Leaders of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA) hope that the country's export earnings from frozen food sector would go up by 50 to 75 per cent In the next three years.

Addressing a press conference in the city yesterday, they said that an extensive market expansion scheme had been undertaken and fish processing units were developed upto international standards for increasing export earnings.

They said that export earnings from the sector reached Tk 1.333.13 crore during the last fiscal. Meanwhile, earnings during the first six months of the current fiscal was recorded at Tk 736.89 crore. ■ . ‘

The leaders further said that earnings from the sector declined this year compared to the previous year because of last year's prolonged devastating

flood and a sharp price fall In the international market.

But markets have started witnessing normalcy in recent times, which would boost export earnings in the near future, they said.

BFFEA president Kazi Shahnewaz. Vice-President Ferdous Alam, Joint Secretary-General Azizur Rahman. EPB Director Niamul Alam and Ronald P Black of ATDP addressed the conference.

The market expansion scheme was undertaken with financial help from the USAID and Agro-based Industries and Technology Development Project (ATDP).

The BFFEA leaders informed the journalists that the USAID would provide five'JaJth dollars for the scheme.

Under the project, a delegation of 18 frozen food exporters would visit major importers including the US. Canada and

countries in Europe.

The delegation is scheduled to leave Dhaka today for exploring international markets and acquiring first-hand knowledge about the modern fish processing system.

They will attend a number of seminars and exchange views with the buyers on ways of meeting their demands and increasing exports.

"Lack of knowledge about the international market is one of the main reasons for. poor export earnings." said Shahnewaz. president of BFFEA. He said that the trip would enable the delegation members to know about the latest global technological developments.

The team, led by BfFEA leader Azizur Rahman, will also attend the Boston Sea Food fair in USA and visit some fish processing plants in Singapore. Malaysia and Thailand.