VNS

ISLAMABAD – The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued a tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of rice for supply to Bangladesh, it emerged on Monday.

After decades of troubled relations, Islamabad and Dhaka have seen improved ties and increased bilateral engagement since the August 2024 ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.

The deadline for submission of price offers is 11.30am tomorrow, according to the TCP tender issued on November 20, which was seen by Dawn.

The tender invites ‘separate sealed bids’ from companies, partnerships and sole proprietors for buying 100,000 tonnes of long grain white rice (IRRI-6) for export to Bangladesh in the shape of break bulk cargo through Karachi ports.

As per the tender, the rice must be supplied from the latest crop and be fit for human consumption.

Traders regarded the tender as a possible move to bring Pakistani rice into Bangladesh’s import supplies, with market expectations that Indian-origin rice will be used to supply some recent purchases by Bangladesh.

Pakistan and Bangladesh started direct government-to-government trade in February with imports of 50,000 tonnes of rice.

At the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) last month, Pakistan offered the use of Karachi Port Trust as a gateway for Dhaka’s trade with regional countries, including China and the Central Asian states.

Published Date: November 27, 2025