Strengthen export base with more investment: Dr Yunus to entrepreneurs

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged the country’s business community and entrepreneurs to come forward to strengthen its export base with more investment in the services sector to boost overall exports to the competitive global market.

“We need to enhance our exports. I urge all businesspeople to come forward to invest more in the services sector in addition to products to boost our exports,” he said while inaugurating the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal.

Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurs’ role, Dr Yunus said developing an exportable product is important but it is more important to know who developed the product.

The Chief Adviser said every year there is an initiative to announce a “Product of the Year” and this year furniture product is the product of the year.

In addition to this process, Dr Yunus said, he wants to introduce “Entrepreneur of the Year” to let everyone know who is behind the product.

The Chief Adviser highlighted the government’s initiative to promote Bangladesh’s products in the global market with its diversified presence.

He said Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) has already secured a leading position in the global apparel market.

Dr Yunus said the export trade is playing a significant role in cutting poverty and unemployment in addition to earning foreign currencies. “It’s playing an important role in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy.”

He formally inaugurated the month-long fair.

 Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin was, among others, present.

Like the previous years, the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) have jointly organised the fair.

The spaces for stalls or pavilions of various categories have been allocated online for the first time in this trade fair.

The e-ticketing system has also been arranged for the first time in the fair.

Apart from this, BRTC's dedicated bus service would be available alongside Uber service at a special discount to facilitate the travel of buyers and visitors to and from the fair venue.

Besides, "July Chattar" and "Chhatrish Chattar" were created at the fair venue in honor of the sacrifices of students in the anti-discrimination students' movement.

A Youth Pavilion has also been set up to encourage the youth folk of the country in export trade. Initiatives have been taken this year to organize potential sector/product wise seminars at the fair.

There will be separate sourcing corners, electronics and furniture zones for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs and participants.

Technology corner has been installed for the convenience of the age-based visitors while seating corner will be there for senior citizens.

There is also a children's park in the fair for ensuring pure entertainment.

The trade fair is being held for the fourth time in a row at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal.

According to the layout plan of the fair, some 361 pavilions/stalls/restaurants of different categories have been allocated in favor of local producing and exporters firms, general business establishments and foreign business entities in a cent percent transparent manner.