The Expo Bangladesh 2005, first of its kind in the UK, will be held at Barbican Exhibition Centre, one of the most important business centres in Europe.

BBCC is going to arrange the fair in collaboration with Bangladesh government and Bangladesh High Commission in London, said Wali Tasar Uddin, director general of BBCC, at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka yesterday.

"The exhibition will provide a perfect showcase for a wide range of Bangladeshi products," he said. "The event will also strengthen the commercial links between the two nations."

The trade fair will create huge opportunity for some emerging sectors of Bangladesh such as shoes, ceramics, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and light engineering to introduce their products in the UK market, Wali hoped.

Speaking at the function, BR Chowdhury, senior vice-president of BBCC, said it is necessary to enter the international market with new and diversified products that will expand the country's export basket.

"As the UK is considered the gateway to the European community, the manufacturers should enter the UK market first to introduce their products."

Saad Ghazi, director of BBCC, however said British media always projects negative image of Bangladesh. "I think the fair will create an opportunity to present our good images to the European community," he hoped.

Leather and leather goods, readymade garments, frozen fish and dry fish, ceramic, medicine, spices, fashion wear, software, light engineering and food products are some of the major items to be put on display at the exposition, organisers said.

The organisers are expecting to attract 3,000 to 4,000 targeted trade visitors and 4,000 consumers at the event to be participated by some 70 firms from Bangladesh and 20 from the UK including companies run by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).

BBCC has sought 50,000 pound sterling from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh as cash assistance for holding the fair. The total estimated cost of arranging the single country show is around three lakh pound sterling.

SM Anwar Hossain, regional president-Bangladesh of BBCC, MA Rouf, regional vice-president, and SI Azad Ali, director, also spoke at the function.

BBCC was formed in 1991 aiming to extend support to the British-Bangladeshi business community and motivate them to develop their business skills.

The chamber promotes trade and investment, joint ventures and networking among the traders and investors in Bangladesh and the UK.

Presently, around five lakh NRBs are in the UK and most of them are engaged in restaurant business.