Govt moves to buy LNG from 3 countries, import 6,200 tonnes of dates

The government has moved to procure liquefied natural gas (LNG) from three countries, import 6,200 metric tonnes of dates ahead of the next Ramadan and install mobile network facilities at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recommended in-principle approval for five proposals covering these initiatives.

The recommendations were made at the committee's 37th meeting of the year, held at the Secretariat on Thursday under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

Of the five proposals placed before the meeting, three came from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, while the Commerce Ministry and the Posts and Telecommunications Division submitted one each, according to sources at the Cabinet Division.

The committee recommended procuring LNG from three suppliers: Japan-based JERA Global Markets Pte Ltd (JERAGM), UAE-based ADNOC Trading Limited, and Nigeria-based Ozimadu & Marites Oil Marketing Nigeria Limited/Uzi James Beehive.

The proposed purchases will be made through the direct procurement method under Section 68 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, and Rule 99(2) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025.

The proposals also include signing the final drafts of a short-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and term sheet between Petrobangla and JERAGM.

Meanwhile, the committee recommended in-principle approval for importing 6,200 metric tonnes of dates through an international open tender to distribute among consumers through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) during the upcoming Ramadan.

Considering the urgent national requirement, the committee also recommended shortening the stipulated time for preparing and submitting tenders for date imports under Rule 102(1)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025.

In another decision, the committee recommended using the direct procurement method to install mobile network facilities at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The project is planned to be implemented under an initiative titled "Installation of Mobile Network at the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport."