DHAKA, Sept 24, 2024 (BSS) – The government today approved separate proposals for procuring some 1.40 lakh metric tons of fertilizer from various sources to meet the growing demand of the country.

The approvals came from the 5th meeting of the Adviser’s Council Committee meeting on Government Purchase in this year held today with Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the Finance Adviser said that fertilizer is being imported in phases to meet the projected demand for fertilizer in the country and those consignments would be brought immediately.

He said fertilizer this time would be imported from various sources including Russia.

Following a proposal from the Ministry of Industries, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) would procure some 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from KAFCO, Bangladesh under the 3rd lot for the current fiscal year (FY25) with around Taka 117.09 crore where per ton fertilizer would cost $325.25.

In response to three separate proposals from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) would procure 30,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer under state-level agreement from JSC Foreign Economic Cooperation ‘Prodintorg’, Russia with around Taka 102.60 crore where per ton fertilizer would cost $285.

Besides, the BADC will procure 40,000 metric tons of MOP fertilizer under state-level agreement with Canadian Commercial Corporation with around Taka 136.80 crore with per ton fertilizer costing $285 while the BADC would procure another consignment of 40,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer under state-level agreement with OCP, Morocco under the 6th lot with around Taka 280.80 crore where per ton fertilizer would cost $585.

Earlier, the 4th Adviser’s Council Committee meeting on Economic Affairs in this year was held today with Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddn Ahmed in the chair.

The meeting, however, did not approve the proposal for procuring 1.5 million booklets for MRP passports and 1.5 million lamination foil.