Govt okays rice import from Vietnam

Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase has approved the proposal to buy 250,000 tonnes of white and parboiled rice from Vietnam. The purchase will aim to maintain sufficient supply in the local market and keep the stocks strong, said officials. After the committee’s meeting on Wednesday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith hoped the proposed import of the grains would “cool local prices.” He expected the rice will reach Chittagong and Mongla ports “within a short time” from Vietnam. According to the Food Ministry proposal, the government will import 200,000 tonnes of white rice at $430 per tonne and 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice at $470 per tonne. As per the tender called by the Food Ministry, the procurement price of the parboiled rice will be $427.85 a tonne and that of the white rice $406.48.