Midas Autumn Fair kicks off with 60 SMEs showcasing sarees, kidswear, handicrafts

The three-day SME Autumn Fair 2025 began today (11 September) at the Midas Centre in the capital's Dhanmondi area, with around 60 youth and women entrepreneurs showcasing a wide variety of products, including silk sarees, baby clothes, patchwork jackets, and designer kurtis.

Organised by the Micro Industries Development Assistance and Services (Midas), the fair will run from 11 to 13 September, open daily from 10am to 9pm.

Distinguished guests, including Muhammad Abdul Mazid, chairman of the Social Development Foundation, Md Mushfiqur Rahman, chairman of SME Foundation and a deputy managing director of Dhaka Bank PLC, were present in the inaugural ceremony.

Parveen Mahmud FCA, chairperson of the Midas Board, said, "This year, 60 entrepreneurs are participating. Midas organises such fairs twice a year so that entrepreneurs can showcase their products under one roof while customers get the chance to buy directly."

This year, small entrepreneurs are displaying a diverse range of clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, and lifestyle items, underscoring the creativity and potential of Bangladesh's SME sector.

The fair is open to all visitors, providing a vibrant platform for entrepreneurs to connect with customers and promote their businesses.

On the occasion, SME Foundation Chairperson, Md Mushfiqur Rahman, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SME Foundation and Midas Financing PLC to promote SME development.

Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate on sectoral research, project feasibility assessments, business planning, product marketing and sales management, business management, financing, loan and project management, and capacity building for entrepreneurs.

Muhammad Abdul Mazid, chairman of the Social Development Foundation and ex-chairman of the NBR, emphasised the need for government agencies to be more proactive in supporting micro and small entrepreneurs, including training them to access loans more easily.

M Khairul Bashar, managing director of Midas, delivered the closing remarks to express gratitude to the guests, organisers, and participants of the event.

During a visit to the fair, stalls were seen buzzing with activity as entrepreneurs displayed their collections and customers browsed products. Vendors expressed hope that sales and footfall would increase on Friday and Saturday.

Atika Rahman, founder of Te-ranga, showcased silk three-piece sets, silk katan sarees, and women's outfits, saying, "I usually sell online, but fairs like this allow us to connect directly with customers, many of whom wait eagerly to meet us here."

At the Tukrokapor stall, only children's clothing was on display, including cotton dresses, baby co-ord sets, kids' ready sarees, patchwork jackets, and a special kurti collection.

Entrepreneur Maliha Tasnim said, "My mother and I make these clothes at home and sell them online. We always look forward to participating in such fairs."