Rice imported from India has not yet entered the country’s market due to a delay in unloading at the land port. This is why the unscrupulous traders are taking the opportunity to sell rice at higher prices.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder while answering to journalists’ questions after the signing of an agreement between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BSFA) at BSFA headquarter in the capital on Wednesday.
He said, “A good number of rice-laden trucks are waiting in queue on the border. As soon as those trucks enter our country rice price will come down to a tolerable level. As stone-laden trucks created gridlocks in the border areas that’s why trucks are taking more time to enter the country”.
“There is no syndicate at this moment and a good number of traders (about 400) have been allowed to open LC to import rice. When the unscrupulous traders came to know that the rice-laden trucks got stuck at the border, they are taking the opportunity to raise rice price”, he added.
While speaking at the agreement signing ceremony as the chief guest the Food Minister said, “Our per capita arable land is less than that of many other countries and our population density is the highest in the world. Despite this, food security of the country has been ensured”.
“During the tenure of the present government, the Safe Food Act was established in 2013 and the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority was established in 2015. This has been possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina”.
“In creating skilled manpower and increasing technical knowledge to achieve the capabilities of the BFSA there is no substitute for training and institutional capacity building. Today’s agreement will help BFSA in this regard,” added the food minister.
Praising Bangladesh's economic progress Ambassador of Japan in Bangladesh Naoki Ito said, “The recent economic progress of Bangladesh is praise worthy. BSFA will play an important role in ensuring food safety in Bangladesh through this project.
He said JICA will continue its cooperation to ensure safe food in Bangladesh.
After the signing ceremony, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated monitoring activities at two outlets of Nawabi Bhoj Restaurant and Fars Restaurant in the capital through Nazar Apps.
