The government plans to develop the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) into an internationally recognised standards body after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category, Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Wednesday.
"A BSTI multiplex is being built at a cost of Tk 800 crore, and a BSTI metrology laboratory is being set up at a cost of Tk 450 crore," the minister said while speaking at a programme organised by the BSTI on Bailey Road to mark World Standards Day.
The minister said the government will build BSTI on a par with leading international standards organisations, and has already taken steps to increase its manpower.
"The government's top priority is to ensure that people have no doubt or fear about the quality of products, especially food items. The government will ensure product quality at any cost," he said.
Referring to recent media reports on the presence of the heavy metal lead in soybean oil, he said the BSTI conducted 193 different tests on the matter.
"No test found any trace of heavy metal in soybean oil. I can assure you that soybean oil in Bangladesh meets the required standards and people can use it without any worry," he said.
Muktadir said the government is also putting emphasis on the quality and accurate measurement of all products, not only food items but also fuel oil and LPG.