TCB allowed to buy essentials without tender

The government has allowed the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to procure essential items from local and international sources directly for three years from now.

It means the TCB can buy goods without floating any tender, which is very time-consuming.

Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Shamsul Arifin said the cabinet committee on economic affairs has approved the commerce ministry’s direct procurement proposal on Wednesday.

He said with this decision the TCB will not need to follow the public procurement rules.

The state-owned trading corporation usually imports essential commodities like edible oil, onion, garlic, ginger and lentils as part of the government move to intervene in a market that often gets heated up by private players.