From November, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will expand its subsidized sales program by adding five new essential products — tea, salt, detergent, and two types of soap. Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin announced that the government spends nearly Tk 5,000 crore annually to sustain TCB operations, and the new additions aim to provide relief for low-income families while curbing inflation. He urged quick progress in finalizing beneficiary lists and card activations nationwide. TCB currently has over 6 million active cards, with an additional 339,000 pending activation.