Shakib Ahmed

The interim government has approved two significant import decisions aimed at bolstering the country’s energy security and food reserves, as authorities brace for potential challenges from the upcoming flood season and rising domestic demand.

At separate high-level meetings held at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, officials gave the green light to procure one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and to import 400,000 metric tonnes of rice through international tenders.

The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, approved the energy sector move following a proposal from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division. Under the agreement, Petrobangla will purchase an LNG shipment from M/S Qatar LNG Trading LLC at a total cost of approximately Tk 556.76 crore.

The deal sets the price at $13.24 per MMBtu, part of efforts to meet the country’s growing energy needs as industrial demand and power consumption continue to climb.

On the food front, the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, also led by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, decided to advance preparations by importing rice ahead of possible flooding during the Aman cropping season.

“We don’t want to take any risks during the Aman period,” Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder told reporters after the meeting. “Last time, we started our response only after the floods hit, because the government had just been formed. This time, we’re getting ahead.”

The advance measures come amid reports of damage to vegetable fields from persistent rains, although officials assured that Boro paddy has already been harvested and Aman crops are still at an early stage, minimizing risks for rice.

Majumder noted that by November, the country’s combined rice and wheat stocks are expected to stand at 1.3 million tonnes, helping stabilize the market.

He also highlighted the progress of domestic procurement efforts, revealing that the government has so far collected around 3.76 lakh metric tonnes of Boro paddy, surpassing its target.

Meanwhile, of the 1.4 million tonne rice collection goal, approximately 950,000 tonnes have already been secured, with the procurement drive set to wrap up by mid-August.

To cushion vulnerable populations, the government plans to expand its food-friendly programme from 50 lakh to 55 lakh families, offering each 30 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized rate of Tk 15 per kilogram. The initiative will run across six months — August, September, October, November, February, and March — to help ensure price stability and food security for low-income households.

“We’re confident that with our current storage and these proactive measures, the market will remain relatively stable,” Majumder said.

Published Date: July 16, 2025