Online Desk: Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) on Thursday  urged for an integrated policy for the development of cold chain infrastructure in the country to ensure a strategic supply of perishable goods such as potatoes, onions, and tomatoes in off-seasons.

The leaders of BCSA said this at a meet the press, held at BSCA Office in Paltan in the capital ahead of the Cold Chain Bangladesh-2024 exhibition, scheduled to be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in May this year.

Savor International Ltd, in collaboration with the BCSA, will organise the exhibition, with participation of 14 countries.

Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, President of BCSA, said there is an urgent need to reform the current financial structure including introducing lower interest rates for investments in cold chain management.

He highlighted the necessity of accessing loans from foreign sources at lower interest rates to facilitate the development of state-of-the-art cold chains.

BCSA President said in the exhibition, stakeholders will advocate for implementing public-private partnerships (PPPs) in cold chain management, emphasising the importance of specialised cold storage facilities and post-harvest management education for farmers and industry professionals.

In response to a question, he expressed concerns over potential potato shortages and urged authorities to provide accurate data on potato production to mitigate market disruptions.

He expressed his concern that consumers might have to buy potatoes at over Tk 50 a kg as farmers’ level price is Tk 27-32 a kg this year, which was a maximum Tk 18 a kg last year.

Mohammad Asaduzzaman, President of Bangladesh Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Merchant Association (BRAMA) and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Cold Chain Policy Implementation of FBCCI, mentioned the challenges faced in importing cold storage equipment and spare parts, which is needed to cut higher import to stimulate investment in the country’s cold chain infrastructure.

Istiaque Ahmed, Senior Vice President of the Cold Storage Association, emphasised that cold storage is essential not only for food security but also for ensuring food safety by reducing the need for harmful preservatives.

Md Faizul Alam, Managing Director of Savor International Ltd, Md Hasmotuzzaman, Chairman RP, ASHRAE Bangladesh Chapter also spoke among others at the event.