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Chinese-Russian jab production gets nod


Published : 28 Apr 2021 10:45 PM | Updated : 29 Apr 2021 01:25 AM

The government has approved a proposal on producing Chinese-Russian vaccines – Sinopharm and Sputnik V- in the country.

The approval came from a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs with Finance Minister, AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters virtually after the meeting, the Finance Minister said that the approval for producing Chinese and Russian vaccines has been given and at the same time, while the government will pursue procuring vaccines from the country’s primary source – Serum Institute.

Kamal said though Bangladesh approved Russian and Chinese vaccines’ local production, while continuing its drive to have vaccine doses from India.

“We didn’t give up the hope about getting vaccines from India,” he added.

After the meeting, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division Dr Sahida Akter said the cost of the vaccine production can be known after the proposal is placed before the purchase committee.

“A few local companies have the capacity to produce the vaccine. Only they will be given approval for production as discussed by the meeting,” she mentioned.

The final approval was given following recommendation from National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 and policy makers of the government, she added.

When asked, Akter said, “China has agreed to allow Bangladesh to produce their vaccine here. And the production will begin as soon as possible.”

The meeting also approved another proposal for procuring RT-PCR test kits and PCR lab under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) through the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) under the Health Services Division.

The committee also approved the proposal of purchasing health care equipment and medical equipment under DPM through the CMSD under the Health Services Division.

Earlier, on April 22, Bangladesh signed an agreement with Russia to jointly produce a coronavirus vaccine.

Bangladesh will buy vaccines commercially as well as jointly with the country.

On the other hand, on Tuesday (April 27), the Chinese Defense Minister visited Bangladesh and signed an agreement with the government on vaccinations.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday approved five proposals, including one for a 15-year agreement between Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Desh Power Limited to set up 15 megawatt Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) based power plant at a cost of Tk 1,396.85 crore.

The approval came from the CCGP meeting held virtually with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.

The CCGP also approved a variation proposal of the construction of 3rd and 4th dual gauge lines in Dhaka-Tongi section and dual gauge double line in Tongi-Joydevpur section implemented by Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways.

The committee approved additional Tk 16.03 crore for increasing the tenure of the joint venture organisation, Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Private Limited, India and Ayesa Ingenieria Y Arquitectura, India up to 36 months instead of 24 months.

The committee also approved another proposal involving Tk 67.30 crore for the construction of Lot No-1 under the “Construction of Narsingdi District Jail” project.

The committee also approved the proposal involving Tk 124.31 crore for the construction works of the WD-1 package under the “Expansion of National Institute of Neuroscience and Hospital” project.

CCGP also approved a cancelation proposal of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) under the Public Works Ministry on constructing 104 buildings with 16 storeys under the “Construction of apartments for low and middle income people in Uttara Sector 16, Dhaka” project.