The USAID-funded Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity completed a day-long awareness program on Monday that focused on enhancing Bangladeshi exporters' understanding of food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

Held in Chattogram, the event brought together key stakeholders and specialists to address the challenges exporters face in meeting regulatory standards for exporting agro-processed foods to the European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the United States. This initiative provided participants with practical tools to navigate complex international markets, to boost compliance and competitiveness for Bangladesh’s agro-processed food industry.

Commenting on the event, the Deputy Director and Project Director of the Plant Quarantine Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) S.M. Khalid Shaifullah highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "Ensuring compliance with international food safety standards is vital for expanding our presence in global markets. This program provides a clear roadmap for our exporters, helping them understand and meet the rigorous demands of the EU, GCC, and the USA. markets."

The event was also graced by the Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority - Dr. Mohammad Shoeb and the Director of the Export Promotion Bureau – Abu Mukhles Alamgir Hossain. They shared their optimism about Bangladesh’s vast potential to grow its agro-processed food exports and build a robust foundation for food safety that aligns with domestic and international expectations.

Through initiatives like the Easy Export Series and this awareness programme, the Bangladeshi food & agro-export sectors are empowered to raise their standards, reach new markets while maintaining compliance with international standards, and reinforce Bangladesh's reputation as a reliable source of high-quality agro-processed goods.