Bangladesh will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iraq to enhance mutual cooperation in the agricultural sector, said Agriculture Minister   Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday.

He said, “Iraq imports agricultural products from India and Turkey. The economic situation in Iraq is good now. They have expressed interest in signing a MoU for cooperation in the agricultural sector.”

Abdussalam Saddam Mohaisen, the Charge De Affairs of the Embassy of Iraq in Dhaka, has expressed interest in importing mangoes, vegetables and potatoes from Bangladesh.

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At a meeting with Razzaque at the Secretariat, Abdussalam  expressed his interest.

He also lauded the success of agricultural development in Bangladesh.

The minister said discussions were held on how to further enhance Iraq's bilateral relations with Bangladesh at present.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) led by Megan Francic, Agricultural Attaché at the US Embassy in Dhaka, met with the minister.

The delegation said the USDA will provide technical and financial assistance to Bangladesh for the construction of cold storage.

They will also provide refrigerated vehicles for transporting agricultural products and cold chains in Bangladesh.

Razzaque said work is underway to set up a world-class packing house and accredited lab on two acres of land in Purbachal for which a consultant from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has already been hired.

“The USDA can assist us in building these packing houses and setting up accredited labs.”

The USDA is implementing a $27 million 'Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project'. The four-year project in 2021-25 will mainly work to increase the quality and export of agricultural products in Bangladesh.