The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will import 150,000 metric tons of petroleum fuels from the National Oil Company Ltd (MNOC) of the tiny island-state Maldives, spending some US$ 183.44 million worth Tk 1273.07 crore.

The Advisors Committee on Economic Affairs yesterday endorsed a proposal giving a waiver to the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) under which it could import the quantity of gasoline without a state-to-state deal.

According official sources, BPC will make the bulk import of petroleum of different grades through signing a direct agreement with the supplier, the state-owned MNOC.

The Energy Division moved the procurement proposal on behalf of the BPC.

This is for the first time Bangladesh is going to import fuel from a Maldivian company.

Normally, the country imports petroleum from different Middle-Eastern countries like Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to meet its annual demand for 2.5-2.7 million metric tons of liquid fuels.

The meeting, presided over by Finance Advisor Dr Mirza Azizul Islam, also recommended a fund-allocation proposal for procuring office furniture for the newly installed Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) that will deliver clemency to penitent corrupt in the wake of the current purge launched by the army-backed interim regime.

Reports prepared on the basis of audit reports of different state-owned enterprises, including PDB, Chittagong Port Authority and Mongla Port Authority, were placed in the committee meeting.