Govt Approves Tk 449cr Edible Oil, Lentil Imports

The Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement on Wednesday approved the purchase of edible oil and lentils through open tender, involving a total expenditure of about Tk 448.8 crore, aimed at stabilising supply in the domestic market.

The approvals were given at a meeting held at the Secretariat, with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair.

Under the decisions, the committee approved the procurement of 1 crore litres of refined rice bran oil in 2-litre PET bottles at a cost of Tk 179.50 crore, with a unit price of Tk 179.50 per litre.

The 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.

In another decision, the committee approved the purchase of 1 crore litres of refined palm olein oil in 2-litre bottles at a cost of Tk 184.38 crore, also at Tk 184.38 per litre. The contract was awarded to Sonargaon Seeds Crushing Mills Limited of Dhaka.

The committee also approved the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of lentils in 50-kg bags at a cost of Tk 84.77 crore, with a unit price of Tk 84.77 per kg. The contract was awarded to Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Limited of Dhaka.

In a separate approval, another 10,000 tonnes of lentils were cleared for purchase at a total cost of Tk 83.63 crore. Of this, 5,000 tonnes will be supplied by Madina Trading Corporation of Dhaka and 5,000 tonnes by Bismillah Dal Mill of Rajshahi.

Officials said the procurement is aimed at ensuring a steady supply of essential commodities, particularly edible oil and pulses, and helping maintain price stability amid fluctuations in the global market.