Staff Correspondent

The Advisors’ Council on Government Purchase (ACCGP) approved several significant procurement proposals on Wednesday, focusing on importing essential goods and printing educational materials for students across Bangladesh. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.

The Directorate General of Food under the Ministry of Food secured approval to import 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat from Aston Agro-Industrial SA of Switzerland. The deal, valued at Tk 175.28 crore, sets the price at $292.14 per MT. This measure is aimed at mitigating food security challenges amid fluctuating global supply chains.

To meet agricultural demands, the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) under the Ministry of Agriculture will import 100,000 MT of TSP and DAP fertilizers through three separate deals. Additionally, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) will bring in 90,000 MT of urea fertilizer from various suppliers, ensuring farmers have access to critical inputs for crop production.

The council also approved two extensive contracts for printing and distributing textbooks for primary and secondary students, including madrasa institutions. Under one contract, 79 companies will print and supply 7.31 crore books for classes 1, 2, 3, and 6 at a cost of Tk 287.61 crore. Under another contract, 69 companies will handle 5.33 crore books for class 7 students at a cost of Tk 240.31 crore.

To tackle the ongoing energy crisis, the ACCGP approved two proposals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the international spot market. Vitol Asia Pte, Ltd, Singapore will supply one cargo of 33.66 lakh million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) at a total cost of Tk 666.57 crore, with each MMBtu priced at $14.13. TotalEnergies Gas & Power Ltd, Switzerland will deliver another cargo of the same quantity for Tk 687.33 crore, at $14.57 per MMBtu.