Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday announced that booth rental fees will be waived for small entrepreneurs participating in international trade fairs to help boost the country’s exports.

He made the announcement while speaking as the chief guest at a debriefing session on the 10th China-South Asia Expo and the 30th China-Kunming Import and Export Fair 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal in the afternoon.

The minister said small entrepreneurs play a vital role in Bangladesh’s export sector, and their participation in international fairs is crucial for promoting their products and expanding access to global markets.

However, many of them are unable to take part in such fairs due to a lack of financial support, he said.

Muktadir, also industries, jute and textiles minister, and chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Board of Management, said the government is taking special initiatives to facilitate trade and business activities, particularly for small entrepreneurs. “We are taking special initiatives to make trade and business easier, especially for small entrepreneurs,” he said.

He also said the validity of trade licences for businesses will be extended to five years.

Steps are also being taken to enable traders to obtain trade licences online from home, the minister added.

The session was chaired by EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Hasan Arif, while Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan was present as a special guest.

The minister listened to the views and proposals of participating small entrepreneurs and heard about their experiences at the Kunming fair before sharing his observations.

At the beginning of the event, Muktadir and other guests unveiled the latest quarterly newsletter published by the EPB.