EPB to hold virtual fair to promote exports

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is going to organise an online fair next month with the aim to promote locally made goods at the international level and subsequently increase Bangladesh's export earnings.

The week-long virtual fair, styled "Sourcing Bangladesh 2021", will be held from October 18 to 24. The EPB aims to attract buyers from Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

"Buyers in foreign countries can see our products and understand the quality before sourcing any from here if they want.

That is why we are going to organise this fair," said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi at a press conference at the EPB office.

This is the first time that the EPB will hold a virtual fair amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The EPB usually takes part in various fairs abroad with exporters to increase and diversify the country's export earnings, which stood at $38.75 billion in fiscal 2020-21.

Bangladesh's export basket is dominated by garments, which account for more than 80 per cent of all outgoing shipments.

The EPB said product exhibitions and international trade fairs of different countries remained closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In such a situation, online fairs are being organised to display Bangladeshi products for foreign buyers.

Bangladeshi exporters will display 10 products, including garments, leather and jute goods, at the fair.

It was informed at the press conference that participating companies will be given a virtual booth, through which they will display 3D images of their products as well as audio-visual content.

In addition, there will be a buyer-seller database on the exhibition website. Everybody will be able to communicate with potential foreign buyers via live chat, audio and video conferencing.

The organisers think that 150-200 organisations from Bangladesh can participate in this fair.

"This fair is going to be organised for the first time in Bangladesh. Well-known exporters in the country will participate in the fair," said AHM Ahsan, vice-chairman and CEO of the EPB.

Tapan Kanti Ghosh, secretary of the commerce ministry, was present at the press conference.

Bangladesh's export basket includes: bicycles, ceramics, various food products, garments, leather, ICT products, handicrafts, pottery, and jute.