Message

I would like to thank and congratulate the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) for their unwavering dedication to organising the Meet Bangladesh Show (MBS) and Meet Bangladesh Exposition (MBX) on 24, 25 April 2025 in Bangladesh, as part of the EC4J Project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank, aimed at driving trade, investment, and employment growth and positioning Bangladesh as a preferred sourcing destination for global markets.

I am pleased to share our vision for the EC4J project initiative to enhance key sectors' growth and competitiveness beyond Ready-Made Garments (RMG). We aim to diversify Bangladesh's export portfolio and create more and better job opportunities within these industries.

The EC4J project is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Commerce, financed by the World Bank Group. Its objective is to boost Bangladesh's economic diversification by enhancing competitiveness and investment in high-potential sectors, such as Leather and Leather Goods, MPPE, Footwear (leather and non-leather), Plastics and Light Engineering (Electronics, Electrical Goods, Bicycles, Automobiles, Accumulators, Battery, etc.), based on the government's priorities and the 7th Five Year Plan.

The project has four components: addressing Environmental, Social, and Quality (ESQ) compliance, strategic marketing, establishing world-class technology centres, investing in public infrastructure, and managing the project implementation unit. It aims to attract private investment, promote trade and export, stimulate MSMEs growth, and contribute to diversified and exponential export growth, creating 90000 more jobs. The project requires support from all stakeholders to achieve its goals.

The present interim government is committed to supporting private sector companies in export markets by addressing constraints, enhancing productivity, improving environmental, social, and quality standards, and providing collective infrastructure facilities. The EC4J project is expected to diversify Bangladesh's export base and enhance its global manufacturing reputation. It will align with the country's economic goals and workforce aspirations and foster a new generation of world-class export industries.

We encourage all stakeholders, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and workers, to actively participate in this transformative journey. Your engagement is crucial to the success of the EC4J project and the realization of our shared vision for a prosperous and diversified economy.

I would like to thank the organisers for their diligent efforts in making this event possible. My best wishes to all the exhibitors and participants. I am confident that these expos will be a resounding success, contributing to the continued development of Bangladesh's Leather and Leather Goods, MPPE, Footwear, Plastics and Light Engineering sectors.

Wishing all the exhibitors a fruitful and successful participation in the Meet Bangladesh Show and Meet Bangladesh Exposition -2025.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin