DHAKA, Nov 18, 2025 (BSS) – The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs today approved in principle several key proposals, including the Ministry of Food’s plan to import 3 lakh metric tons of wheat and to reduce the timeframe for the procurement of another 3 lakh metric tons of rice to meet the growing demand in the country.

The approvals came from the 38th meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat today, with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the Finance Adviser said that the committee reviewed a proposal from the Ministry of Food and approved in principle the procurement of wheat through the international open tender method under the government-to-government (G2G) purchase basis, as per Section 68(1) of the Public Procurement Act 2006 and Rule 99(2) of the Public Procurement Rules 2025.

Alongside wheat procurement, the meeting also approved another proposal in principle to reduce the timeframe for importing 3 lakh metric tons of rice under the international open tender method, in line with Rule 102 (1)(Ka) of PPR 2025, considering the government’s emergency operational requirements.

The day’s meeting also approved in principle a major development initiative under the Local Government Division. The committee approved a proposal to implement Package Number HELP/UN-1 of the World Bank and GoB-supported “Host and FDMN Enhancement of Lives through Infrastructure Improvement Project (HELP).” The package will be implemented under the Direct Selection/DPM method to engage the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the implementing UN agency.

In another agenda item, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs placed a proposal related to preparations for the 2026 Jatiya Sangsad Election.

The ministry sought policy approval for producing and broadcasting attractive voter-awareness materials—including TVCs and video documentaries—to help foster a festive and participatory electoral atmosphere. The committee gave approval in principle to carry out the subsequent procurement activities through the open tender method after reducing the timeframe for procurement.

Briefing reporters, the Finance Adviser said that considering the increasing demand for food grains, the government would import wheat and rice as well.

He said another major issue was the infrastructure facilities for the forcibly displaced people from Myanmar. “There is a grant fund for that purpose, and we will undertake work using that fund.”

Dr. Salehuddin said that the meeting gave approval in principle to a proposal to produce a documentary ahead of the national election to create a festive environment. “We have given in-principle approval, but the project will go through the open tender method to select a professional agency, as this is a specialized audiovisual task.”