Govt ensures import of 9 lakh tonnes rice: Secy

The government has so far ensured the import of 9 lakh tonnes of rice from international market, reports UNB.

Of the amount, 2 lakh tonnes have already been brought in while another 1.5 lakh tonnes will arrive in the country soon and the remaining 5.5 lakh tonnes will be coming by November next.

Food Secretary Md Kaikobad Hossain came up with the information after a meeting of the Cabinet Purchase Committee which approved a proposal to import 50,000 tonnes of rice.

A Thai trading firm—Siam Rice Trading (Thai) Co Ltd—will supply the non-bashmati rice at a price of $438 per tonne which will cost Tk 36.35 per kg at the local currency.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith presided over the meeting attended by senior ministers who are members of the committee. The government’s move to procure rice came against the backdrop of a depleting stock of the staple following the floods in the country’s northern and northeastern parts which damaged huge croplands.

The rice price in the local market is skyrocketing back on the shortfall in production. Now, some varieties of rice are selling at Tk 65 per kg in the market.

According to a report of the Food Ministry prepared on September 13 on the food-grain reserve, government’s silos have a stock of a total 463,000 tonnes of rice and wheat. Of them, 342,000 tonnes are rice while 121,000 tonnes wheat.

The UNB has obtained a copy of the report.

Kaikobad said the approval for procuring 50,000 tonnes of rice is part of the government’s series of moves to import rice to meet the shortfall in rice production. Apart from this, the private sector is importing rice at own initiatives.

Earlier in a number of occasions, the Cabinet committee gave similar approval to the import of rice of different quantities.

In the latest move, the government is procuring the bulk rice through international quotation in which four suppliers submitted bids but Siam Rice Trading came out to be lowest bidder offering the price at $438 per tonne.

The trading house will supply 60 percent of the rice through the Chittagong port while the rest through Mogla port.

When the government imports rice on a government-to-government contract, the price goes a little bit higher as the quality of rice is found to be better, said the food secretary said.

 

 

Govt ensures import of 9 lakh tonnes rice: Secy

The government has so far ensured the import of 9 lakh tonnes of rice from international market, reports UNB. Of the amount, 2 lakh tonnes have already been brought in while another 1.5 lakh tonnes will arrive in the country soon and the remaining 5.5 lakh tonnes will be coming by November next. Food Secretary Md Kaikobad Hossain came up with the information after a meeting of the Cabinet Purchase Committee which approved a proposal to import 50,000 tonnes of rice. A Thai trading firmSiam Rice Trading (Thai) Co Ltdwill supply the non-bashmati rice at a price of $438 per tonne which will cost Tk 36.35 per kg at the local currency. Finance Minister AMA Muhith presided over the meeting attended by senior ministers who are members of the committee. The governments move to procure rice came against the backdrop of a depleting stock of the staple following the floods in the countrys northern and northeastern parts which damaged huge croplands. The rice price in the local market is skyrocketing back on the shortfall in production. Now, some varieties of rice are selling at Tk 65 per kg in the market. According to a report of the Food Ministry prepared on September 13 on the food-grain reserve, governments silos have a stock of a total 463,000 tonnes of rice and wheat. Of them, 342,000 tonnes are rice while 121,000 tonnes wheat. The UNB has obtained a copy of the report. Kaikobad said the approval for procuring 50,000 tonnes of rice is part of the governments series of moves to import rice to meet the shortfall in rice production. Apart from this, the private sector is importing rice at own initiatives. Earlier in a number of occasions, the Cabinet committee gave similar approval to the import of rice of different quantities. In the latest move, the government is procuring the bulk rice through international quotation in which four suppliers submitted bids but Siam Rice Trading came out to be lowest bidder offering the price at $438 per tonne. The trading house will supply 60 percent of the rice through the Chittagong port while the rest through Mogla port. When the government imports rice on a government-to-government contract, the price goes a little bit higher as the quality of rice is found to be better, said the food secretary said.