Economic Reporter :
Production cost must be cut down while the sector needs government support.
Bangladesh poultry sector plans to enter international market by 2020 with potentials to earn $4-5m annually from exports in the beginning, said stakeholders.
“The country has immense opportunities in the world halal market and can earn $4-5m annually at the outset. We plan to start exporting poultry by 2020,” Shamsul Arefin Khaled, president of the World’s Poultry Science Association, Bangladesh Branch, said.
“Production cost must be cut down while the sector needs government support,” he emphasised while speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day long 10th International Poultry Show 2017 in Dhaka on Saturday.
Khaled urged the government to withdraw 5 percent advance income tax on importing of different essential raw materials used in the poultry feed manufacturing.
He also called for withdrawal of 10 percent customs duty on soya bean import and waiver of taxes on import of medicine and vaccination in the next fiscal year’s budget.
General Secretary of WPSA-BB Md Shirajul Haque said the poultry farmers and entrepreneurs from different parts of the country visited the show.
Some new technologies in poultry sector were showcased at the event.
Convener of the Poultry Show Moshiur Rahman said the discussions on poultry diseases and treatment in the scientific sessions of show will be fruitful and helpful in improving the poultry health.
Avon Animal Health won the first prize for its stall in the show. Chicks and Feeds and Renata Limited jointly won the second prize while Paragon Group and Bengal Overseas Ltd jointly claimed the third prize.
In the sidelines of the show, an art competition was also held on the second day. Twenty children were awarded in the competition.
Ahead of the event, WPSA-BB emphasised effective use of science and modern technology to meet the future demand of eggs and animal protein.
“People of our country consume less protein than required. In Bangladesh, the lion’s share of protein is coming from the cereal while it should come from animal protein sources,” Khaled said.
“We are far behind from the developed nations in terms of animal protein intake. To recover the deficit, we need poultry promotion and have to make it cheaper. It is only possible if we can cut the production costs by ensuring effective use of science and modern technology in the industry,” he said.
Some 195 local and foreign companies participated in the show with their products and technologies.
