Dhaka: The government has given the green light to procure one cargo of LNG, 70,000 metric tons of fertilizer, and 45 lakh liters of refined rice bran oil in a bid to meet the increasing demand across the nation. This decision was made during the 21st meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presiding over the session.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the procurement of LNG will be managed by Petrobangla, which will acquire the cargo from the spot market via M/S POSCO International Corporation, South Korea. This transaction will involve a financial outlay of approximately Taka 608.14 crore, following the international quotation collection method.
In parallel, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), responding to a proposal from the Ministry of Industries, will secure 30,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea fertilizer from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE. This procurement, part of the 4th lot for the fiscal year 2025, will cost around Taka 138.16 crore, with each ton priced at $377.50.
Additionally, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) is set to procure 40,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer from MA'ADEN, Saudi Arabia. This acquisition, under a state-level agreement, will amount to approximately Taka 345.99 crore, with a price of $709 per ton.
Moreover, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), acting on a proposal from the Ministry of Commerce, will purchase 45 lakh liters of refined rice bran oil from Majumder Bran Oil Mills Limited, based in Noapara, Jashore. The local Open Tender Method (OTM) will be employed for this transaction, costing around Taka 71.77 crore, equating to Taka 159.50 per liter.
The purchase committee meeting also sanctioned several other proposals from departments including the Internal Resources Division, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Road Transport and Highways Division, and the Ministry of Railways, reflecting a broad approach to addressing the country's resource needs.