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The seven-month-long Russia-Ukraine war is disrupting the
global supply chain. Bangladesh has not been able to import wheat from both
countries for so long, although these two countries are the top wheat producers
in the world. In addition, there was also the problem of whether wheat would be
purchased from Russia in which currency—the US dollar or the Russian ruble.
After overcoming all the problems, 500,000 tons of wheat is finally being
brought from Russia. Import charges will be paid in dollars.
And 330,000 tons of parboiled and parboiled rice is being
brought from India and Vietnam. 8 lakh 30 thousand tons of food grains
including wheat and rice are being imported.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal chaired the meeting of
the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement held through virtual medium last
Wednesday (August 31, 2022) and approved three separate proposals for import of
rice and wheat. After the meeting, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division
Md. Abdul Barik informed the journalists.
At the end of the meeting, the finance minister usually informs about the approval of the proposal, but he did not appear in front of the reporters that day.
Additional Secretary Abdul Barik said that five lakh tons of
wheat will be imported from Russia at the government level (GtoG). It will cost 21
crore 50 lakh US dollars, 430 dollars per ton. At 95 taka per dollar, the total
price will be 2 thousand 42 crore 50 lakh taka in Bangladeshi currency. The
price of wheat per kg has been fixed at 40 taka 85 paisa.
In response to the question of which currency will be
purchased, Abdul Barik said, "The currency has not been discussed."
Our proposal has given a figure of Tk. But it will be bought in dollars, that
is 21 crore 50 lakh US dollars. 95 Tk per dollar. 430 USD per ton.
Meanwhile, a proposal to import 1,00,000 tonnes of
non-basmati parboiled rice from India at GtoG level has been approved. The cost
per ton will be 443.50 USD.
The total expenditure in Bangladeshi currency will be 417
crore 5 lakh taka. Out of total rice, 70 thousand tons of rice will come by
ship through sea port and 30 thousand tons will come by railway.
In addition, 200,000 tons of Thai non-basmati rice will be
imported from Vietnam at the GtoG level.
|Source: Online/SZK
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