B Mirror Desk: Through a local open tender process, the Ministry of Commerce has chosen to buy 10,000 metric tons of lentils and 12 million liters of soybean oil for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). In this context, two purchase proposals have been accepted by the Government Procurement Advisory Council Committee. These oils and beans will cost 280.14 million taka in total to buy.

A committee meeting chaired by Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed today (April 8) in the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat approved the suggestions. Senior authorities and members of the committee were present.

According to meeting sources, the committee has approved the purchase proposal of 10,000 metric tons of lentils (in 50 kg bags) through a local open tender process in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

When a tender was invited locally through an open tender system to purchase 10,000 metric tons of lentils to be sold at subsidized prices to 10 million TCB family card holders, four bids were submitted. Out of these, three bids were technically and financially responsive. After all the bidding processes, the lowest responsive bidder, Sheikh Agro Food Industries, will supply these lentils as per the recommendations of TEC. The cost of purchasing 10,000 metric tons of lentils at a price of 92.75 taka per kg will be 927.5 million taka.

The target for purchasing lentils in the 2024-2025 fiscal year is 288,000 metric tons. So far, contracts for purchasing 152,950 metric tons of lentils have been completed. In another proposal by the Ministry of Commerce, the committee has approved the proposal to purchase 12 million liters of soybean oil through an international open tender system in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

When a tender was invited through an international open tender system to purchase 22 million liters of soybean oil to be sold at subsidized prices to 10 million families holding TCB family cards, only one bid was submitted for the supply of 12 million liters of soybean oil. The bid was financially and technically responsive. After all the bidding processes, as recommended by TEC, the only responsive bidder, Life and Health (Thailand) of Thailand, will supply these oils. The cost of purchasing 11 million liters of soybean oil at 156.16 taka per liter will be 187 crore 39 lakh 20 thousand taka.

The company indicated interest in providing 12 million liters of soybean oil, despite the tender requiring the supply of 22 million liters.

In the fiscal year 2024–2025, 280 million liters of edible oil are to be purchased. 154 million, 190,000 liters have been bought thus far.