The Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) started selling essential commodities at subsidised rates on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan in the port city today.

CCCI President Mahbubul Alam inaugurated the sales programme in front of World Trade Centre today morning.

It is initially selling sunned and boiled rice at Tk 35 a kilogramme and sugar at Tk 60 a kg from a makeshift outlet.

Sales will start at 10am and continue until 1pm and a person can purchase highest 3 kg of rice and one kg of sugar.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the chamber president said the food supply chain across the world has been hampered due to Russia-Ukraine war following the Covid-19 pandemic, causing food crisis in different countries.

Like previous years, the chamber started the programme ahead of Ramadan and will continue it over the month, he said.

Alam urged the rich persons, capable businessmen and industry owners of the country to come forward to help general people purchasing commodities at reasonable prices.

He also requested the traders to keep the market stable and not to make extra profit and hoarding during the holy month.

CCCI Vice President Syed M Tanvir, Directors Md Ohid Siraj Chowdhury, Jahirul Islam Chowdhury, Anjan Shekhar Das, Md Rakibur Rahman were also present among others.