Amid
a surge in prices of rice across the country, the government has decided to
import 17.02 lakh tonnes of rice through private organizations.
A total of 428 organizations have earlier been
given permission in order to import rice as a part of the decision.
Apart from these organizations, the food ministry
has also given permission to 69 more companies to import over one lakh tonnes
of rice at reduced tariff rates, said a press release.
A letter was sent from the Ministry of Food
to the Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce today, allocating for imports in
favor of these organizations.
The food ministry has asked selected importers to
market the entire rice in Bangladesh within September 25.
On August 12, the National Board of Revenue (NBR)
issued a notification to decrease rice import duty to keep the rice market
stable.
The NBR has also reduced the import duty on rice
from 72.5% to 25% and this facility will remain in force till October 30.
The imported rice has already started coming to
Bangladesh through different land ports, resulting drop in rice prices across
the country.
