At a press conference held today (Thursday) at the BGMEA Complex, organized by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), it was announced that the Silver Jubilee edition of BATEXPO will take place on November 18 and 19, 2026, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Dhaka. This event represents a significant initiative by the current BGMEA board to promote ‘country branding’ on the global stage. The central theme of this year’s fair is ‘Branding Country’. A primary objective of the exhibition is to capture new and promising global markets alongside existing ones, a press release said.
Key attractions of this mega-event include the Global Apparel Expo, Global Apparel Summit, AI & Innovation Hub, Sustainability & Circularity Exposition, the ‘GIZ presents Sustainability Leadership Award’, and a fashion runway.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the organization, presided over the press conference held at the BGMEA boardroom. Also present were BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman; Directors Shah Raeed Chowdhury, Nafis-ud-Daula, A.B.M. Shamsuddin, and Enamul Aziz Chowdhury; and Sajid Karim, Chairman of the Trade Fair and Events Committee.
While highlighting BATEXPO as the top priority, other contemporary matters were also addressed during the press conference:
Alongside BATEXPO 2026, the prestigious ‘Bangladesh Apparel Roadshow, Hong Kong 2026’ is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong on October 28–29, organized jointly by BGMEA and HSBC Bangladesh. Furthermore, to tap into the immense potential of the Japanese market, a specialized ‘BGMEA-Japan Desk’ has been established at the BGMEA office; the Honorable Ambassador of Japan to Dhaka is scheduled to formally inaugurate it on September 23.
The press conference highlighted the export situation and global geopolitical challenges; initiatives by the current BGMEA board regarding innovation, artificial intelligence, and product diversification; BGMEA’s recommendations on energy security; and the industry’s preparedness for LDC graduation. Calls were also made for the ease of doing business, the resolution of complexities in customs bonding and the banking sector, and other forms of policy support.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan sought robust publicity and all-out cooperation from print, electronic, and online media to ensure the success of ‘BATEXPO-2026,’ scheduled to be held next November.
