dr. Ahmed assured that the government would not permit any shortages in essential items, stating, "We have approved proposals to import four products to ensure market stability. These items are vital for consumers." He added that chickpea imports are aimed at the upcoming Ramadan, with plans for date imports also underway.

He further acknowledged financial limitations but emphasized the government’s intent to maintain sufficient supplies of these staples to prevent public hardships.

According to Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposals, state-run Petrobangla will procure two LNG cargoes from the spot market via limited tender. Excelerate Energy LP, a U.S.-based supplier, will deliver one cargo (33.66 lakh MMBtu) at Tk 686.38 crore, priced at $14.55 per MMBtu, while a second cargo will be supplied at Tk 669.50 crore at $14.65 per MMBtu.

In addition, the Commerce Ministry's proposals were endorsed, allowing the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to import 10,000 tonnes of chickpeas from Australian firms DSL Pacific Pty Ltd (4,000 tonnes) and Aust-Grant PTY LTD (6,000 tonnes) at Tk 101.99 crore, with each kilogram costing Tk 107.39.

The TCB also received approval to procure 32.60 lakh litres of soybean oil from Bashundhara Multi Food Products Ltd locally, priced at Tk 53.18 crore or Tk 163.65 per litre, via direct purchase. The corporation will acquire 5,000 tonnes of sugar from City Sugar Industries Ltd through open tender, costing Tk 60.46 crore at Tk 120.92 per kilogram.

Further proposals from the Ministry of Industries included Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) importing 30,000 tonnes of granular urea fertiliser from Qatar’s Muntajar at Tk 131.76 crore ($366 per tonne) and an additional 30,000 tonnes from Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Agri-nutrients Company at Tk 137.76 crore ($382.67 per tonne).

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