Business Promotion Council (BPC)

Export Policy, 2003-06 recognized formation of sector/product-based Business Promotion Councils for export promotion and diversification through addressing problems related to capacities of the industry in particular. In this connection, to ensure better coordination and seamless operations the Businesses Promotion Council has been established in 2004 under the Ministry of Commerce such a way to be the administrative body for all individual councils. 

Business Promotion Council (BPC) under the Ministry of Commerce is a product-specific sector promotion council with a mandate for export diversification - represented by government organizations and trade associations having an immediate stake in the identified sector. It was a belief that, Export diversification can be achieved if enterprises are competitive in the international market. But to increase competitiveness enterprises need to be able to produce the appropriate product at the right price, using the appropriate technology and should be compliant with the requirements of the buyers. In short, the price-quality mix has to have an edge against another international supplier. Export diversification can be achieved if enterprises are competitive in the international market. The concept of BPC emerged on this context and it was felt that public-private partnership would be the key to sustaining access to bundled services required to support export-oriented industries. Since most of the export-oriented industries in Bangladesh, other than readymade garments, falls under the category of infant industries, an intensive and targeted support was required for them to achieve the required competency. The concept of BPC emerged from this context. The prime objective behind the creation of BPC was to establish a platform of public-private partnership towards attaining efficiency and productivity for these under-performing sectors. In order to diversify, develop and ensure product standard, induce appropriate technology, adhere to compliance, identify bottlenecks and provide market intelligence with a view to increasing export, a few product/ sector specific Business Promotion Councils have been formed under public private partnership and these include-

1. ICT Business promotion Council
2. Leather Sector Business Promotion Council
3. Light Engineering Products Business Promotion Council
4. Medicinal Plants and Herbal Products Business Promotion Council
5. Fisheries Products Business Promotion Council
6. Agro Products Business Promotion Council
7. Plastic Products Business Promotion Council
8. Jute Products Business Promotion Council