Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday  said that one crore family cards of The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will be converted into smart cards and distributed by January/February next year.

The minister also expressed hope that the distribution of smart cards will be started from next month (October) as the work of converting TCB cards into smart cards is in the final stage.

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He said this while inaugurating the sale of TCB products including rice at subsidized price among one crore family card holders organized by TCB at Indira Road Krira Chakra ground in the capital's Khamarbari today.

The commerce minister said the prices of goods have increased in all countries due to the global situation.

"When international prices for items such as oil, sugar, and other imports rise, it naturally leads to an increase in their prices within the local market,” he said.

“Since we rely heavily on imports of items like edible oil, sugar, and lentils, it becomes essential to adjust their prices with the fluctuations in the international market."

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Asked whether the number of TCB cards will be increased, Tipu Munshi said, "If we find people in need of these cards, then we will definitely consider. However, at present, we aim to keep the number limited to one crore.”

The minister further said that one crore family cards means about five crore beneficiaries.

Because if there are an average of five people in a cardholder's family, the number of beneficiaries will be five crore, he said.

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Chairman of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) Brigadier General Md Ariful Hasan, Ward No. 27 councillor of Dhaka North City Corporation Faridur Rahman Khan Iran and senior officials of TCB were present on the occasion.