Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated on Saturday that the prices of most essential commodities have reached a tolerable level, with the government remaining focused on maintaining market stability during Ramadan and ensuring a steady supply of soybean oil.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Alam emphasized the government's commitment to keeping key Ramadan essentials—such as edible oil, snacks, chickpeas, and dates—affordable.
“The government is taking necessary steps to regulate prices and ensure a smooth supply of these products,” he said.
He assured that authorities are closely monitoring the supply situation of both loose and bottled soybean oil. While the price of loose soybean oil has started to decrease slightly, he acknowledged concerns over the scarcity of bottled oil and affirmed ongoing efforts to maintain a steady supply.
Discussing the challenges faced by the interim government since assuming office on 8 August, Alam noted that handling multiple floods had been a key priority in the initial months. “There were six separate flood incidents that required immediate attention,” he said.
However, from October onwards, the Chief Adviser directed all relevant departments, including those responsible for food and essential commodities, to focus on stabilizing the cost of living, especially ahead of Ramadan.
Alam highlighted that various government agencies—including the Ministry of Commerce, the National Board of Revenue, the Tariff Commission, and the central bank—are working together to curb price volatility.
“Thanks to these coordinated efforts, we can already see price stabilization in many essential commodities. The government remains committed to further improving the situation during Ramadan,” he said.
He also reassured that authorities are monitoring the import and refining of edible oil daily to ensure sufficient supply.
“We are keeping track of imported oil and its refining process, and we expect the supply situation to improve further in the coming days,” Alam added.
