In a reassuring statement ahead of the forthcoming Ramadan, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, the Commerce Adviser to the Government, has affirmed that prices of essential commodities will remain within the reach of ordinary citizens. Speaking on Sunday, 25 January, following a Taskforce meeting in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, he highlighted that this year’s import volume of essentials has increased significantly compared to last year.
“Compared to the previous year, essential commodities have been imported in quantities 40 per cent higher,” he said. “Consequently, there will be ample supply in the market during Ramadan, and in some cases, prices may even see a reduction.”
He further emphasised that traders had confirmed the normalcy of supplies, adding, “The price of essentials is not expected to rise; on the contrary, there is a possibility of marginal reductions for certain items.”
However, Sheikh Bashir Uddin also pointed out that large-scale infrastructure projects have imposed a considerable debt burden on the government. “Projects such as the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Payra Port, and Padma Bridge have created significant liabilities. The depreciation of the Taka and substantial borrowing from the IMF have also had ripple effects on commodity markets,” he noted.
On the same day, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a proposal to increase the construction budget for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant by BDT 25,592 crore. The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Planning Adviser Dr. Wahid Uddin Mahmud, concluded with a briefing in which Dr. Mahmud clarified, “The expenditure in US dollars has not increased, but measured in Taka, the project cost has escalated considerably.”
Details of the Rooppur project are summarised in the table below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Foundation | October 2013 |
| Scheduled Unit Commissioning | 2021 (delayed due to the pandemic) |
| Revised Completion Date | June 2028 |
| Original Development Project Cost (DPP) | BDT 1,13,092 crore |
| Proposed First Revised Cost | BDT 1,38,685.76 crore (22.63% increase) |
| Funding Sources | Government Fund: 10,881.40 crore, Foreign Loan: 32,098 crore, Agency Fund: 2,291 crore |
| Total ECNEC-Approved Projects | 25 projects, Total Cost: 45,191 crore |
Dr. Mahmud highlighted that delays in the Rooppur project were influenced by global disruptions, including the Ukraine conflict and the pandemic. He confirmed that the additional expenditure will be fully financed through project loans and assured that construction will continue as planned, with timely completion anticipated.
Economists suggest that these proactive measures, particularly ahead of Ramadan, are likely to provide relief to consumers and ensure that daily essentials remain accessible to the general public.