The government has decided to permit imports of potatoes and onions to stabilize the local market amidst soaring prices, state minister for commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said on Saturday.

The decision followed a period of suspending imports during the harvesting seasons of these commodities.

With local prices sharply rising, import permissions have now been reinstated.

Onion prices have surged to Tk 130-140 per kg, while potatoes are priced between Tk 60-70 per kg.

The state minister disclosed that discussions remained underway to import onions from India, speaking at a press conference held at the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) Building in Dhaka.

Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Md Anwar Hossain were also present.

Regarding discrepancies in export data, Titu explained that the EPB would now directly collect primary export data from exporters and their trade bodies to reconcile figures with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank.

This step aimed to eliminate inconsistencies arising from differing definitions of exports used by these entities.

The government would award 77 exporters with the National Export Trophy for their exceptional contributions to the country’s export earnings in the fiscal year 2021-22.

The awards, to be presented in categories of gold, silver, and bronze, will be handed out by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a ceremony at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city on Sunday.