Laudable gesture of edible oil importers merits replication by others

Edible oil importers on Wednesday set an example by pledging to run their business without profit for the next three months with a view to helping overcome the crisis situation in respect of the price hike of essential commodities. They deserve to be lauded for coming forward with a positive bent of mind and care for the welfare of the people.

It is true that the price hike is to a great extent the outcome of rising prices in international markets. But the people of Bangladesh are not economically well-off enough to absorb such shock, and need special care from not only the government but also the business people who in all countries come to the aid of their governments at crisis times.

Because of the gravity of the problem the Bangladesh Rifles is learnt to have been preparing to import rice in addition to overseeing sales prices of other essentials at the retailers' level. BDR would continue to hold meetings with business chambers and associations, as they did with the Edible Oil Importers Association, with a view to enlisting their greater cooperation in coping with the continued price hike of essentials.

The people would expect all other business associations, especially those dealing in essentials, to follow the example set by the Edible Oil Importers Association and come up with their offers of special service to reduce the sufferings of the poor and the common people belonging to the fixed income bracket.

Potatoes, lentil, onion, garlic, rice, wheat and edible oil continue to be dearer due to a number of factors which, experts say, can be taken care of if the supply side is strengthened. Businessmen, especially big businesses, can seize the opportunity of serving the people by ensuring quick and sufficient import and distribution of the essentials with minimum margins or, if possible, without profit at least for the present emergency period.