Thrust on setting up global standard testing lab in BD

Speakers at a seminar Sunday underscored the need for setting up an international standard testing lab in Bangladesh for boosting export by providing recognition that the country produces quality and safe goods.
They also proposed to establish the testing lab through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative if the government worries about the cost of its establishment.
Ministry of Industries (MoI), Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) jointly organised the seminar on 'Role of Accreditation in Export Promotion' at the DCCI auditorium in the city.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, MP, addressed the seminar as the chief guest. He stressed the need for maintaining the quality of the country's export products in the international market.
"The BAB should follow the international standard and guidelines with regard to accreditation for our exportable items. Our businessmen spend a lot of money for testing their products abroad. So, it is very essential to provide quality accreditation," he added.
The minister also put emphasis on setting up private sector labs authorised by BAB.
In response to a query on exploration of natural resources, he underscored using country's own capacity.  
"We have enough capability for exploring natural resources; so, dependence on foreign sources should be stopped," he added.
Speaking about the price of sugar, the minister sought cooperation of the businesses to check any sudden rise in its price.
"If anyone tries to make the market volatile by raising sugar price, the government will impose an additional import duty on it," he cautioned.
Additional Secretary of MoI Md Farhad Uddin was present as the special guest with DCCI President Mohammad Shahjahan Khan chairing the seminar.
The DCCI president stressed the need for creating acceptability of the country's exportable products and services in the international arena.
"The accreditation is very essential for promoting export. The lab testing units could be established through PPP initiative and those should be of international standard," he added.
"It is important to strengthen BAB and make it more effective," he said adding that product diversification and market exploration are also very essential.
Chairman of BUILD Asif Ibrahim expressed the opinion that through private sector lab outsourcing BSTI (Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution) can reduce their workload.
Ibrahim, also a former president of DCCI, said coordination between BSTI and private sector labs is very important to promote our exports.
Director General of BAB Md Abu Abdullah informed that at present 11 testing labs have got international recognition to provide accreditation to our exportable items.
He also informed that Bangladesh will apply for Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) by April this year and expressed hope that by the end of this year Bangladesh will get MRA.  
Member of BAB M Liaquat Ali presented the keynote paper at the seminar. He highlighted diversification of products and markets to increase exports.
Mr Ali underscored the importance of product diversification of IT, software, agriculture, ceramic, and melamine.
Former DCCI president R M Khan, Vice President Kh Shahidul Islam, Directors Humayun Rashid, Abdus Salam, Nessar Maksud Khan, Muktar Hossain Chowdhury, Md Shoaib Choudhury and AKD Khair Mohammad Khan were also present at the seminar, among others.