Economic Reporter :
Leaders of the Bangladesh Agro Processing Association (BAPA) on Tuesday said, the sector has the potentiality to earn Tk 10,000 crore by 2021.
“It is possible to enhance the export earning of Tk 10,000 crore from agro-processing sector within three to five years” said BAPA President AFM Fakhrul Islam Munshi.
Currently, Bangladesh agro-processing sector earns Tk1,600 crore yearly, said the BAPA President while addressing a press conference at Sagor Runi Conference Hall of Dhaka Reporters Unit in the city on Tuesday.
Some 479 members of BAPA are exporting the agro-processing items in 140 foreign destinations, informed the leader.
BAPA President has underscored the need for improving the quality of products with a view to competing the global market. Considering the necessity of further expansion of the agro-processing sector, BAPA is going to organise the three-day long food expo from November 24 this year, he said.
The largest international exposition of agro and food processing sector titled “4th FoodPro Bangladesh 2016” will begin at the premises of Bangabandhu Internatinal Confrence Centre (BICC) in the capital. BAPA President said, local and international food processing companies would showcase their food products. Food-Processing companies from 15 countries including India, Malaysia, and Singapore will took part the food expo.
The expo is an ideal platform for the local entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experience with the international stakeholders, he added.
BAPA is working to improve the quality of the farmers across the country for the further development of the agro-processing sector, said BAPA President. BAPA has undertaken lot of activities including extensive motivational and skill development action plan, quality improvement and innovation with preservation techniques. Moreover, BAPA has got involved in many national level organizations both the government and non- government. Now BAPA is implementing two projects with the financial grants of European Union (EU) under the contracting authority, Ministry of Industries, Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, he added.
General Secretary of BAPA Khurshid Ahmed Farhad and Managing Director of E-Three Solution Chan Mohon were present on the occasion.
Industry insiders said, the food expo would ensure higher interaction with the international stakeholders and local marketers to enhance their technological know-how and get in touch with advanced technology.
The exposition will remain open for visitors from 10:00am to 7:00pm every day. There will be couple of technical sessions on relevant sector, which will be organised to enlighten the market stakeholders during the exposition.
