Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The government has planned to procure some commodities in advance for its sales drive of essentials in the next Ramadan, aiming to support 10 million low-income families, sources said.
As part of the move, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will purchase the required quantities of chickpeas and dates from the global market.
The TCB has already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce in this connection, officials said, adding that it also sought the ministry's opinions regarding fixation of their prices and the amount of subsidies for the items.
Under plan, the TCB is considering procuring 10,000 tonnes of chickpeas worth Tk1.27 billion, including other expenditures and 2,205 tonnes of dates at the aggregate costs of Tk 435 million for selling those among the smart-card holders during the next Ramadan.
The sales prices of chickpeas would stand at Tk 500 million and that of dates Tk 330 million, officials said.
The amounts of trade gap or subsidy are expected to be Tk 776 million and Tk 104 million for chickpeas and dates respectively after selling those at subsidised prices.
The annual demands for chickpeas and dates are estimated at over 0.1 million tonnes and 20,000 tonnes respectively.
Of the total, some 80,000 tonnes and 18,000 of chickpeas and dates are required alone for the holy month respectively.
Both the items will be procured under the TCB's annual purchase plan, officials said.
According to the, it is necessary to contact the suppliers/exporting countries for the procurement of chickpeas and dates before the next fasting month so that their actual suppliers can participate in the TCB's international/local tender process.
When contacted, a senior official said: "We've planned to purchase chickpea and dates with an eye to ensuring availability of such items during the next Ramadan.
The TCB is currently selling some essential items at subsidised rates among the smart cardholder families, with around 30-32 per cent of the country's population benefiting from the programme.
rezamumu@gmail.com