The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Officials of Bangladesh and India will sign an agreement here today under which Dhaka can import 50,000 tonnes of rice.

It will be the second such agreement under the Indian government pledge to supply 5 lakh tonnes of rice to Bangladesh to overcome the impact of the cyclone Sidr and recurring floods.

The pledge was initially made by Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee immediately after the cyclone when he paid a brief visit here to see for himself its devastation. The officials of Bangladesh and India also signed an 'agreed minute of understanding' last month in Kolkata.

The Bangladesh delegation also signed the first agreement for 50,000 tonnes of rice on that occasion as India remained reluctant to sign the bigger deal providing with the entire five lakh tonnes under one supply agreement.

The news of the signing of the second agreement tomorrow comes at a time when Bangladesh is desperately trying to find new supply sources to build its stock.

The Indian government is planning to supply the foodgrains from all its five food corporations.

A source close to the food ministry said the Indian government has already issued a circular in the light of the agreed minute allowing the export of the five lakh tonnes giving a waver to its existing ban on the foodgrains export.

The Bangladesh government has already finalised the import deal at a cost of US$ 399 per tonne with the West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corporation (WBECSC).