Dhaka: The country’s light engineering sector has the potential to tap into the vast global market, with the possibility of exporting up to $100 billion, provided there is adequate policy support, investment, and infrastructural development. Md. Abdur Razzaque, President of the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners’ Association (BEIOA), emphasized this potential during a press conference at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital, discussing the upcoming Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the global market for engineering and light engineering products is valued at $7 trillion, with Bangladesh’s share being less than 1%. Razzaque noted that the domestic market for engineering products in Bangladesh is approximately TK 40,000 crore, with the local industry meeting up to 50% of the demand, while the rest is fulfilled through imports.
The Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025 is scheduled for May 29 and May 30 at the Shahid Abu Sayed International Convention Centre in Shahbagh, Dhaka. BEIOA is organizing the event in collaboration with the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project under the Ministry of Commerce. Over two days, the expo will feature leading domestic light engineering companies showcasing their latest technologies, components, and innovative products.
Razzaque highlighted the light engineering sector’s significant contribution to the national economy, employing over 300,000 people and contributing nearly 3% to the country’s GDP. The sector exports products worth more than $795 million annually, playing a crucial role in economic diversification and employment generation.
The expo will be inaugurated on May 29 at 03:00 am, with Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, as the chief guest. Also in attendance will be Md. Hafizur Rahman, Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), and Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Project Director of the EC4J project, with BEIOA President Md. Abdur Razzaque delivering the welcome speech.
Participating firms will showcase products including dye and mould, industrial parts, agricultural equipment, metal casting, and electric equipment. Razzaque stressed the need for government support in modernizing domestic industries, technology transfer, product quality improvement, and export expansion. He urged the government to provide incentives like those in competing countries such as Vietnam, China, and India to enhance the sector’s competitiveness internationally.
Razzaque called for the establishment of dedicated compliance-enabled industrial zones for light engineering products and advocated for reducing customs duties on raw materials, providing cash incentives, and ensuring priority access to bank loans for the sector. He also emphasized the necessity for technology transfer, modern design development, and comprehensive training to achieve technical excellence.
Razzaque appealed for a straightforward and effective patent registration system to protect locally made components and designs and called for training and incentives to boost employment opportunities for women and youth. Highlighting the expo as a crucial sourcing and networking platform, he noted it would enable domestic manufacturers to showcase their capabilities while attracting new markets and investments.
The expo will feature 44 stalls from 27 domestic companies. EC4J Project Director Md. Abdur Rahim Khan remarked that the engineering sector is one of four sectors capable of competing closely with the readymade garment industry. He stated that the government is working in response to the sector’s demands to facilitate further improvements.
Khan emphasized the expo’s importance as a platform to connect manufacturers, importers, and buyers, which could help reduce import dependency and boost exports. He also mentioned plans to organize more expos, including international ones, to leverage them as opportunities to attract buyers.
BEIOA extended a warm invitation to all relevant stakeholders to actively participate in the Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2025.