The government will create a buffer stock of essentials while keeping the supply intact to ensure market stability, says State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu.
Generally, a buffer stock is a strategy to stock up on goods to stabilise the market. When there is no revenue shortage, the goods are bought and they are later sold during times of shortage.
Ahasanul Islam also said Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is expected to begin sale of goods at subsidised rate from permanent shops from July this year.
The state minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural progamme of selling 3 essential products among 1 crore family card holders across the country in Norda-Baridhara area in the capital.
"We
e particularly monitoring the situation on edible oil. The TCB is working to import edible oil in bulk. Now we import it in bottles. I hope well be successful in doing so by next month," he said.
The state minister said they proposed to fix tariffs based on on and off seasons for the essentials. "We
e focusing on these dynamic issues so theres no supply crunch in the market."
He said consumers would be able to buy goods at a reasonable price when enough goods were available in the market.
In reply to a journalists question, the state minister said that four ministries - commerce, agriculture, food, and fisheries and livestock - were already coordinating.
"If needed, well take help from the Ministry of Industries. All of the ministries will take initiatives using their capacity and, if successful, no vested quarters will be able to harm our consumers."
He said that the government is working to ensure the supply of essential commodities at an affordable price. "No one can manipulate the market if the supply of essential commodities remains sufficient."
Titu requested local public representatives to conduct TCB activities through permanent shops so that people can purchase goods at their convenience.
"During Ramadan, there was a ban on onion export in India. But we imported onions from India under special arrangements through TCB. Our goal was to ensure that people could buy onions at an affordable price. As a result, the price of onions is still within reach for many people," he said.
He said, "We must need to ensure that only eligible people get goods from TCB. The list would be updated periodically. We also plan to increase the number of products which are sold through TCB."
Through the family cards the TCB is providing 5 kg rice at Tk 30 per kg, 2-liter soybean oil at Tk 100 per liter and 2 kgs of lentil at Tk60 per kg for May, 2024.
