Special Correspondent: The much-anticipated inauguration of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cox’s Bazar under the FoodTechBangladesh programme was held on 21 September 2025 in a festive and inspiring atmosphere. The event brought together government officials, international partners, industry leaders and local farmers in what was described as a historic step towards transforming aquaculture in Bangladesh.
The Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ms. Farida Akhter, attended as the chief guest and delivered an inspiring address. In her speech, she outlined the government’s vision to ensure sustainable growth in the aquaculture industry while protecting the interests of farmers and entrepreneurs. She stressed that the Centre of Excellence would be a milestone in advancing productivity, innovation and farmer welfare across the fisheries sector.
His Excellency Joris van Bommel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, praised the strong and enduring partnership between the Netherlands and Bangladesh. He highlighted the importance of joint efforts for sustainable fisheries and food security, emphasizing how shared knowledge and technological innovation could create long-term benefits for both countries.
Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, spoke about the government’s strong commitment to aquaculture development. He emphasized the Department’s readiness to support innovation, provide policy guidance, and facilitate the integration of modern technology to strengthen the fisheries sector and improve farmers’ resilience.
The programme began with welcoming remarks by Ms. Laura Derks, Emerging Markets Senior Advisor at Larive International, who anchored the entire event. Mr. Ataul Karim Bhuiyan, Managing Director of FishTech (BD) Ltd., officially welcomed the guests and underscored the organisation’s role in strengthening aquaculture. A presentation was then delivered by Mr. Rogier Becker, Emerging Market Senior Advisor at Larive International, who introduced the FoodTechBangladesh project and detailed the objectives of the newly established Centre of Excellence.
Mr. Jordi Drietelaar, Export Director of De Heus Asia, delivered a speech highlighting how global best practices and advanced technology can help Bangladesh’s aquaculture sector become more productive and sustainable. Mr. Ariful Islam, Assistant Manager of R&D at FishTech, presented a brief on the activities of FishTech in Bangladesh’s aquaculture industry. This was followed by a question-and-answer session on IPRS, jointly conducted by Mr. Victor Bierbroom, CEO of Viqon, and Mr. Priyo Pranto of LightCastle Partners, who explained practical solutions to improve fish farming systems.
Special contributions were also made by Mr. Mohammad Tarique Sarker, who gave a short briefing on IPRS and the ongoing activities of FishTech BD Ltd., reinforcing the importance of innovation and technology transfer for the benefit of farmers.
The programme concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks from Mr. Khondokar Farhad Hossain, Chairman of FishTech (BD) Ltd., who reflected on the vision of FishTech and the broader goals of the initiative.
After the formal proceedings, all distinguished guests participated in a ceremonial cake-cutting and photo sessions. This was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the IPRS site, after which Mr. Victor Bierbroom and Mr. Priyo Pranto explained the design and operation of the system in detail. Guests were also invited to a guided video tour and live demonstrations at the Centre of Excellence facilities, which showcased advanced techniques for fish and shrimp farming. The demonstrations offered a glimpse into how modern aquaculture practices can enhance productivity, resilience and profitability. A luncheon followed, providing a valuable opportunity for dignitaries, officials, and stakeholders to network and discuss avenues for future collaboration.
Moreover, The Centre of Excellence in Cox’s Bazar is a major milestone for FoodTechBangladesh, a programme running from 2022 to 2027. Implemented by Larive International in collaboration with LightCastle Partners, FishTech Ltd., De Heus, Gemini Sea Food, and Viqon Water Solutions, and co-financed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka, the initiative aims to improve technical performance and expand market opportunities in aquaculture. With its inauguration, the Centre of Excellence is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aquaculture in Bangladesh, offering farmers modern solutions, technical expertise and pathways to global markets, while representing a long-term investment in the sustainability and prosperity of the country’s fisheries sector.
