He mentioned that Roland Jansen founded UNIDEX as a small initiative in 1989. The company, which started with a fax machine in a bedroom, has now become one of the largest ethnic food distribution networks in Europe. Roland Jansen had family experience in the spice import-export business. His father imported various spices including bay leaves, cumin, turmeric, and chili from India to the Netherlands and exported them to various Dutch territories including Suriname and Curacao. Based on that experience, UNIDEX's activities began targeting the demand for food products from their home countries among immigrants living in Europe.
The company has been operating in two sectors from the beginning. One is the ethnic market, where products are supplied to grocery and specialized stores of various countries. The other is the mainstream retail market, where international food products reach consumers through large supermarkets and retail chains.
Forqan Haider Chowdhury informed that he met UNIDEX founder Roland Jansen in the late 1990s. Later, in October 2007, he joined UNIDEX as 'Key Account Manager (Europe)'. Before that, he was working as the CEO of another multinational company. Subsequently, in recognition of his competence, he was appointed as 'Director of Sales' at UNIDEX. He said, "The company's CEO gave me full freedom in decision-making, which continues to this day. This environment of mutual trust has played an important role in expanding new markets and building long-term business relationships."
UNIDEX currently collects dry food, beverages, and frozen food products from various countries around the world and supplies them to different European countries. The company has a supply network spanning markets from Helsinki to Malta. He informed that palm oil, palm cream, cassava, and various types of flour are imported from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal in West Africa. Additionally, salted fish (bacalao) from Norway and tilapia fish from China are imported and marketed in various European countries.
Referring to his role in promoting Bangladeshi products, he said that on his initiative, products from various Bangladeshi companies including Pran, BD Food, Ifad, and Danish began reaching the European market through UNIDEX. Additionally, frozen fish, various types of snacks, and other food products are regularly imported from Bangladesh. UNIDEX is continuously expanding this market through Bangladesh's top exporters. These products are expanding beyond Asians to Arabs, Africans, and Europeans living in Europe. He further informed that he regularly participates in the world's leading international food exhibitions to find new suppliers. He is visiting the Bangladesh Pavilion at exhibitions like Gulf Food in Dubai, Anuga in Germany, SIAL in France, and Thaifex in Thailand to establish contact with potential Bangladeshi exporters.
Recently, UNIDEX merged with the Europe-based Asian Food Group to form a larger business group. He informed that as a result, the company's purchasing power, supply system, and ability to expand markets across Europe have increased manifold. He said that this expansion has created new opportunities for producers from Bangladesh and other countries to enter the European market.
Referring to a recent courtesy meeting with Bangladesh's Commerce Minister, he said that discussions were held on the potential to increase exports of Bangladeshi food and agricultural products and how to cooperate using European market experience in this regard. He said the Minister's words reflected the positive attitude of the current elected government.
He considers human relationships as the most important foundation of business success. He said, "Business is not just about contracts or financial transactions. Long-lasting business relationships are built on the basis of mutual respect, honesty, and trust." According to him, if the quality of products is ensured by maintaining international standards and long-term trust-based relationships are built with foreign buyers, greater opportunities will be created for Bangladeshi food products in the European market.
