Online Desk: Bangladesh can now export vegetables and fruits directly to the Middle East, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque has said. An agreement has recently been signed with Dubai in this regard, he told reporters at the secretariat on Wednesday. “If we can export directly instead of going through Singapore, our ships will be able to reach Dubai in four to five days with the products,” he said.

“The Ministry of Commerce took measures in this regard earlier and we have helped to implement it,” the minister added. In the 2018 elections, the government pledged that the country will be made self-sufficient in food production, he said. “We have reached the goal as people can eat at least twice daily.” Now, the main challenge is providing people with nutritious food, said the minister. Nutritious food must be ensured so that everyone can remain active.