Bangladesh: Business/trade

Commercial holidays

New Year's Day: January 1; International Mother Tongue Day: February 21; Independence Day: March 26; Birth of the Prophet (varies According to Year); Bangla New Year: April 14; Labour Day: May 1; Buddha Purnima (varies According to Year); Dashami: Eid al-Fitr (varies According to Year); National Revolution Day: November 7; Eid ul-Azha (varies According to Year); Islamic New Year (varies According to Year); Victory Day: December 26

Note: Public holiday celebrations may cause delays in commercial transport of goods. It is best to check with your agent in the country about the extent of business stoppage during holidays.

For more information on specific holidays, see Bangladesh Public & Bank Holidays 2013.

(Last updated on 2012-04-27)

Major trade agreements

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Secretariat,
Tridevi Marg,
POB 4222, Kathmandu, Nepal; phone: +977 1 422 1785, 4+977 1 22 6350; fax: +977 1 422 7033, +977 1 422 3991; e-mail: saarc@saarc-sec.org
current member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Centre William Rappard, Rue de Lausanne 154, CH-1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland; phone: +41 22 739 5111; fax: +41 22 731 4206; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org

World Trade Organization (WTO), Center William Rappard, Rue de Lausanne 154,
CH-1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland; phone: +41 22 739 5111; fax: +41 22 731 4206;
e-mail: enquiries@wto.org

World Intellectual Property Organization, POB 18, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland;
phone: +41 22 338 9111; fax: +41 22 733 5428

United Nations, New York, USA and Geneva, Switzerland

(Last updated on 2012-04-14)

Government trade information

Review National Web Portal of Bangladesh

Ministry of Finance, Finance Division, Secretariat, Bhaban no. 7, 3rd Floor, BD-1000 Dhaka; phone: +880 2 811 2641; fax: +880 2 716 5581

National Board of Revenue (NBR), Customs Duty/Import Tax Collection; phone: +880 2 831 8180; fax: +880 2 831 6143

Ministry of Commerce, Secretariat, Bhaban no. 3, First Floor, BD-1000 Dhaka; phone: +880 2 861 9006; fax: +880 2 861 5741; e-mail: ds-export1@mincom.gov.bd

Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, Ministry of Commerce, 1, Kawran Bazar (2nd & 4th Floor), BD-1215 Dhaka; phone: +88 02 914 4821; fax: +88 02 911 9531; e-mail: info@epb.gov.bd

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution: Maan Bhaban 116/A; Tejgaon Industrial Area; BD-1208 Dhaka; phone: +880 2 882 1462, +880 2 989 7960; fax: +880 2 913 1581; e-mail: info@bsti.gov.bd

(Last updated on 2012-04-14)

Additional trade information

Refer to updated IMF Country Report.

(Last updated on 2012-04-14)

Traveler requirements (visas, samples, etc.)

A visa is required for visits to Bangladesh by citizens of most countries.
See overview of Bangladesh Visa Requirements (for citizens or residents of the US, Canada and UK only).

For detailed information contact:

Embassy of Bangladesh, 3510 International Dr. NW, Washington DC 20008; phone: +1 202 244 0183, ext: 320, or 307; fax: +1 202 244 2771; e-mail: consularwing@bdembassyusa.org

High Commission for Bangladesh, 28 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JA; phone: +44 20 7584 0081; fax: +44 20 7581 7477

Look for addresses of Bangladesh Embassies/Consulates with jurisdiction over your country of residence.

(Last updated on 2012-04-14)

Business customs

Bangladeshi businessmen are usually very courteous. Foreign visitors often find that hosting small meals for their Bangladeshi agents, representatives, or business contacts helps to smooth business negotiations. Visitors may also be invited to share meals as guests of their Bangladeshi hosts.

For business customs check comments of the Bangladesh Etiquette Guide.

For cross-cultural etiquette customs, also refer to Bangladesh Culture Crossing.

(Last updated on 2011-12-22)