Observer Online Report

The government has decided to procure 50,000 metric tons of non-basmati parboiled rice through international open tender to strengthen national food security, alongside importing 80,000 metric tons of fertiliser to meet the country’s agricultural needs.

The decisions were taken at the 50th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase held on Monday at Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Secretariat, with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.

The Ministry of Food will procure the rice at a total cost of Tk 214.70 crore, with a per-ton price of $351.11.

India-based M/S Bagadiya Brothers Private Ltd has been selected as the supplier.

Officials said the import would help maintain adequate public food stocks and stabilise prices in the domestic market.

At the same meeting, the committee recommended approval of two proposals from the Ministry of Industries to import a total of 80,000 metric tons of fertiliser from Saudi Arabia.

Under the proposals, 40,000 metric tons will be imported as the 12th lot and another 40,000 metric tons as the 13th lot from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company at a unit price of $413.46 per metric ton.

Each lot will cost approximately Tk 203.09 crore.

The committee also approved proposals to construct two fertiliser buffer warehouses to improve storage and distribution.

A 25,000-metric-ton capacity warehouse will be built in Naogaon at an estimated cost of Tk 54.70 crore, while another warehouse with a capacity of 20,000 metric tons will be constructed in Bogura at a cost of around Tk 59.28 crore.

Officials said the fertiliser imports and new storage facilities would help ensure an uninterrupted supply during peak farming seasons.

In addition, the purchase committee recommended approval of several major infrastructure procurement proposals aimed at improving roads, bridges and local infrastructure across the country.

Among them is a World Bank-supported Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) project worth Tk 363 crore, to be implemented in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The committee also cleared multiple road development proposals under the Road Transport and Highways Division, including four-lane upgrading of regional highways in Cumilla, Lakshmipur and Noakhali and construction of the Rabnabad Bridge over the Rabnabad River in Patuakhali.

Officials said the approved projects would enhance connectivity, improve logistics and support regional economic growth.

Published Date: December 15, 2025