French firms keen on agro-food industry

French technology providers have shown interest in the rapidly growing agro-based industries in Bangladesh.

"We are ready to provide French technologies and expertise to agro-food industry here," said Timothee Mougeotte, area manager (Near & Middle East & South Asia) of Adepta, at a roundtable at Lake Shore Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

Adepta is a French association for the Development of Trade of Agri-foods Products & Technologies.

The Economic and Trade Department of French embassy, Ubifranch (the French Agency for International Business Development), France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Adepta organised the discussion.

Representatives of Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association and different local agro-food manufacturers were present at the programme.

Participants in the discussion said agro-based industry is growing fast in Bangladesh with an aim to tap both the domestic and global markets.

Processed food exports from Bangladesh increased almost fivefold to $46.68 million in fiscal 2008-09 from $10.46 million in fiscal 2005-06, luring new investment in the industry.

Presently local agro-based companies are mainly producing processed foods, spices and dairy products.

At the roundtable, two French companies -- Ets Charriau and Sodime -- presented their technologies with focus on optimising milk collection and agro-food manufacturing solutions.