Second Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo to Be Held in Dhaka from February 2
To make the country’s promising light engineering sector more competitive and export-oriented, the three-day Second Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo will be held from February 2 to February 4 at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre in Dhaka. The expo is being organised with support from the Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank-backed Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project. Open daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, the fair will showcase the latest technologies, machinery, components, and innovative products from Bangladesh’s light engineering sector.
The details were shared at a press conference held on Sunday, February 1, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners’ Association (BEIOA) President Mohammad Abdur Razzak spoke about the objectives and scope of the expo. Also present at the event were BEIOA Senior Vice-President Abdur Rashid, Vice-President Raju Ahmed, central directors of the association, and representatives from the Export Competitiveness for Jobs project and the Ministry of Commerce.
The press conference informed that the expo will be inaugurated by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. Special guests will include World Bank Senior Private Sector Specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Director of the Export Competitiveness for Jobs project Mohammad Abdur Rahim Khan. Senior government officials, representatives of trade and industry bodies, local and foreign buyers, entrepreneurs, and investors are also expected to attend the expo.
Highlighting the importance of the light engineering sector, BEIOA President Abdur Razzak said the sector provides crucial backward linkage support to agriculture, textiles, construction, power, automobiles, and household appliance industries. Currently, there are around 50,000 small and medium-sized light engineering enterprises across the country, employing more than 300,000 skilled workers. The sector contributes nearly three percent to the national GDP.
He noted that nearly half of Bangladesh’s domestic demand—estimated at about USD 8.2 billion—is met by this industry. At present, more than 3,800 types of machinery, spare parts, tools, dies, moulds, and various engineering products are being manufactured locally. However, the country still relies on imports for a significant portion of machinery and components, indicating substantial scope for expansion in the sector.
Despite massive global demand for engineering products, Bangladesh’s share in the nearly USD 7 trillion global market remains below one percent, he said. Currently, Bangladesh’s light engineering exports stand at approximately USD 795 million. With appropriate policy support, technological advancement, and increased investment, he expressed optimism that export earnings from the sector could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030.
Speaking about the expo’s broader purpose, Abdur Razzak said it is designed not merely as an exhibition but as an effective sourcing and networking platform. The event will facilitate direct engagement among manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, investors, and policymakers, thereby easing technology transfer, business agreements, and access to international markets. Products on display will include construction and packaging machinery, agricultural equipment, electrical goods, jute and textile machinery parts, automobile components, dies and moulds, and other industrial products. More than 50 booths will highlight the innovation and capabilities of local companies.
Two seminars will be held during the expo. The first will focus on strategies to enhance global competitiveness following Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, while the second will discuss the importance of research and innovation in developing the light engineering sector.
Outlining several policy recommendations for the sector’s sustainable development, Abdur Razzak emphasised the need to ensure compliance-based factory development to achieve international export standards. He called for the establishment of specialised light engineering zones within industrial estates to support this goal.
He further said that producing high-value and export-ready products is not possible without product diversification and technology transfer. Government support is essential for adopting new technologies, research, and innovation, he added, while also stressing the need for reduced duties on raw material imports and easier import procedures.
On technological advancement, he said Bangladesh is not far behind countries like China, India, or Vietnam, but to remain competitive globally, modern technology, improved design, and adherence to international standards are critical. In this regard, he emphasised the importance of technology transfer and skill development training.
He also called for a simple and time-efficient patent and design registration process to protect intellectual property rights for locally produced components and die designs. Additionally, he urged training and incentives to increase the participation of women and youth in this labour-intensive sector. He highlighted the need for cash incentives and easy-term bank loans for export-oriented and export-ready enterprises.
Responding to a question, he said the association has been requesting the National Board of Revenue for several years to withdraw duties on raw material imports. While the import duty on finished goods is as low as one percent, duties on raw materials for the same products can be as high as 57 percent, which he described as discriminatory. He urged the government to address this disparity promptly.
Organisers expect that the expo will strengthen domestic industry, attract new investment, create employment opportunities, and enhance the visibility and credibility of Bangladesh’s light engineering sector in international markets.
DBTech/DPS/EK/OR
