Dhaka: Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced on Monday that booth rental fees will be waived for small entrepreneurs participating in international trade fairs. This initiative aims to boost the country’s exports by facilitating the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in global markets.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the announcement was made during a debriefing session on the 10th China-South Asia Expo and the 30th China-Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal. The minister emphasized the critical role of small entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s export sector, highlighting the importance of their presence in international fairs to promote products and access global markets.

Minister Muktadir, who also serves as the industries, jute and textiles minister, and chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Board of Management, stated that the government is implementing special initiatives to facilitate trade and business activities for SMEs. He mentioned plans to extend the validity of trade licences to five years and provide the option for traders to obtain these licences online from their homes.

The session was chaired by EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Hasan Arif, with Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan attending as a special guest. During the event, the minister engaged with participating small entrepreneurs, listening to their experiences and proposals from the Kunming fair.

Additionally, the event featured the unveiling of the latest quarterly newsletter published by the EPB, with Muktadir and other guests participating in the ceremony.