DHAKA, Nov 15: Bangladesh has issued an international tender to import 100,000 tons of wheat by early February to boost its emergency food stocks, a senior food official said on Saturday.

The tender issued by the Food and Disaster Management Ministry, will close on Dec 15, with validity till Jan 4, for shipment within 30 days from the day of signing of the contract.

Cargo originated from anywhere in the world will be accepted. The minimum quantity to be offered is 30,000 tons, the official said. The government had set a target to import a total 800,000 tons of wheat in the 2008/09 fiscal year to the end of June to boost emergency food stocks, the official said.

The tender prices have to be quoted separately for the country’s Chittagong and Mongla ports, based on the cost of cargo, insurance and freight including stevedoring on the seller’s account at both ends of shipment.

Quantity to be offered must be 60 per cent for Chittagong port and 40 per cent for Mongla port, respectively.

Out of the wheat import target for the 2008/09 fiscal year, the government has already imported some 150,000 tons of wheat.

“Another 50,000 tons are in import pipeline,” Pius Costa, Director General of Food department said.—Reuters