Bangladesh a potential place for flower industry: DCCI Seminar

DHAKA, May 16 (NsNewsWire) — Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) with the support of USAID’s Agriculture Value Chains (AVC)Project organized a seminar on investment opportunities in the flower industry at DCCI on 16 May, 2018.

President of China Horticulture Business Services, LLC Dr. Heidi Wernett made the presentations. She said that the commercial flower sector is booming worldwide. She said currently Bangladesh farmers are producing USD$10-20 million of flowers grown by 2,00,000 farmers on 6,300 hectares. The flower industry in USA is worth of USD26 billion and in China it is worth of USD23 billion. But Asia is the fastest growing region for the flower industry.In this sector, she said that profitability is 3 to 5 time higher than the vegetables.

DCCI Vice President Riyadh Hossain saidglobal consumption of cut flowers is estimated at a staggering USD 40 to USD 50 billion per year. There are around 145 countries involved in the cultivation of this ornamental crops.It is indeed a pleasure to know that flower export target was fixed atUSD 13 Million in FY 2017-18 andalready more than USD 8 Million has been earned from July to December.According to Bangladesh Flower Society, around 10,000 hectares of land are being cultivated in this regard.

Speakers said that despite Bangladesh is a favourable place for flower industry by this sector is yet to get momentum. Variety of flower, access to finance, green house infrastructure with adequate irrigation system, export market, research and development, training, skill development, transportation are some of the challenges in this sector.

Chief of Party, USAID’s AVC project Paul Bundick, Deputy Chief of PartyUSAID’s AVC project Bani Amin, Contracting Officer’s Representative, USAID Bangladesh Aniruddha Hom Roy, DCCI Director Kh. Rashedul Ahsan, former DCCI Vice President M. Abu Hurairah were present at that time. DCCI Secretary General AHM Rezaul Kabir gave vote of thanks. Press Release