The government has decided to resume operation of the country's flake industries for increasing the use of potatoes to deal with a market glut.

Commerce minister Faruque Khan disclosed the decision Monday at a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association at the Secretariat. President of the association retired Major Jasim Uddin led the delegation.

After the meeting, Jasim Uddin also told reporters that the minister assured them of opening the factories, including Patwary Potato Flake Industries, Bangladesh Potato Flake, Flemingo Agrotech and Bikrampur potato flake industries.

The procession hailed the government step as increasing the cash incentives from 10 to 20 percent on potato exports. They, however, demanded raising 50 percent cash connection. 

The leaders of the association also demanded that the time frame of giving the incentives should be fixed at Feb 1 to Dec 31 as the farmers reaped a bumper harvest of potatoes this year.

1.09; 19.04.2010

SMM/SMS