BSTI to be developed into world-class standards body after LDC graduation: Industries Minister

The government plans to develop the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) into an internationally recognised standards body after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category, Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Wednesday.

“A BSTI multiplex is being built at a cost of 800 crore taka, and a BSTI metrology laboratory is being set up at a cost of 450 crore taka,” he said at a programme organised by BSTI on Bailey Road in Dhaka to mark World Standards Day.

The minister said the government aims to bring BSTI up to the standards of leading international organisations and has already taken steps to increase its manpower.

“The government's top priority is to ensure that people have no doubt or fear about the quality of products, especially food items. The government will ensure product quality at any cost,” he said.

Referring to recent media reports about the presence of lead in soybean oil, Muktadir said BSTI had conducted 193 different tests to investigate the matter.

“No test found any trace of heavy metal in soybean oil. I can assure you that soybean oil in Bangladesh meets the required standards and people can use it without any worry,” he said.

Muktadir said the government was also prioritising product quality and accurate measurement across sectors, including food, fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).