Staff Correspondent :
Sheikh Bashiruddin, Adviser to the Ministries of Commerce, Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Textiles and Jute, inaugurated the Global Sourcing Expo 2025 Dhaka.
The event was formally opened at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal on Monday, where he attended as the chief guest.
Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministries of Industries and Housing & Public Works, was present as the special guest.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commerce Adviser said that the Global Sourcing Expo brings together Bangladesh’s eight most dynamic export sectors under one roof.
Its purpose, he noted, is to strengthen Bangladesh’s integration into the global value chain and expand both the range of products the country exports and the markets it serves.
This objective, he added, fully aligns with the nation’s priorities as it works to build a more competitive, resilient, and future-ready economy.
He said that in today’s rapidly evolving global trade environment, sustaining export growth requires diversifying the product base, increasing supply capacity, and building new relationships with international buyers. The expo has been designed precisely with these goals in mind.
It brings together domestic and international experts, manufacturers, policymakers, investors, and innovators opening the door to meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and long-term business partnerships.
As this is the first edition of the Global Sourcing Expo, he acknowledged that it may not meet every expectation at the outset.
However, the presence and confidence of participants in this new initiative organized primarily by the Export Promotion Bureau will help make future editions more effective, comprehensive, and globally competitive.
He further stated that Bangladesh is set to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category soon.
While this milestone reflects significant progress, it also presents new challenges, as the country will gradually lose some preferential market benefits and tariff advantages.
To navigate this transition successfully, he emphasized the need to accelerate diversification of products and export markets, enhance competitiveness, and adopt forward-looking trade policies.
In this context, hosting the Global Sourcing Expo is not only timely it’s strategically vital for the future.
He also noted that the expo will be held regularly so it can establish itself as a globally recognized brand much like the Dhaka International Trade Fair, which has become a hallmark of Bangladesh’s commercial identity.
The vision is to transform this expo into a trusted international sourcing platform that showcases Bangladesh’s manufacturing strength, drives new trade and investment opportunities, and reflects the country’s commitment to openness, innovation, and global cooperation.
Addressing domestic producers and exporters, he urged them to take full advantage of this opportunity by engaging with international buyers, demonstrating the strength of Bangladeshi enterprise, and exploring new avenues for diversification and innovation.
Their dynamism and determination, he said, will shape the future of Bangladesh’s export sector.
Also present at the event were Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, officials from the Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce, along with Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam and Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam.
