In the last ten years, the price of rice has increased by 122 percent. In 2013, the price per kilogram of rice was 36 taka, while in 2023, it was 80 taka.
Dr. Badrunnesa Ahmed presented this information in a roundtable discussion at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
She presented the main article titled “Price Instability: Ways to Overcome” at the roundtable discussion held on Thursday (February 22).
She stated that due to the ineffective policies of the government, the prices of essential commodities have risen. Despite market surveillance to control prices, it has not been effective. When market monitoring is conducted, sales start again at previous prices.
This researcher believes that the country has become a land of choice for importing goods. She said that major buyers of oil (big buyers) directly buy oil from Russia, China, and India, keeping prices stable in their countries. We import oil from western countries. As a result, our prices may differ from theirs.
Badrunnesa Ahmed said, “Due to the lack of reserves, we cannot pose a credible threat to the market. This is why market prices are not stable. Speculation is being created. Calling speculation syndication, it could be said that policy constraints may fail.”
She suggested research on market management of perishable commodities, saying that prices are rising in perishable commodities, but not so much in non-perishable commodities.
Salma Islam, the publisher of the newspaper, chaired the event on the occasion of the establishment anniversary of the Daily Jugantor in Sirajganj. The chief guest at the roundtable event was Dr. Mashiur Rahman, an economic adviser, and special guest was Commerce Minister Ahsanul Islam Titu.
