Neighbouring country suddenly halts rice supply: Finance Adviser

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh has sufficient rice reserves but that uncertainty arose when a neighbouring country suddenly declined to supply rice, prompting approval to procure rice through open tender. He said the government may import rice, including parboiled (atap) rice from Myanmar, Thailand or Vietnam via open tenders.

He made the remarks after a meeting of the government procurement advisory committee at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Salehuddin added that fertiliser prices have eased somewhat, which is a relief.

On market conditions, he noted that rice prices have recently fallen, while vegetable prices remain seasonal. He acknowledged the market management has not achieved complete success.

Regarding repatriation of laundered funds, he said authorities are negotiating with many legal firms and expect some funds to be returned by February, while work continues to recover the remainder. He said assets in some cases have already been seized and investigators are compiling information on overseas accounts and passports; he urged patience as the process proceeds.