They said vegetable exports from Bangladesh are increasing day by day but lack of uniform sanitary facility hinders the export prospect.

They said if the government ensures international standard laboratory facilities, vegetables and fruits exports will increase to a great extent.

The speakers were speaking at the seminar titled 'Export of Frozen Vegetables: Prospect and Problems' in Dhaka. Horticulture Export and Development Foundation (Hortex Foundation), a government organisation, organised the seminar.

Agriculture Minister MK Anwar attended the seminar as chief guest. Commerce Ministry Advisor Barkat Ullah Bulu and Secretary of the ministry Kazi Abul Kashem were also present.

Agriculture Minister MK Anwar said, "Our exportable item is limited. So, we have to produce more export items to diversify our export basket."

He however said increased production is not enough to up export. Post-harvesting, sanitary and phytosanitery measures are important, especially for vegetables and fruits export, he added.

The minister said, "The government has adopted many policies intended to encourage the agriculture industry for both the domestic and export markets." "With other facilities we provide 30 percent cash incentives on export of vegetables and fruits," he added.

Terming agriculture a potential sector, he urged private sector entrepreneurs to come forward to invest more in the sector.

Md Akmal Hossain, managing director of Hortex Foundation, said vegetable and fruit exports have increased to $46 million from $13 million over the last three years. The export growth was 84 percent in 2004-05 fiscal year, he said.

Bangladesh exported 369.58 tonnes of vegetables and fruits in 2004-05 fiscal.