Govt okays import of lentil, edible oil to stabilise Ramadan market

The government has approved separate proposals to procure lentil and edible oil to help stabilise the market of essential commodities ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The approval came from a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat on Tuesday, January 6, with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.

The committee approved the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of lentil through the national Open Tender Method at an estimated cost of around Tk 71.87 crore, fixing the price at Tk 71.87 per kg.

The proposal was placed by the Ministry of Commerce, with Payel Automatic Food Processing Mills of Chattogram selected as the supplier.

In another decision, the committee approved the import of 13,575,000 litres of refined soybean oil under the international Direct Procurement Method at a cost of around Tk 178.47 crore. The per litre price has been set at Tk 131.47.

The soybean oil will be imported from Thailand through Prime Corp World Company Limited.

Besides, a separate proposal to procure soybean oil through a national tender was withdrawn at the request of the Ministry of Commerce.

Source: UNB