High Commission of India

Dhaka

Remarks by High Commissioner of India, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the Indian Agro Products Buyer-Seller Meet 2018

[Balcony, Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, 04 March 2018]

Hon’ble State Minister for Finance, Government of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. M.A. Mannan

President, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Mr. Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin)

President, India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (IBCCI), Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmad

Assistant General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ms. Sunita Rai

Assistant General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Mr. Surender Pal

Exhibitors from India and traders from Bangladesh

Friends from the media

Ladies and gentlemen,

• Good Morning. I am happy to be here at the inauguration ceremony of the Indian Agro Products Buyer-Seller Meet being organized by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

• I am pleased to note that 20 Indian companies are participating in the event today and showcasing their products. The product profile of these companies includes both agricultural products and intermediate and finished food products.  

• I thank the Hon’ble State Minister of Finance, H.E. Mr. M.A. Mannan for taking time out to attend the inauguration of the event today as the Chief Guest. I must also thank the President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) and the President India-Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (IBCCI) for supporting the event and being present here today as Special Guests.

• Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Bangladesh in June 2015 had said that India and Bangladesh are not just ‘Paas Paas’ (next to each other) but also ‘Saath Saath’ (together).

• Agricultural and processed food products have great potential for bilateral trade between the two countries. India and Bangladesh can meet each other’s needs as there are complementarities in the agro products grown or processed in our two countries. Indian and Bangladesh companies can also collaborate together to form joint ventures in the area of food processing. I am happy to note that Star Consortium from Bangladesh has signed an agreement in February 2018 in Gujarat to bring onion cold storage facility with world class technology to Bangladesh.

• With 180 million hectares of agricultural land, India produces a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, cereals and other agricultural product which are exported through a well established supply chain from farm to ports. India also has a large food processing industry. India is amongst the ten leading exporters of food and food products in the world.

• Bangladesh meets a large part of its domestic demand for products such as cereals, fruits and vegetables, sugar, fodder etc. from imports. Bangladesh’s imports of these products amounted to over USD 4 billion in 2016-17. Indian suppliers can play an important role in supplying agricultural produce Bangladesh requires at economical prices.

• Indian suppliers can also meet the demand for these products by Bangladesh’s growing food processing industry which is estimated to be worth around USD 2.5 billion. Processed food products from Bangladesh have also gained a foothold in the Indian market. Products of Pran Group are already quite popular in the northeastern states of India and are also making an entry in other parts of the country. Let me also mention here that Indian authorities have started accepting test certificates issued by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution for 21 food products exported by Bangladesh companies to India.

• Let me congratulate APEDA for having taken the initiative to organize this event in Bangladesh. I extend my best wishes to the exhibitors, buyers and visitors participating in the Buyer Seller Meet.

Thank You.