Strong branding, compliance key to CMSME export growth: DCCI
Business Report :
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed said that effective branding, strong marketing strategies, and regulatory compliance are crucial for boosting CMSME exports.
He noted that while CMSMEs contribute around 28per cent to Bangladesh’s GDP, their share in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia is nearly 50per cent .
He made the remarks at the focus group discussion “Branding and Marketing Challenges for CMSMEs: Unlocking Export Potential”, organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on Monday.
Md Obaidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, attended the programme as the chief guest, while Md Saiful Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), and Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), were present as special guests.
While delivering the keynote paper, the DCCI president highlighted that CMSMEs account for nearly 90per cent of Bangladesh’s industrial sector, employing approximately 11.8 million people.
He noted that recent additional US tariffs on Bangladeshi exports, particularly readymade garments, would raise production and export costs. He urged local entrepreneurs to enhance innovation and efficiency to mitigate these challenges.
The Dhaka chamber president also highlighted that import-export complexities, high costs, and limited global competitiveness hinder CMSME growth.
He called for stronger support, including training, certification, branding, export facilitation, cluster development, and startup incentives.
Md Obaidur Rahman said branding and marketing are crucial yet challenging for Bangladesh’s CMSMEs, noting that the lack of strong national brands limits export potential and needs urgent attention.
The secretary further remarked that Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad are yet to play a crucial role in identifying trade opportunities and challenges in international markets.
He also noted that the SME and industry policies will be revised to include emerging business sectors.
He also underscored the growing importance of online trading and suggested extending trademark rights to entrepreneurs engaged in e-commerce.
He added that the ministry is devising strategies to boost exports of Bangladesh’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The BSCIC chairman noted that the corporation is working to exempt holding taxes for industries in its parks and stressed the urgent need to expand Bangladeshi products on global digital platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba.
The EPB vice chairman said that expanding Bangladeshi products globally and building a positive national image starts with changing the mindset of local consumers.
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury and Vice President Md Salem Sulaiman, along with entrepreneurs and stakeholders from relevant sectors, also attended the event.