The 148th meeting of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Board of Directors was held on Monday (18th August) at the EPB conference room in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, chaired by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.
The board approved the organisation of a new international sourcing fair, ‘Sourcing Bangladesh 2025’, scheduled for November, aimed at expanding global market access for export-oriented industries in line with the government’s diversification strategy.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman stressed the importance of the initiative, saying, “If the sourcing fair is not organised, recognition of domestic products in the international arena will not increase, and our capacity will not be built.” He also emphasised stronger promotion of the fair through Bangladesh’s embassies abroad.
The meeting also decided to rename the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) as Dhaka Trade Fair (DTF), noting that although the event was launched in 1995 to connect foreign and local businesses, many foreign brands now participate via local agents rather than official delegations, leading to quality concerns.
Additionally, the board approved the international trade fair calendar for FY 2025–26 and a partial calendar for FY 2026–27.
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin underscored the need for more strategic participation abroad, “We need to analyze each fair and identify where our products have potential. Participation must be effective, not symbolic, to truly grow trade and business.”
Attendees included Md. Anwar Hossain, Vice Chairman of EPB; Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export); Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of BGMEA; and Kamran Tanvir Rahman, President of MCCI.
