বৃহস্পতিবার, ১৫ অক্টোবর ২০২৬, ১০:১৪ অপরাহ্ন
DHAKA, Oct 15, 2026 (BSS) – The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has verified and enrolled nearly 80 lakh beneficiaries in its digital database, strengthening transparency and accountability in the distribution of subsidised essential commodities among low-income families while saving around Tk 80 crore annually through digital management.
Of the 79.90 lakh verified beneficiaries, around 73.07 lakh smart family cards have been activated, while nearly 59 lakh fake and ineligible applications have been removed through electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) procedures and verification against national identity card data.
The information was presented at a business talk titled “Trade with TCB” held at Golf Garden of Army Golf Club in the city today, with local and foreign suppliers encouraged to participate more actively in the corporation’s procurement programmes.
TCB expects to save around Tk 80 crore annually through digital financial transactions and its own warehouse management system, while planning procurement worth Tk 8,000 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
According to the keynote paper presented at the event, TCB aims to increase sales revenue by 83 percent and reduce subsidy per beneficiary family by 17 percent in FY 2026-27 compared to the previous fiscal year.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the programme as the chief guest.
TCB Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad delivered the opening address and vote of thanks, while Dr Badrun Nessa Ahmed, senior research fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), presented the keynote paper.
The keynote paper said TCB is working to supply subsidised essential commodities to one crore low-income families every month.
Highlighting the benefits of digital financial management, the paper said TCB saves around Tk 60 crore annually by collecting payments directly from dealers through bank application programming interfaces (APIs) and another Tk 20 crore through its own warehouse management system.
The corporation also projected that its bank interest expenditure would decline from Tk 533 crore in FY 2023-24 to around Tk 106 crore in FY 2026-27.
To attract more suppliers, TCB highlighted its use of the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system for tendering, public opening of bids and faster digital processing of security deposits and payments.
The discussions focused on expanding business opportunities with TCB, encouraging wider participation in its procurement programmes and making the purchasing process more efficient.
The programme also showcased TCB’s “Upokari” smart application, which enables beneficiaries to obtain information about nearby sales points and product availability and collect commodities using encrypted QR codes. The app also allows beneficiaries to receive services even if their physical cards are lost.
TCB has also introduced hotline and WhatsApp services to facilitate customer support and complaint resolution.
The corporation is planning to expand its product range by adding everyday items such as soap, detergent, salt, tea, flour and spices for open-market sales. The initiative is expected to generate additional revenue and reduce pressure on subsidies.
Its future plans include integrating other social safety-net benefits through smart cards, using artificial intelligence to monitor market prices and expanding its own warehouse capacity.
Speakers at the event included Premier Cement Chairman and T.K. Group Group Director Mohammad Mostafa Haider, Square Toiletries Chief Executive Officer Malik Mohammad Sayeed, Australia’s MCG International Managing Director Mark Shane McGoldrick, China-Bangladesh Friendship Association President Dr Muhammad Hussain Bhuiyan and Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Dr Nazneen Ahmed.
Diplomatic representatives, officials from relevant ministries and government agencies, representatives of banks and financial institutions, business leaders and local and foreign suppliers also attended the event.
