ZCZC
BSS-37
TIPU-ONION
Decision on onion import considering interest of consumers, producers: Tipu
DHAKA, Jan 3, 2021 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi today said that the government would take decision on import of onion considering the interest of the consumers and producers.
“Those onions are now entering the country against which LCs were opened earlier. The current import price of those onions is Taka 39 per KG. Decision will be taken shortly on fresh onion import considering the interests of all,” he said.
The commerce minister said this while addressing a press conference at the ministry conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.
He also informed that local onion will hit the market in this March.
Seeking support of the media personnel for playing their due role in stabilizing the market, Tipu said, “Our main goal is to keep the market stable. No dishonest businessman will be given space as stern action will be taken against them.”
Noting that there is an annual deficit of 8 to 9 lakh metric tons of onion in the country, Tipu said the government has undertaken various programmes to gain self sufficiency in onion production through overcoming the deficit.
He said the production of onion is now increasing in the country and Bangladesh would be self sufficient in onion production over the next three years.
The commerce minister said neighboring India makes onion export to Bangladesh as per their convenient and sometimes they also halt onion export. “That’s why the government has undertaken various steps to boost onion production to meet the growing demand of country’s people by not only relying on imports,”
He informed that the government has taken different measure to provide high quality seeds and technology to the farmers side by side conserving 4 to 5 lakh metric tons of onion in the cold storage. Besides, onions will be marketed in the peak season after processing those into powder.
Answering to a question, he said that the price of potatoes has come down in the local market while the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would put it on sale if the price goes up.
Mentioning that there has been some impact in the local market since the price of edible oil has increased globally, Tipu said the government has been in strong vigil so that none could increase the price in an illegal way.
He said the government has decided to import rice since there has been a slight shortage in stock while rice will be imported to make necessary stockpiling.
He also informed that the private sector would be allowed to import rice if it is deemed necessary.
Commerce Secretary Md Jafar Uddin was present at the press conference.
BSS/ASG/RI/GM/MMA/1915HRS