Govt to import 50,000 tonnes sugar and 20,000 tonnes onion from India: Minister

DE Online Desk
State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu on Friday said that 20,000 tons of onion and 50,000 tons of sugar will be imported from India soon.
“There is great news for our country. India stopped exporting onion and sugar to Bangladesh. I discussed with India and 20,000 tons of onion and 50,000 tons of sugar will be imported from India very soon,” said the state minister.
“We hope that the country will receive sugar and onion from India before Ramadan. Oil and sugar are also coming from other countries including Brazil,” he said.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu has assured consumers of stable prices of daily necessities during upcoming Ramadan.
He hopes steps like easing and increasing imports, and punishing hoarders, along with sufficient stocks, will help keep the prices down during the Islamic month of fasting, when demand and prices skyrocket.
Speaking to journalists during a meeting with Awami League leaders at his home in Tangail’s Delduar Upazila on Friday, he said importers and entrepreneurs in the food processing industry had flagged “high” duty on sugar, cooking oil and dates in a previous meeting.
The commerce ministry has sent a proposal to the National Board of Revenue for cutting the duty on these products to a “reasonable” level, according to Titu.