The FBCCI Price Monitoring Task Force is yet to gather pace two months after its launch in May.

During the last two months a single meeting was held where 11 of its 27 members were present The task force is supposed to sit twice a month.

Also, there is no progress in setting up the proposed website for the task force. This website will presene all information on retail and wholesale prices of essentials besides international market prices,

commodity-wise details of supply and demand, production and stock and market trends.

The country's apex trade body through a special programme on May 7 commissioned the task force comprising ministry officials con cerncd, members of the joint forces and top traders to monitor the price situation and suggest the government how to keep the prices of essentials at a tolerable level.

When contacted, Abul Kasem Ahmed, co-chairman of the task force, said he is not

aware of any progress with regard to the task force.

“As the vice-president of FBCCI, my name has been included in the task force," he said.

Kamaluddin Ahmed, an FBCCI director, heads the 27-member Price Monitoring Task Force, while Shafquat Haider, another director, is the co-chairman.

"We held a meeting on June 8 and discussed how to conduct the task force, Kamaluddin told The Daily Star.

He, however, expressed his

hope that the proposed website would be commissioned soon.

"We are collecting local and international prices of different products and put it into the website," the task force chief added.

Kamaluddin said four wings will be opened to collect information on imported commodities.

FBCCI President Annisul I laq at the launching ceremony of the task force said the result of the task force would be visible within the next four or five weeks.