Dhaka: Bangladesh has showcased its late-season mangoes and processed products at a festival in Kathmandu, aiming to promote the country's agricultural excellence and expand agro-product exports to the Nepali market. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu organized the "Bangladesh Mango Delicacy" at UTSAV Kunja, bringing together diplomats, senior Nepali government officials, business leaders, importers, traders, and media representatives.
Around 250 guests attended the festival, which featured fresh Bangladeshi mangoes alongside a range of value-added products and mango-based desserts. SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md Golam Sarwar attended the event as the guest of honor, while Ambassador Gahendra Rajbhandari, Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division at Nepal's Foreign Ministry, joined as a special guest on behalf of the country's Foreign Secretary.
In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the country's progress in agriculture and agro-processing, emphasizing the cultural and agricultural significance of mangoes in Bangladesh. He detailed the varieties produced, including Khirsapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Banana Mango, Katimon, Gauramoti, and various BARI types, cultivated in the country's fertile alluvial plains.
The ambassador noted the growth of Bangladesh's mango-processing industry, which produces products such as juice, nectar, pulp, jams, pickles, chutneys, dried mangoes, candies, fruit bars, and desserts that meet international quality and food-safety standards. SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar acknowledged the potential of South Asia's mango exports and praised the Bangladesh Embassy's initiative, advocating for increased cooperation among SAARC member states in agriculture.
Rajbhandari commended the initiative for enhancing the ties between Bangladeshi and Nepali communities and highlighted Bangladesh's innovative "mango diplomacy" as a means to foster greater engagement and cooperation. The exhibition featured late-season mango varieties from Rajshahi, including Fazli, Amrapali, BARI-4, Katimon, Gauramoti, and Ashwina, as well as processed products like mango juice, pickles, fruit bars, dried mango, chutney, jam, and jelly.
Guests were treated to mango-based desserts, such as cakes, sticky rice with mango, and mango pudding, alongside traditional Bangladeshi cuisine. Bangladeshi mango farmer Rofiqul Islam shared his experience in mango production and GAP-compliant cultivation methods under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Extension.
The festival also highlighted Bangladesh's advances in modern horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and food-processing technologies. Documentaries on mango cultivation and Bangladesh's cultural and tourism attractions were screened during the event. The embassy expressed hope that such initiatives would expand bilateral trade in fresh agricultural produce and processed food products while strengthening economic and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal.
The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between the two countries, strengthening their longstanding friendship and mutually beneficial partnership.