Bangladesh has stepped up efforts to expand its presence in the global food and beverage market with the inauguration of its official pavilion at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest food and beverage trade exhibition.
The Bangladesh Pavilion, located in South Hall 12 at the Dubai Exhibition Center in Expo City, was inaugurated by Tarek Ahmed, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
The country’s participation is funded by the EPB under the Ministry of Commerce as part of its broader strategy to accelerate exports to international markets.
The 31st edition of Gulfood is being held simultaneously at the Dubai World Trade Center and the Dubai Exhibition Center from January 26 to January 30, 2026. This year’s event has attracted more than 8,500 food and beverage manufacturers and suppliers from over 190 countries.
Bangladesh has a strong presence at the exhibition, with 34 business organizations and 72 exhibitors participating in the pavilion.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Md Rashed-uz-Zaman, Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai; Md Waresh Hossain, Director (Fair) of the EPB; Ashish Kumar Sarkar, Commercial Counsellor; and Md Abdul Kader, Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce.
The pavilion is showcasing a broad range of Bangladeshi products, including processed and frozen foods, snacks, spices, rice, beverages, and other agro-based value-added items.
Company representatives said the five-day event provides valuable opportunities to engage with international buyers, wholesalers, and distributors through direct business-to-business interactions.
Exporters are seeking to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the processed food segment and generate new export opportunities by building global partnerships and distribution networks.
Industry participants view Gulfood as a strategic platform to enhance visibility and market access, supported by government policies and Bangladesh’s competitive production costs.
Bangladeshi agricultural and processed food products are already exported to more than 150 countries, with rising potential in halal and frozen food categories driven by global demand for affordable and quality products.
Stakeholders also see participation in international trade fairs as essential to diversifying Bangladesh’s export base beyond the ready-made garments sector.
The exposure is expected to attract foreign direct investment, strengthen backward linkage industries such as packaging and labelling, and enhance Bangladesh’s brand positioning as a reliable exporter of internationally compliant processed foods.
The 2026 edition of Gulfood has introduced additional business-focused features, including AI-powered matchmaking for entrepreneurs and dedicated segments for logistics start-ups, further expanding commercial opportunities for exhibitors and buyers.
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