A widely attended national workshop was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 18 June 2017 to forward-looking strategy to fully tap the rich potential of the shrimp sector for inclusive national growth and development of Bangladesh. The meeting was jointly organized by Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) and Solidaridad Network Asia in collaboration with Department of Fisheries.
Mr. Subhashish Bose Secretary, Ministry of Commerce was the chief guest on the occasion while Netherlands Ambassador in Bangladesh H.E MS. Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere, Syed Arif Azad, Director General, Department of Fisheries and Mr. Khorshed Alam Khastagir, Director General (Europe Wing), Ministry of Foreign Affairs were the special guest. The policy workshop was presided over by Syed Mahmudul Huq, Chairman of Bangladesh Fish and Shrimp Foundation. The workshop was addressed, among others, by Mr. Selim Reza Hasan, Country Manager, Solidaridad Network Asia.
Dhaka meeting discusses strategy to realize the rich potential of shrimp sector for national growth and development
Mr. Bijoy Bhattacharjee, Vice Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau, Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Ambassador Liaquat Ali Choudhury, Policy Adviser, BSFF, Mr. AKM Zafar Ullah Khan, former Health Secretary, Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Zillul Hye Razi, former Trade Adviser, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, High Officials from Ministry of Commerce, Department of Fisheries, Business Promotion Council, Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters’ Association and so on.
It was highlighted during the workshop that shrimp sector in Bangladesh has huge untapped potential and by increasing per acre yield and ensuring the quality of shrimp produced in the sector, Bangladesh can double its export earnings from the sector which is currently about 400 million US Dollar. By increasing Bagda or brakish water shrimp, the national output of the species can be increased to about 135,000 MT.
In the general discussions during the meeting, speakers including the chief guest stressed that a comprehensive strategy would be needed to increase production in the sector and marketing of the same in the international market.
They emphasized that investment in much-needed infrastructure, the introduction of Good Aquaculture Practices, making available disease-free seed and quality feed will be needed to impart new dynamism in the sector. To enhance the competitiveness of Bangladeshi shrimp products in the international markets, quality improvement and an introduction of a credible traceability system and third party certification will be of central importance.
Director General of Department of Fisheries appraised the workshop about comprehensive initiatives being taken to ensure the growth of the sector. The chief guest assured that Ministry of Commerce will take all necessary steps to help promote the export of Bangladesh shrimp.
Syed Mahmudul Huq, Chairman of Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation informed the workshop about the contribution of BSFF to various aspects of shrimp sector of Bangladesh including its ongoing pilot on the introduction of the e-traceability system of the sector. Mr. Selim Reza Hasan of Solidaridad briefed the meeting about his organization ShaFal Project which is addressing various challenges faced by the shrimp sector of Bangladesh and trade promotion.
The meeting deliberations were rounded up by the adoption of a comprehensive set of recommendations for the development of the sector.
