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DHAKA, Jan 23, 2025 (BSS)- The first consignment of 5,750 tonnes of non-basmati or parboiled rice has arrived in the country from India.

The consignment carried on a ship (MV PHU THANH 36) reached at Mongla on Monday, said a food ministry press release today.

The physical test of the imported rice after collecting sample has already been completed.
The loading and unloading of the rice will start soon and necessary steps have already been taken in this regard, the release added.

The rice consignment has come as part of government’s recent decision to import 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice from India to meet the domestic demand, according to the food ministry sources.

The proposal on rice import was approved by the Government Purchase Committee on January 7, 2025 and a private Indian company will supply it to Bangladesh as the lowest bidder, according to the sources.

Importing 50,000 tonnes of rice at a price of USD 458.84 per tonne will cost USD 22,942,000 (BDT 280 crore).