Photo: PMO

DHAKA, Sept 12, 2026 (BSS) - The “Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026” began today in the capital’s Novo Theatre aimed at establishing effective linkages among innovation, research, industry and entrepreneurs and transforming innovation into market and economic activities.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the three-day event as the chief guest.

Organised under the theme “Innovation Ecosystem Toward Trillion Dollar Economy”, the main objective of the fair is to bring innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, industry, investors, policymakers, universities and development partners onto an integrated national platform. 

Through this, alongside transforming ideas and research into practical applications, ventures and marketable products, an initiative has been taken to build a strong Integrated National Innovation Ecosystem (INIE).

The fair is featuring one Innovation Hub, more than 1,000 innovations, more than 15 sessions and dialogues, participation from more than 50 universities, more than 100 industry experts and more than 50 corporate organisations, said a ministry press release. 

Alongside connecting innovators with domestic and foreign industrial enterprises, investors, banks and financial institutions, and government decision-makers, opportunities will be created for B2B matchmaking and green transition-based partnerships.

In the opening ceremony, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam and Prime Minister's Adviser on Science and Technology and Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad were present as special guests at the event. 

During the three-day event, plenaries, sessions and roundtable discussions are scheduled to be held on various important aspects of the innovation-driven economy, including transport and logistics, communication infrastructure, climate resilience, STEM education, green construction, health, research and development, apparel and textiles, small and medium industries, artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, clean and alternative energy, human resource development, intellectual property, digital economy and fintech.

The fair also lays additional emphasis on the concept of “Innovate to Market”, that is, not confining innovation to the prototype stage but linking it with industry, investment and markets to transform it into products and services usable by people.

The fair, organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, is being implemented by the National Science and Technology Museum. 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is associated as the technical partner. 

Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 will work as an important national platform in linking the country's innovation and research with industry and markets, and will play a role in building a knowledge-based, technology-driven and innovation-oriented economy for future Bangladesh.