Bangladesh will participate in 50 international trade fairs in 27 countries during the 2026-27 fiscal year as part of efforts to attract new investment and expand export opportunities, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir said today (21 July).
The announcement came after the 149th board meeting of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), where the minister, who also chairs the EPB board, presided over the meeting at the bureau’s conference room in Dhaka, reads a press release.
The EPB-managed international trade fair calendar for FY27 was approved at the meeting, with Bangladesh’s participation focusing on 12 priority export sectors.
The commerce minister said the government has taken initiatives to create a more business-friendly environment and simplify procedures for starting and operating businesses.
“We will see tangible progress within the next two to three months,” he said, adding that the government is working not only to promote investment but also to establish the necessary conditions for its implementation.
He said Bangladesh is being positioned as a more attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors through reforms aimed at making business processes faster and easier.
Highlighting the country’s export potential, Muqtadir said priority sectors such as leather, agro-processing and light engineering have the potential to achieve double-digit growth and emerge as major export earners.
He also stressed the importance of helping startups and new entrepreneurs enter international markets.
“Many new entrepreneurs do not have the financial capacity to travel abroad to explore markets or connect with buyers. They need support and patronage at this stage,” he said, adding that the EPB would play an active role in connecting young entrepreneurs with international buyers and enhancing their export capabilities.
The board also approved the steering committee for the 31st Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2027, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027.
In addition, the meeting took a policy decision to lease out the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFEC).
Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, EPB Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, Additional Secretary (FTA) of the Ministry of Commerce Ayesha Akter and other board members were present at the meeting.
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