The interim government is making efforts to keep the prices of essential commodities at an affordable level during the holy month of Ramadan, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Alam stated that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had instructed all relevant agencies last October to focus on stabilizing prices ahead of Ramadan. According to him, government agencies have worked intensively towards this goal, and data suggests that the prices of most essential goods remain stable compared to last year.
“The interim government will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that essential commodities remain within the reach of the public throughout Ramadan,” Alam said.
He acknowledged that prices of certain items, such as dates and chickpeas, tend to rise during Ramadan. To address this, the Commerce Ministry, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank, and the Traffic Commission are working together to maintain affordability.
The press secretary highlighted that the government is focusing on increasing the supply of edible oil, a key commodity during Ramadan. Continuous monitoring of edible oil imports is underway, and authorities expect an improved supply in the coming days, which should help bring down prices.
“We are hopeful that the supply situation of edible oil will improve soon, leading to a price drop and ensuring stability,” Alam added.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder was also present at the briefing.
Background & Context :
In past years, price hikes of essential commodities during Ramadan have been a major concern for the public. Governments have often intervened through subsidies, market monitoring, and import facilitation to keep prices stable. The interim government’s current approach follows similar patterns, emphasizing coordinated efforts among multiple agencies.
However, market dynamics, global supply chain issues, and currency exchange rates will also play a role in determining whether these measures can effectively control prices in the coming weeks.
