Speakers at a function on Thursday stressed the need for proper policy guidelines and technology to help flourish the flower business in the country and enter into the competitive international market.
They also emphasised on the need for research, access to finance, adequate infrastructure, modern packaging system and cold chain management to boost the sector.
Despite the challenges, the sector has experienced an exponential growth, they pointed out, urging the authorities concerned to explore the full potential of the emerging sector with knowledge and training.
The speakers highlighted the challenges of the sector at the inaugural session of a three-day flower show styled 'International Flower Exhibition & Conference 2018' at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city.
The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) with the support of USAID and in association with the Bangladesh Flower Society (BFS) organised the event.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam spoke at the function as the chief guest.
DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan chaired the event while Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf was present as special guest.
USAID Bangladesh Mission Economic Growth Office Director Thomas Pope, BFS President Abdur Rahim and Consultant of USAID and former Agriculture Secretary of Bangladesh Anwar Faruque and DCCI Senior Vice President Kamrul Islam, FCA, among others, also spoke on the occasion.
BIDA Executive Chairman Aminul Islam said that as flower has a large global market, the country needs to enter into the international flower market with best quality flowers at competitive price.
To strengthen the flower industry in the country, he said a body like Bangladesh Flower Growers and Exporters Association could be formed.
As flower has a large global market, the country needs to enter into the international market with best quality flowers at a competitive price.
About 70 local and international exhibitors are showcasing various types of flowers in the exhibition.
Representatives from India, Thailand and Nepal and other countries have participated in the show.
The event features with flower parade, installation art by flowers, art competition for children, puppet show, musical show, group dance and 3D visual show.
Addressing the function, Mr Abul Kasem Khan said the flower is an important component of agriculture and is a multibillion-dollar industry in many countries.
The International Trade Centre study showed that global flower exports over the last few years have grown by more than 10 per cent annually, he said.
"Based on this trend, global export of flower is expected to reach US$ 45 billion in 2018. Local market size of flower sector in Bangladesh reached to US$ 150 million. Our flower export, especially cut flower, is growing at over 10 per cent reaching US$ 86,000 in 2018," the president said.
Mr Thomas Pope termed the flower a high-value crop and said that preservation of flower was very important.
He assured of all possible support from USAID for the development of the country's flower industry and said training facility has already been provided to 3,000 farmers of Bangladesh by USAID.
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