Stating that the government has taken various steps to control the market, the adviser said import of goods has been made easier.

There is no way to deny that people are suffering due to the price hike of rice, but there is no Aladdin’s magic lamp to fix the market immediately, said Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin today (9 January).

The adviser said this while replying to reporters after holding a meeting with Turkey’s Commerce Minister Omer Bolat at the commerce ministry’s meeting room at the secretariat in the morning.

Stating that the government has taken various steps to control the market, the adviser said the import of goods has been made easier.

“The excise duty has been reduced to 3% from 63%. The traders will be forced to disburse their goods when imports increase. The market will also return to normal,” the adviser said.

Replying to another question, the adviser added, “Stockpiling of goods is a temporary problem. But there is no Aladdin’s lamp to fix the problem instantly.”

He said there is no shortage of rice yet, the food ministry is importing huge amounts of rice from Pakistan and Myanmar. Besides, the OMS and TCB programmes have been extended too, the adviser added.

Published Date: January 9, 2025