POBNEWS24, Dhaka, May 25, 2022 : Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sham Rezaul Karim said there is ample opportunity for US public-private entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh. The present Bangladesh is very suitable and promising for foreign investment. The Government of Bangladesh is also very sincere in this regard. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is creating more than 100 economic zones to attract domestic and foreign private investment.
The government will welcome foreign investors in the country’s livestock sector.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a seminar organized to mark the 50th anniversary of US-Bangladesh cooperation in the livestock sector at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday. Hosts seminars at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Minister said Bangladesh and the United States are working together to expand the field of cooperation, exchange experiences and work together. Apart from readymade garments, Bangladesh and the United States have a long relationship in various sectors of agriculture, especially in the livestock sector. Government as well as private entrepreneurs are working hard and dynamically for the development of livestock sector in Bangladesh. We have already made significant progress in the livestock sector.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sham Rezaul Karim said the world has now turned into a global village. So we should work together for the development of the earth, for the development of mankind. It is possible to build the best land for future generations through the exchange of experiences and mutual cooperation of Bangladesh-US public-private sector.
The Minister added that the United States is expanding its research, development, experience and cooperation in various sectors, including ours. Bangladesh is a country full of natural resources. There is a lot of opportunity for development of livestock sector in this country. We need the cooperation of developed countries for this. In the meantime, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we have become self-sufficient in fish, meat and eggs, and soon we will be self-sufficient in milk production.
Rezaul Karim further said that the government is not keen on importing powdered milk in the country. To this end, the government is encouraging the private sector to set up powdered milk production industries. The government is not satisfied with the import of powdered milk, animal feed, fish meal and other food items. At present, due to the global hostile situation, the import and transportation of products related to the fisheries and livestock sector is being complicated. For this, the private sector is being urged to set up industries in the country. The government will provide all kinds of assistance including policy making for the development of this sector. In this case, the US public and private sectors can come forward to meet the needs of our country and increase their investment. The government will continue to support the US in increasing its investment and research in Bangladesh.
Noting that the livestock sector has been playing a role in ensuring food and nutrition security of the country for the last 50 years, the Minister said, “Our livestock scientists are contributing not only in the country but also abroad.” We can exchange experiences, development knowledge and research. A joint working group of Bangladesh and the United States can work together to increase the field of work between the two countries. This could be training, education exchange and other programs between the two countries.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sham Rezaul Karim said it is not enough to just produce and use milk, eggs and meat from the livestock sector. The Government of Bangladesh is emphasizing on the diversity of products produced from this sector and its versatile use. Immunity to livestock is another important issue. Because people are meeting the demand for food and nutrition from this sector. Moreover, pathogens are also adversely affecting the production of livestock. The two countries can exchange experiences and cooperate on these issues through digital channels.
Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr. Helen Lafeb, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, was present as the special guest at the inaugural ceremony of the seminar. Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury and President of the United States Livestock Genetics Expert. Martin Sieber. Welcoming remarks were made by Megan Francis, USDA’s Agricultural Attache at the US Embassy in Bangladesh. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock SM Ferdous Alam, Director General of the Department of Livestock. Manzoor Mohammad Shahzada and other senior officials of the Livestock Department were present.
