The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a series of important proposals, including changes in the implementation model of a major inland container depot project and expedited procedures for government-to-government (G2G) food grain imports under emergency arrangements.

In a meeting held at the Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair, the committee discussed a proposal from the Ministry of Railways regarding the “Construction of a new Inland Container Depot (ICD) near Dhirasram Railway Station.” The committee decided to withdraw the project from the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) list in its construction phase.

However, it gave in-principle approval for implementing the “Operation and Maintenance of Dhirasram Inland Container Depot (ICD) under PPP modality.” Officials said the revised approach aims to ensure more efficient private sector participation in managing and maintaining the strategic logistics facility once completed.

The Dhirasram ICD, located near Dhirasram Railway Station, is expected to play a crucial role in easing container congestion at Chattogram Port and improving inland cargo handling capacity. The revised PPP model is expected to attract experienced international operators for long-term facility management.

In another major decision, the committee considered proposals from the Ministry of Food regarding the import of wheat and rice under government-to-government (G2G) arrangements.

The committee granted in-principle approval for the purchase of wheat under G2G arrangements in line with relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2006 and Public Procurement Rules, 2025. It also approved the use of provisions allowing time reduction in procurement procedures through international open tender methods.

Similarly, a separate proposal for rice import was also approved under G2G arrangements, along with expedited procurement provisions under the same legal framework.

Officials said the decisions aim to ensure stable food grain supply in the domestic market, maintain adequate public stock, and respond quickly to global supply chain uncertainties.

The meeting emphasized that both logistics infrastructure development and food security measures remain priority areas under the government’s ongoing economic management strategy.