Light Engineering Expo 2025 to illuminate paths to global markets

A vibrant showcase of innovation and ambition is set to unfold as the Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025 kicks off in Dhaka on May 29. 

For two days, the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Centre on Minto Road will transform into a bustling hub where entrepreneurs, buyers, and policymakers converge to explore the untapped potential of Bangladesh’s light engineering sector. 

This event promises not only to display cutting-edge products but also to forge connections that could propel the industry onto the global stage.

Announced at a press conference hosted by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BIESMA) at the Economic Reporters Forum on Tuesday afternoon, the expo is a collaborative effort between BIESMA and the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) Project under the Ministry of Commerce, supported by the World Bank. 

Md Abdur Razzak, BIESMA President, set the stage with a compelling vision: “This expo is more than an exhibition—it’s a platform to showcase Bangladesh’s capabilities and connect our entrepreneurs with international markets.”

The light engineering sector, often described as the backbone of Bangladesh’s industrial landscape, powers agriculture, textiles, construction, power, and household appliances. 

With over 50,000 small and large enterprises, it employs more than 300,000 people directly and supports three million livelihoods indirectly, contributing roughly 3 per cent to the nation’s GDP. 

Yet, its global footprint remains modest, with exports at $795 million against a $7 trillion market. 

Razzak sees a golden opportunity: “With investment in technology, infrastructure, and skills, we can scale exports to $100 billion, diversifying our economy and creating jobs.”

The expo, to be inaugurated by Commerce Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman at 3:00pm on May 29, will feature 44 stalls showcasing innovations in metal casting, spare parts, agricultural machinery, auto parts, dies and moulds, and electrical equipment. 

From sleek components to advanced machinery, exhibitors will present products that meet 50 per cent of the domestic industrial sector’s demand for machine parts. 

This is not just a display of goods—it’s a sourcing platform where local industrialists can connect with global buyers, fostering partnerships to expand export markets.

Abdur Rahman, Deputy Project Director of the EC4J Project, emphasised the expo’s role in building bridges. “We’re working to enhance market linkages and boost export capacity,” he said. 

“This event will create opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and forge connections with international buyers.” 

The EC4J Project has already driven progress through training, skill development, compliance standards, technology transfers, and market linkage initiatives, positioning the sector for growth.

The expo also highlights the sector’s challenges and aspirations. 

Entrepreneurs are calling for compliance-focused industrial zones, reduced customs duties on raw materials, technological advancements, patent protection, and skill development programs, particularly for women and youth. They also seek cash incentives to boost exports. 

These demands reflect a broader vision: to modernize light engineering and establish Bangladesh as a competitive player in global value chains.

BIESMA’s Senior Vice President Md Abdur Rashid, Vice President Raju Ahmed, Director Abu Hossain Khokon, and EC4J Project Director Aminul Islam joined Razzak at the press conference, underscoring the collective commitment to the sector’s growth. 

For them, the expo is a celebration of resilience and ingenuity – a chance to show the world what Bangladesh’s light engineering industry can achieve.