Photo : Collected

DUBAI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - In a major bid to expand its footprint in the international food and beverage market, Bangladesh today inaugurated its official pavilion today at "Gulfood-2026," the world's largest food and beverage trade show.

The Bangladesh Pavilion, located in South Hall-12 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City, was inaugurated by Tarek Ahmed, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the UAE, according to a press release of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). 

The participation is funded by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) under the Ministry of Commerce as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate exports to various countries.

The 31st edition of Gulfood is being held simultaneously at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) from January 26 to January 30, 2026.

This year's event has drawn over 8,500 leading food and beverage manufacturers and suppliers from more than 190 countries.

Bangladesh's presence is significant, with 34 business organizations and 72 exhibitors participating in the pavilion.  The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Md Rashed-uz-Zaman, Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai; Md. Waresh Hossain, Director (Fair) of the EPB; Ashish Kumar Sarkar, Commercial Counsellor; and Md. Abdul Kader, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.

The pavilion is showcasing a wide array of products, including processed foods, frozen foods, snacks, spices, rice, various beverages, and other agro-based value-added items. Representatives from the participating companies expressed optimism that the five-day fair will allow them to engage with visitors, buyers, and wholesalers from around the world.

Through B2B networking, Bangladeshi exporters aim to consolidate the country's position in the agricultural processed food market and open new doors for export opportunities.

Industry insiders view Gulfood as a "Strategic Platform" for Bangladesh. With government policy support and competitive production costs, Bangladeshi agricultural and processed food products are currently exported to over 150 countries. There is a growing potential for Halal and frozen food exports due to the global demand for affordable, high-quality and diverse processed foods.

Stakeholders believe that participation in global events like Gulfood is crucial for diversifying Bangladesh's export basket beyond the ready-made garment sector. The event is expected to help attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), develop backward linkage industries such as packaging and labelling, and effectively brand Bangladesh as a competitive exporter of international-standard processed foods.

The 2026 edition of the fair also introduces new dimensions, such as "Plus AI Powered Matchmaking" for entrepreneurs and dedicated segments for logistics start-ups, further enhancing the business potential for participants.