Dhaka: Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin has assured that the prices of essential commodities will remain stable during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, as the government has undertaken comprehensive preparations to ensure this outcome. “Bangladesh has sufficient import systems and stocks. InshaAllah, there will be no problem on the occasion of Ramadan. There is no crisis of oil, sugar, chickpeas and dates in the market,” he stated during a meeting.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bashir Uddin made these comments while serving as the chief guest at a conclave titled “Rational Prices of Food Products: Strategies for Market Supervision”, organized by Bonik Barta at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. During his address, he mentioned that both short-term and long-term plans would be developed to ensure reasonable pricing of food products and that policy formulation is necessary to truly aid consumers.
The event also featured the presence of notable figures such as National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, eminent economist Professor Anu Muhammad, and Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) of the Ministry of Commerce Md Abdur Rahim Khan. Research Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented a keynote paper, emphasizing the need for digitalization and legal accountability within Bangladesh’s food supply chains.
Moazzem proposed the establishment of a commission led by an agricultural economist and stressed the importance of each business obtaining a Business Identification Number (BIN). He highlighted the lack of real-time data on production and supply as a significant challenge for effective market regulation, suggesting legal reforms to address this issue.
The conclave also saw contributions from other key speakers, including Trading Corporation of Bangladesh Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Faisal Azad and Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) SM Nazir Hossain. Sarjis Alam, Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens’ Committee, pointed out that political decisions are crucial for controlling commodity prices, while Nazir Hossain called for limits on business profits to help regulate prices.
The discussions were moderated by Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, bringing together various stakeholders to explore strategies for ensuring market stability during Ramadan.