Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for transforming local innovations from laboratory concepts into commercial products and connecting them directly with the market.

He made the call while inaugurating the three-day ‘Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026’ at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in Bijoy Sarani, Dhaka, on Saturday (September 12).

Organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology under the theme ‘Innovate to Market’, the fair aims to establish sustainable partnerships among local innovators and innovative organisations, policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, educational institutions, financial institutions and development partners.

Government and private research institutions, 73 public and private universities, independent researchers, students, startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and global investors are participating in the fair. More than 1,000 new and promising innovations in technology, business, education, healthcare, agriculture, environment and other sectors are being showcased.

Officials concerned said many promising technologies and ideas are developed at the grassroots level but fail to reach practical application due to a lack of policy support, seed funding and institutional assistance. Removing these administrative and financial barriers, protecting intellectual property and facilitating commercial expansion are among the key objectives of the exhibition.

On the second day of the fair, a special international session titled ‘Healthcare Innovation for All: Expanding Access to Affordable and Inclusive Healthcare’ will be held. The session will focus on technologies that can deliver affordable, quality healthcare to marginalised communities. Prime Minister’s wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman will attend the session as the chief guest.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR), Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) and Foreign Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) are serving as strategic partners of the fair, while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is participating as the technical partner.