Bangladesh Showcases Premium Mangoes, Processed Products at Kathmandu Festival

Kathmandu, July 26, 2026: The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kathmandu hosted a vibrant mango festival titled "Bangladesh Mango Delicacy", showcasing Bangladesh's premium late-season mangoes and a wide range of mango-based processed products to promote the country's agricultural excellence and export potential.

Held at UTSAV Kunja, a grand banquet hall in Kathmandu, the festival highlighted the rich heritage, exceptional quality, and diverse flavors of Bangladeshi mangoes while promoting Bangladesh's growing capabilities in exporting fresh fruits and value-added agro-products.

SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar attended the event as the Guest of Honour, while Gahendra Rajbhandari, Joint Secretary of the South Asia Division of Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented the Nepalese Foreign Secretary as the Special Guest. The event was attended by diplomats, senior Nepalese government officials, business leaders, leading importers, media representatives, and other distinguished guests.

In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted Bangladesh's remarkable progress in agriculture and agro-processing, describing mango as an integral part of the country's culture, heritage, and agricultural tradition.

He noted that Bangladesh produces some of the world's finest mangoes thanks to its fertile alluvial soil and favorable climate. Renowned varieties such as Khirsapat (Himsagar), Haribhanga, Langra, Fazli, Gopalbhog, Amrapali, Ashwina, Banana Mango, Katimon, Gauramoti, and BARI Mangoes are internationally recognized for their sweetness, distinctive aroma, superior quality, and nutritional value.

The ambassador also emphasized the contributions of Bangladeshi scientists in developing improved late-season BARI mango varieties and adapting foreign cultivars. He praised the country's thriving private sector for establishing a world-class mango-processing industry producing premium products, including mango juice, nectar, pulp, jams, pickles, chutneys, dried mangoes, candies, fruit bars, and desserts.

Addressing the gathering, SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar said South Asia possesses enormous potential for mango production, but exports from the region remain below expectations. He commended the Bangladesh Embassy for organizing the festival and called for greater regional cooperation in agriculture.

Special Guest Gahendra Rajbhandari praised the initiative, saying it reflected Bangladesh's warmth and hospitality while strengthening people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Nepal. He also appreciated Ambassador Shafiqur Rahman's "Mango Diplomacy" initiative and stressed the importance of such engagements in fostering friendship and cooperation.

The exhibition featured an impressive collection of fresh Bangladeshi mangoes and processed mango products, allowing visitors to experience the country's rich culinary traditions and learn about its advances in horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and food-processing technologies.

Bangladeshi mango farmer Rofiqul Islam shared his 15 years of experience in cultivating mangoes using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Extension.

Organizers said the festival aimed not only to celebrate Bangladesh's agricultural success but also to strengthen economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal by encouraging trade partnerships between exporters and importers of both countries.

The Bangladesh Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, expressing confidence that initiatives like "Bangladesh Mango Delicacy" would further deepen the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Visitors enjoyed displays of late-season mango varieties from Rajshahi, including Fazli, Amrapali, Bari-4, Katimon, Gauramoti, and Ashwina, alongside a variety of processed mango products such as juices, pickles, fruit bars, dried mangoes, chutneys, jams, and jellies. Guests were also served mango desserts, including mango cakes, mango sticky rice, and mango pudding. Documentary films showcasing mango cultivation, Bangladesh's culture, tourism, and the "Beautiful Bangladesh" campaign were screened during the event.

Around 250 guests, including fruit traders, importers, business representatives, chamber leaders, diplomats, and government officials, attended the festival, which concluded with a traditional Bangladeshi dinner hosted by the Embassy.

Fazley Rabbi Polash/S.C/M.