TikTok on Sunday launched TikTok Bazaar, a nationwide capacity-building program designed to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh with the digital marketing skills and capabilities needed to grow their businesses locally and internationally.
Implemented in partnership with IDLC Finance, the country’s leading NBFI, TikTok Bazaar aims to support up to 2,500 SMEs across the country through a combination of in-person workshops, advanced training clusters, online mentoring, and ongoing virtual support.
The program will help entrepreneurs move beyond traditional social commerce by using TikTok to reach wider audiences, strengthen their brands, and explore new business opportunities locally and internationally.
Additionally, the partnership will help expand entrepreneurs’ access to practical digital skills and introduce participating businesses to a broader digital ecosystem.
TikTok Bazaar responds to a significant opportunity within Bangladesh’s developing digital commerce ecosystem.
Many local entrepreneurs already use social media to promote and sell clothing, food, cosmetics, personal care products, handicrafts, accessories and more.
However, they often lack access to structured, practical performance marketing training, limiting their ability to optimize campaigns and drive sustainable business growth.
The program will help participating businesses develop practical skills in TikTok campaign planning, creative content production, account configuration, advertising optimization, and performance measurement.
Businesses with operational readiness will also receive guidance on reaching overseas customers and building export-oriented campaigns.
Ferdous Mottakin, head of public policy and government relations, South Asia, TikTok, said: "Digital creativity can be a powerful driver of business growth. In partnership with IDLC, we aim to provide SMEs with the knowledge, tools and support they need to turn creativity into measurable commercial opportunity through TikTok Bazaar, whether they are serving customers locally or introducing Bangladeshi products to audiences overseas."
“Digital inclusion is no longer optional for today’s SME businesses, and if they are based outside the larger markets like Dhaka, or Chattogram this becomes even more critical for their growth. Bangladesh has a very potential SME scenario; and from IDLC, we are putting our best efforts to upskilling local SME business owners through collaborating with partners like TikTok,” said Adnan Rashid, head of SME, IDLC Finance.
Through TikTok Bazaar, TikTok aims to help Bangladeshi entrepreneurs build more resilient businesses, connect with new customers, and participate more fully in the digital economy.
The initiative will help SMEs build confidence, expand their reach and pursue sustainable growth in both domestic and international markets.