DHAKA: Food Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam on Monday categorically said Bangladesh will export 50,000 metric tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka.

The government fixed price of rice US$ 450 per tonne.  The retail prices of rice, however, will be Tk 35, he added while talking to journalists at his secretariat office.

After emerging from the meeting of Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, the minister said the production cost of per tonne rice is US$ 436 and through exporting rice, “we will attain profit US$ 14 per tonne”.

There are three more millions food grains reserve in Bangladesh this year compared to the same time of last year. The country, currently, has reserves of 1399,857 metric tonnes, the minister added.

In response to a question, the ruling Awami League lawmaker said Sri Lanka wanted to purchase 200,000 tonnes of rice from Bangladesh. But the government has decided to export 50,000 metric tonnes of rice.

The next steps would be taken in this regard after holding a meeting with Sri Lankan authorities, he added.

BDST: 1557 HRS, OCT 27, 2014