Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said top business leaders have assured that the prices of daily commodities would not increase in the upcoming month of Ramadan.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and several business leaders reiterated this, said the minister while speaking at a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on Sunday.
"Government is doing its best to keep the price of goods affordable during Ramadan. There is no reason to fear a price hike. It is unlikely that the government will increase prices because there is enough stock present,” he said.
However, he added, the government will take action against anyone who would take advantage of the situation, and increases the price of daily essentials.
File Photo : Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi addresses a media briefing at the ministry conference room on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 PID"Essentials, such as oil, sugar, and lentils are available at triple the amount needed during Ramadan. As sugar prices increased, the VAT has been reduced. The 5% tariff cut on sugar prices will be effective in the market from the beginning of Ramadan,” the minister added.
Referring to the increased price of chicken, the minister said: "Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has been requested to make the prices reasonable during Ramadan.”
“During Ramadan, 10 million families will receive TCB products at low prices twice,” he added.
Tipu Munshi noted that the government has also instructed law enforcement agencies to prevent extortion during the transportation of goods from all parts of the country to the capital city.