High Commission of India, Dhaka
April 3, 2008 |
April 3, 2008 - India’s assistance to Bangladesh |
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During the visit of H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, to Bangladesh on December 1, 2007 in the wake of cyclone ‘SIDR’, it was announced that Government of India will facilitate export of 5 lakh metric tonnes of rice to Government of Bangladesh through Indian Public Sector Undertakings.
As part of modalities, it was conveyed to Government of Bangladesh that the aforesaid quantity of rice may be purchased by them through five designated Indian entities, namely State Trading Corporation of India Ltd. (STC), Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC), National Agriculture Co-operative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), PEC Ltd, and West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corporation Ltd. (WBECSC).
In pursuance of India’s commitment, negotiations were held and four designated Indian entities namely MMTC, STC, NAFED and PEC have initialled contract with Government of Bangladesh for supply of total 4 lakh metric tonnes rice (1 lakh metric tonnes by each of the four entities). Earlier, WBECSC had initialled contract with Government of Bangladesh for supply of 1 lakh metric tonnes of rice.
Separately, as part of Government of India’s assistance of 40,000 MTs of rice, 10,000 MTs of wheat and 1,000 MTs of skimmed milk powder for relief and rehabilitation of people of Bangladesh affected by floods and other natural disasters, about 12,500 MTs rice has already been supplied during December 2007-March 2008 to Government of Bangladesh. The commercial vessel carrying 7,500 metric tonnes of rice is expected to arrive at Chittagong Port in the next few days.
Under this assistance, Government of India has also supplied 1,000 MTs of skimmed milk powder during February & March, 2008 to Government of Bangladesh. The skimmed milk powder has been supplied through M/s Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (‘AMUL’) at Chittagong Port.
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