Desk Report:
A delegation led by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Ichiguchi Tamuhide met with Minister for Food, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid in his office on Sunday (March 8, 2026).
The meeting discussed in detail the JICA-funded Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project in Bangladesh. Also, the introduction of a single and streamlined food business licensing system like Japan and ASEAN countries was discussed. India and Pakistan have already started issuing food business licenses through one-step service, JICA informed.
It was mentioned in the meeting that the Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project, funded by JICA and funded by JICA for a period of 10 years with a duration of 2,409.70 crore taka, will play a role in increasing the food safety testing capacity of Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna divisions by conducting necessary capacity development activities including construction of a Food Safety Reference Laboratory in Dhaka, two food laboratories in Chittagong and Khulna, training buildings.
The Food Minister said, we will increase our capacity and initiatives will be taken to export our food items to the Japanese market.
The issue of global food safety is now being considered seriously. If we can make our food safety meet international standards, then food export will be easy for us. And this is what we have to do. For this, he seeks everyone’s cooperation.
The Minister also said, we have many opportunities to export food. There is also a demand for these foods in the global market. Now the necessary initiatives are needed. And we will make that effort. For this, we have to do a lot of work.
The Food Minister called upon all concerned to take appropriate steps to ensure safe food for the people at all stages of food production, processing, storage, supply, marketing and sale, in short, from food production to the dining table, by identifying the problems and challenges and making food safe for the people.
He thanked JICA for funding the Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project and expressed optimism that it would be possible to establish discipline in the country’s food management through the successful implementation of this project.
JICA congratulated the Minister and sought cooperation in the implementation of ongoing projects funded by JICA in Bangladesh.
Senior officials of JICA and Food Secretary Md. Firoz Sarkar and relevant officials of the Ministry of Food were present in the meeting.
