The “Meet Bangladesh Exposition,” a two-day international exhibition showcasing the country’s export potential, has officially begun in Dhaka. The event is organized by the EC4J Project (Export Competitiveness for Jobs) under the Ministry of Commerce.
The exhibition kicked off with participation from international sourcing agents and buyers at the International Convention City Bashundhara on Thursday morning. Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin inaugurated the event.
During his speech, he highlighted that Bangladesh’s exports are heavily reliant on a single product, and emphasized the need for diversification. He stressed the importance of harnessing the country’s growing population for sustainable economic growth, while focusing on eliminating corruption and enhancing transparency.
He also spoke about a recent successful international conference held by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to attract more foreign investment, where they discussed Bangladesh’s capabilities and opportunities.
“I extend my heartfelt respect to the entrepreneurs who have brought Bangladesh to this point despite many challenges, and who have brought their products to this fair. I encourage foreign investors to seize the investment opportunities here in Bangladesh,” he said.
He continued, “Despite challenges with transshipment, we successfully overcame the crisis without impacting our exports. In fact, export costs are expected to drop further. I assure you of the ministry’s full support. Please let us know if you face any issues, and we will work together to resolve them.”
Following his remarks, Sheikh Bashir Uddin cut the ribbon to formally open the exhibition. He visited the stalls and engaged with participants.
The exhibition aims to highlight Bangladesh’s export sectors such as leather, footwear, MPPE, plastics, and light engineering products. More than 120 companies from these industries are showcasing their products.
Over 25 international sourcing agents and buyers from countries including Singapore, Libya, Colombia, Algeria, UAE, India, Bhutan, Maldives, and Malaysia are attending the event, alongside over 1,000 local buyers and 120 Bangladeshi manufacturing companies, providing a platform for B2B connections and networking.
Bangladeshi manufacturers are engaging directly with international buyers, sourcing agents, investors, and sector leaders, creating new business opportunities. After the exhibition, international buyers will visit several industrial plants in Bangladesh, which is expected to boost the country’s export sector and attract further foreign investment.
The exposition will also feature breakout sessions, workshops, and talks with industry experts and business leaders. The EC4J Project aims to help Bangladesh achieve its goal of diversifying exports beyond the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, while enhancing sector competitiveness and ensuring economic diversification. This will contribute to the country’s export earnings and stability, as well as create employment opportunities.
The organizers also expressed confidence that these initiatives would help the country tackle future economic challenges.
The two-day event will run until Friday, with public access from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
