The three-day Bangladesh International Marine and Offshore Expo (BIMOX 2026) began at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka today (15 October), bringing together maritime companies, investors and technology providers from home and abroad.
The expo showcases shipbuilding, ship recycling and repair, marine engineering, offshore technology, dredging equipment, and port and logistics services.
Shaikh Rabiul Alam, minister for shipping, railways, and road transport and bridges, inaugurated the event as chief guest.
Savor International Limited organised the expo, with its Managing Director Md Faizul Alam delivering the welcome address.
Michael Millar, ambassador and head of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh; Joris van Bommel, ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh; U Kyaw Soe Moe, ambassador of Myanmar; Rear Admiral Md Niyamat Elahee, vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Maritime University; Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, director general of the Department of Shipping; and Shafiq Bhuiyan, chairman of GroupNautika, attended the inauguration.
In his speech, Rabiul Alam highlighted the potential of Bangladesh's maritime resources and waterways to drive economic growth.
He called for coordinated efforts to harness the country's maritime potential and said five leading global companies had been engaged in container management at Chattogram Port as part of efforts to modernise the maritime sector.
The minister also stressed the need to expand the capacity of Chattogram, Mongla and Matarbari ports, modernise maritime logistics and accelerate oil and gas exploration.
He emphasised the sustainable use of marine resources, environmental protection, skilled workforce development and the adoption of international expertise to strengthen the sector.
EU-Bangladesh business and investment forum planned for April
Speaking at the event, Michael Millar said the European Union wants to move its relationship with Bangladesh beyond development aid and one-way commerce towards investment, joint ventures and technology transfer.
He said bilateral trade between the EU and Bangladesh exceeds €25 billion annually, adding that the bloc is also seeking greater balance in trade.
Millar announced plans to hold an EU-Bangladesh business and investment forum in April next year, building on the momentum generated by the exhibition.
Joris van Bommel said the Netherlands had offered to share its maritime knowledge and technology with Bangladesh to support the development of smart, zero-emission shipping and green ports.
Fourteen Dutch companies and organisations are participating in the two-day Netherlands pavilion under the theme "The Maritime Future Is Now". Their areas of focus include shipbuilding and repair, port development, maritime infrastructure and sustainable maritime solutions, he said.
The ambassador said the Netherlands and the EU were among Bangladesh's major investment and trade partners, adding that the Netherlands had recorded the highest foreign direct investment among EU member states in Bangladesh.
He said the partnership extended beyond trade to cooperation on sustainable water management, climate-smart agriculture and maritime development.
The Netherlands was also keen to help Bangladesh establish itself as a regional maritime hub, he added.
More than 200 stalls from seven countries have been set up at the expo. The exhibition is open to visitors from 15 to 17 October, daily from 10am to 7pm.