At the national level, the government procurement committee has approved the proposal for the import of 170,000 tons of fertilizer from three countries within the framework of an agreement. These fertilizers will be imported from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, incurring an estimated cost of around Tk 8,840 crore. Additionally, the committee has approved eight proposals, including the extension of the term for a gas-operated non-governmental power plant for five more years and the determination of the tariff rate for the extended period. The total expenditure for these proposals will be Tk 2,985 crore.
It has been learned from reliable sources that these proposals were approved at yesterday’s meeting of the government procurement committee on Wednesday. Finance Minister A. H. M. Mustafa Kamal chaired the virtual meeting. However, no formal briefing was given after the meeting.
It is known that 30,000 tons of bulk granular urea fertilizer will be imported from the United Arab Emirates and 30,000 tons from Saudi Arabia. Additionally, 40,000 tons of DAP fertilizer will be imported from Saudi Arabia, and 30,000 tons of TSP and 40,000 tons of DAP fertilizer will be imported from Morocco.
According to sources, during the meeting, approval was given to extend the deadline for the 360 MW gas-based power plant in Haripur for an additional five years, and a tariff rate was determined for the extended period at Tk 415 per kilowatt-hour. The expenditure for purchasing electricity from the entrepreneur during the extended period will be Tk 1,855 crore.
During the meeting, the committee also approved the appointment of contractors for the completion of two packages of the flyover construction project at Shahid AHM Kamruzzaman Chattar in Rajshahi. The total expenditure for these two packages will be Tk 246.50 crore.
Before the government procurement committee meeting, a virtual meeting of the economic affairs committee of the cabinet was held under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister. In that meeting, seven policy approvals were given, including the decision to appoint an international standard private operator for the operation of the container terminal at Panga Rail Crossing through a public-private partnership (PPP).
It is known that Red Sea Gateway Terminal International, a Saudi government-nominated company, is responsible for operating the terminal for 22 years under the PPP. The approved agreement includes a total investment of USD 137 million, with equity accounting for 30 percent and the remaining 70 percent in loans.
