To address the needs of Bangladeshi food business operators, USAID-funded Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity has launched two new editions of its ‘Food Safety Requirements of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables’ Easy Export Series: ‘Processed Food to Gulf Countries’ and ‘Food Supply Chain Traceability’.
These publications are meant to assist Bangladeshi small and medium-sized food exporters to meet international food safety and traceability standards and to capture a share of the Gulf market.
The launching ceremony was held on April 11 at the Hotel Six Seasons in the capital.
The Trade Activity has already published two Easy Export Series on Bangladesh’s regulatory requirements for exporting fresh fruits and vegetables and exporting food products to the European Union countries.
The Trade Activity’s third Easy Export Series elaborates on detailed requirements for complying with Gulf countries’ food safety standards and the fourth Easy Export Series explains various countries’ food chain traceability requirements. All four editions of the Easy Export Series are now available to download for free on the Export Promotion Bureau website.
Md Nurul Islam, Chief Coordinator of the Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Agro Processors' Association (BAPA) was the Chief Guest of the ceremony where Professor Abu Noman Faruq Ahmad, Chairman, of the Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University were the special guests.
The event was chaired by Marc Shiman, Chief of Party, Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity. Closing remarks were given by Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of the Business Initiative Leading Development.
Food business operators, government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, and members of the media were also present at the event
The Easy Export Series is part of a broader effort by the Trade Activity to support the growth of Bangladesh's export industry. The Trade Activity supports Bangladesh to bolster economic growth and food security by improving trade facilitation, enhancing market access, and improving the business-enabling market.
The activity provides technical assistance, training, institutional strengthening, and other direct support to the Bangladesh government and non-governmental partners. It also promotes greater collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society organisations.