Govt to procure 50,000 tonnes of rice, 80,000 tonnes of fertiliser
Officials said the imports and storage facilities would help ensure an uninterrupted fertiliser supply during peak farming seasons.
The government is set to procure 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati par-boiled rice under an international open tender to strengthen food security, alongside 80,000 tonnes of fertiliser to meet the agricultural demand of the country.
The decision was taken at the 50th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase this year, held with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today (15 December).
The rice will be procured by the Ministry of Food at a cost of Tk 214.70 crore, with a per-tonne price of $351.11. India-based M/S Bagadiya Brothers Private Ltd has been selected as the supplier.
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Officials said the import would help maintain adequate public food stocks and stabilise prices in the domestic market.
The day's purchase committee meeting also recommended approval of two proposals placed by the Ministry of Industries to import a total of 80,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Saudi Arabia to meet agricultural demand.
Under the proposals, 40,000 tonnes of fertiliser will be imported as the 12th lot and another 40,000 metric tonnes as the 13th lot from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company at a unit price of $413.46 per tonne. Each lot will cost about Tk 203.09 crore.
The committee also recommended approval of a proposal to construct a fertiliser buffer warehouse in Naogaon with a capacity of 25,000 tonnes, with around Tk 54.70 crore to improve storage and distribution.
Besides, the meeting recommended approval of another proposal to construct a fertiliser buffer warehouse in Bogura with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes with around Tk 59.28 cror,e also to improve storage and distribution of such key agricultural inputs.
Officials said the imports and storage facilities would help ensure an uninterrupted fertiliser supply during peak farming seasons.
Apart from these, the day's purchase committee meeting recommended approval of several major infrastructure procurement proposals aimed at improving roads, bridges and local infrastructure across the country.
Among the approved proposals, a World Bank-supported LGED project, with a contract value of Tk 363 crore, will be implemented in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The committee also cleared multiple road development project-related proposals under the Road Transport and Highways Division, including four-lane upgrading of regional highways in Cumilla, Lakshmipur and Noakhali, and construction of the Rabnabad Bridge over the Rabnabad River in Patuakhali.
Officials said the approved proposals would enhance connectivity, improve logistics and support regional economic growth.
