Minister: Bangladesh to finalize aircraft purchase decision in 2 months
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Minister says govt will have to finance it from this year’s budget
Bangladesh will finalize its decision on purchasing new aircraft within the next two months, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan.
“The issue of purchasing the aircraft will not be finalized until the evaluation committee submits its report,” Faruk said on Sunday while addressing journalists following a meeting with the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas at the Secretariat.
The evaluation process involves proposals from US-based Boeing and European aerospace giant Airbus.
When questioned about a timeline for the decision, Khan said: “We have to finance it from this year’s budget, and I think the process will be completed within the next one to two months.”
Regarding the number of aircraft, he said: “We plan to buy about 10 aircraft. The final number depends on the evaluation committee’s report based on the economic proposals we have received. But of course, it could be like two to four.”
Ambassador Haas expressed concerns about the evaluation process, particularly regarding Boeing’s proposal.
“US Ambassador Haas discussed Boeing’s proposal with us. We informed him that our evaluation committee is still working on it. Once it is over, we will consider buying from the company recommended by the evaluation committee,” Faruk said.
Addressing earlier complaints from the US ambassador about the evaluation delay, the minister clarified: “He told me this even today. I said that when any news is published in the media, it should be seen as news. The Bangladesh government is still evaluating it, and that is the final news. I am sure it will not be finalized until the evaluation committee submits its report.”
Rumour has it that Bangladesh’s relations with the US may deteriorate if Boeing is not selected. Responding to these concerns, the minister said: “Why would relations between two countries deteriorate over business and trade? I do not see any reason for this from our side, nor from America’s side.”
“Of course, American companies want to sell their products in this competitive business world, just as companies from other countries do. We received a good proposal from Airbus, and Boeing has likewise given us a decent proposition. Biman has formed an evaluation committee in this regard, which will be good for Bangladesh. We will consider that,” he added.
Source: UNB