“Bangladesh has a good base in production of agricultural products. Bangladesh is the 3rd largest in vegetable farming, 4th in fish farming, and 7th in potato cultivation,” he noted. Yet export earnings from the sector lag behind for the country, that in recent times has become more-or-less self-sufficient in food. 

Referring to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the minister noted that in the last two completed fiscals, Bangladesh earned $673.7 million in 2017-18 and $553.2 million in 2016-17 from agriculture exports.  

The commerce minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 6th Bapa Foodpro International Expo 2018 held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka on Thursday. 

Bangladesh Agro Processors’ Association (Bapa) and Extreme Exhibition and Event Solution Ltd jointly organized the expo to create a bridge to the latest international technology and products used in the sector to incorporate modern methods of farming with higher yields, better storage, etc.

A total of 188 companies from 15 countries are exhibiting their products and services through 258 stalls at the fair. It is open for all from 11am to 7pm till October 27. 

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Canadian High Commissioner Benoit Prefontaine, ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash, and Bapa President Fakhrul Islam Munshi also spoke at the inaugural program.