Govt to import two LNG cargoes in April

The government has approved the purchase of two cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for April at a cost of Tk 1,376 crore.

Chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, the Advisory Committee on Government Purchase approved the procurement yesterday. Both cargoes will be supplied by TotalEnergies Gas and Power Ltd, a UK-based company.

One cargo is priced at $14.48 per MMBTU (million British thermal units), while the other will cost $14.22 per MMBTU.

The committee also approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of non-Basmati rice through the Indian company Pattabhi Agro Foods Private Limited, Velpur, at a rate of $429.55 per tonne.

Besides, 10,000 tonnes of lentils will be procured through local tenders for subsidised sales via the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

Of this, 5,000 tonnes will be supplied by Dhaka-based Modina Trading Corporation and another 5,000 tonnes by Chattogram-based Payel Traders, both at a price of Tk 94.23 per kg.

The committee also approved the purchase of 11 million litres of refined rice bran oil at Tk 126.50 per litre through local tenders.

The oil will be procured from three companies: Dhaka-based Green Oil and Poultry Feed Industries (2 million litres), Majumdar Products Ltd, also Dhaka-based (4.5 million litres), and Noapara, Jashore-based Majumder Bran Oil Mills Ltd (4.5 million litres).

The government is preparing a smooth transition plan for Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said yesterday.

The United Nations supports Bangladesh's graduation, as it would inspire smaller nations with newfound confidence, he told reporters after yesterday's meeting of the advisers' council on government purchases at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

"Numerous underdeveloped countries are observing Bangladesh. Graduation would not only set an example but also enhance our national pride. Bangladesh's overall performance is commendable, despite minor flaws or mistakes," he added.

Regarding recent comments by Tulsi Gabbard, he said, "Her statements will not affect Bangladesh's economy, nor will they strain our relations with any multilateral or bilateral partners."

The finance adviser made the remarks while speaking to reporters after yesterday's meeting of the Committee on Public Purchase.