DHAKA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS) - The government is set to procure 50,000 metric tons of non-basmati para-boiled rice under international open tender to strengthen food security alongside 80,000 metric tons of fertilizer to meet agricultural demand of the country.

The decision was taken at the 50th meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase in this year held with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today. 
The rice will be procured by the Ministry of Food at a cost of Taka 214.70 crore, with a per-ton price of $351.11. India-based M/S Bagadiya Brothers Private Ltd has been selected as the supplier.

Officials said the import would help maintain adequate public food stocks and stabilize prices in the domestic market.

The day’s purchase committee meeting also recommended approval of two proposals placed by the Ministry of Industries to import a total of 80,000 metric tons of fertilizer from Saudi Arabia to meet agricultural demand.

Under the proposals, 40,000 metric tons of fertilizer will be imported as the 12th lot and another 40,000 metric tons as the 13th lot from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company at a unit price of $413.46 per metric ton. Each lot will cost about Taka 203.09 crore.

The committee also recommended approval of a proposal to construct a fertilizer buffer warehouse in Naogaon with a capacity of 25,000 metric tons with around Taka 54.70 crore to improve storage and distribution.

Besides, the meeting recommended approval of another proposal to construct a fertilizer buffer warehouse in Bogura with a capacity of 20,000 metric tons with around Taka 59.28 crore also to improve storage and distribution of such key agricultural inputs.

Officials said the imports and storage facilities would help ensure uninterrupted fertilizer supply during peak farming seasons.

Apart from these, the day’s purchase committee meeting recommended approval of several major infrastructure procurement proposals aimed at improving roads, bridges and local infrastructure across the country.

Among the approved proposals, a World Bank-supported LGED project, with a contract value of Tk 363 crore, will be implemented in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The committee also cleared multiple road development project related proposals under the Road Transport and Highways Division, including four-lane upgrading of regional highways in Cumilla, Lakshmipur and Noakhali, and construction of the Rabnabad Bridge over the Rabnabad River in Patuakhali.

Officials said the approved proposals would enhance connectivity, improve logistics and support regional economic growth.