DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today stressed the need to diversify Bangladesh’s export basket with greater focus on jute, jute products and pharmaceuticals during a meeting with Canada’s envoy in Dhaka. The State Minister made the remarks when Canadian high commissioner Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on her at the Foreign Ministry, said a foreign ministry handout here. Referring to the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Canada, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, investment, development partnership, immigration and people-to-people exchanges. The High Commissioner congratulated the newly formed cabinet members, while the State Minister thanked the Canadian government for its continued support in promoting human rights and democracy in Bangladesh. She also underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in education, particularly vocational training, and promoting women’s empowerment through innovative entrepreneurship initiatives. The meeting also discussed the ongoing Rohingya crisis, with the State Minister appreciating Canada’s continued humanitarian support for displaced Rohingya people in Bangladesh.  

KHULNA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) - The price of edible soybean oil has increased in Khulna markets despite adequate supply, causing hardship for consumers ahead of Eid. Market sources said bottled soybean oil has risen by about Tk 4 to Tk 5 per litre, while loose oil has increased by around Tk 7 per litre. Traders, however, attributed the price hike to companies and the impact of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Retailers alleged that dealers are creating an artificial shortage and raising prices, forcing them to sell oil at higher rates. Currently, one litre of soybean oil is being sold at around Tk 192 in local markets, while the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is selling the same oil at Tk 115 through its truck sale programme. As a result, many buyers were seen standing in long queues for hours to purchase oil from TCB trucks. A visit to several markets in Khulna city today found that most shops lacked one-litre and two-litre bottled oil. Some traders who still had stocks were selling them at higher prices. Five-litre bottles were comparatively available and were being sold between Tk 960 and Tk 965. Due to the shortage of smaller bottles, many consumers are turning to loose oil. Taking advantage of the situation, traders have increased the price of loose oil by about Tk 7 per litre. The owner of Sadaypati Store near Dharma Sabha Temple, requesting anonymity, said his shop has not had bottled oil for the past week. He added that oil could be arranged in emergency situations but at a higher price. Joydeb, owner of Biswas Enterprise at Kalibari Bazar, said there was no packaged oil in his shop and that he usually buys oil from the local market for resale. He acknowledged that prices had increased but declined to specify the exact amount. Kali Das Saha, an employee of Razzak Brothers, an authorised dealer of Pushti oil, said the official price of bottled soybean oil has not increased. According to the shop's price list, eight litres of oil are sold at Tk 1,500, five litres at Tk 940, three litres at Tk 576, two litres at Tk 384 and one litre at Tk 192. However, in the presence of this correspondent, a five-litre bottle was sold to a customer at Tk 10 above the listed price. Officials of Saha Trading Corporation, an importer of edible oil in Khulna, declined to comment on the issue. It was learned that one maund of oil is currently priced at around Tk 7,300, with allegations that the company is increasing prices arbitrarily. Minmoy Banik, a trader at Borobazar, said he buys a five-litre bottle of Fresh brand oil from the company at Tk 935 and sells it for Tk 950. He claimed the price has increased by about Tk 3 per litre and blamed the Middle East conflict and shortages of raw materials. Nur Islam, an employee of Sharif Store in the same market, said the price of loose oil has increased by Tk 7 per kg and is currently selling at Tk 203 per kg, up from Tk 196 a week ago. He added that the number of customers has decreased since the price hike. Expressing concern over the sudden increase in edible oil prices, Advocate Mominul Islam, Khulna coordinator of the Bangladesh Human Rights Implementation Organisation, said dishonest traders are exploiting consumers for excessive profit and urged the government to take strict action. Mahendranath Sen, member secretary of Jon Udyog Khulna and also of Khulna Civil Society, said prices of not only edible oil but also most other commodities have increased. He called for breaking market syndicates and taking action against dishonest traders. Deputy Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection in Khulna Md Selim said mobile courts are being conducted regularly under the direction of the district administration to fine and warn traders. He added that written complaints would help authorities take stronger action. Officials of the district administration's market monitoring wing said drives are being conducted regularly to control the market. Meanwhile, Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju expressed disappointment while visiting several key markets in the city on Sunday to monitor the prices of essential commodities. During the visit, he said although most traders displayed price lists, some were not following the directives. He also noted that the absence of some shop owners was suspicious and sought the intervention of traders' association leaders. He said efforts are underway to ensure that people can purchase essential commodities at fair prices, particularly during the final days of Ramadan. He also urged traders to maintain a reasonable margin between purchase and sale prices.