ACI builds on local capabilities to take seeds, pharmaceuticals and food to global markets 

Pharmaceuticals are one of the most promising areas. Bangladesh has already earned a strong reputation in this sector, with local companies building significant capacity and demonstrating the ability to meet international quality standards. There is considerable scope to expand exports while building Bangladesh-origin brands in global markets.

Seeds are another area with substantial potential. Agriculture is expanding in many African countries, creating demand for seeds and agricultural technology. Bangladesh still imports a significant amount of seed, but companies such as ACI are investing in breeding and developing new varieties locally. Some of our seeds are already going to markets such as Oman, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and we are exploring opportunities in Africa and other markets.

For seeds, however, simply producing a good product is not enough. Different countries have different climates, soil conditions and agricultural practices. Our R&D therefore focuses on developing and testing different variants for different environments. Some varieties need to tolerate heat, others cold; some are suitable for the rainy season while others are designed for winter cultivation. The product has to be suitable for the market where it is being introduced.

There is also scope in fertiliser, agricultural machinery, plastics, furniture, home appliances and processed food. Bangladesh already exports many products in these categories, but the opportunity is to move further up the value chain and build stronger brands.

Agricultural machinery, for example, could have significant potential in African markets. Countries where agriculture is developing often begin with smaller machines before moving towards larger and more sophisticated equipment. Bangladesh can participate in that growing market.

Food is another area where we can create a stronger Made in Bangladesh presence. We already export processed food and shrimp. Bangladeshi black tiger shrimp has a good reputation internationally, and there is room to expand further.

The quality of our people is not necessarily the constraint many people assume it is. We have highly capable young people working in molecular biology, agriculture, engineering, pharmaceuticals, production and quality control. In our factories, Bangladeshi engineers, pharmacists, chemists and technicians are performing specialised work. With proper training, they can build globally competitive industries.

Our experience in garments demonstrates this. Bangladesh started as a largely labour-intensive manufacturing base, but over time the industry developed local capabilities in buttons, fabrics and other areas. Even where raw materials have to be imported, we have demonstrated that we can manufacture products to international standards.

The same principle applies to other industries. In pharmaceuticals, some raw materials are imported, but the manufacturing, quality control, packaging and export processes are carried out here. Processed food provides another opportunity to move beyond simply importing raw materials and processing them. Wherever possible, we should develop local production and add value domestically.

Country branding is an important part of this journey. Japan is a good example. Despite having limited natural resources, Japan has built a powerful global reputation for the quality of its products. The "Made in Japan" image itself creates confidence.

Bangladesh needs to build a similar reputation gradually, sector by sector. Our foreign missions can play an important role by presenting a consistent and positive image of the country. The quality of every interaction with Bangladesh — from business dealings to public services — contributes to how the country is perceived.

Different countries have different climates, soil conditions and agricultural practices. Our R&D therefore focuses on developing and testing different variants for different environments. Some varieties need to tolerate heat, others cold; some are suitable for the rainy season while others are designed for winter cultivation.

We are also working on initiatives that can directly contribute to this image. One example is our joint venture with a Japanese company. The initiative includes training Bangladeshi young people in Japanese language and skills, financing for motorcycles, and producing sweet potatoes in Bangladesh for export to Japan.

The sweet potato project illustrates how we can adapt production to an international market. Japanese consumers require a particular size and shape, so we are bringing the appropriate plant material from Japan and propagating it through tissue culture in our molecular laboratory. It will then be cultivated, processed and packaged in Bangladesh according to the required quality and hygiene standards before being sent to Japan.

If we can successfully establish Bangladeshi food products in a demanding market such as Japan, it can have a wider impact on the country's image. We are also exploring opportunities such as producing Japanese varieties of rice in Bangladesh, processing them here and exporting them in oxygen-barrier packaging.

Ultimately, quality has to be built into every stage of the value chain. There is no alternative to proper standards, standard operating procedures and verification systems. At ACI, we apply standard operating procedures across our own and contract manufacturing facilities. We also use remote monitoring, product-release procedures and a Total Quality Management system to ensure consistency.

Our motorcycle operation is an example. We manufacture Yamaha-branded motorcycles in Bangladesh through assembly and some local manufacturing. Our quality pass ratio is around 98%, compared with a Japanese standard of 96%. Young Bangladeshi engineers and technicians are trained in the required processes, with the quality management system supervised by Japanese experts.

So the challenge for Bangladesh is increasingly about consistency, standards and branding. A product can be technically good, but if its marketing, distribution or quality control is weak, the brand can suffer.

Every company therefore needs to establish standards that are acceptable to consumers and compliant with the laws of the target market. Those standards must be supported by clear procedures, responsible people and proper verification. Product stability and shelf life also need to be tested carefully, particularly for food and other sensitive products.

If we can consistently follow these standards, Bangladesh has the capacity to build globally competitive industries. We have capable people, growing industrial capacity and entrepreneurs willing to invest. The next step is to turn those capabilities into trusted Bangladesh brands that can compete in markets around the world.

The author FH Ansarey is a managing director and CEO of ACI Agribusiness