TCP issues fresh tender for supply of rice to Sri Lanka

RIZWAN BHATTI

KARACHI: The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued fresh tender for procurement of 5,000 tons Long Grain White Rice (IRRI-6) for export to Sri Lanka.

The procurement is being made on the directives of the federal government, which has committed to donating some 10,000 tons of rice to Sri Lanka as gift from the people of Pakistan.

The state-run grain trader has already procured 5,000 tons through a rice tender, opened on Monday. The TCP had finalized a deal on Tuesday with M/s Jhulay Lal Parboiled Rice Mills as the latter was the lowest bidder in the Long Grain White Rice (IRRI-6) tender.

Some 5,000 tons of the commodity has been procured at two different rates as the lowest bidder submitted two separate bids with two rates. The TCP has procured some 2,500 tons at a price of Rs 39,494 per ton and another quantity of 2,500 tons at Rs 40,307 per ton.

In order to complete the quantity for export to Sri Lanka, the TCP has invited sealed bids (under clause-42(d) (iii) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004) on Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) basis from companies/partnership/sole proprietors dealing in export of rice, in the shape of containerized bagged cargo packed in 50-kg polypropylene (PP) woven bags.

However, according to the tender document, the companies that are blacklisted by any government department /agency including the TCP are not eligible to participate in the tender.

The bids will be submitted by a bidder for a minimum quantity of 2,500 tons or multiples thereof with a maximum quantity of 5,000 tons for Long Grain White Rice (IRRI-6).

According to tender document, interested parties can submit/drop their bids, in sealed envelope up to March 10, 2017. The bids received will be opened the same day in the TCP's Board Room in the presence of bidders or their authorized representatives, who may wish to be present. As per the tender requirement, each bag of 50-kg IRRI-6 rice will be printed with black ink except Pakistani flag.