Promoting furniture industry

The country's furniture industry has never been in the limelight for understandable reasons. Traditionally, the sector has remained a preserve of an artisan class which inherits its knowledge of, and skills in, woodwork from its forefathers. But in a country where forests are getting depleted at a fast rate, the supply of the finest wood like teak, mahogany and rose wood has fallen to the minimum. Today a significant portion of the requirement for furniture is met by imported plywood and metal furniture. There has been a radical shift in skill and labour for production of furniture. Today the designs are simple but sharp and the production line has to be economical to stay in business. Carpenters relying on their traditional tools are finding it difficult to compete because of the longer time taken for completing their tasks. Yet those who love woodworks and have enough money to spend on their passion for such works will definitely go for hand-made furniture.

Defying many odds, however, the country's furniture industry has made a mark not just in the local market but also abroad, thanks to a select few pioneers in furniture manufacture. Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners Association has reasons to think that their members could do better if they did not have to pay high import duty on a few raw materials. As high as 74 per cent duty on lacquer and wood cuttings should by all standard be considered unreasonable, particularly when there is no competition from domestic production of the same. Naturally lacquered furniture is 50 per cent more expensive than the varnished types. Clearly the furniture association which has demanded a 12 per cent duty cut on imported lacquer, has a point here. If the duty is lowered reasonably, furniture will be less costly in the domestic market and the exporters of this item will enjoy a competitive edge in the international market as well. As part of breaking new ground, furniture industry's journey has so far remained modest. This can definitely expand the market abroad if the process of facilitation is strong enough.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has already created a precedence of tax benefit which, instead of benefiting the furniture manufacturers, will harm its cause. It has allowed luxury hotels to enjoy such tax benefits on import of furniture. Definitely not a wise move and far less one to promote the cause of local industry. Instead of granting the benefit to users, it could advance the cause of manufacturers of furniture. The benefit would have been double because locally made furniture would be less costly and its sale would have gone up. Above everything else, the best places for showcasing the craftsmanship of local artisans are the posh hotels. Countries relying on tourism industry always display local culture, tradition alongside the living condition with the array of articles about which tourists are naturally inquisitive. Furniture is one such aspect that tells of a people rich in culture and tradition. It surely is a missed opportunity and the NBR should review its decision on imported furniture.