The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The caretaker government Tuesday approved amendment to the Public Procurement Regulation (PPR) to make an easier way for importing food-grains to make up for huge production shortfalls owing to two floods and cyclone SIDR.

The decision to do away with cumbersome procedures of import was taken by the Economic Affairs Committee in a meeting held at the Planning Ministry with Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam in the chair.

It decided to introduce "negotiation permission" and reduce time for appointing importers.

Under the negotiation permission the government can appoint importers apart from the lowest bidder. "The government could appoint the second-lowest bidder or other bidders if they agreed to import food-grains at the price offered by the lowest bidder," Dr Mirza Azizul Islam told reporters after the meeting.

The Adviser said, "We will offer other bidders to provide food-grains like the lowest bidder's price. If they agree, we will appoint them."

Saving time and cost is behind this amendment, Dr Aziz told reporters.

The meeting also decided to reduce the time for appointing importers. Under the new system importers will be appointed within 15 days of floating international tender that was 42 days. The time for appointing importers under re-tender is 10 days instead of 28 days.

The Economic Affairs Committee decided to give chance to the appointed importers to import same amount of food-grains that they got permission for from the government. "It depends upon the negotiation with the government," the Finance Adviser said.

Before the amendment, one importer who imports over 10,000 tons of grains could import additional 15 percent on the basis of government negotiation.

But, in the new system, the importer could import same amount of food-grains on the basis of negotiation with the government.