Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has saved nearly Tk 1,000 crore in the current fiscal year due to improved transparency and accountability. Speaking at the inauguration of TCB’s Ramadan truck sale program in Dhaka on Tuesday, he said that if this trend continues, the government may no longer need to provide subsidies to TCB within the next four to five years. He also mentioned plans to add essential items such as soap and tea to TCB’s product list to further benefit consumers.

The Ramadan truck sale program will run from February 17 to March 12, excluding Fridays and holidays, offering affordable goods to low-income citizens. Each truck will serve about 400 people daily, reaching around 3.5 million beneficiaries nationwide with 23,000 tons of products. Items include edible oil, sugar, lentils, chickpeas, and dates at prices below market rates. The program will operate 450 mobile trucks across the country, with separate provisions for family cardholders.

If the savings trend continues, TCB’s operations could become self-sustaining, reducing the government’s fiscal burden in the coming years.