22 October 2023 | 12:36pm
Follow Us facebook youtube-filled twitter linkedin
Home >> About US

About US

The Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) is a think tank established under the Ministry of Commerce with a view to working for both the public and the private sector in the field of trade and business. The Institute is governed by a high-level Board of Directors consisting of 16 members, equally represented by the government and the private sectors. The Board is chaired by Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. As a think tank, BFTI aims at facilitating and promoting country’s trade through research, policy advocacy, training and education.

Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) is a not-for-profit research and training institution. Founded in 2003, it traces its inception to the concept of public-private partnership between the public and the private sector. The prime focus of BFTI is on research, education, training and policy advocacy on international trade. The beneficiaries of the institute comprise both public and private sectors, engaged in international trade. The creation of the BFTI is a ground-breaking and pioneering initiative in Bangladesh that provides this organization a unique opportunity to have a clear understanding of the issues of concern for the target groups and to cater to their needs in the ever-expanding spheres of international trade.

To develop as an internationally reputed institute for trade policy research, and a centre of excellence for education and training of the highest standard on trade and business-related subjects. This vision is to be achieved by gradually developing the structure, operational processes and human resource capacity of the BFTI, in order to effectively perform the mandated functions. The core areas as envisaged in the vision are:

  • Applied research on international economic law and trade policy;
  • Policy advice on international economic law, trade-related regulatory frameworks and trade policy;
  • Practical training and capacity building on international economic law, trade regulation, economic policy making and international negotiations;
  • Recognized and accredited advanced academic programs on international economic law, international commerce, international business, and trade policy;
  • A public access information centre for the laws and regulations governing trade in Bangladesh and in its major trading partners.

To set in motion the country’s foreign trade management in a professional manner by developing trade and business knowledge of the public and private sector practitioners through top quality research, policy advice, education and training.

  • Providing policy support to the government and the private sector trade bodies and associations on existing and emerging trade-related issues; 
  • Building trade-related capacity for government agencies and private sector enterprises through training and research; and 
  • Creating a policy forum for consultation between policy makers and business leaders.

  • To act as a think tank for the government and private sector on international trade;
  • To act as a focal point of the Ministry of Commerce for the development of a comprehensive trade policy;
  • To provide trainings to the public and private sector officials, businessmen and professionals to equip them with the professional capacity on trade-related issues;
  • To provide updated information and to advise the Ministry of Commerce on World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements and their implications for Bangladesh and disseminate the same to the members of the trade bodies;
  • To focus on the national activities and international contacts and interactions in connection with the WTO issues, bilateral, regional & multilateral trade agreements; and
  • To provide expert advice to the government and the private sector on international trade, disputes and negotiations.

❑ Research

❑ Policy Advocacy

❑ Training

❑ Consultancy

❑ Education

About BFTI