Dhaka: The Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement has sanctioned a large-scale procurement of edible oil and lentils, with an approved budget of approximately Tk 448.8 crore. This strategic decision aims to address the anticipated demand for these essential commodities in the near future.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the approvals were granted during a committee meeting held at the Secretariat, presided over by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The committee’s decisions encompass the purchase of refined rice bran oil, refined palm olein, and lentils through an open tender process.
For refined rice bran oil, the committee authorized the procurement of 1 crore litres, packaged in 2-litre PET bottles, at a cost of Tk 179.50 crore. The price per litre has been set at Tk 179.50. The distribution of supply has been allocated among four companies: Majumdar Bran Oil Mills Limited of Jashore will supply 40 lakh litres, Majumdar Products Limited of Dhaka will supply 30 lakh litres, Tamim Agro Industries Limited of Dhaka will supply 20 lakh litres, and Green Oil and Poultry Feed Industries of Dhaka will supply 10 lakh litres.
Additionally, the committee approved the acquisition of 1 crore litres of refined palm olein, also in 2-litre PET bottles, at a total cost of Tk 184.38 crore, with a unit price of Tk 184.38 per litre. This contract has been awarded to Sonargaon Seeds Crushing Mills Limited, located in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The procurement plan further includes the purchase of 10,000 tonnes of lentils, packaged in 50 kg bags, at a cost of Tk 84.77 crore and a unit price of Tk 84.77 per kg. Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Limited, based in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, has been contracted for this supply. Another 10,000 tonnes of lentils are to be procured at a cost of Tk 83.63 crore, with Madina Trading Corporation of Savar, Dhaka, and Bismillah Dal Mill of Rajshahi each supplying 5,000 tonnes.
Officials have indicated that these procurement decisions are intended to secure a stable supply of essential commodities in the domestic market, especially edible oil and pulses, and to help maintain price stability in the face of global market fluctuations.