New Dutch-Bangladeshi partnership invests EUR 6 MN to develop sustainable aquaculture sector in the Asian country

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh formally launched some days ago FoodTechBangladesh, a four-year cooperation between Dutch and Bangladeshi companies. The partnership is headed by Larive International, and jointly the partners will invest EUR 6 million in developing sustainable growth of the Bangladeshi aquaculture sector.

The partnership consists of Aftab Bahumukhi Farms, Gemini Sea Food, Nutreco, Viqon, LightCastle Partners, and Larive International. These parties will establish three Centers of Excellence in Sylhet, Khulna, and Cox’s Bazar to introduce and demonstrate different types of improved and more sustainable techniques for fish breeding and cultivation.

Moreover, the partners will conduct research and trials with on-farm products, such as feed additives, aqua specialties, and antibiotic replacers and will provide technical assistance to fish breeders and farmers. In addition, the partnership will upgrade an aqua feed line in Dhaka to increase the availability of domestically produced specialized fish feed.

Improving the technical and commercial performance

FoodTechBangladesh is co-financed by the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh and contributes to improving the technical and commercial performance of fish breeders and farmers in Bangladesh. This is done through demonstrating best practices and transferring know-how.

Over 1,600 local fish breeder and farmers will receive training at the Centres of Excellence and via online courses. In addition, the partnership aims to reduce post-harvest losses by connecting fish breeders and farmers directly to end markets.

“The Dutch Embassy in Bangladesh supports the development of more sustainable agri-food value chains in Bangladesh and encourages Dutch companies to locally invest together with local stakeholders. We are glad that via this cooperation we are able to contribute to increased food security, more sustainable water usage and strengthening the cooperation between the Dutch and Bangladeshi private sector,” said H.E. Anne van Leeuwen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.

In the other hand, Matthias Brienen, Director of Larive International assured: “Strengthening the aquaculture sector in Bangladesh requires an increase in domestic productivity in an environmentally and socially responsible way. This can be realized via introducing technologies developed in the Netherlands, such as genetics, feed, and controlled breeding and farming systems which have been proven in other emerging markets, in combination with technical advice”.

Strong association

FoodTechBangladesh is initiated and led by Netherlands-based Larive International in close collaboration with its Bangladesh-based affiliate LightCastle Partners.

The partnership it implies that the company Aftab Bahumukhi Farms is active in livestock and aquaculture breeding & hatching, horticulture, feed production, farming, slaughtering and further processing.

While, Gemini Sea Food is one of the leading seafood processors & exporters of Bangladesh; Nutreco is a leading global animal nutrition company offering solutions for livestock and aquaculture; Viqon is specialized in designing and engineering aquaculture farms based on sustainable recirculation technology.

Finally, LightCastle Partners is a management consulting firm providing data-driven services to inspire businesses in Bangladesh to advance the economy; and Larive International is a business development advisory firm specializing in assisting companies in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Larive International started in 1975 with investing in local presence, and they continue to do so today. “Doing business in high growth markets can be extremely rewarding. Yet good initiatives in new markets too often tend to fail. Local know-how is widely recognized as the key ingredient for any venture’s success in new markets. “We are passionate about high-growth markets”, they say.

Thanks to their local presence in over 20 countries across the globe, Larive International is able to provide expert advice and practical assistance to make the overseas business a success. “We have unique business intelligence, a network with deeply embedded local teams in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and over 30+ years of experience. We love to make a difference with our hands-on mentality,” the finish.