State Minister: 20,000 tons of onions, 50,000 tons of sugar to be imported from India

State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu on Friday said that 20,000 tons of onion and 50,000 tons of sugar will be imported from India soon.

“There is great news for our country. India stopped exporting onion and sugar to Bangladesh. I discussed with India and 20,000 tons of onion and 50,000 tons of sugar will be imported from India very soon,” said the state minister.

“We hope that the country will receive sugar and onion from India before Ramadan. Oil and sugar are also coming from other countries including Brazil,” he said.

The state minister said this in response to questions from reporters during an exchange of views with local leaders at his residence in Tangail's Delduar on Friday morning.

Ahsanul Islam also said that he had a meeting with the country’s importers and manufacturers. The duty charge on sugar, oil, and dates was high. A proposal has been sent to NBR (National Board of Revenue) so that the tariff could be brought to a reasonable level.

 An announcement will be made in this regard next week, he said. 

He also said that daily commodities including sugar, and oil are stocked according to demand not only for Ramadan but for the next three months.

“As per the direction of the prime minister, we are keeping an eye on ensuring that no one can artificially increase prices by hoarding. Stricter action will be taken against them,” said Titu.

Prices of all daily commodities will be brought under control before the upcoming month of Ramadan. Also, 10 million people will be given five items in Ramadan with TCB cards. Permanent stores will be set up to enable TCB dealers to provide uninterrupted service, said the state minister.

He also urged journalists to analyze the prices of commodities visiting multiple markets before making a report. There will be no more confusion among people if the news is collected from all the markets.