US to help BD improve cold chain management

The United States (US) will help Bangladesh improve its cold chain management.
Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) has taken an initiative to develop international standard cold chain management in the country, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.
To this effect, on Sunday, BCSA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Land O'Lakes Venture37, an implementing agency of Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project funded by The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, president of the BCSA and senior vice-president of The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), signed the agreement on behalf of the BCSA.
Michael J. Parr, a project director of Land O'Lakes Venture37, signed the contract on behalf of the organisation.
Under the agreement, initiatives will be taken to enhance the technical skills of the manpower engaged in the cold storage industry of the country, ensure the maximum use of technology, and improve the capacity of the existing cold storages.
Besides, both the parties will work to develop a sustainable and profitable cold storage industry by following modern commercial strategies in cold storage management.
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the cold storages scattered across the country will be developed to international standards - the initiative will bring drastic changes in the cold chain management and supply system of agricultural products in the country.
BCSA is working relentlessly by giving priority to increasing the production of potatoes and other vegetables and fruits, diversifying agricultural products and expanding exports, he said. The business leader expressed his hope to work with innovative patterns and strategies in the future to ensure food security in the country and implement a balanced supply system across the country.

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