By Arab News

Diversifying Beyond Textiles: A New Chapter in Trade Relations

Bangladesh has marked a significant milestone by participating in Saudi Arabia’s primary agriculture and food trade show for the first time, as the country works to expand its export portfolio beyond its traditional garment industry dominance.

The Kingdom ranks among Bangladesh’s most important trading partners in the Middle East, with economic ties historically centered around workforce migration and the textile sector—the South Asian nation’s principal income source.

First-Time Participation at AgroFood Jeddah

Bangladesh stands as the sole South Asian representative at AgroFood Jeddah, the Kingdom’s premier international showcase for agriculture, food products, and agricultural technology. The three-day event, running from December 3-5, brings together exhibitors from the Middle East, China, Central Asia, and Asian nations including Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan.

Mahmudul Hasan, who directs the fair and display division at Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau, confirmed the historic nature of this engagement.

“This marks our inaugural participation of this nature in the Saudi marketplace. For this initial venture, five of our food sector manufacturers are represented.”  Hasan explained.

The official emphasized growing strategic importance placed on expanding commercial activities with Saudi Arabia, noting that the business sector shows increasing enthusiasm for exploring opportunities in the Kingdom’s market.

Strategic Focus on Food Sector Growth

While garment products remain the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s export economy, food and related agricultural items now represent the next priority for international sales expansion. This shift is partly driven by the substantial Bangladeshi diaspora in the Kingdom.

Approximately 3.6 million Bangladeshi nationals reside and earn their livelihoods in Saudi Arabia, constituting both the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom and the biggest Bangladeshi population outside their home country—creating a ready-made consumer base.

Targeting the Mainstream Saudi Market

However, Bangladesh’s commercial ambitions extend well beyond serving its expatriate community.

“We are working to penetrate the broader Saudi marketplace. To accomplish this goal, we are collaborating with our manufacturers to enhance compliance standards, product quality, and market competitiveness.” Hasan stated.

He expressed confidence that meeting required standards and improving competitive positioning would enable Bangladeshi products to capture a meaningful portion of the Kingdom’s market share.

Navigating Certification Requirements

Syeda Nahida Habiba, serving as commercial counsellor at Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah, revealed that authorities are currently engaged in discussions with Saudi counterparts to complete necessary certifications through the Saudi Food and Drug Administration and the Saudi Accreditation Center.

Once all regulatory prerequisites are satisfied, Bangladesh intends to concentrate efforts on major upcoming events in the Kingdom, including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Gateway to Regional Markets

“These two massive international events will provide opportunities to strengthen our export capabilities in the Kingdom’s markets,” Habiba explained.

She emphasized that participation in the Jeddah exhibition serves to establish Bangladesh’s presence among Saudi purchasing decision-makers.

“The Saudi market represents more than a single opportunity for us—it provides access to the Gulf Cooperation Council nations and the broader Middle Eastern and North African region,this represents a substantial opportunity for our country.” Habiba noted.

The strategic positioning suggests Bangladesh views Saudi Arabia not merely as a destination market, but as a crucial entry point to an entire region of potential trading partners and consumers.

Original Article:

Sumon, S. (2025). Bangladesh debuts at top Saudi food expo to widen garment-dominated export base. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2624883/world