PM orders cutting import duties on edible oil, sugar, dates, rice

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the cabinet to reduce the import duties on edible oil, sugar, dates and rice in a bid to keep the commodity prices at an affordable level during the month of Ramadan slated to start in mid-March.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will decide on how much the duties should be reduced, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters after a meeting of the cabinet.

Mahbub said the premier gave the instructions after listening to the ministers about the actions taken to control commodity prices.

Since starting her fourth term, the PM has been insisting on controlling the prices of everyday essentials amid reports of a volatile market. 

The Ministry of Commerce on January 23 recommended cutting customs duties on cooking oil, sugar and dates ahead of Ramadan based on demands from traders.