Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum kicks off to boost agrifood transformation | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum kicks off to boost agrifood transformation

Economy

TBS Report
27 August, 2023, 03:20 pm
Last modified: 27 August, 2023, 03:39 pm

Related News

  • Hope in the hills: How women farmers in Bandarban are weathering the climate crisis
  • Bangladesh's food security at risk as farmland shrinks by 3.75% in 8 Years: BBS survey
  • Uncommon native fruits return to spotlight at national fair
  • Bangladesh now produces 72 fruits, says agri adviser as national fruit fair starts
  • Agriculture land protection law to be enacted for farmers: Adviser Jahangir 

Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum kicks off to boost agrifood transformation

TBS Report
27 August, 2023, 03:20 pm
Last modified: 27 August, 2023, 03:39 pm
The inaugural session of the country's first-ever Agricultural Investment Forum, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, was held at the InterContinental hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (27 August). Photo: Courtesy
The inaugural session of the country's first-ever Agricultural Investment Forum, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, was held at the InterContinental hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (27 August). Photo: Courtesy

Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, commenced its journey on Sunday (27 August) to accelerate agricultural development in the country.

The initiative aims to catalyze agricultural transformation by fostering increased targeted investment and improved access to finance for food producers, investors, policymakers and agri-processing enterprises, according to a press release issued by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Under the chairmanship of Wahida Akter, secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, the forum's opening session was graced by the presence of Agriculture. Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, MP, as chief guest.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The two-day forum, which is being held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, will highlight strategic investment opportunities in select agricultural sectors, explore various innovative financial instruments, and facilitate matchmaking with private investors, domestic banks, and international financial institutions.

It will open doors to rewarding investment opportunities by fostering knowledge-sharing and networking.

Major development partners supporting the initiative include CGIAR, Embassy of Denmark, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Bank Group, and World Food Programme.

Having achieved many impressive agricultural milestones, Bangladesh is shifting from a focus on food security towards nutrition security, plus food quality, processing, and exports. At the same time, overall demand for food in Bangladesh is rising and people's food choices are changing. With a sizeable and growing middle-income class there will be a move away from rice to more expensive foods such as meat and fish, dairy products, and fruit and vegetables. 

Continued rapid urbanisation will result in increased demand for processed and convenience food. Consumers will be looking for more choice, better nutrition, and higher levels of food safety. All of this creates opportunities for Bangladeshi food producers and food-related businesses.

Innovative finance solutions are needed to address the challenges faced by farmers as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. The Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum 2023 will provide this, helping to remove a key barrier to growth.

The forum, which could become an annual event, is the result of last year's FAO Investment Forum in Rome, Italy. Both forums are part of FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative which supports the implementation of nationally-led programmes that accelerate agrifood systems transformation.

Bangladesh will be one of about 10 countries returning for this year's FAO Investment Forum which will be held in October. 

There will be an in-depth discussion on strengthening Bangladesh's agricultural competitiveness and another on financing for agrifood systems transformation. Other topics for discussion include crop production and farming systems, livestock and fisheries, as well as overall government policy. 

Speaking on behalf of all the development partners, Robert D Simpson, FAO representative in Bangladesh, said, "The country's agrifood businesses need significant investment to meet increased demand in Bangladesh but also to capitalize on export opportunities. As the country continues to develop and its economy grows, the country will become more attractive to a wider range of investors.

"This investment forum, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, will help to make crucial linkages between those who want to invest and those who stand to benefit from investment."

"All of the development partners are proud to be working together to support the Ministry of Agriculture as part of a wider effort to transform the country's agricultural sector," he added.

Bangladesh Agricultural Investment Forum / Ministry of Agriculture / Agricultural sector / agriculture

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks on 11 July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    Dhaka, Washington to continue inter-ministerial dialogue as tariff talks end without full consensus
  • Certain groups trying to create mistrust between army and police: ISPR
    Certain groups trying to create mistrust between army and police: ISPR
  • Infograph: TBS
    Costly delays and doubts: Dhaka's BRT project spirals further with 55% cost jump

MOST VIEWED

  • In terms of stream of education, girls maintained their excellence as well. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: Girls dominate boys by over 5%
  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • The overall pass rate across all boards this year, 68.45%, is significantly lower than last year's. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SSC 2025: Rajshahi board records highest pass rate, Barishal lowest
  • How S Alam’s Global Islami Bank cooked Tk2,259cr loss into Tk128cr profit
    How S Alam’s Global Islami Bank cooked Tk2,259cr loss into Tk128cr profit
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: 73.63% pass rate among technical students, 68.09% at Madrasahs
  • Economist Abul Barkat; Photo: Courtesy
    Economist Abul Barkat arrested in graft case

Related News

  • Hope in the hills: How women farmers in Bandarban are weathering the climate crisis
  • Bangladesh's food security at risk as farmland shrinks by 3.75% in 8 Years: BBS survey
  • Uncommon native fruits return to spotlight at national fair
  • Bangladesh now produces 72 fruits, says agri adviser as national fruit fair starts
  • Agriculture land protection law to be enacted for farmers: Adviser Jahangir 

Features

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

15h | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

1d | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

1d | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered — have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

Renowned economist Abul Barkat imprisoned

13h | TBS Today
All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

All of Iran's uranium still intact, Israel claims

13h | TBS World
Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

Trump-Netanyahu in new strategy on Gaza issue

15h | TBS World
Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

Shocking science: why birds stay safe on electricity lines

16h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net