Ifad Autos Ltd. has made history as the first Bangladeshi company to export buses internationally, sending 11 air-conditioned Ashok Leyland buses to Bhutan. Produced at Ifad’s manufacturing plant in Dhamrai, Dhaka, this shipment represents a major shift for Bangladesh, traditionally an importer in the bus market.
Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu, Chairman of Ifad Group, highlighted this accomplishment as a significant step toward diversifying Bangladesh’s exports. He noted that, with the support of the government, Ifad aims to reach other potential markets, including the Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar, and regions of northeastern India where interest in similar vehicles has grown.
Since beginning its vehicle manufacturing journey in 2017 with Ashok Leyland’s technical support, Ifad Autos has expanded from cars to buses. This export marks a new era for the Dhamrai facility, now recognized as the largest private commercial vehicle manufacturing site in Bangladesh.