Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Nov 18, 2025 (BSS) – Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Export Promotion Bureau Zinat Ara Ahmed said that with government support and the removal of existing barriers, the country’s shrimp sector could earn $5 billion in foreign exchange in the coming years.

Zinat Ara Ahmed expressed the optimism here today while addressing a training workshop on producing diversified value-added products from Bagda and Vannamei shrimp as the chief guest.

The programme, titled “Skills Development on Production of Diversified Value-added Shrimp Products,” was held at the Fisheries Training Shrimp Tower in the city, emphasizing enhancing export growth and tapping into the potential of earning $5 billion from the Vannamei shrimp sector.

She further mentioned that the government has now approved Vannamei shrimp cultivation, noting that the production rate per hectare is only 500 kg for Bagda shrimp, while Vannamei can yield up to 15,000 kg.

Jointly organised by the Business Promotion Council (BPC) and the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), the event was presided over by Sheikh Kamrul Alam, Vice President of BFFEA.

Palash Kumar Ghosh, Assistant Director of BPC, attended as a special guest.

Speaking at the opening session, the chief guest said the shrimp and fisheries sector is the largest export-oriented industry in the southern region and plays a significant role in the national economy. She assured that the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) would extend all necessary support for the sector’s development.

In his address, the chair stated that more than 5 million people, mostly women, are involved in the sector. He added that shrimp was once the country’s second-largest export sector, but production fell behind due to bureaucratic complexities and delayed approval for cultivating high-yield Vannamei shrimp, despite Bangladesh having more potential farming land than India.

Officials from frozen fish processing factories in the Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat regions, students of Khulna University, hatchery workers, journalists, and other stakeholders participated in the training.