Pran joins Paris fair to expand global reach

Pran-RFL Group plans big to expand its global reach, senior officials of the agro-processed food company said yesterday.

“We want to penetrate the world markets aggressively and increase our exports to $500 million in the next three years," Mizanur Rahman, chief of export at Pran-RFL Group, told The Daily Star.

Rahman spoke at the SIAL Food Fair in Paris that kicked off yesterday and will end on October 20.

Pran's exports rose to nearly $200 million in 2015-16 from $116 million two years ago. Now the company exports its products to 130 countries from South Asia to Middle East, Europe, America and Africa.

SIAL is a global trade fair that connects professionals in the agri-food industry. Potential buyers and suppliers get a chance to meet in the biennial exhibition where latest culinary trends and equipment are displayed.

This year, about 7,000 companies of 105 countries are showcasing their products to retailers and food service professionals. Pran is displaying its 200-plus products at the exhibition in two stalls. Rahman said Pran will participate in over 40 fairs worldwide this year to net foreign buyers. "We want to be a global agro-processing company in future."

He said the Americans and Europeans are very strict about the quality of products. They test the products at the respective customs offices before allowing them to enter their markets.

Golam Rasul, assistant general manager of Pran, said they are attending the largest food fair in Paris for a number of reasons, including finding new buyers and meeting the existing customers.

"Above all, we also learn from other companies which are attending the exhibition. This has helped us develop new products," said Rasul. He said Pran has developed more than 100 products in the last one and a half years. In addition to Pran, two other Bangladeshi companies—Sajeeb Group and Bombay Sweets—are also taking part in the fair.