TCB may add potato to OMS

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) may add potato to its open market sale (OMS) programme soon to support the farmers, who are facing loss due to oversupply of the item.

The announcement was made at the inauguration of TCB's first-ever Corporate Trading Profile, held at its conference room in the capital on Monday. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, TCB Chairman Brig Gen Mohammad Foyshol Azad, its directors, and other senior officials spoke at the event.

TCB has been operating as a state-owned trading organisation for decades, but it never had such a profile before. The profile has been launched to strengthen TCB's commercial activities and ensure transparency.

"Like other commercial organisations, TCB also needs structured documentation and a corporate profile to improve its credibility and efficiency," said the TCB chairman.

At present, TCB sells essential goods at subsidised prices to about 10 million low-income families every month under the government directives. Its activities have expanded to cover rice, onion, potato, and other daily necessities, playing a vital role in stabilising the market.

The commerce secretary said the private sector often faces allegations of corruption, but TCB has earned credibility due to its direct link with poor consumers and fair practices.

He also said TCB is now providing cooking oil, lentil, and sugar. It may soon add potato to OMS since its falling prices are hurting farmers.

The government has taken immediate steps to stabilise the onion market, he mentioned.

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