Agribusiness desk:The Bangladesh-Netherlands Agri-Business conference was held on 30 May at the Hague to enhance agro food processing system and technological cooperation with both the countries. The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture (BD), Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands and Wageningen University and Research.
The conference discussed innovation and cooperation in the fields of agricultural food processing, horticulture, dairy, fisheries and poultry. Emphasis is being placed on how Dutch knowledge, experience, technology and innovation can be utilized in these sectors in Bangladesh.
Agriculture Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture (BD) Md. Saidul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to The Hague M Riaz Hamidullah, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture of Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands Guido Landhir, Executive Director of the Netherlands Food Partnership Myrtle Dance, Dutch Top-sector Agro-Foods Director Willen, Digital Innovation Partner Jan Carroll Mac, among others, spoke in the conference.
In the conclave, the Dutch entrepreneurs are expected to share their innovation technology; and explore possibilities of potential collaboration using Dutch technology solutions-in Bangladesh, reads a press release.
The second day of the conclave (31 May), will see the entrepreneurs visit key industry clusters in Wageningen, Friesland, Boxmeer and World Horti Center for the Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to understand onsite application of Dutch technology.
Last year, for the first time, the Embassy could arrange the commercial import of mango from Bangladesh to the Netherlands. This conclave builds on continuing efforts to project Bangladesh's agri-food sector as the next big frontier of engagement between the two countries. A Dutch Trade Mission is expected to be in Bangladesh later this year.
Bangladesh's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Riaz Hamidullah, said the conclave is a first step in creating a long-term link between the responsible-credible entrepreneurs from Bangladesh with their peers in the Netherlands.
The past five decades has seen notable accomplishments in Bangladesh agriculture. Bangladesh now features in the global rankings in production of some of the key cereals or non-cereals and across diverse subs-sectors i.e. horticulture, livestock, fisheries, poultry.
This conclave builds on continuing efforts to project Bangladesh's agri-food sector as the next big frontier of engagement between the two countries. More than 40 Bangladeshi agribusiness entrepreneurs have been participating in this conclave.
The conclave aims to focus on areas like safety and quality materials, agro-logistics, certified fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.
