Photo: Video Screenshot

DHAKA, July 27, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has showcased its diverse late-season mangoes and processed products at a festival in Kathmandu, aimed at promoting the country's agricultural excellence and expanding agro-product exports to the Nepali market. 

The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu organised the "Bangladesh Mango Delicacy" at UTSAV Kunja, bringing together diplomats, senior Nepali government officials, business leaders, importers, traders and media representatives, said a press release here today. 

Around 250 guests attended the festival, which featured fresh Bangladeshi mangoes alongside a wide range of value-added products and mango-based desserts.

SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md Golam Sarwar attended the event as the guest of honour, while Ambassador Gahendra Rajbhandari, Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division at Nepal's Foreign Ministry, joined as special guest on behalf of the country's Foreign Secretary.

In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the country's progress in agriculture and agro-processing, saying mangoes hold a special place in Bangladesh's culture, heritage, tradition and agronomy.

He said Bangladesh's fertile alluvial plains and favourable climatic conditions produce some of the world's finest mangoes, with varieties including Khirsapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Banana Mango, Katimon, Gauramoti and different BARI varieties.

The ambassador highlighted the contribution of Bangladeshi scientists and researchers to developing late-season mango varieties, enabling the country to extend the availability of the fruit.

He also noted the growth of Bangladesh's mango-processing industry, which produces juice, nectar, pulp, jams, pickles, chutneys, dried mangoes, candies, fruit bars and desserts in line with international quality and food-safety standards.

SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar said South Asia has a rich heritage and wide variety of mangoes but regretted that the region's exports of fresh mangoes and processed products to international markets remain limited despite their considerable potential.

He appreciated the Bangladesh Embassy's initiative and called for greater cooperation among SAARC member states in the agricultural sector.

Rajbhandari praised the initiative for showcasing Bangladesh's hospitality and helping build stronger connections between the peoples and business communities of Bangladesh and Nepal.

Appreciating what he described as Bangladesh's innovative "mango diplomacy", he stressed greater engagement to strengthen channels of friendship and cooperation amid complexities in contemporary diplomacy.

The exhibition featured late-season mango varieties from Rajshahi, including Fazli, Amrapali, BARI-4, Katimon, Gauramoti and Ashwina.

Bangladeshi companies also showcased processed products such as mango juice, pickles, fruit bars, dried mango, chutney, jam and jelly.

Guests were served mango-based desserts, including cakes, sticky rice with mango and mango pudding, alongside traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.

Bangladeshi mango farmer Rofiqul Islam shared his 15 years of experience in mango production and explained Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-compliant cultivation methods being followed under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Extension.

The festival also highlighted Bangladesh's advances in modern horticulture, sustainable agriculture and food-processing technologies.

Documentaries featuring mango cultivation as well as Bangladesh's culture and tourism attractions were screened during the event.

The embassy said the festival was designed not only to showcase Bangladesh's agricultural products but also to create greater awareness among Nepali consumers and encourage partnerships between exporters and importers of the two countries.

It expressed hope that such initiatives would help expand bilateral trade in fresh agricultural produce and processed food products while further strengthening economic and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal.

The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to promoting trade, investment and cultural exchanges between the two countries and strengthening their longstanding friendship and mutually beneficial partnership.