The Success of Bangladesh's Virtual Footwear Pavilion at Milan

At the bustling Milan Footwear Fair, one of the world’s largest trade fairs for the industry, a buyer named Tom from New Balance was on a mission. He was seeking new factories for his upcoming season’s orders, specifically for a line of affordable shoes. His focus was clear: find factories that could deliver quality at a reasonable price.

As Tom navigated through the various booths, a striking pavilion caught his attention. It was the “Made in Bangladesh” pavilion, draped in the vibrant colors of the Bangladeshi flag. Drawn in by the unique design, he approached the booth and quickly realized it was organized by BDFairs, in collaboration with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), showcasing a diverse range of Bangladeshi manufacturers.

Tom began exploring the pavilion, impressed by the beautifully decorated shelves that highlighted Bangladesh’s rich culture and heritage. The samples on display, ranging from casual to high-end footwear, immediately piqued his interest. As he examined the designs and quality of the products, a friendly host named Afam approached him with a warm smile.

“Welcome! Feel free to explore, and if you’d like to see more samples from any company, just scan the QR code on the product,” Afam explained.

Tom was intrigued. By scanning the QR code, he could not only access more samples but also visit the company’s profile directly on the BDFairs web portal. He found the portal incredibly user-friendly, with no login or registration needed. With just a tap, he could message the factory owner or designer, view factory videos, and check all available facilities.

As Tom browsed through the manufacturers’ profiles on the portal, he realized how comprehensive it was. Hundreds of Bangladeshi manufacturers, all under one virtual roof. He could see that every product in the pavilion had its own QR code, leading to more details about the respective factory on BDFairs. It felt smoother than using platforms like Alibaba, as he could check the physical sample on display and instantly access the factory’s information digitally.

Afam further explained that BDFairs connected not only manufacturers but also buying houses and other crucial backward linkage industries. Tom was impressed. He had found the perfect factory for his sneaker line—Western Footwear Ltd. With just a touch on the WhatsApp button embedded in the web page, Tom was connected directly to the COO of the company. A quick video call followed, and within ten minutes, Tom had arranged to send a physical sample of his sneaker to Bangladesh. The factory would create a prototype, finalize the costing, and bid on the pricing to close the deal.

Afam, seeing Tom’s progress, smiled and offered him the coffee he had served at the beginning of their meeting. Tom was the fifteenth buyer that day to initiate a direct video call with a manufacturer, thanks to the seamless integration of physical and digital elements through the BDFairs platform.

Afam reflected on the success of the Bangladesh pavilion. Despite only ten companies sending representatives to the fair, the other ninety registered on the BDFairs portal were still able to showcase their products and receive orders from buyers like Tom. By attaching QR codes to their samples, they had unlocked a new way of doing business—blending physical presence with virtual accessibility.

This innovative system not only secured new orders but also elevated Bangladesh’s country branding and global reputation. Afam felt a sense of pride as he realized that this integrated approach to buyer hunting and promotion was a game-changer, making the project a resounding success.

Written By: Engr.A.Fattah Asif

GM of WASO Engineers & Consultants BD ltd.

Director of BDFairs

01712898718, [email protected] ,

www.BDFairs.com