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DHAKA: The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) will organise the second Global Sourcing Expo from November 15 to 17 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal, aiming to diversify the country’s export basket, attract international buyers and strengthen Bangladesh’s position in global value chains.
EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif announced the event at a press briefing at Sheraton Dhaka today.
Organised by the EPB in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, the three-day event will bring together manufacturers, exporters, international buyers and trade representatives to showcase Bangladesh’s manufacturing capabilities across a wider range of products and services.
The expo will feature more than 200 stalls representing 12 export-oriented sectors, up from eight sectors at last year’s inaugural edition, reflecting the government’s emphasis on expanding exports beyond the ready-made garment (RMG) industry.
Hasan Arif said the event would provide a dedicated business-to-business (B2B) platform for Bangladeshi manufacturers to connect directly with foreign buyers, explore new markets and develop long-term commercial partnerships.
He expressed optimism about the country’s export prospects despite challenges arising from global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and energy security concerns.
Bangladesh earned around US$48 billion from exports in fiscal year 2024-25 despite the challenging international environment, he said, highlighting the resilience of the country’s exporters and entrepreneurs.
The expo is expected to help manufacturers identify new business opportunities, showcase value-added products and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.
The second edition will cover 12 major export-oriented sectors: apparel and textiles; leather and leather products; handicrafts and jute products; plastic products and kitchenware; furniture and home decor; pharmaceuticals; agricultural and agro-processed products; information and communication technology; paper and packaging; automobiles; light engineering; and ceramics and tableware.
The expanded coverage is intended to highlight the diversity of Bangladesh’s industrial base and encourage international buyers to source products beyond traditional export categories.
The inaugural edition featured 164 stalls representing 125 institutions. Building on that experience, the EPB expects the number of stalls to exceed 200 this year.
Unlike the Dhaka International Trade Fair, which caters to a broader audience, the Global Sourcing Expo is designed primarily as a B2B event.
Its main objective is to connect domestic producers directly with international importers, sourcing companies and other business partners. The platform will allow participating businesses to present their products, discuss specifications and pricing, explore supply arrangements and identify opportunities for cooperation with overseas buyers.
The Global Sourcing Expo will be followed by the Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (BATEXPO) on November 18-19 in Dhaka.
Hasan Arif said holding the two international exhibitions consecutively would create opportunities to attract more foreign buyers by enabling them to explore multiple export sectors during a single trip.
The arrangement is expected to increase buyer participation, facilitate business networking and improve the effectiveness of promotional activities for Bangladesh’s export industries.
International buyers attending the Global Sourcing Expo will be able to explore a broad range of manufacturing sectors before visiting the country’s apparel and textile exhibition at BATEXPO.
To encourage foreign participation, the EPB has taken initiatives to provide hospitality and travel-related incentives to registered international buyers.
Under the arrangements outlined at the briefing, registered foreign delegates may receive hotel rate concessions of up to 50 per cent at participating five-star hotels in Dhaka.
Discounts of 10 to 15 per cent on base airfares have also been arranged with the national flag carrier and private Bangladeshi airlines, according to the briefing.
The EPB is also developing digital B2B matchmaking facilities through an online portal, enabling international buyers to identify exhibitors and schedule business meetings before arriving in Bangladesh.
Factory visits will also be arranged for interested buyers to observe production facilities and assess manufacturing capabilities in sectors including pharmaceuticals and apparel.
Alongside product displays and business meetings, the three-day exhibition will feature seminars on emerging trade policy issues affecting Bangladesh’s export competitiveness.
The discussions will cover preparations for Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, free trade agreement (FTA) preparations with the European Union, economic partnership agreements (EPAs), including a proposed arrangement with South Korea, the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), and international compliance standards.
The sessions are expected to provide a platform for discussions on market access, trade preferences, regulatory requirements and the adjustments needed to sustain export growth as Bangladesh’s international trade arrangements evolve.
The EPB has contacted foreign diplomatic missions in Dhaka, international trade promotion organisations, joint chambers of commerce and buyers’ forums to encourage participation.
According to the briefing, initial positive responses and confirmations have been received from prospective delegations representing Portugal, France, Spain and the United Kingdom in Europe; China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan in Asia and the Middle East; and Argentina and Brazil in the Americas.
Participation from these markets would give Bangladeshi exporters opportunities to explore new commercial relationships, understand buyers’ requirements and identify potential export destinations.
Hasan Arif called on domestic and international media outlets to provide extensive coverage of the event to highlight Bangladesh’s manufacturing strengths and export potential.
The expo comes as Bangladesh seeks to broaden its export base, increase the contribution of non-RMG sectors and improve its competitiveness in international markets amid continuing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
By bringing a wider range of industries together on a dedicated sourcing platform, the EPB aims to strengthen business-to-business engagement and create new opportunities for export growth.
EPB Director General-1 Mohammad Shafawat Ullah also spoke at the briefing, which was moderated by Md Wares Hossain, director (deputy secretary) of the Fair and Display Division.