FBCCI seeks JICA's help in setting up labs at ports

The country's apex trade body has sought cooperation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in establishing lab facilities at land, sea and international airports of the country.
Senior Vice-President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu made this call during a meeting with representatives of JICA and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority at FBCCI on Thursday.
"North-Eastern states of India have huge demand for Bangladeshi food and agro products. Therefore, accredited lab facilities at land ports will facilitate exporting these products to those states," he said.
He said that airport and seaport labs would help Bangladesh in exploring the global food market.
"We (FBCCI) have requested JICA to come up with a financial and technical assistance project in this regard," he mentioned.
FBCCI Vice President Md Amin Helaly said a significant part of the agricultural produce got tarnished due to poor supply chain and preservation system, depriving farmers of fair prices.
He urged JICA to extend its assistance in food processing and preservation at the upazila level.
Rezaul Karim, a member of the Food Safety Authority, said the Authority and JICA will jointly undertake a project for establishing a reference laboratory and training complex in the country.
Teruaki Fujii, a representative from JICA head office, stressed the need for ensuring safe food in order to achieve a sustainable food security.
JICA's upcoming project will create scope for the private sector food processing industry to flourish, he added.
FBCCI Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque urged JICA to collaborate with FBCCI to set up private testing labs in the country.
FBCCI directors Mohammad Anwar Sadat Sarker and Md Rejaul Kariem Rejnu, among others, were present at the meeting.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com