Govt to procure one cargo LNG, 30,000 tonnes fertiliser

The government has approved a proposal to import another cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the spot market, with Singapore-based Vitol Asia Pte Ltd selected as the supplier.

According to the approved deal, the LNG will be purchased at a rate of $12.62 per MMBtu (Million British Thermal Units). The total cost to the government for this consignment will amount to Tk531.55 crore.

The approval came during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Public Purchase at the Cabinet Division's conference room in the Secretariat in the capital today. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.

This will be Bangladesh's 32nd LNG cargo procured from the spot market in 2025.

According to meeting sources, Petrobangla had invited bids from 23 companies holding supply contracts for one LNG cargo, with five firms submitting proposals. All five proposals were deemed technically and financially responsive. 

Following the evaluation of all tender processes, the Purchase Evaluation Committee recommended the purchase from Vitol Asia. The delivery of this LNG cargo is expected between 28 and 29 July.

Urea fertiliser procurement

In addition to the LNG import, the committee also greenlit the government's decision to procure 30,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from the Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (Kafco), Bangladesh. The industries ministry will purchase the fertiliser for Tk146.53 crore, with each tonne priced at $397.75.

Furthermore, the committee approved the civil works for package number WP-03 of the "Satkhira-Sakhipur-Kaligonj" and "Kaligonj-Shyamnagar-Bhetkhali Highway Upgradation" project, proposed by the Road Transport and Highways Division. 

Four bids were received for this project through a two-envelope tendering process, all of which were technically responsive. The lowest bidder, Md Moinuddin (Bashi) Ltd, will implement the project at a cost of Tk106.88 crore. Two proposals from the Power Division were also approved during the meeting.