The government of Bangladesh has approved the import of 20 million liters of refined soybean oil from Indonesia to distribute at subsidized prices among low-income families holding Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) family cards. The decision, costing over Tk 282.57 crore, was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.

According to meeting sources, the procurement will be conducted through international open tender under the Ministry of Commerce. Of the two participating firms, Indonesia-based PT Trinity Chaya Energy was selected as the only technically and financially qualified bidder. The company will supply the oil at USD 1.151 per liter, totaling USD 23.02 million. Including import, transport, and storage costs, the total cost per liter will be Tk 178.56, about Tk 16.44 lower than the current market price of Tk 195.

Officials said the initiative aims to maintain stable edible oil supply and ease cost pressures on low-income consumers. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, TCB has set a target to procure 230 million liters of edible oil, of which 121.68 million liters have already been secured.