KATHMANDU, JULY 27

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu on Sunday organised a mango festival showcasing the country's premium late-season mangoes and processed fruit products, aiming to strengthen agricultural trade and economic cooperation with Nepal.

The event, titled "Bangladesh Mango Delicacy", brought together around 250 participants, including diplomats, senior Nepali government officials, fruit importers, traders, business leaders and members of the media.

SAARC Secretary-General Md Golam Sarwar attended the event as the chief guest, while Gahendra Rajbhandari, Joint Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the special guest.

Addressing the gathering, Bangladesh Ambassador Md Shafiqur Rahman said mangoes are an integral part of Bangladesh's culture, heritage and agricultural economy. He highlighted the country's internationally recognised varieties, including Khirsapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Katimon and Gauramoti, noting their sweetness, aroma and nutritional value.

The ambassador also highlighted Bangladesh's progress in horticultural research and its expanding mango-processing industry, which produces products such as juices, pulp, jams, pickles, chutneys, dried mangoes and confectionery that meet international food safety standards.

Speaking at the event, SAARC Secretary-General Sarwar stressed the need for greater regional collaboration to promote South Asian mangoes in international markets, saying exports from the region remain below their potential. Rajbhandari praised the initiative, describing it as an example of "mango diplomacy" that helps deepen people-to-people ties and bilateral relations between Nepal and Bangladesh.

The exhibition featured fresh mangoes from Bangladesh's Rajshahi region, including Fazli, Amrapali, Bari-4, Katimon, Gauramoti and Ashwina varieties, alongside a range of processed products such as juices, pickles, jams, jellies and dried mangoes. Guests were also served mango-based desserts and traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.

Bangladeshi mango grower Rofiqul Islam shared his experience of more than 15 years in cultivating mangoes using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), highlighting Bangladesh's advances in sustainable horticulture and modern farming techniques.

The embassy said the event sought to increase awareness among Nepali consumers and foster partnerships between exporters and importers of both countries, with the goal of expanding bilateral trade in fresh and processed agricultural products. It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting trade, investment and cultural exchanges between Nepal and Bangladesh.