Govt approves import of 50,000MT rice ahead of Ramadan

Observer Online Report The government on Tuesday approved a proposal to import 50,000 metric tonnes of non-Basmati parboiled rice through international open tender for the current fiscal year (FY26), in an effort to strengthen essential food supplies ahead of Ramadan. The approval was given at a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at Secretariat. The Food Ministry’s proposal, to be carried out by Directorate General of Food, involves an estimated cost of Tk 216.90 crore, with M/S Aditya Birla Global Trading (Singapore) Pte Ltd selected as the supplier at a per-ton price of US$354.19. Following the meeting, Dr Salehuddin told reporters that the government has already initiated imports of key commodities such as rice and wheat to stabilise the market during Ramadan. He noted that Bangladesh Bank has relaxed restrictions on opening Letters of Credit, which will help maintain a tolerable price level during the ...