Ministry signs MoU to ease export, import of agri goods

Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the processes for importing and exporting foods and agricultural goods, reports BSS.

Md Hafizur Rahman, director-general (additional secretary), WTO Cell, Ministry of Commerce, and Michael J Parr, country director, Land O'Lakes Venture37 and project director, Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective agencies, said a press release.

Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh was present at the signing ceremony as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Tapan thanked the US government for responding to the government of Bangladesh's request to WTO to assist the government agencies and private sector in addressing the challenges in trade facilitation.

He applauded the comprehensiveness of the offered technical assistance and expected that the assistance for regulatory reform, laboratory testing service improvement and automation, increased transparency in trade information, and managing perishable food and agricultural goods would result in a facilitated trade environment in Bangladesh.

The commerce secretary, however, emphasised the effective implementation of project activities by counterpart agencies and expected that this project would help Bangladesh accumulate strength to address any challenges after graduation from LDC status in 2026.