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The government has approved multiple procurement proposals for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG), fertiliser, and refined sugar to address the country’s rising domestic demand.

The approvals were granted during the 30th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), held on Wednesday at the Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, according to a UNB report.

Following the meeting, Dr Ahmed briefed the media, announcing that the Energy and Mineral Resources Division has been approved to procure one cargo of LNG from the international spot market. The supplier, Aramco Trading Singapore Pte Ltd, will deliver the LNG at a price of $12.289 per MMBtu, with a total estimated cost of Tk 5.17 billion.

Under separate proposals from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industries, a total of 70,000 tonnes of fertiliser will be imported:

• The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) will procure 40,000 tonnes of DAP fertiliser under the eighth lot from MA’ADEN, Saudi Arabia, at a cost of Tk 3.84 billion, or $781 per tonne.
• The Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) will import 30,000 tonnes of bagged granular urea fertiliser under the first lot from KAFCO, Bangladesh, at a cost of Tk 1.65 billion, or $448.37 per tonne.

Additionally, the committee approved a proposal from the Ministry of Commerce to allow the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to import 25,000 tonnes of refined sugar via international open tender. The total cost is estimated at Tk 1.76 billion, with the price per kilogram fixed at Tk 106.66.

These procurement decisions aim to stabilise domestic markets and ensure adequate supply of essential commodities amid global price fluctuations.