B Mirror Report : Bangladesh formally opened its pavilion at Gulfood-2026, the biggest food and beverage trade fair in the world, today in a significant effort to bolster its position in the global food and beverage industry.
The Bangladesh Pavilion, located in South Hall-12 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City, was inaugurated by Tarek Ahmed, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the UAE, according to a press release from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The participation is funded by the EPB under the Ministry of Commerce, as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate the country’s exports.
The 31st edition of Gulfood is being held concurrently at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and DEC from January 26 to 30, 2026, attracting over 8,500 leading food and beverage manufacturers and suppliers from more than 190 countries.
Bangladesh’s representation is significant, with 34 business organizations and 72 exhibitors taking part 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 EPB; Ashish Kumar Sarkar, Commercial Counsellor; and Md. Abdul Kader, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.
The pavilion showcases a wide range of products, including processed foods, frozen foods, snacks, spices, rice, beverages, and other agro-based value-added items. Company representatives expressed optimism that the five-day event would enable them to engage with international visitors, buyers, and wholesalers.
Through targeted B2B networking, Bangladeshi exporters aim to strengthen the country’s position in the agricultural processed food market and open new export avenues. Industry experts consider Gulfood a strategic platform for Bangladesh, noting that government policy support and competitive production costs have enabled the country to export its products to over 150 nations.
There is growing global demand for Halal and frozen foods, highlighting Bangladesh’s potential in these segments. Experts also emphasized that participation in global exhibitions like Gulfood is essential for diversifying the export basket beyond the ready-made garment sector.
The event is expected to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), develop backward linkage industries such as packaging and labeling, and enhance Bangladesh’s branding as a competitive exporter of international-standard processed foods.
This year’s edition of Gulfood introduces innovative features such as “Plus AI Powered Matchmaking” for entrepreneurs and dedicated segments for logistics start-ups, further boosting business opportunities for participants.
