Swisscontact hosts national agro-export promotion event

Swisscontact, the Switzerland-based international development organisation, hosted a national event titled "Towards Export Readiness: Partnerships and Collaborations" to foster dialogue and partnerships for enhancing Bangladesh's agricultural export competitiveness.

The event gathered senior representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables & Allied Products Exporters' Association (BFVAPEA), and leading private sector entities to discuss how stronger institutional coordination, compliance, and collaboration can help Bangladesh achieve agro-export readiness.

In his opening remarks, Helal Hussain, Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh, said agro-export readiness is not just a technical pursuit but a collective national goal. "Bangladesh produces over 15 million metric tons of vegetables annually, yet only a small fraction is exported due to compliance challenges. By fostering effective partnerships between public and private actors, we can align our agricultural practices with international standards and unlock the sector's true export potential," he noted.

Swisscontact is implementing the SAFE BD project, supported by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to strengthen Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) compliance and institutional capacity. The initiative helps producers, exporters, and regulators adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), SPS measures, and traceability systems — vital for accessing high-value markets in Southeast and Central Asia, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

As the chief guest, Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, praised Swisscontact's contribution to advancing Bangladesh's export diversification goals. "Meeting international SPS standards is critical for maintaining export competitiveness. Events like this help bridge gaps between policy and practice through collaboration among ministries, exporters, and development partners," he said.

A panel discussion on "Unlocking Agri-Export Competitiveness through SPS Capacity Strengthening" featured speakers from DAE, the Ministry of Commerce, BFVAPEA, ACI Agribusiness, EPB, and SGS Bangladesh. The discussion explored ways to strengthen certification systems, address compliance challenges, and replicate successful export models through innovation and partnership.

In his closing remarks, Rahman reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to deepening collaboration with development partners like Swisscontact to ensure Bangladesh's agricultural exports become more competitive and compliant in global markets.

The event concluded with a call to action for sustained collaboration between government bodies, exporters, and private sector stakeholders to build an integrated, transparent, and quality-driven agro-export system — essential for positioning Bangladesh as a reliable supplier in international agricultural trade.