The government is set to organise the Global Sourcing Expo twice a year to showcase Bangladesh's strengths to international buyers and diversify its export basket, according to sources at the Ministry of Commerce.
Officials said the decision follows positive responses from exhibitors, global buyers, and their representatives during the first-ever Global Sourcing Expo, held from December 1-3, 2025, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in the capital's Purbachal.
The event displayed products from eight major export sectors -- apparel, textiles, leather goods, ICT, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, jute, and furniture -- connecting local exporters with global buyers to promote market diversification and growth.
Speaking to The Financial Express, Mohammad Hasan Arif, vice chairman (chief executive) of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), described the first expo as a highly successful event and a learning experience for hosting international exhibitions.
He said the expo featured B2B matchmaking, seminars, and networking opportunities, aiming to boost Bangladesh's export potential beyond the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
Mr Arif added that the government plans to hold the expo twice a year, with one edition likely in March-April and the other in October-November. Exact dates are yet to be finalised, taking into account similar events in other Asian or regional countries.
He suggested the expo could follow a schedule similar to China's Canton Fair, which holds spring and autumn sessions each year, with multiple phases focusing on different product categories. For instance, the Canton Fair 2026 spring edition will run from April 15-May 5, and the autumn edition from October 15-November 4, all at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou.
"We aim to make the Global Sourcing Expo a permanent fixture on the global expo calendar," Mr Arif said, adding that this would encourage international buyers to visit Bangladesh for sourcing and help diversify the country's exports.
To enhance the effectiveness of export promotion, the EPB plans to leverage Bangladesh's Commercial Wings at foreign missions.
Mr Arif proposed establishing a dedicated trade promotion agency to integrate these wings, citing the limitations of the current system.
"As a former commercial counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, I have doubts about how effectively these wings function. It is time, like in other countries, to establish a standalone agency focused on trade promotion alongside the EPB," he said.
Currently, commercial counsellors serve at embassies for four years, after which they return to domestic positions, preventing continuity and lasting impact. The proposed agency would employ permanent officials, ensuring experience, continuity, and a dedicated focus on exports.
Drawing inspiration from organisations like Japan's JETRO, Korea's KOTRA, and Malaysia's MATRADE, Mr Arif stressed the importance of creating a similar entity in Bangladesh to coordinate both the EPB and Commercial Wings abroad.
He also advocated private sector involvement in strengthening export strategies. In line with this, the government has introduced measures supporting SMEs, non-bonded exporters, and partial exporters, including facilitating the import of raw materials through bank guarantees.
The Global Sourcing Expo 2025 hosted 125 companies occupying 165 stalls, with over 100 international buyers from 14 countries meeting local firms and visiting their factories. During the three-day event, six seminars were organised on various sectors and thematic issues, and 238 B2B meetings were conducted.
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