Cabinet body approves Bimans proposal to procure 3 Dash8 aircraft
UNB
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday approved a proposal of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry to allow Biman Bangladesh Airlines to procure three aircraft from a Canadian firm for its smooth flight operations on domestic and international routes, reports UNB.
The committee also approved the Textile and Jute Ministrys proposal to reopen 13 state-owned textile mills under public private partnership (PPP).
The committee approved the two proposals in principle at a meeting held with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair.
Now these two proposals will come for approval of the Cabinet Purchase Committee when the specific deals will be ready for signing with the parties concerned.
As per the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministrys proposal, Bimans three aircraft of Dash8-Q400NG serieseach having 74 economy seatswill come from Bombardier Inc of Canada.
The aircraft are being purchased without any tender process under of the Public Procurement Act.
In its proposal, Biman said such aircraft are manufactured only by the Canadian company.
It quoted the price of each aircraft at $22.422 million with a credit facility of Export Development, Canada (EDC) under a government-to-government agreement.
While moving the proposal, it said Biman requires more Dash8 aircraft for its flight operation on its different national and international routes amid its growing passengers.
About its proposal, the Textile and Jute Ministry said the 13 state-owned textile mills currently owned by Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) will be reopened following the administrative order of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The 13 mills have some 380.47 acres of land worth Tk 15.92 billion and they will need an estimated amount of Tk 152 billion as PPP implementation cost to resume their operation.
