The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Thursday expressed his hope that prices of essential commodities would be stable during the upcoming holly Ramadan for the steps taken by the government.

"All kinds of measures have been taken to keep the prices of essential commodities stable during the upcoming holy Ramadan," he said when he called on President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban and apprised him of his caretaker government's various steps and role played during the SAARC summit.

He said adequate food supply would be ensured through Open Market Sale (OMS) and BDR-run markets. The market-monitoring system will also be strengthened during Ramadan.

During the meeting, Dr Fakhruddin apprised the President of different aspects of the just-held 15th SAARC summit in Colombo.

He informed the President that Bangladesh's proposals, including food bank, food and energy security and climate change, were accepted by the other member-countries during the SAARC summit.

The Colombo meet decided that under the food bank, the member-countries would supply their surplus food-grains to any other member-state on emergency basis during food crisis, the Chief Adviser said.

He said that the SAARC leaders also decided that the headquarters of South Asian Regional Standard Organization (SARSO) would be established in Dhaka.

The Chief Adviser informed that ministerial-level delegations of Iran, Mauritius and South Korea attended the summit as observers and even more countries showed their keen interest in becoming SARRC observers.

"International community appreciated the capability and courage of Bangladeshi people who face two consecutive devastating floods and cyclone Sidr side by side very alarming food crisis situation," the Chief Adviser said.

Dr Fakhruddin apprised the President that the government is working to take the administration to the doorsteps of the mass people with a view to materializing the hopes and aspirations of the countrymen. As part of the initiative, cabinet meetings are being held at different divisional headquarters, he said.

The President expressed his satisfaction over Bangladesh's role during the SAARC summit.

He also welcomed government initiatives to control the prices of essential commodities during the holy Ramadan.

Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, secretary of the Chief Adviser's office Kazi M Aminul Islam, Press Secretary to the CA Syed Fahim Munaim, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were among others present.