The government has approved the import of fuel oil worth approximately Tk 16,735 crore from several countries, including Tk 6,025 crore for crude oil and Tk 10,710 crore for refined oil. These decisions, along with proposals for importing edible oils, lentils, and fertilizers, were approved during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, the government will import 700,000 tons of Arabian Light Crude (ALC) from Saudi Aramco for 2025, costing Tk 6,025 crore. Additionally, refined oil worth Tk 10,710 crore will be imported through international quotation processes between January and June 2025 from suppliers such as Unipek Singapore Private Limited, Vitol Asia Private Limited, and OQ Trading of Dubai.

The committee also approved the purchase of around 15 million liters of palm and soybean oil for affordable distribution via the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). This includes 3.8 million liters of soybean oil and 11 million liters of palm oil, costing Tk 196 crore. The oils will be purchased from S. Alam Super Edible Oil at prices of Tk 140 per liter for soybean oil and Tk 130 for palm oil. Additionally, 10,000 tons of lentils will be purchased from Nabil Nava Foods at Tk 95.97 per kg, costing Tk 95 crore.

In another proposal, the government approved the purchase of one cargo of LNG—33.6 million MMBTU—from Singapore-based Vitol Asia for $15.02 per MMBTU, amounting to a total cost of Tk 708 crore. Delivery is expected between January 4 and 5. The government also decided to import 130,000 tons of fertilizers, including bulk granular urea, MOP, DAP, and TSP, from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Morocco at a cost of Tk 660 crore.

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the frequent purchase committee meetings reflect the government’s efforts to quickly approve essential goods for public benefit. Addressing a journalist’s question about rising commodity prices, he acknowledged that some prices have already decreased and emphasized that it is challenging to reduce all prices simultaneously, as fluctuations are natural.