DHAKA, Dec 04, 2024 (BSS) – Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that there would be ‘comfort’ in the prices of essentials during the ensuing holy month of Ramadan.

Dr Salehuddin was responding to the queries of reporters after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

“Comfort will be there, LCs have already been opened for importing dates and it will come,” he said when asked whether there would be comfort for the commoners regarding prices of essentials during Ramadan.

Replying to another question on the impact of waiving duties on import of essential items, he said the government waived such duties on many items.

He said, “I don’t agree that the situation is not stable. The prices of essentials have declined. We’ve decided today to import two food items like rice and lentil which we’ve also imported earlier.”

The finance adviser said they have also talked about the future course of action as the price of soybean oil has increased a bit and how to import it more. “We’re discussing on the issues as such item is also being imported. We’ve reduced duties on all essential items. So, let’s have some patience,”

When asked whether the ongoing issues would affect the India-Bangladesh trade relations, he said that politics would not come regarding the trade and commercial issue with India.

“We’ll import from those who will give us items at competitive prices, provide items in a speedy manner having due quality which can be India or any other country. We’re talking with India, Myanmar and even with Vietnam while politics won’t enter into these issues.”

Replying to another question on the availability of soybean oil in the kitchen market, the adviser said that there are some problems as its price has slightly increased.