The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) held a meeting with the concerned traders and stakeholders to review the import, stock, supply and price situation of daily necessities on the occasion of the upcoming Ramadan.
The meeting was held at the FBCCI's Motijheel office on Monday, which was presided over by FBCCI administrator Abdur Rahim Khan.
Participating in the event, leaders of various market associations at the retail and wholesale levels said, “There is adequate stock of edible oil, sugar, onion, pulses and other daily necessities in the country. If supply is normal, there is no scope for price hike of these products during this Ramadan. However, they urged the authorities to be strict to prevent extortion at different stages of the supply system to keep the market stable. In addition, they requested the general consumers not to create additional pressure on the market by purchasing more products than necessary.”
However, traders requested the concerned authorities through the Ministry of Commerce and the FBCCI to stop harassing retail traders in the name of market supervision during Ramadan. They claimed that it is not possible for marginal traders to destabilize the market. They urged importers and corporate institutions to keep the supply of daily necessities running.
Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association president Abul Hashem said, “There will be no sugar crisis in the market if mill owners can supply properly.”
He mentioned that if sugar is imported into the country through government initiatives along with corporate institutions, traders will be able to sell sugar at competitive prices.
Bangladesh Wholesale Edible Oil Traders Association president Golam Mawla called for increasing the government's surveillance not only at the retail level but also at the large industrial groups and importer levels to keep commodity prices stable.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the Raw Market Traders Association have indicated that the market for vegetables and other raw products will also be within the reach of the consumers during Ramadan. They said that the prices of all raw vegetables, except lemon, are normal at the moment.
Although traders have given positive signals about the market situation of daily necessities this year, Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, market analyst and general secretary of Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), expressed concerns about the market.
He said, “There is a possibility of an energy crisis this year. This crisis may increase further during Ramadan. Besides, national elections are going to be held shortly before the start of Ramadan. During this time, the new government will take charge. It may not be possible to supervise the market vigorously during this 'transition period'. Some unscrupulous people may take this opportunity.”
In his closing speech at the event, FBCCI Administrator Abdur Rahim Khan said, “Our request to the large industrial groups is that the supply in the market should not be disrupted.”
He urged the concerned authorities to be vigilant so that market supervision does not cause trouble to traders. The issues discussed in the exchange of views will be raised by FBCCI to the appropriate authorities.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
