The Bangladeshi government has approved a proposal for importing 130,000 tons of rice for 3.74 billion taka (about 53 million U.S. dollars) to increase food stock, local leading English newspaper The Daily Star reported Friday.
The decision was made at a meeting of the cabinet committee on economic purchase, chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, on Thursday.
100,000 tons of rice will be bought from Vietnam on the basis of a state-to-state deal for 2.27 billion taka (about 32 million U. S. dollars). Private importers will provide the rest of the amount.
The finance minister was quoted as saying, "We have decided to import rice from Vietnam as it is easily available there."
Officials of the food ministry said the stock of food grains has plummeted to almost a half compared with corresponding period last year. The government has, therefore, decided to import rice, they added./.