The interim government approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from India on November 22 to boost food stocks amidst high inflation. This purchase, at $471.6 per tonne from SAEL Agri Commodities Ltd, follows a prior deal on November 6 to import an identical amount at $477 per tonne. As of November 20, the food ministry reported 12.36 lakh tonnes of food grain stocks, including 8.08 lakh tonnes of rice. The government plans to import a total of 5 lakh tonnes of rice in fiscal year 2024-25, alongside procuring 8 lakh tonnes from the local Aman harvest.
Additionally, separate proposals were approved for importing two LNG cargoes, 2.30 lakh tonnes of fertiliser, and training 28,800 youths in freelancing. LNG purchases will cost $14.55 and $14.42 per MMBtu, while fertilisers from Russia and Canada will be procured at $289.75 per tonne. The training initiative, costing Tk 297.16 crore, aims to boost youth employment opportunities.