Ceramic expo begins to boost local brands
A total of 120 companies and 150 brands from 20 countries, including major Bangladeshi brands have participated in the fair
Hasibur Rahman, senior executive (Branding) at Building Technology & Ideas Ltd went to the International Convention City Bashundhara to find out what kind of sinks are available in the local market.
The executive found the sink he was looking for in the stall of world-renowned brand Cotto.
"Tiles and sanitary ware are now must-have products for the interior decoration of new flats. I have come to the fair to get the best quality products at a reasonable price. A lot of options are also make the choosing easier," he told The Business Standard.
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Many visitors like Hasibur have turned 'Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2019' into a festive event.
The Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA) has organised the 3-day international ceramic exhibition to boost the country's ceramic product exports.
This is the second edition of the expo that the BCMEA has been arranging since 2017. A total of 120 companies and 150 brands from 20 countries, including major Bangladeshi brands, are participating in the fair.
The expo, which is open to everyone from 10am to 7pm, also features five seminars on skills development, branding, innovation, contribution to SDGs.
There is also an attractive raffle draw for visitors.
Akij Ceramics is showcasing the most sophisticated tiles, particle boards and sanitary material at the fair. The company has brought three new varieties of tiles to the exhibition.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Akij Ceramics Deputy Manager (Marketing) Sardar Md Tajul Islam said, "Product promotion is the main purpose of the fair. While getting detailed information about the products, visitors can also book them."
Shelltech Ceramics is participating in the fair for the first time. The company is displaying tiles of at least 100 types and colours.
Shelltech has brought in a wide range of products to help consumers find any ceramic product they want, said Sheltech Chairman Kutubuddin Ahmed. He added that domestic products are being branded through the fair.
Along with local producers, companies from at least 20 countries, including China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Italy, Turkey, are displaying their products here. The organisers said these countries have 50 plus stalls at the exhibition. But most of the stalls feature machinery and raw material.
BCMEA President Md Shirajul Islam Mollah said, "The stalls will impress any visitor. The visitors can also order products at the fair."
While inaugurating the exhibition early on Thursday, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that tax will have to be excluded from 30 percent moisture of ceramic raw material imports. Or tax should be exempted for ceramic raw material import altogether. If given the opportunity for a few more years, the ceramic industry will become big.
Referring to the demand for ceramic products in the international market, the minister said, "We have to seize the opportunity. Why should raw material import for the ceramic industry not get a bond facility? Ceramic products should be made accessible to everyone, and should be spread to the doorsteps of the people."
Speaking as the chief guest, the president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Sheikh Fazle Fahim, said "Tk8,661 crore has been invested in the ceramic industry in ten years. The sector has also grown by 200 percent. The incentives given to this sector are simply not enough."
