New Delhi, State-owned trading firm PEC has invited bids for the import of 23,400 tonnes of RBD palmolein for sale in the domestic market.
The last day of submission of bids is January 19 and a decision on awarding the contract will be taken on the same day, PEC said in a notification.
The company has sought delivery of 16,000 tonnes of RBD palmolein at Chennai port and another 7,400 tonnes at the Tuticorin port from Indonesia and/or Malaysia, it said.
While two shipments of 8,000 tonnes each of RBD palm oil is to be delivered at the Chennai port between February 1-29, the consignment of 7,400 tonnes is to be delivered at the Tuticorin port between February 20-29, it added.
RBD palmolein is a refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) form of palm oil that is extracted after crushing palm fruit. It is used as an edible cooking oil.
MMTC, PEC and STC import edible oils on behalf of the government for distribution through ration shops. Import duty on crude edible oil is nil and 7.5 per cent on refined oil.
India had imported 8.37 million tonnes of edible oils in the 2010-11 oil year (November-October) against 8.82 mt in the year-ago period.
Source : thehindubusinessline.com