Bangladesh eyeing to grab a share of United States' $180b agri imports

Bangladesh could enhance its export earnings by grabbing a share of the United State’s agricultural imports which is above $180 billion per annum.

Quarantine infrastructure and production of safe food must be ensured to grab a good share, speakers said at the AmCham November Luncheon Meeting on Food Safety and Export Opportunity USA.

American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) organised the programme at a city hotel on Sunday.

AmCham President Sayed Ershad Ahmed said US imports agricultural products worth $180 billion annually of which Bangladesh has captured only 0.8 per cent.

There is a huge potential for Bangladeshi agro-based products in the US -- both in its ethnic and mainstream markets, he said, adding to grab a market share it is essential to ensure safe food and products, maintain global standardizations, and implement modern quarantine norms.

The agriculture minister Dr Muhhammad Abdur Razzaque said Bangladesh had taken several initiatives to boost and diversify its exports.

Modern quarantine rules and regulations have been adopted, good agricultural practices (GAP) are being implemented and a modern lab facility has been available for the industry.

AmCham vice president Syed Mohammad Kamal, USDA official Megan M Francic also spoke on the occasion. 

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