Staff Reporter :
The government’s advisory committee on procurement approved several key proposals yesterday, including the purchase of the year’s first shipment of LNG at an open market price of $15.02 per unit.
Following the meeting, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed remarked, “We convene procurement committee meetings frequently and ensure swift approval of essential and urgent items.
This demonstrates that this government remains proactive and focused on public welfare. Such frequent meetings were unheard of before.”
The approved shipment, supplied by Singapore-based company Vitol Asia, will deliver 3.36 million MBtu of LNG between January 4-5 at a total cost of approximately Tk 7.09 billion.
The committee also approved the purchase of 600,000 tonnes of Murban-grade crude oil from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for 2025 at an estimated cost of Tk 52.08 billion.
Additionally, 700,000 tonnes of Arabian Light crude oil will be procured from Saudi Aramco at a cost of Tk 60.25 billion.
For refined fuel, the committee endorsed contracts with Unipac Singapore, Vitol Asia, and OQ Trading from the UAE to supply fuel from January to June 2025 via an international quotation process. This contract is valued at Tk 107.10 billion.
In the food and agricultural sector, the committee approved the purchase of 3.81 million litres of raw soybean oil at Tk 140 per litre, amounting to Tk 533.40 million. S Alam Super Edible Oil will supply the soybean oil. Similarly, 11 million litres of raw palm oil will be procured at Tk 130 per litre, costing Tk 1.43 billion.
Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed emphasised, “We ensure a logical and efficient process for approving necessary procurements. Besides LNG, lentils, and soybean oil, we have also sanctioned the purchase of various fertilisers.”
