Tue Nov 19 20:17:06 UTC 2024: ## US Grant to Boost Bangladesh’s Cold Chain Infrastructure
**DHAKA, BANGLADESH – November 19, 2024** – The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to Bonton Foods Limited, a Bangladeshi cold chain services company, to conduct a feasibility study on expanding cold storage facilities across the country. The study, to be conducted by Land O’Lakes Venture37, aims to improve food security by reducing food spoilage and lowering costs for dairy, meat, and other perishable goods.
Bangladesh currently lacks sufficient cold storage capacity, especially in rural areas, hindering the growth of its agricultural sector and export potential. This study will focus on creating an integrated network of third-party logistics cold storage facilities to address this deficit. The project is expected to attract further US investment in Bangladesh’s cold chain infrastructure, benefiting both Bangladeshi producers and US exporters seeking to tap into the growing Bangladeshi middle class.
“Facilitating private sector investment is vital to Bangladesh’s food security goals,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA Director. Shamim Ahamed, Managing Director of Bonton Foods, highlighted the potential for growth in the cold chain industry, driven by Bangladesh’s large and growing population and changing consumer preferences. The study is anticipated to unlock opportunities for increased exports of Bangladeshi agricultural products, such as mangoes, which recently gained access to the Chinese market. Helen LaFave, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Dhaka, emphasized the study’s role in creating a stable logistics network for US products in Bangladesh.
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