Dhaka: The government today approved separate proposals for procuring one cargo of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and 70,000 metric tons of fertilizer to address the increasing demand within the country. The approvals were granted during the 20th meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase for this year, which convened at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presiding over the session.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division put forward a proposal allowing Petrobangla to procure one cargo of LNG from the spot market. The procurement will be conducted through an international quotation method with M/S Gunvor Singapore Pte Limited, Singapore, at an estimated cost of Taka 586.46 crore.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture proposed that the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) acquire 40,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer under the 12th lot through a state-level agreement with OCP NUTRICROPS, Morocco. This purchase is valued at around Taka 324.52 crore, with each ton of fertilizer priced at $665.
In addition, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), operating under the Ministry of Industries, is set to procure 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from KAFCO, Bangladesh. This procurement, part of the 16th lot for the current fiscal year, will cost approximately Taka 152.71 crore, with each ton of fertilizer costing $417.25.
The meeting also saw the approval of separate proposals from other governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Railways, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and the Armed Forces Division.