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International trade

Strengthening SMEs for Export Growth: A Hands-on Workshop in Dhaka

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The International Chamber of Commerce - Bangladesh recently hosted a workshop, 'Find and pursue the right standards for your business: A Hands-on workshop with the SME Toolkit', in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Dhaka. The event aimed to enhance the awareness of sustainability standards among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries. The workshop featured presentations from International Trade Centre Associate Programme Officer Dang Tuan Duc and Software Engineer Niklas Anders Andersson, and was inaugurated by ICC Bangladesh Vice President A. K. Azad.

Key Takeaways:

  • SMEs are the backbone of any economy for growth, development, and employment generation, according to ICC Bangladesh Vice President A. K. Azad.
  • With the graduation to a middle-income country in 2026, Bangladesh will face intense competition, necessitating the strengthening of SMEs to drive export growth and ensure compliance and sustainability.
  • The ITC/ADB Sustainability Standards Navigation Toolkit aims to help SMEs enhance awareness of sustainability standards, assess readiness for certification, and receive actionable recommendations for sustainable practices and compliance.
  • The workshop, attended by about 40 participants from SMEs and corporate houses, focused on pilot testing the toolkit in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries.
  • ICC Bangladesh pledged to continue organizing workshops to strengthen SME capacity and increase exports.
  • The toolkit is designed to be a resource for SMEs, helping them transition to sustainable practices and compliance for export growth.

Statistics:

  • 40 participants attended the workshop from SMEs in the apparel, textiles, and leather industries, as well as corporate houses.
  • Bangladesh is set to graduate to a middle-income country in 2026, prompting the need for enhanced SME skills and sustainability practices.
  • The ITC/ADB Sustainability Standards Navigation Toolkit aims to support SMEs in enhancing their awareness of sustainability standards and transitioning to sustainable practices.

Sources:

  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - Bangladesh
  • Asian Development Bank's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP)
  • International Trade Centre (ITC)

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