Govt decides to export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka

The government will export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka, the finance minister has said.

Bangladesh had exported some amount of aromatic rice before, but such a large quantity would be exported for the first time.

This was decided at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Purchase Affairs held on Thursday.

"The amount of rice stocked in Bangladesh now is 1.1 million tonnes. Sri Lanka is a friendly country. We are treating this as a test case," AMA Muhith told reporters after the meeting.

He said government-level talks would fix the price in accordance with international prices.

The export would not create a crisis since the country had 'adequate' stock, added Muhith.

According to the food ministry, Bangladesh’s rice stock was 1.1 million tonnes until August this year.

However, the export would require an amendment to the statutory regulatory order (SRO).

The SRO bars the export of all varieties of rice except aromatic ones until June 30, 2015.