18th plastic, packaging and printing industrial exhibition begins in Dhaka on Wednesday
Exhibitors from China, India, Japan, Vietnam, the UAE, Turkey, the UK and several other countries will showcase their latest products, machinery and technologies related to plastic, packaging and printing industries.
The four-day 18th Bangladesh International Plastic, Packaging and Printing Industrial Fair 2026 (IPF-26) will begin on Wednesday (28 January) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka and run until 31 January, organisers announced today (26 January).
The announcement came at a press conference held in the capital by Shamim Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA).
Jointly organised by BPGMEA and Yorkers Trade and Marketing Service Co Ltd. (Hong Kong), the fair will host more than 390 international brands from 18 countries, featuring over 800 stalls.
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Exhibitors from China, India, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, South Korea and several other countries will showcase their latest products, machinery and technologies related to plastic, packaging and printing industries.
The event is being supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries, EC4J, Bangladesh Plastic Council (BPC), SME Foundation and the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA).
The SME Foundation and BPC will also organise a series of seminars alongside the exhibition, focusing on industry development, sustainability and export potential.
According to the organisers, the fair will remain open to visitors from 11am to 7pm every day.
The theme of this year's exhibition is "Plastic Uses in Agriculture."
Speaking at the press conference, Shamim Ahmed highlighted the growing importance of plastic in modern agriculture, noting that it plays a crucial role in increasing crop productivity, conserving water, improving irrigation efficiency and protecting crops from adverse climatic conditions.
"Responsible use of plastic can significantly enhance agricultural productivity. However, to protect the environment, greater emphasis must be placed on biodegradable plastics, recycling initiatives and sustainable waste management practices," he said.
The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman as the chief guest.
FBCCI Administrator Abdur Rahim Khan, Export Promotion Bureau Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Md Jasim Uddin, and former BPGMEA President ASM Kamal Uddin will attend as special guests.
The World Bank's Bangladesh country director, Jean Pesme, will be present as the guest of honour.
Several seminars on sustainable development of the plastic sector, export diversification, innovation and SME growth strategies will be held during the fair.
The press conference noted that Bangladesh's plastic industry is currently valued at approximately $2.66 billion, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 20%. About 83% of total plastic production is consumed in the domestic market, while more than 16% is exported to international destinations.
The government has set a target to increase the plastic sector's contribution to 2% of GDP by 2028, up from less than 1% at present.
The industry currently contributes around 1.5% of the country's total export earnings and generates significant direct and indirect employment across multiple value chains, including garments, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food processing.
Describing the significance of the event, Shamim Ahmed said, "IPF-26 is not merely an exhibition; it is an international platform for technology exchange, innovation and investment opportunities. The fair will help strengthen the 'Made in Bangladesh' brand in the global market."
He added that the exhibition would enhance business networking between local and foreign entrepreneurs, attract new investments, and support export expansion.
Speaking at the press conference, former BPGMEA president Ferdous Wahid said that if the government provides 15–20% incentives to the flexible foil segment of the plastic industry, the sector could quickly rebound and significantly boost exports within a few months.
The organisers further said that BPGMEA member companies collectively use around 1.7 million tonnes of plastic raw materials annually. At present, approximately 40–50% of plastic waste generated by the sector is being recycled, reflecting growing awareness and efforts toward environmental sustainability.
