Govt allows private sector to import 0.124m MT rice within a month
To stabilize rice prices, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Food orders private sector to import 124,000 tonnes within a month. 50 companies approved for 91,000 tonnes boiled and 33,000 tonnes non-boiled Atap rice. Additional Secretary emphasizes urgency to cover Boro harvest gap. Imports must be marketed by May 15 directly in sacks. Public sector food storage totals 1,220,994 tonnes, including 886,967 tonnes rice, 333,197 tonnes wheat, and 797 tonnes paddy.
The government has asked the private sector to import 1,24,000 tonnes of rice immediately within a month aiming to further arrest of the rice price in the retail market across the country, an official order issued by the Ministry of Food said in Dhaka on Wednesday.
A total of 50 private sector rice importers have already got the government approval to import the amount of rice which includes 91,000 tonnes of boiled and another 33,000 tonnes of non-boiled Atap rice.
“We have approved 50 private sector companies to import 0.124 million tonnes of boiled and non-boiled Atap rice aiming to keep stable of rice price in the retail market “,said M Habibur Rahman Hosaini, Additional Secretary (procurement and supply) of the Food Ministry.
The order has been issued on Tuesday to carry on immediately with a view to cover the gap of the upcoming Boro harvest which likely to require maximum one month, said the official.
The private importers must have marketing of these amounts of rice within May 15, according to the official order.
The importers must have to sell these amounts of rice in sacks directly in the market instead of re-packaging of these goods with the imported companies.
The public sector accumulated food storage stood till last Thursday at 12,20,994 tonnes — where some 8,86,967 tonnes rice, 3,33,197 tonnes wheat and the rest 797 tonnes are paddy.
Source Link: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/tcb-plans-buffer-stock-of-essential-commodities-to-ensure-market-stability
