BSS, Dhaka :
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved three separate proposals for procuring 3.50 lakh metric tons of rice under direct procurement method (DPM) from India, Thailand and Vietnam to meet emergency state purposes.
The approval came from the 8th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs held this year virtually with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting virtually, Kamal said the meeting gave approval to a proposal in principle for procuring 1.50 lakh metric tons of non-basmati boiled rice under DPM method from Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (PUNSUP) of India to meet emergency state purpose.
He said the meeting approved another proposal from the Ministry of Food for importing another 1.50 lakh metric tons of non-basmati boiled rice under the DPM method from Sakonnakhon National Farmers Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Thailand.
Besides, another proposal from the Ministry of Food was given approval in the meeting for importing another 50,000 metric tons of white rice under the DPM method from Southern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD) of Vietnam.
The finance minister said the government is trying to procure rice from different sources so that no such problem is created if any source country or company failed to live up to its commitment.
“That is why, we’re procuring rice from various sources in order to minimize the risk factors,” he added.
Answering to a question, Kamal said concerned Bangladesh ambassadors in India, Thailand and Vietnam would negotiate with the concerned companies and organizations to fix up the price of rice which will be imported.
Apart from this, the finance minister said the meeting approved another proposal, which was tabled in the meeting, to exclude the holding of drone show, laser show as part of celebrating the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence considering the growing infection rate of COVID-19.
He said the other components of the celebration will be held in line with the health safety measures and the social distancing.
