The 12th National SME Product Fair 2025, one of the largest annual gatherings for domestic small and medium-sized business owners, got underway on Sunday at the capital's Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon.

The fair, which is being organized by the SME Foundation, will run through December 14.

It was formally inaugurated by Adilur Rahman Khan, the government's adviser for public works, housing, and industries.

Adviser Adilur stated, "Alongside expanding the market for domestic products, identifying new export markets is also an urgent necessity."

He said consistent research is essential to identify the products that are in high demand across different countries.

The event was attended by special guests, including Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of Bida; Md Nuruzzaman, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Industries; and Nasreen Fatema Awal, Member of the Board of Directors of the SME Foundation and President of the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh.

In his speech, the BIDA chairman stated that Bangladesh is positioned to become a significant global consumer market by 2030, driven by its strategic geographical location.

He mentioned that Bangladesh is a young country, with an average age of just 27 years. 

Entrepreneurs in the country still have time to make long-term contributions to the economy, he added.

Masrur Arefin, the Managing Director and CEO of City Bank, was the guest of honor, and Md. Musfiqur Rahman presided over the program. Musfiqur Rahman, Chairperson of the SME Foundation.

The event presented crests, certificates, and awards to the top entrepreneurs of the year in six categories.

Over 350 small and medium-sized enterprises are participating in the fair, of which 60% are women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, there are eleven stalls representing other sectors.

The primary sponsor is City Bank; additionally, Brac Bank, Eastern Bank, Bank Asia, IDLC, LankaBangla, United Finance, and IPDC are also official sponsors.

Daily workshops, training sessions, and programs facilitating connections between bankers and entrepreneurs will be conducted throughout the fair.

In addition, six seminars will be conducted focusing on the skills, export potential, and product quality enhancement of participating entrepreneurs at the fair. 

Visitors are permitted to attend the fair free of charge from December 7 to December 14, daily between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm.