Export Promotion Bureau inks deal with Yunnan, China to boost collaboration

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Ministry of Commerce, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China. 

The signing took place at the Mekong-Lancang Fruit Festival, where fruit producers and exporters of Bangladesh are participating for the first time, showcasing its agricultural and processed food products to international buyers at the Tongde Kunming Plaza in Yunnan province. 

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar are the other countries who regularly showcase their products at this festival having similar agreements with Yunnan Department of Commerce. 

The MOU reflects the Government of Bangladesh's persistent commitment to exploring new markets and broadening the country's export base, said a press release.

Under this instrument, Bangladeshi enterprises will receive significant facilitation measures in Yunnan Province.

Rent-free bonded warehouses of up to 2,000 square meters in designated areas, reducing supply chain costs and easing access to the Chinese market; rent-free offline exhibition space of up to 2,000 square meters in Yunnan, providing a platform for Bangladeshi enterprises to promote products and engage with cross-border trade partners; free entry into Yunnan's designated online commodity city, enabling Bangladeshi exporters to display and trade on a unified digital marketing platform; reduction and exemption of logistics fees for market procurement trade, lowering operating costs and improving efficiency; fast customs clearance for fresh and perishable agricultural products, ensuring timely delivery and reduced trade costs; preferential air freight and logistics policies, enhancing competitiveness and reducing transportation costs for Bangladeshi goods.

Director General of EPB and Joint Secretary to the Government Baby Rani Karmakar signed the MOU on behalf of Bangladesh while on behalf of China Ma Jun, deputy director general of the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China signed the document. 

The Consul General, Consulate General of Bangladesh in Kunming, China, Md Khaled, Commercial Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing Md. Ziaur Rahman and First Secretary of Commerce, Consulate General of Bangladesh in Kunming Ridwan were present during both the signing and the inauguration of the fruit festival.

A team of 9 Fruit exporters and producers from Bangladesh are participating in the festival for the first time. Officials of the Mekong- Lancang sub- regional Economic Cooperation and Trade Development Center were present during the ceremony.

Bangladesh's presence at the Lankang Mekong Fruit Festival and the signing of this MOU together highlight the government's unwavering drive for export diversification and market exploration. 

By securing cost-effective access to logistics, exhibition, and digital platforms, Bangladesh is positioning its enterprises to compete in China's dynamic consumer economy and beyond.

To maximise the gain out of this opportunity creating an export portfolio is crucial. This may be done by selecting products with strong demand in China-garments with design differentiation, agro-products with freshness and Agro-processed food with standards, handicrafts with cultural appeal. 

The online commodity city is not just a listing site-it is a marketplace. 

Bangladeshi exporters must learn digital marketing, data analytics, and consumer engagement to leverage digital platforms to thrive.

Fast customs clearance is an opportunity only if exporters can deliver consistent volumes. Bangladesh must strengthen cold chain logistics and inventory management to build supply chain discipline.

This MOU is not just about warehouses and freight-it is about positioning Bangladesh as a credible, competitive, and visible player. If Bangladesh treats Yunnan as a case for learning, branding, and scaling, the benefits will ripple across its export landscape.