Onion being imported by cargo, will reach country by Monday

The government has taken an initiative to import onion by cargo aircrafts. The first shipment of the onion is expected reach country by Sunday or Monday.

Then, the government will take initiative to provide onions to retail markets across the country. The government has taken the move to bring the unusual price hike under control.

On Friday, Commerce secretary Dr Jafar Uddin confirmed the matter. 

He said, “TCB on behind of the government while S Alam Group as private company will import onion from Turkey and Egypt.”

“Onions will have been importing by cargo aircrafts till the market is brought under control. A deputy secretary is being sent to Turkey while another to Egypt in this regard,” he added.

According to a press release of the commerce ministry, sufficient supply of onion in the market will be ensured soon through importing onion from Turkey by cargo planes, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) while S Alam Group from Egypt and many other companies from Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. All procedures have already been completed.

It also said a big shipment of onion will arrive in Bangladesh soon through the sea route.

The release said the recent cyclone- Bulbul-aggravated the problem for several days in onion transport in various places, including Teknaf Land Port and Chittagong seaport.

The ministry has taken immediate steps to address this situation, expecting to supply enough quantity of onions in the market within a short time as well as cheapening the price. 

The release also said that the country’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies are active in this regard.

On September 26, the Indian authorities banned onion export. As an alternative, Bangladesh has started importing onion from Myanmar through LC and Border Trade. Onion imports were also started from Egypt and Turkey through LC.

Dhaka/Hasnath/AKA