Staff Correspondent:

The Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchases (ACCGP) on Tuesday approved several proposals, including the import of rice from India.

Chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, the meeting took a number of key decisions.

As per the approved plan, the Food Directorate will import 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of non-basmati rice from Pattabhi Agro Foods Private Limited of India, costing a total of $21.4775 million, with each MT priced at $429.55.

Besides, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will procure 10,000 metric tonnes of lentils through an open tender.

Local firms Madina Trading Corporation and Patel Traders will supply the lentils, with the total cost amounting to Tk 94.23 crore, priced at Tk 94.23 per kilogram.

The TCB will also procure 110,000 litres of rice bran oil through an open tender. Three local suppliers will provide the oil at a total cost of Tk 187.75 crore, with each litre priced at Tk 162.50.

In another significant decision, Petrobangla will import one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the international spot market. TotalEnergies Gas and Power will supply the LNG at a cost of Tk 682 crore, with each MMBtu priced at $14.22.