September 13, 2023
DHAKA – Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi yesterday told parliament that the government’s timely action to control commodity prices made it possible to keep the prices stable and supplies normal.
Replying to a query from opposition Gonoforum MP Mukabbir Khan, the minister said activities are underway to ensure that there is no instability in the market in future.
In a scripted answer, Tipu Munshi said his ministry and the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection are monitoring the market regularly to prevent instability.
He said all possible measures, including removal of import barriers, reduction of customs duty, normalisation of gas-electricity supply, ensuring speedy clearance at the port, and supervision of import of goods as per LCs, have been taken to keep the supply of goods to the market uninterrupted.
The National Board of Revenue has been requested to further rationalise the import duties on sugar and edible oil, the minister added.
Tipu Munshi said the home ministry has been requested to keep roads free of obstruction during the transportation of essentials.
He said the Bangladesh Competition Commission has been requested to investigate whether there are irregularities or monopolies in the poultry market.
The minister also said the prices of edible oil and sugar are adjusted from time to time in line with the international market price.
In response to another question from ruling Awami League MP Anwer Hossain Khan, the minister said that due to increase in transport costs, rise in the exchange rate of US dollar and the Russia-Ukraine war, the prices of import-dependent daily essentials have gone up.