The Dhaka International Trade Fair, the country’s flagship trade showcase, closed after a month on Saturday with sales of nearly Tk 400 crore, underscoring steady domestic demand despite pressure from inflation and a slowing economy, according to the Export Promotion Bureau.
At the closing ceremony held at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal, Narayanganj, the EPB said domestic transactions at this year’s fair amounted to Tk 393 crore—up 3.42 percent compared to 2025.
Based on data received from 329 participating local and foreign companies, the EPB reported that potential export orders secured during the fair stood at $17.98 million, equivalent to Tk 224.26 crore.
Sectors attracting export orders included diversified jute products, electrical and electronics goods, home appliances, cosmetics, hygiene products, processed food, handloom, household items, home textiles, nakshi kantha and fabrics. Export orders were received from Afghanistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey.
A total of 329 enterprises participated in the fair, including 11 companies from six countries—India, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Malaysia—besides Bangladesh.
Products and services on display and sale covered cottage, micro, small, medium and large industries, including garments, leather goods, jute and jute products, agricultural and agro-processed goods, furniture, electrical and electronic items, cosmetics, home décor, toys, stationery, crockery, handicrafts, plastic and melamine products, herbal and toiletry items, imitation jewellery, real estate products and services, fast food and various other services.
At the closing ceremony, awards were presented to the best pavilions, stalls and enterprises across different categories.
A total of 40 institutions were recognised based on criteria such as construction and architectural design, interior decoration, product display, customer service and satisfaction, compliance with allotment conditions, cleanliness and health standards, digital contents, contribution as exporters and manufacturers, and innovation.
To promote export diversification and enhance exporters’ capacity, eight seminars were organised as sideline events under a seminar series led by the EPB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, government trade promotion bodies (BSCIC, SME Foundation and JDPC), product-based trade associations (BPGMEA, BGAPMEA, BFPIA and BanglaCraft), and development partners including the World Bank, GIZ, FCDO and BSI.
The EPB said an Export Enclave was set up at the fair to showcase the capabilities of seven leading export sectors, keeping foreign buyers and local visitors in focus.
Facilities such as a Senior Citizen Corner, mother and child care centre, and a children’s park were arranged to make the fair more comfortable and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
Several voluntary organisations conducted health awareness campaigns during the fair. To ensure security, CCTV surveillance, deployment of law enforcement agencies and fire service units were in place.
The Directorate of National Consumers’ Rights Protection carried out regular drives throughout the month to ensure food quality and prevent consumer harassment, the EPB added.
Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin formally declared the fair closed, with Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman presiding over the closing ceremony
