STAR BUSINESS REPORT
The government approved the purchase of 200 double-cabin pickups for the police and the import of 1.3 million tonnes of refined petroleum products to meet fuel demand in the second half of the year.
The decisions were made yesterday at a meeting of the Government Procurement Advisory Committee, chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.
All 200 pickups will be procured directly from Pragati Industries, a local manufacturer, at a cost of Tk 172 crore. The vehicles will be used for operational purposes by the police. The committee also approved the import of 1.275 million tonnes of refined fuel at an estimated cost of Tk 9,139 crore, or about $749 million.
PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Vitol Asia Pte Ltd of Singapore, and Sinochem International Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd were recommended as the importers.
Following the meeting, the finance adviser said public opinions on the proposed national budget will be sought after the Eid holidays, with discussions to continue until June 19.
The advisory council is scheduled to approve the budget on June 22.
No tax on donations to siblings
STAR BUSINESS REPORT
Alongside existing exemptions for spouses, parents, and children, the government has proposed tax exemptions on donations made to siblings as part of its latest fiscal measures.
According to the budget proposal placed on June 2, cash or immovable property such as land and flats can now be transferred between siblings without incurring any tax liability.
The move is expected to ease the process of intra-family asset transfers and reduce legal complexities.
Until now, any donation made to individuals other than spouses, parents or children was subject to tax.
The inclusion of siblings broadens the scope of familial tax relief.
The new measure brings clarity by including such transfers under tax-free donations.
Ctg port gets 15 new straddle carriers for Tk 124cr
STAFF CORRESPONDENT,
Ctg
Chattogram Port has added to its fleet 15 new four-high straddle carriers, an essential type of container-handling equipment.
A vessel named J Yang brought the carriers from China and berthed at a port jetty yesterday morning, said Md Nasir Uddin, acting secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
The CPA procured the equipment from the Chinese state-owned engineering company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) at a cost of Tk 123.63 crore, he said.
The four-high straddle carriers are specialised machines capable of transporting, lifting, and stacking containers up to four units high.
With the latest addition, the port now has a total of 53 four-high straddle carriers, according to the CPA’s Mechanical Department.
It also has seven two-high straddle carriers. Nasir Uddin hoped that the new equipment would accelerate container-handling operations at the port.