Essentials stock adequate for Ramadan: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said the supply chain and stock of essential commodities are adequate and it will continue during the month of Ramadan.
"At present the stock of essential commodities is adequate in the country. The government is working to ensure supply chain in line with the demand,” he said.
The minister was addressing at a meeting with the businessmen and leaders on supply, price and stock of the essential commodities at the ministry conference room.
President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Abdul Matlub Ahmed,   Senior Secretary of Commerce Ministry Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, among others, were present at the meeting.
Tofail said the government will take all sorts of measures to control the price and supply chain of essentials maintaining a strong coordination with the businessmen.
Commerce minister said the stocks of rice, flour, sugar, edible oil, pulse, salt, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric and dates are quite sufficient.
He also said businessmen and leaders of trade bodies have assured him of their full cooperation in this line.
Tofail also sought media support to remain stable the price essential.
He said the government took all imitative so that price will not increase illogically.
Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and concern organisation will over sea the market during Ramadan to remain stable the price of essentials.
Commerce minister said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will sell daily essentials including rice, sugar, edible oil, and date during Ramadan through truck and dealers.  
He said rice production is 40 lack tonnes higher compared to domestic need. Bangladesh will export rice after reserving emergency buffer stock, he said.
About edible oil he said Bangladesh needs 15 lack tonnes while imported 18.90 lack tonnes till April, sugar needs 14 to 15 tonnes while imported 12.94 tonnes and locally produced 1.2 tonnes. Besides, 17.98 lack tonnes sugar has been imported in last year and sugar reserve is higher compared to demand.
The businessmen asked the minister to take initiative to reduce transport cost through removing extortion in transport sector to ensure reasonable price of essentials.
They informed that at least 30 to 40 per cent cost increase due to transport cost.
The businessmen also urged the minister to make one tier VAT instead of existing three tiers.  Matlub Ahmed hopes that the business community will contribute Tk 1.5 lack crore in the up coming budget.
He also urged the whole sellers, retailers and importers to take necessary messure to remain price stable of necessary commodities.

 

Essentials stock adequate for Ramadan: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said the supply chain and stock of essential commodities are adequate and it will continue during the month of Ramadan. At present the stock of essential commodities is adequate in the country. The government is working to ensure supply chain in line with the demand, he said. The minister was addressing at a meeting with the businessmen and leaders on supply, price and stock of the essential commodities at the ministry conference room. President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Abdul Matlub Ahmed, Senior Secretary of Commerce Ministry Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, among others, were present at the meeting. Tofail said the government will take all sorts of measures to control the price and supply chain of essentials maintaining a strong coordination with the businessmen. Commerce minister said the stocks of rice, flour, sugar, edible oil, pulse, salt, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric and dates are quite sufficient. He also said businessmen and leaders of trade bodies have assured him of their full cooperation in this line. Tofail also sought media support to remain stable the price essential. He said the government took all imitative so that price will not increase illogically. Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and concern organisation will over sea the market during Ramadan to remain stable the price of essentials. Commerce minister said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will sell daily essentials including rice, sugar, edible oil, and date during Ramadan through truck and dealers. He said rice production is 40 lack tonnes higher compared to domestic need. Bangladesh will export rice after reserving emergency buffer stock, he said. About edible oil he said Bangladesh needs 15 lack tonnes while imported 18.90 lack tonnes till April, sugar needs 14 to 15 tonnes while imported 12.94 tonnes and locally produced 1.2 tonnes. Besides, 17.98 lack tonnes sugar has been imported in last year and sugar reserve is higher compared to demand. The businessmen asked the minister to take initiative to reduce transport cost through removing extortion in transport sector to ensure reasonable price of essentials. They informed that at least 30 to 40 per cent cost increase due to transport cost. The businessmen also urged the minister to make one tier VAT instead of existing three tiers. Matlub Ahmed hopes that the business community will contribute Tk 1.5 lack crore in the up coming budget. He also urged the whole sellers, retailers and importers to take necessary messure to remain price stable of necessary commodities.