Global Sourcing Expo 2026 begins in Dhaka

The second edition of the three-day Global Sourcing Expo 2026 began on Sunday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (Big Wave) in Purbachal, organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Ministry of Commerce.

Buyers, investors and sourcing firms from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria, the Netherlands and Argentina are participating in the expo.

Mohammad Khaled Hossain Mahbub, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Commerce, attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. Commerce Secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the event, while EPB Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif delivered the welcome address.

Ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries, leaders of local and foreign trade associations and chambers, exhibitors and other representatives were also present.

A total of 161 companies from 12 export sectors are participating in the expo, alongside multinational companies, supply chain representatives and key decision-makers from various export markets.

The sectors include apparel and textiles, leather and leather goods, jute goods and handicrafts, agriculture and agro-products, plastics and kitchenware, furniture and home décor, pharmaceuticals, ICT, paper and packaging, automobiles and bicycles, light engineering, and ceramics and tableware.

The expo features four special seminars, factory visits, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, 240 stalls, a networking dinner and a fashion show.

The organisers expect the event to create new opportunities for the country's export sector and strengthen Bangladesh's position as a reliable global sourcing hub.

Bangladesh must diversify exports beyond garments

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Khaled Hossain Mahbub said Bangladesh should establish itself as a multi-sector international sourcing destination rather than remain dependent on the garment industry alone.

“Bangladesh has earned a strong reputation worldwide in the garment industry,” he said.

To further expand the export sector, he said, the country must diversify its products, encourage innovation, adopt more technology and increase productivity.

He also stressed the need to tap the potential of emerging sectors to accelerate export growth.

Mahbub said companies from 12 promising sectors were participating in the expo. Compared with the first edition, this year's event has attracted more companies, exhibitors and international buyers.

He said such events could help expand exports, attract domestic and foreign investment, create jobs and generate new business opportunities.

He added that B2B matchmaking meetings and factory visits would enable international buyers to connect directly with Bangladeshi businesses, helping strengthen the country's trade relations.

Bangladesh exported goods worth US$48 billion in FY26, with ready-made garments (RMG) accounting for nearly 81% of the total.