EPB moves to improve buyer engagement, better returns for local exporters

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is working to make Bangladesh’s participation in international trade fairs more strategic and effective, with greater emphasis on market visibility, buyer engagement and better returns for local exporters.

The issue was discussed when EPB Vice Chairman Muhammad HasanArif met Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh CEO Omer Salahuddin at the EPB office in the city on Monday, said a press release. 

The meeting followed Arif’s visit to Texworld Apparel Sourcing in Paris earlier this month, where he met several Bangladeshi exhibitors.

The EPB and Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh discussed Bangladesh’s participation in upcoming international trade fairs and ways to maximise the benefits of such events for the country’s exporters.

The discussions covered the future international fair calendar, early booking of exhibition space, promotion of Bangladesh’s national pavilions and measures to attract more international buyers to Bangladeshi exhibitors.

The EPB also discussed working with Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh to organise pre-show sessions in Dhaka to better prepare exporters, particularly first-time participants, for international exhibitions.

The sessions are expected to help exporters understand buyer engagement, follow-up strategies, product presentation, international trends, colours and display methods so that participation in fairs can generate greater business opportunities.

Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh also offered to support Bangladesh’s visibility at international fairs through stronger national pavilion branding, Bangladesh-focused seminars and greater press and media exposure.

The meeting also highlighted the need for the EPB and exporters to better showcase Bangladesh’s progress in sustainable manufacturing.

Bangladesh has more LEED-certified green factories than any other country, while the country’s sustainability achievements are not always sufficiently visible to international buyers.

The two sides discussed using Messe Frankfurt’s dedicated sustainability platforms, including the Heimtextil Green Directory and the Econogy Finder at Apparel Sourcing Paris, to highlight the sustainability credentials of Bangladeshi companies.

Bangladesh already has a strong presence at Messe Frankfurt events, including Apparel Sourcing in Paris and the United States, Heimtextil and Ambiente in Frankfurt, with participation also planned in the upcoming Eurobike.

Salahuddin said Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh plans to remain more active in Dhaka in the coming months.

"We look forward to having an information booth at the upcoming Global Sourcing Show in Dhaka in November, and we have a number of activities planned for the end of 2026 and the start of 2027," he said.

He stressed the importance of selecting international trade fairs carefully, as participation involves expenses for exhibition fees, travel, freight and stand construction.