Dhaka: Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced a series of government initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective oversight in the market management system. These reforms are set to transform the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) into a technology-driven entity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government plans to implement strategic reserves of essential commodities, AI-based supply chain monitoring, and capacity enhancement of TCB. These measures aim to prevent market manipulation and syndicates, ensuring the availability of essential commodities at subsidised prices for low-income groups. The minister highlighted these points during the inauguration of the TCB truck-sale programme ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026.
The government has been distributing subsidised food items across the country through TCB, especially during major festivals. Muktadir noted that around 2.28 crore beneficiaries received subsidised food products during the last Ramadan, with plans to increase this number to nearly 2.88 crore. Additionally, the supply of food items for Eid-ul-Azha has been raised by about 40 percent compared to the previous year.
Muktadir emphasized the government’s readiness to launch TCB truck-sale operations during special situations or market pressures to ensure food security. He also mentioned a new policy to ensure transparency in appointing TCB dealers, aiming to transform TCB into a transparent and accountable institution.
The minister detailed plans for strategic state reserves and AI-based digital monitoring of the supply chain to enable prompt government decisions. He stressed the importance of establishing a partnership-based system to encourage competition among entrepreneurs in the essential commodities sector.
The government remains committed to establishing effective market oversight, aiming for a transparent and stable market free from manipulation. The event also featured speeches by Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rahim Khan and TCB Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad.