Govt toying with ODOP idea to enlarge export basket

In line with its policy to diversify both products and markets to achieve higher export growth, the government wants to take a serious look at the idea of ‘One District One Product (ODOP)’. Since the country has a limited number of products in its export basket, the idea will help enlarge it and thus give a boost to export earnings, said officials at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Commerce Ministry. ‘We’re trying to develop some new products which have demands in the global market. In this regard, we’re utilising the scheme – one district one product,’ EPB Vice Chairman Shubhashish Bose has said. Describing the idea, Bose said they first identify which is the best product in a particular district and then create a favourable environment with modern facilities to boost its production ensuring the global standard. For example, Papor, an appetiser, is produced very well in Dinajpur and it is a family business for many in the northern district. ‘We’re taking it into our planning in a larger way to ensure better but quality production of Papor which has huge demand in restaurants, owned by Bangladeshis abroad,’ said the EPB Vice Chairman. There are approximately 12,000 restaurants in London owned by Bangladeshis where they use Indian Papor as an appetiser. There is another prospective product, Agarwood, which has been used for centuries as incense, for medicinal purposes and in perfumery. The famous perfume ‘Atar’ is made from Agarwood in Sylhet. Agar products are being exported to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, through informal channels. The EPB is encouraging the export of Agar products in a formal way. An official at the Commerce Ministry said the government is constantly trying to diversify products and market as well as enhance regional trade to sustain the rising export growth, according to UNB.