Cabinet Committee Okays/6,200 Tonnes dates to be imported for Ramadan, LNG from 3 sources

For ensuring adequate supply of dates in the upcoming Ramadan, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recommended to procure 6,200 tonnes dates from different sources.

The committee also has recommended to procure liquefied natural gas (LNG) from three different sources for keeping its supply normal in the local market.

The committee on Thursday (November 12) recommended five proposals in principle including the above mentioned two issues.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury chaired the 37th meeting of the committee held Dhaka.

Among the five proposals, three came from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division while the Commerce Ministry and the Posts and Telecommunications Division submitted one proposal each.

According to Cabinet Division, the LNG procurement proposals involve purchasing the gas directly from JERA Global Markets Pte. Ltd. (JERAGM) of Japan, ADNOC Trading Ltd. of the United Arab Emirates, and OJIMADU & MARITES OIL MARKETING NIGERIA LTD/UZZY GEMS BEEHIVE.

The committee recommended in principle the procurement of LNG from these three sources through the direct procurement method under Section 68 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, and Rule 99(2) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025.

The proposal involving JERAGM also includes the signing of the finalised format of the Short-Term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and term sheet between Petrobangla and the company.

In another major decision, the committee recommended in principle a proposal to procure 6,200 metric tonnes of dates through an international open tender for distribution by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) during Ramadan 2027.

The proposal seeks to reduce the time allowed for preparing and submitting tenders under Rule 102(1)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025, citing an urgent national requirement.

The committee also recommended in principle a proposal from the Posts and Telecommunications Division to follow the direct procurement method for installing mobile network coverage at the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The initiative falls under the project titled “Installation of Mobile Network at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Third Terminal”, sources said.