Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said the government will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor market conditions and help stabilise commodity prices, with 30 essential goods initially placed under AI-based surveillance.
He made the remarks at a government grants, awards and equipment distribution programme held at the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Auditorium on Friday.
The commerce minister said the AI system would not only track current market prices but also analyse production trends, assess the impact of weather on crop output, and monitor international market movements to generate forecasts for better policy decisions.
He added that the integrated AI platform would be developed through coordination among multiple ministries to strengthen market monitoring and improve decision-making in the trade sector.
Highlighting Sylhet’s export potential, Muktadir noted that a large share of the country’s vegetable exporters are based in the region. However, he said inadequate packaging and certification facilities continue to limit export growth.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a special project to train farmers in modern cultivation techniques and improve product traceability, he said.
The minister also announced plans to establish around 2,000 cold storage facilities across the country, with a significant number expected to be set up in Sylhet to reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency.
