Dhaka:Food Minister Afroza Khanam Rita has officially requested technical assistance from the United States to enhance food safety measures and improve the long-term storage capacity of food grains in Bangladesh. The request was made during a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting covered a range of mutual interests, focusing on the challenges Bangladesh faces in storing food grains like rice and wheat due to climatic conditions. The minister highlighted the need for US expertise in grain storage technologies and management to address these challenges.
The discussions also included the possibility of US experts providing technical assistance to ensure food safety. Ambassador Christensen expressed gratitude towards the minister's efforts and indicated that the US would consider cooperation in this area.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed ongoing wheat imports from the United States to Bangladesh, noting that the process has been proceeding smoothly and on schedule. Minister Afroza Khanam Rita also shared her observations from a recent visit to a US wheat-laden ship at Chattogram sea port.
The meeting was attended by Food Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana, Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md. Jashim Uddin Khan, US embassy's foreign agricultural affairs officer Erin Covert, and senior officials from the Ministry of Food.