Economy
Govt signs MoU to import one lakh tons of rice from NCCF
NCCF: National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited has announced its interest in exporting one lakh metric tonnes of non-basmati rice to Bangladesh.
The exchanged is to be done between the governments, known as Government-to-Government (G2G) level trade, awaits cabinet approval, officials said.
The price of non-basmati rice per ton, if imported by container ships or cargo trains, has been set at $433.60 while the total cost has been estimated at Tk 447.90 crore.
The food ministry proposal will be placed before the cabinet committee on public purchase meeting on Wednesday (21 December) The meeting will be presided over by finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.
The proposal said in order to ensure food security of the country and to keep the government’s food distribution system functioning, the Ministry of Food procures wheat and rice from the international market in addition to internal procurement.
The ministry is procuring wheat and rice through international open tender and G2G basis for they are easier to import and available at competitive prices.
According to the proposal, the prices of paddy and rice are rising in the market due to some disruption in production caused by Covid-19, increase in fuel oil price, increase in transportation cost and heavy rains and flash floods. In such a situation, it is necessary to import rice on an urgent basis in this financial year, the proposal added.
Responding to the proposal of the food ministry, India’s NCCF sent a letter on December 2, expressing its interest in supplying rice. After reviewing the letter, the Indian delegation was invited to participate in a virtual meeting moderated by the Ambassador of Bangladesh in New Delhi. Accordingly, a virtual meeting of the procurement committee was held on December 13, 2022, in Bangladesh to endorse a G2G rice trade.
In that meeting, there was discussion and negotiation on terms and price of the rice, import contract on a G2G basis etc. After several discussions and negotiations, Bangladesh decided to import one lakh metric tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice from India and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in this context.
The proposal said the price of rice per metric ton by sea or rail shipment would be $ 433.60, which is $11.57 more than the estimated total average price of $422.03 recommended by the Market Price Verification Committee.
However, there is an urgent need at present, as it is not possible to procure whole rice from the domestic market, as Bangladesh is named in the list of 45 food crisis countries in a report of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Some 70,000 metric tonnes of rice will be imported by sea vessels and 30,000 metric tonnes by cargo trains.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
