Prime Minister’s Policy and Strategy Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has claimed that importing wheat from the United States at a higher price was done in the country’s interest.
He made the remarks in response to a question at the government’s regular press briefing at the secretariat on Tuesday, where he highlighted recent activities of the government.
Referring to the trade agreement signed between Bangladesh and the United States, Zahed said, “What was the situation before this agreement was signed? Reciprocal tariffs were imposed. A very high tariff was placed on our garment products.
“To reduce the trade deficit, there was an understanding between us that we would buy more products from them.”
Mentioning that the United States is Bangladesh’s second-largest export destination for garments, he said, “If exports are affected, it will create a crisis for us. I believe the government took this decision considering the interests of the people and the garment sector.”
He said any negative impact on the garment industry would not only affect around 4 million workers but also their families. If each worker supports a family of five, the number of people affected would rise to around 20 million, he added.
On 1 July, the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved a proposal to import 2,70,000 tonnes of wheat, of which 50,000 tonnes will come from Singapore and 2,20,000 tonnes from the United States.
The 50,000 tonnes of wheat from Singapore’s Agrocorp International Pte Ltd are being imported through an international open tender, at a price of $297.92 per tonne. Meanwhile, wheat from the United States will be imported under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement at $322 per tonne.
In July 2025, Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States to import wheat. Later, in January this year, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said Bangladesh had become the eighth-largest market for US wheat after the signing of the MoU. Before that, Bangladesh was not even among the top 25 markets for American wheat.
UP election schedule in August
Responding to another question, Zahed said the government was planning to announce the schedule for union parishad elections in the second half of August and hold the polls in the first half of October.
“Keeping the local government elections in mind, the Election Commission has prepared an initial roadmap. Separate roadmaps have been prepared for union parishad, upazila parishad, municipality and city corporation elections,” he said.
He added that all local government elections would be completed within 10 to 12 months after the election process begins.
Turag deaths ‘unexpected’
Asked about the recovery of bodies of leaders and activists of an Awami League-affiliated organisation from the Turag River in Ashulia and Aminbazar areas of Dhaka, the prime minister’s adviser said, “There have been some deaths. They were very unexpected.”
“We often say that something like this should not happen. But you know how these incidents occurred. As part of its normal responsibilities, the government will investigate whether anyone was involved,” he said.
He added that investigative reports from both domestic and international organisations had shown that the individuals were attempting to flee and that the deaths occurred in that context.
Zahed urged leaders and activists of the Awami League to wait until the trial of the party at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed.
“Those who still support the Awami League and those who still come to join Awami League processions — I feel very sorry, I genuinely feel sorry. But their lives are also valuable. They are citizens of this country. We believe that as well,” he said.
He called on everyone to abide by the laws of the state, saying, “The Awami League itself is not banned. Its activities are banned. They should wait.”
