41 firms’ participation in Dubai food expo hangs in balance over visa hurdles

Despite securing stalls at Gulfood 2025, the world's largest food exhibition, to be held in Dubai, the participation of 41 Bangladeshi companies remains uncertain due to visa complications.

Although only two weeks remain until the expo begins, the participating companies have yet to apply for visas. As the UAE visa portal has not opened for applicants from Bangladesh, Bangladeshi companies have tried various means but failed to secure their visas.

At last year's expo, 39 Bangladeshi companies participated and secured export orders worth over Tk250 crore. More than 10,000 global customers visited the Bangladeshi stalls.

Md Iqtadul Hoque, general secretary of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association, believes that failing to participate in this year's expo due to visa complications would be a significant loss for the country.

He said 41 companies, including Pran-RFL, City Group, Meghna Group, Olympic, Kazi, Kishoan, Banoful, Akij, Bombay Foods, TK, Ifad, ACI and Danish, have secured stalls. Each company has paid Tk7.25 lakh to the Export Promotion Bureau for their stalls and preparations for setting them up are already underway.

However, when applying for visas for two representatives from each company, they have encountered obstacles, Iqtadul said.

He added, "We have tried to apply for visas through various channels, including the EPB (Export Promotion Bureau), the Ministry of Commerce in Bangladesh, and the commercial counsellor in Dubai. However, since the portal remains closed in Bangladesh, we have been unable to proceed through any means.

"The EPB is also making efforts through different channels, but as no solution has been found yet, we are deeply concerned."

The UAE arrested and sentenced 37 Bangladeshis for holding a rally in support of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Bangladesh in July. Following the incident, the UAE shut down its visa application portal for Bangladeshis.

Md Anwar Hossain, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, said, "Gulfood is a flagship event. To introduce Bangladeshi companies on a global scale, we have allocated stalls with a 50% subsidy. Each company has paid Tk7.25 lakh, with an equal amount provided from government funds.

"Over the past few years, our companies have performed exceptionally well. We do not want to miss such an important branding opportunity."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said, "I have spoken with the director general of our West Asia Wing regarding the overall visa situation for Bangladeshis. They are making efforts to ensure that Dubai issues the visas."

More than 5,000 businesses from 130 countries participate in the expo. Every year, around 1.5 lakh business professionals and importers attend the event. This year, organisers estimate that the number could exceed 2 lakh.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, director of Pran-RFL Group, said, "This expo is very fruitful for capturing new markets for our products. Bangladesh has received a very positive response from participating in this event.

"We have made extensive preparations this time as well. However, if the visa complications are not resolved quickly, everyone will be in trouble," he said.