DRiCM can help boost export
Seminar told
State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman (second from left) takes a look at a newly installed machine, which tests the qualities of different products, after a seminar held at BCSIR's Designated Reference Institute for Chemical Measurements (DRiCM), a reference laboratory.Photo: STAR
Designated Reference Institute for Chemical Measurements (DRiCM), the country's lone reference laboratory, has created an opportunity for higher exports of different Bangladeshi products, which were earlier ignored by importers due to lack of reliable chemical measurements, speakers said at a seminar yesterday. “We have been losing international market because we failed to present our products with proper laboratory test results to the importers,†said Mala Khan, project director of DRiCM. But now with DRiCM, it is possible for up to date laboratory test results, she added. The seminar styled “Chemical Metrological Traceability: Role of DRiCM†was held in Dr Qudrat-i-Khuda auditorium of DRiCM. Bangladesh's many export items including fish have been rejected by importers because test results of Bangladeshi laboratories did not meet the standard of importers' countries, said Mala, who gave the keynote speech. Mala said the mission of DRiCM, which was inaugurated in June, is to establish and disseminate traceability in chemical measurements from Bangladeshi laboratories to the International System of Units at Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) through delivering value including products and services in chemical metrology. “As we had no link with BIPM, the highest body of chemical metrology, we could not compare our lab results with BIPM,†Mala said, adding that DRiCM received BIPM's membership on October 10, 2012. State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman, who was present as chief guest, said many people get ulcers as they worry about what they are eating. Scientists can play an important role to relieve people's tension regarding food adulteration, he said. Dr AI Mustafa, chairman of Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, said since its inauguration, DRiCM has been successfully providing services to various private and public laboratories, industries and other research organisations through technical training and sophisticated analytical instruments. Emphasising the importance of proper maintenance, Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, said many laboratories had to shut down within a year of operation due to lack of proper maintenance. Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Rafiqul Islam, and Prof Dr Naiyyum Choudhury, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Brac University, among others, addressed the seminar.
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