DHAKA, Oct 25, 2023 (BSS) - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) 
today approved in principle to import 1.5 million metric tons of crude oil 
from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the year 2024.

The approval came from the 24th meeting of the CCEA in this year held today 
virtually with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting virtually, Cabinet Division additional 
secretary Sayeed Mahbub Khan said as per proposal of the state-owned 
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), moved by the Energy and Mineral 
Resources Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, 
the crude oil will be imported through direct purchase method (DPM). 

Saudi Aramco and UAE-based Adnoc will supply the total crude petroleum, he 
added.

The Cabinet body also approved, in-principle, another proposal -- of 
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under the Department of Information and 
Communication Technology -- to appoint a private company for operation and 
maintenance work of its "Vision 2041 Smart Tower" in Kawranbazar, Dhaka. 

The company will operate the building under the "Digital Entrepreneurship and 
Innovation Eco-System" project after its construction work.