MENU
back
en
The inauguration of the “Agro-Processing Global Gateway” Expo 2025 marked a significant milestone for the Building Youth Employability Through Skills (BYETS) project, implemented by Swisscontact and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Organised in collaboration with CEMS Bangladesh, the three-day event was officially inaugurated in the presence of esteemed guests including His Excellency Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Md. Abul Hashem, President of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors’ Association (BAPA); Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham); Mahbub Baset, COO of IFAD Multi Products Limited; Ishrat Fatema, Deputy Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh; and Meherun N. Islam, Group Managing Director of CEMS Global USA and Asia Pacific.
Held over three days, from 8 to 10 May 2025, the Expo brought together nearly 30 promising small and medium-sized agro-processing enterprises (SMEs), along with national and international traders, technology providers, and innovators. The event served as a business-to-business (B2B) platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and forging new partnerships across the global agro-processing value chain. A total of 57 companies took part in the Expo, including 13 international firms, five (5) of which have existing collaborations with Dutch partners.
While BYETS primarily focuses on skills development, its engagement in this Expo signals a strategic move into trade facilitation. The project recognises that skill-building alone is not enough—economic transformation requires linking skilled individuals to market opportunities. As part of this vision, three engaging seminars were held during the event to address pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in the AP sector. These seminars initiated discussions among the key stakeholders— local businesses, government and association representatives, and global partners spanning embassies, trade missions, and international corporations.
On 8 May 2025, the BYETS project hosted its first seminar titled ‘Strengthening Agro-Processing SMEs: Creating a Business-Friendly Environment for Growth and Export’.
Moderated by Ananya Raihan, Chairperson of iSocial Limited and a respected policy analyst and entrepreneur, the session brought together key stakeholders including Jibon Krishna Saha Roy (Director General, Investment Environment Services, BIDA), Shah Mohammad Mahboob (Executive Member (Additional Secretary), Marketing and Communication, BIDA), Ikramul H. Sohel (Senior Programme Officer, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)), and KH. Nurul Momen Kayes (Proprietor, TRUST & TRADE Ltd.).
Discussions revolved around the pressing need to simplify complex licensing and certification procedures, which are a major barrier to SME growth. Participants underlined the importance of SME-friendly financing that meets the specific needs of small enterprises. There was a shared emphasis on building technical capacity for international certifications and improving access to cold storage, processing, and logistics infrastructure. The shortage of skilled professionals in food safety and quality control was recognised as a persistent barrier, requiring targeted investments in workforce development. Furthermore, speakers advocated for integrated, ecosystem-based solutions—such as one-stop service portals and stronger coordination through platforms like BIDA—to enhance export readiness and business growth.
On 9 May 2025, the second seminar titled ‘Export Opportunities in Unconventional Markets for Bangladeshi SMEs’ was held, bringing a fresh perspective to export diversification.
Moderated by Kamrul Hasan Shajib, Co-Founder & Director at Consiglieri Private Limited (CPL), the panel featured Md. Billal Hossain (Chief Executive Officer, BAPA, (Former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration)), Mohammed Shahjalal (Director (Commodities)-Current Charge, Export Promotion Bureau), Samareh (Sammi) H Naeemi (Director of SPS and Trade, Land o'Lakes Venture37), and Fahud Khan (Partnership, Communications & Business Development Lead, SEBA Limited).
This session highlighted how SMEs could access non-traditional markets by developing a robust ecosystem that links trade bodies, logistics firms, government agencies, and development partners. Key areas of action included enhanced market intelligence, improved capacity-building initiatives, investment in branding, and the strategic use of diplomatic trade networks to connect with buyers across emerging global regions. The discussion reinforced that expanding into new markets requires not just product readiness, but also a collaborative trade infrastructure that supports smaller firms through every stage of the export journey.
The final seminar on 10 May 2025, titled ‘Unlocking Bangladesh’s Export Potential in the Agro-Processing Sector’, served as a forum to outline forward-looking strategies for boosting AP exports.
The session was moderated by Muntasir Tahmeed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Inspira Advisory and Consulting Ltd. The expert panel included Hosna Ferdous Sumi (Senior Private Sector Specialist, the World Bank), Palash Kanti Das (Senior Advisor, Climate Action Network South Asia), Samareh (Sammi) H Naeemi (Land o’Lakes Venture37), and Ataus Sopan Malik (Managing Director, Malik Seeds).
Discussants called for urgent reforms in international trade compliance procedures. These include establishing risk-based inspection systems, modern lab infrastructure, and harmonised standards. Enhanced trade facilitation services—such as simplified customs procedures and better access to pre-shipment financing—were also recognised as crucial for SMEs. Another major focus was upgrading packaging, labelling, traceability, and branding to match the expectations of global buyers.
Importantly, the seminar placed gender inclusion at the centre of the export conversation. Although many women are active as entrepreneurs in AP sector, they face structural challenges such as restricted mobility, weaker trade networks, and limited representation in policy dialogue. The panel strongly advocated for policies and platforms that provide women with equal access to export support, training, and funding. To build a sustainable export pathway, the seminar recommended forming export consortia, strengthening public-private coordination, and enhancing the capacity of local trade service providers.
The “Agro Processing Global Gateway” Expo 2025 concluded with a strong sense of purpose: that the time is right for Bangladesh to scale up its AP exports while meeting the national needs— and to do so inclusively. The Expo served as more than just a platform for showcasing products; it became a space for shaping ideas, building alliances, and laying the groundwork for systemic reform. By combining skill development with trade facilitation, the BYETS project is helping SMEs to become more export-ready. With the right investments, policy reforms, and inclusive strategies, Bangladesh can position itself as a competitive international player in processed goods in the agriculture sector.