Bangladesh Police received the final approval from the cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) to procure two Russian helicopters. The cabinet body at a meeting gave its nod to the proposal placed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the meeting, attended by members of the cabinet committee. On October 6, the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) gave in principle its approval to the proposal. Read:Bangladesh Police to procure 2 Russian choppers As per the proposal, the Bangladesh Police Directorate will procure the Russian Mi-171A2 model helicopters from Russian firm JSC Russian Helicopters under a G2G contract at a cost of Euro 42.60 million, equivalent to Tk 428.12 crore. On February 10 this year, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Police and helicopter manufacturer JSC Russian Helicopters for the purchase of helicopters on a government-to-government (G2G) basis. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and Director General of Russian Helicopters AI Boginsky signed the deal through a video conference call. According to police headquarters, two advanced helicopters from Russia will be added to the Bangladesh Police fleet to enhance the efficiency and capability of the law enforcement force to ensure better public safety. The addition of helicopters will enable the police to conduct key operations and increase surveillance in remote and inaccessible areas. It will also help the police in their fight against militancy and terrorism. The cabinet purchase body also approved three proposals of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) to import urea in bulk. Read:BGB to purchase 2 Russian helicopters As per the proposals, the BCIC will procure 30,000 metric tons (MT) of bagged granular urea from Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 185.85 crore while it will import another 30,000 MT of balk prilled urea from Muntajat, Qatar spending Tk 189.39 crore. Another 30,000 MT will be imported by the BCIC from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) at a cost of Tk 190.25 crore. Meanwhile, the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved in principle two proposals—one from Rajshahi Wasa under the LGRD Ministry and another from Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under the ICT Ministry. As per the LGRD Ministry, the Rajshahi Wasa will appoint Joint Venture of (1) BRTC, BUET and (2) SMEC International Pty. Ltd. as consultant for its surface water treatment plant while the ICT Ministry will directly award contract to Bangladesh Diesel Plant Limited, an enterprise of Bangladesh Army, to construct 11 IT Training and Incubation centres in 11 districts.

The cabinet economic affairs committee (CCEA) on Wednesday approved in principle two proposals, including the procurement of two Russian helicopters by the Bangladesh Police. The CCEA gave the nod to the proposal of the Bangladesh Police at a meeting to procure the two helicopters from Russia under a G-to-G contract. However, the cost of the helicopters was not disclosed in the meeting as the issue will come to the cabinet committee on public purchase (CCPP) for the final approval. Meanwhile, the CCPP today approved 7 procurement proposals, including the import of LNG, wheat and fertiliser. Read: Cabinet purchase body clears procurement of huge wheat, fertiliser As per the CCPP-approved proposals, state-owned Petrobangla will import 33.60 lakh MMBtu of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Vitol Asia Pte Pls, Singapore at a cost of Tk 1,205 crore -- each MMBtu price at $35.8932 -- while another 33.60 lakh MMBtu of LNG will be imported from Gunvor Singapore Pte. Ltd at a cost of Tk 1,241 crore -- each unit price at $36.95. About the purchase of such a huge bulk LNG import on a single occasion, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said through this import Bangladesh has completed its required purchase of fuel up to December year. “Since the price of LNG is rising, we’ve made advance procurement,” he told reporters. Read: Quick energy supply: Cabinet approves 5-yr extension of special provision The Food Directorate General will import 100,000 metric tons of wheat from Russia under a G-to-G contract at a cost of Tk 357.61 crore. Bangladesh Chemical industries Corp[oration (BCIC) will import 30,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea from Fertiglobe Distribution limited, UAE at Tk 127.67 crore while another 30,000 MTs will be imported from Muntajat, Qatar, at a cost of Tk 129.84 crore.

Two advanced helicopters will be added to Bangladesh Police to enhance the efficiency and capability of law enforcement to ensure better public safety.