Bangladesh opened a three-day marine and offshore exhibition in Dhaka on Thursday as it seeks foreign investment and technology to upgrade ports, shipping and maritime logistics.
The Bangladesh International Marine & Offshore Expo (BIMOX 2026) at the International Convention City Bashundhara features more than 200 stalls from seven countries, covering shipbuilding, ship recycling, ship repair, marine engineering, offshore technology, dredging equipment and port services.
Shipping, Railways and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam called for greater capacity at Chattogram, Mongla and Matarbari ports, modernised logistics and faster oil and gas exploration.
He said Bangladesh also needed international expertise, stronger environmental safeguards and a skilled workforce to make better use of its maritime resources.
Alam said five leading global companies had been engaged in container management at Chattogram Port as part of modernisation efforts.
European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Millar said the bloc wanted to move its relationship with Bangladesh beyond development assistance and one-way trade towards investment, joint ventures and technology transfer.
He said annual two-way trade exceeds €25 billion and an EU-Bangladesh business and investment forum is planned for April next year.
Netherlands Ambassador Joris van Bommel said his country was ready to share maritime technology and expertise to support smart, zero-emission shipping and greener ports.
Fourteen Dutch companies and organisations are participating under a Netherlands pavilion, covering shipbuilding and repair, port development, maritime infrastructure and sustainable solutions.
Van Bommel said the Netherlands also wanted to help Bangladesh develop as a regional maritime hub.
Savor International organised the exhibition, with Managing Director Md Faizul Alam delivering the welcome address.
Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe, Bangladesh Maritime University Vice-Chancellor Rear Admiral Md Niyamat Elahee, Department of Shipping Director General Commodore Md Shafiul Bari and GroupNautika Chairman Shafiq Bhuiyan attended the opening ceremony.
The exhibition runs through 17 October and is open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm.
