The second three-day international frozen foods fair begins on October 21 with an aim to attract more foreign buyers.

Prime Minister Sheikh Haslna is expected to inaugurate the exhibition titled 'Dhaka International Seafood Fair 2OOO' (DISF) at Sonargaon Hotel in the city. Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters' Association (BFFEA) and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) are jointly organising the fair.

We are trying to attract more foreign buyers this year. With this as our vision, we have started sending invitations to foreign missions and other commercial

organisations abroad," said an EPB official.

After successfully holding the first international fair last year, the show this year seeks to put more emphasis on value added products, he stated.

Different products including block frozen shrimps, value added shrimps like IQF, semi-cooked and cooked shrimps and consumer pack, all kinds of fresh and seawater fishes and fillet fish will be put on display at this year's DISF.

Besides various types of fishing nets and accessories, the samples of inner and master cartoons used in packing shrimp and fish

items will be showcased.

The frozen food sector is now well set for substantially expanding its export in value added form." said a top executive of an exporting firm, adding "for the Interested foreign buyers, we'will arrange guided visits to shrimp and fish processing plants in Chittagong and Khulna. "

Starting with only 15 fish processing plants and a meager export earning of USS 3.17 million In 1972-73 fiscal, the country earned over USS 343 million in the 1999-2000 financial year. About 85 per cent of this earning comes from export of shrimp alone.

The existing fish processing plants have a total annual capacity of about 325,000 MT. mainly shrimp in the form of block frozen shrimp, semi-cooked and cooked only.

DISF 2000 will remain open for business visitors from 11 am to 7 pm on October 21 and from 9 am to 6 pm on October 22 and 23. For the general people, it will be open every afternoon.

Bangladesh exports shrimp to more than 30 countries Including the US. Belgium, Japan, United Kingdom, the Netherlands. Germany, Thailand, Canada and Singapore.