Export Promotion Bureau

What Export Promotion Bureau does

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is a statutory government body of Bangladesh, established on 14 December 1977 under the Ministry of Commerce, headquartered at TCB Building, 1 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka. It operates as the country's sole mandated agency for export promotion, administering exporter registration, issuing Certificates of Origin and preferential trade certificates (GSP, SAFTA, SAPTA, REX), organizing the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal, and facilitating Bangladeshi participation in international trade fairs in Germany, Italy, Malaysia, and China. EPB also disseminates market intelligence and runs export training programs, with services delivered through a suite of government e-services portals.

EPB's technology footprint is built around government digital infrastructure: the Exporter Management System (EMS) for online registration and renewal, the Export Tracker for monitoring export shipment data, the Exporter Database (EDB) for supplier discovery, the Cash Incentive Application System, the Market Intelligence Portal, and the BSWNBR certificate issuance platform. The bureau operates a headquarters in Dhaka plus six regional offices across Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Cumilla, and Narayanganj, with approximately 46 officers serving Bangladesh's export community.

EPB's business model is non-commercial: it is funded by the Government of Bangladesh's annual budget allocation and delivers services free of charge to exporters, foreign buyers, and industry associations (BGMEA, BKMEA, LFMEAB, FBCCI). Leadership is appointed by the government, with the current Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif (joined 15 September 2025), working under Chairman Ahsanul Islam (Titu). Its customer base is structurally concentrated in the readymade garment and textile sectors, and the bureau's institutional value is measured by national export performance and trade fair outcomes rather than financial revenue.

Name

Export Promotion Bureau

Legal name

Export Promotion Bureau

Website

https://epb.gov.bd

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Export Promotion Bureau is a Bangladesh government statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, founded in 1977, that issues export certifications, registers exporters, organizes the Dhaka International Trade Fair, and facilitates participation in international trade fairs to promote Bangladeshi exports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: Funded by Government of Bangladesh budget. EPB provides services for export promotion including trade fair organization, certification issuance (Certificate of Origin, GSP, SAFTA, REX), and training programs at no direct cost to exporters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Export Promotion Bureau is the statutory government agency of Bangladesh mandated to promote the country's exports. It provides exporter registration, issuance of Certificate of Origin, GSP, SAFTA, SAPTA and REX certifications, organizes the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair and facilitates participation in international trade fairs, and offers market intelligence and training programs for Bangladeshi exporters. All services are delivered through a network of regional offices and digital e-service portals (EMS, Export Tracker, EDB, Cash Incentive System).

Product overview

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) operates as Bangladesh's primary government agency for export promotion under the Ministry of Commerce. EPB provides a comprehensive suite of e-services including the Export Tracker for real-time shipment monitoring, Exporter Database for identifying suppliers, Certificate of Origin issuance, and Exporter Registration through its EMS portal. The bureau organizes the annual Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) and maintains the Market Intelligence Portal offering product-market reports and export training courses. All services are accessible through web-based portals supporting exporters with registration, certification, incentives, and international trade facilitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DITF (Dhaka International Trade Fair): Bangladesh's premier international trade exhibition organized by EPB, held annually at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre.
• Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC)

Products and services

• Exporter Registration System (EMS) (রপ্তানিকারক প্রতিষ্ঠানের নিবন্ধন) Online system operated by EPB for the registration and renewal of Bangladeshi exporter establishments; mandatory step for entities seeking to obtain EPB certifications and access EPB services.
• Certificate of Origin (সার্টিফিকেট অব অরিজিন) Official issuance by EPB of certificates of origin for Bangladeshi export consignments, required for customs clearance in importing countries.
• GSP / SAFTA / SAPTA Certificates Issuance by EPB of preferential origin certificates under GSP, SAFTA, and SAPTA trade agreements, granting Bangladeshi exporters reduced or zero tariff access in partner markets.
• REX Registration (Registered Exporter System) EPB-coordinated registration of Bangladeshi exporters in the EU's Registered Exporter (REX) system, allowing them to self-certify the preferential origin of consignments exported to the European Union.
• Export Tracker (এক্সপোর্ট ট্র্যাকার) Web-based portal that provides real-time tracking of Bangladeshi export shipments and consolidates export performance data for monitoring by government and trade stakeholders.
• Exporter Database (EDB) (রপ্তানিকারকদের ডাটাবেজ) Comprehensive searchable database maintained by EPB of Bangladeshi exporters, providing contact information, business profiles, and product details to assist foreign buyers in identifying potential suppliers.
• Cash Incentive Recommendation (নগদ সহায়তা) Online system through which EPB processes applications and issues recommendation letters for cash incentives available to exporters under Government of Bangladesh export incentive schemes.
• CIP and National Export Trophy Applications Online application services for Commercially Important Person (CIP) recognition and National Export Trophy awards, recognizing outstanding contributions of Bangladeshi exporters to national export earnings.
• Market Intelligence Portal (বাজার বুদ্ধিমত্তা) Online portal operated by EPB providing market research reports and intelligence on promising export products, destination markets, and trade opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters.
• Export Training Courses Training programs delivered by EPB for Bangladeshi exporters on export readiness, export procedures, documentation, and market entry.
• Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) Bangladesh's premier international trade exhibition organized annually by EPB, connecting Bangladeshi exporters with foreign buyers and showcasing Bangladeshi products and services.

Quantifiable outcome

• April 2026 export earnings reached $4.0 billion with 32.92% growth
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• British Standards Institution (BSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2026EPB collaborated with British Standards Institution (BSI) and SME Foundation to host seminar on 'Global Halal Gateway: Strategies for SMEs to Access Export Markets through International Standards'. BSI provided technical expertise on standards partnership initiative.
• SME FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SME Foundation for SME export development, halal certification support, and capacity building programs for small and medium enterprises.
• Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey industry association partner for garment and apparel exporters. EPB works with BGMEA for export promotion activities.
• Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey industry association partner for knitwear exporters. BKMEA works with EPB on export promotion and training programs.
• Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for investment and export facilitation through BIDA One Stop Service integration.
• Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPB has indicated need for BSTI to introduce services through digital platform for SME access to standards certification.
• Bangladesh China Friendship Exhibition CentrecoreOthersJoint project between Bangladesh and China for exhibition center at Purbachal. EPB manages trade fairs at this venue.
• Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUmbrella organization for chambers of commerce. FBCCI collaborates with EPB on trade fair organization and export promotion.
• Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association partner for leather and footwear exporters.
• Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and ExportscoreOthersGovernment agency for import-export regulation. EPB coordinates on export documentation and certification.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE): Malaysia's national trade promotion agency that organizes international trade fairs, runs market development programs, and supports Malaysian exporters abroad. Directly comparable to EPB in mandate and function, both being government-mandated export promotion bodies with similar service portfolios.
• International Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG): Singapore's government agency driving enterprise and export growth, including internationalization programs and trade facilitation. Comparable to EPB as a state agency with export promotion, certification, and trade fair mandates.
• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Germany's federal economic development agency providing market intelligence, trade fair support, and export promotion services. Similar government-backed export promotion mandate with deep international fair participation.
• Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP): Pakistan's national trade promotion body organizing trade fairs, delegations, and exporter support programs. Closely comparable to EPB given similar South Asian context, government status, and textile/apparel-export orientation.
• Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka's national export promotion agency facilitating trade fair participation, exporter registration, and market access. Directly comparable as a regional South Asian government export promotion counterpart.
• Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO): India's apex body of export promotion councils and chambers, coordinating trade fair participation, certification support, and market intelligence for Indian exporters. Comparable scope and function to EPB.
• Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE): Vietnam's national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, organizing trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and export development programs. Comparable government mandate and emerging-market export focus.
• Thailand Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP): Thailand's government trade promotion department running flagship international trade fairs (e.g., ThaiFex) and exporter support programs. Similar structure as a state agency with mandate equivalent to EPB's.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA): U.S. Department of Commerce agency promoting U.S. exports through trade missions, market research, and exporter education. Broader and more resourced counterpart to EPB operating at the federal level.
• UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): UK government department supporting trade and exports including export finance, trade promotion, and market access. Broader mandate than EPB but functionally comparable as a national export promotion entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6abLnLRmSvcnh3oMpcukcQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/epb.gov.bd
• Instagraminstagram.com/export_promotion_bureau
• Xx.com/epbbangladesh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/export-promotion-bureau-bangladesh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Export Promotion Bureau