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BD to import 200,000 tonees of rice, wheat

DHAKA: Bangladesh said on Sunday it would import 200,000 tonnes of rice and wheat by tender to curb soaring food prices and alleviate a shortfall in supplies.

Food ministry officials said the imports would consist of 100,000 tonnes of rice and 100,000 tonnes of wheat.

"A cabinet committee has decided to procure the grains immediately to keep food prices stable and offset any shortfall," a ministry official told Reuters.

The committee had decided to tender soon, the official said, but gave no further details. The imports would boost the government's food stocks to 900,000 tonnes.

Rice prices in the local market have risen by nearly 20 percent over the past two months, traders said.

The government recently increased fuel prices by nearly 15 percent, pushing up transportation costs.-Reuters