DHAKA, Aug 18, 2025 (BSS) - The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) today held its 148th meeting of the Board of Directors at the conference room of its headquarters in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin presided over the meeting.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, EPB Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan, and President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Kamran Tanvir Rahman were present at the meeting.

The meeting approved the trade fair calendar for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and a partial trade fair calendar for the fiscal year 2026-2027, aimed at facilitating participation in international trade fairs under EPB's management, said a Commerce Ministry press release.

Speaking on participation in overseas fairs, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said, "We need to analyze every fair before participating. We must take part effectively in fairs that help expand markets for our products. Participation should not be limited to words. Our focus must be on national development and creating business opportunities."

To expand global markets for export-oriented industries and producers, and in alignment with the government's market diversification strategy, the EPB has taken the initiative to organize a dedicated international sourcing fair. Following the proposal, the meeting approved the proposal for holding of the "Sourcing Bangladesh 2025" in November.

Highlighting the importance of the sourcing fair, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said, "If we don't organize sourcing fairs, Bangladeshi products neither gain recognition in the international arena, nor we can build our capacity." 

He also stressed the need for greater promotion of the sourcing fair through Bangladesh's missions abroad.

The meeting also decided to rename the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) as the Dhaka Trade Fair (DTF). 

Explaining the reason for the title change, it was noted that the DITF was launched in 1995 with the aim of bringing together both international and domestic buyers and sellers.  

The goal was to showcase high-quality products and technologies through direct participation of foreign companies, while also familiarizing them with the local market. 

But in practice, many foreign companies do not participate directly, rather through local agents or representatives instead of participating through embassies or official delegations. 

As a result, the quality of products and services cannot be verified, and in many cases, substandard goods or locally produced items are presented under foreign brand names.