Bangladesh to export mangoes to Japan soon: Razzaque

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Thursday said Bangladesh will export mangoes to Japan soon and the process is at the final stage. 

"Japan is interested to import mangoes from Bangladesh. The work is in progress to fulfill Japan's prerequisites. The both countries are working jointly in this regard," he said, reports BSS.

The minister said this while exchanging views with journalists after a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at his ministry at the Secretariat here. 

Razzaque, also ruling Awami League (AL) presidium member, said along with exporting mangoes, opportunities will be created simultaneously for exporting other fruits and vegetables.

Japan will increase its cooperation further in imparting training to agriculturists, setting up factories in Bangladesh for producing agricultural machineries and in the agricultural sector, he said, adding that memorandum of understandings (MoUs) will be signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to Japan.

Japanese envoy Kiminori said, "We want to increase Japan-Bangladesh cooperation further in the agriculture sector. Therefore, we want to sign the MoUs to strengthen the relationship further by identifying priority areas of cooperation".

Besides, replying to a question from journalists, Razzaque said Khaleda Zia has no bar to do politics. 

She could run the party and give different directives even staying in jail, he said, adding, "But as a convict, she cannot take part in the election as per the law. In this case, the current election laws should be followed. There is nothing to do for the government or the Election Commission or anyone else in this regard".

Razzaque said elections will be held in the country according to the constitution and noting will happen except that. 

No one can do anything going beyond the constitution, he said, adding the current government will remain in power until the election, and then it will exit if the people do not vote for the ruling party in the election.