Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, lawmaker for Tangail-05 (Sadar) and state minister for Fisheries and Livestock, has said that measures will be taken to export Tangail’s century-old traditional Geographical Indication (GI) certified sweetmeat, Chomchom.
Tuku made these remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the first-ever three-day “Sweet Festival-2026” on Friday. The festival, organised by the district administration, was held at Shaheed Smriti Poura Udyan in Tangail.
“Tangail’s Chomchom is widely known both across Bangladesh and globally,” Tuku said.
“Just as the Tangail Saree is Bangladesh’s pride and heritage, Chomchom is also an integral part of our heritage. How to take this product further is our responsibility and duty,” he added.
He said the festival has been organised to present local heritage to the public and establish these traditions nationwide.
“We want to build a historic and safe Tangail in the coming days by preserving this heritage, which requires everyone’s cooperation,” the state minister said.
Highlighting the export prospects of the sweetmeat, Tuku mentioned that before the elections, prime minister had spoken about Tangail’s traditional Saree and Chomchom at an event in Gopalpur, where he also mentioned pineapples.
“We will take steps to export Tangail’s Chomchom abroad,” he added.
He further commented that expanding the Chomchom industry would not only increase the country’s export earnings but also generate employment and boost public interest in the sector.
This would play a crucial role in both the marginal and national economies, Tuku said.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said the key message of the festival is to spread the word that Tangail’s GI products are the pride of the entire nation.
She noted that the initiative would strengthen the local economy while promoting Tangail’s tourism potential.
The event was also attended by Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, former member secretary of District BNP Mahmudul Haque Sanu, Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of various upazilas, and officials of different government departments.
