Light Engineering Leaps: Bangladesh Expo 2025 Set to Spotlight Industrial Potential
The Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025 is set to be held on 29–30 May at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre on Minto Road in Dhaka. The event will be inaugurated at 3 PM on Thursday by Commerce Secretary Md. Mahbubur Rahman.
The expo is designed to provide a vital platform for networking, product showcasing, and exchange of market-related information for entrepreneurs, buyers, and policymakers involved in the light engineering sector.
At a press conference organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA) at the Economic Reporters Forum on Tuesday (27 May), it was announced that the expo is being arranged in collaboration with the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project of the Ministry of Commerce.
In a written statement, BEIOA President Abdur Razzak described light engineering as a "strategic and high-potential sector for Bangladesh." He added, “This sector not only provides essential backward linkages to the industrial sector but also plays a crucial role in agriculture, power, textiles, construction, and household appliances.”
He noted that there are currently over 50,000 light engineering enterprises across the country, generating direct employment for over 300,000 people and indirect employment for more than 3 million. The sector contributes approximately 3% to the national GDP.
Highlighting the immense potential of the industry, he said, “The global market for light engineering products exceeds USD 7 trillion, yet Bangladesh exports only around USD 795 million. With proper technological advancement, infrastructural development, and large-scale investment, this could reach USD 100 billion.”
He also mentioned that the sector currently meets around 50% of the domestic demand for industrial machinery components and has high potential for export diversification, import substitution, and job creation. The EC4J project, with support from the World Bank, has already taken significant steps toward modernizing and enhancing the sector's capacity, including training, productivity improvement, compliance measures, technology transfer, and market linkage initiatives.
Abdur Razzak emphasized the need for a compliance-oriented industrial zone, diversification of products, reduction of import duties on raw materials, technological innovation, protection of patents and designs, upskilling of women and youth workers, and cash incentives for exports.
Speaking at the press conference, EC4J Deputy Project Director Abdur Rahman stated, “We are working to improve market linkages and enhance the export readiness of entrepreneurs. This expo will play a crucial role in market connectivity.”
BEIOA noted that companies from across the light engineering industry will participate in the expo, showcasing their latest technologies, components, and innovative products. Exhibitors will display their goods and services in designated pavilions across 44 stalls. Participating sub-sectors include metal casting, spare parts, agricultural machinery, auto parts, die and mold, and electrical equipment.
“This is not just a trade show, but a sourcing platform where domestic industrialists can demonstrate their capabilities and explore new export markets,” the organizers said.
Other attendees at the press event included EC4J Project Director Aminul Islam, BEIOA Senior Vice President Md. Abdur Rashid, Vice President Raju Ahmed, Director Abu Hossain Khokon, and several others.
