Govt prioritising price stability during Ramadan: CA's press secretary

The prices of most essential commodities have now reached a tolerable level, with the government remaining focused on maintaining stability throughout Ramadan and ensuring an adequate supply of soybean oil, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (1 March).

"During Ramadan, the demand for certain products like edible oil, snacks, chickpeas and dates increases. The government is taking necessary steps to maintain affordable prices for these items," he said while speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Shafiqul Alam said the government remains focused on ensuring price stability throughout Ramadan. "We are continuously monitoring the supply situation of both loose and bottled soybean oil."

He said that the price of loose soybean oil had begun to decrease slightly and expressed the hope that prices would stabilise as the supply improved, while also addressing concerns about the disappearance of bottled soybean oil from the market and assuring efforts to maintain a steady supply.

About the challenges faced by the interim government, Shafiqul said, "Since assuming office on 8 August, the government had to focus on handling multiple floods over the following months. There were six separate flood incidents.

He, however, said from October onwards, the chief adviser instructed all relevant departments, including advisers responsible for food and essential commodities, to prioritise measures aimed at stabilising the cost of living, particularly ahead of Ramadan.

Shafiqul Alam highlighted that the Ministry of Commerce, the National Board of Revenue, the Tariff Commission and the central bank are working collectively to keep prices in check.

"Thanks to a combined effort, we can already say that the prices of many products have become more stable. The government remains committed to making further improvements during Ramadan," he said.

Alam reassured that the authorities are monitoring the daily import and refining of edible oil to ensure adequate supply.

"We are observing the quantities of imported edible oil that are being refined, and we anticipate that the supply situation will further improve in the coming days," he added.

Asked about the upcoming national elections, Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has already provided a roadmap for the elections. 

He added that if political parties seek minimal reforms, the elections will be held sooner, but if they demand more reforms, the elections will take place in March 2026.

On the issue of five buses arriving from Pirojpur for the launch of the National Citizen Party, saying that there was no government support behind it.

"Leaders of the Students Against Discrimination from Pirojpur, along with members of two martyr families, requested five buses from the Pirojpur deputy commissioner. 

"The five buses were provided, but there was no government support involved in this," he added.

"They themselves bore the cost of the commutation and petrol for the five buses they brought to Dhaka."