Buyers and manufacturers of consumer goods have come under one platform, Ambiente-2018, in Frankfurt for networking with existing and future business, participants said.
A total of 31 Bangladeshi companies among 4,441 participants from 89 countries including China, India and Pakistan are taking part in the world's largest consumer goods show that began on Friday last in Frankfurt, Germany.
These handicrafts, jute goods and other consumer goods makers are eyeing to lure more new buyers besides their existing ones at the five-day fair.
Of them, 12 are showcasing their products under the umbrella of the state-owned Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) with its slogan 'bring nature home'.
Messe Frankfurt, one of the largest trade fair companies in the world, has organized the event.
"We are here mainly to give the buyers exposure to our products. These buyers are coming from across the globe mostly from European countries," Mahin Ahmed Mozammel, general manager of Sachatan Handicraft, told the FE.
The company that produces jute products is participating in the fair for the first time, he said.
Locally-made handicrafts have good demand in the world, he said, adding that they are taking part in the fair for getting direct export orders from buyers.
"We are participating in the fair to know what other competitor countries are doing in product and design developments and to attract the Europe-based buyers to locally-made handicraft products," Md Kashem Mahmud, head of marketing of Natural Handicrafts, said.
The company is also showcasing their products here for the first time.
"Response from buyers is very positive. Most of our old customers including those from the EU are visiting our stalls," said Lutfur Rahman, managing director of Peoples Ceramic Industries Ltd.
The company has been taking part in the fair for several years, he said, adding that the fair is a good opportunity for networking with European retailers.
This is one of the best platforms as buyers from all over the world gather here, said Helal Uddin Ahmed, managing director of Standard Ceramic Industries Ltd.
Participants including those from China, India and Pakistan said it helps both buyers and manufacturers to know the latest trend, upcoming fashion and taste, quality and so on.
Organisers said more than 130,000 buyers from more than 140 countries took part in the last two consecutive trade fairs for consumer goods and more than 4,300 exhibitors from various countries gathered to present trends and innovations in the coming business season.
"The EU is our largest market for all exportable goods as we enjoy duty-free facility here," said MA Abedin Nowshad, chief executive officer of Paragon Ceramic Industries Ltd.
He claimed that the ceramic sector could also flourish as ready-made garment provided with required government policy support including smooth supply of gas at a reasonable price and cash incentive.
Moynul Islam, vice chairman of Monno Group of Industries, said Bangladesh is the best for manufacturing quality ceramic products.
As China is switching to high-tech industries, there is an ample opportunity not only for ceramic but also for other industries, Bangladeshi participants said.
The government should address the bottlenecks in three phases, raw material import, shortage of gas needed for manufacturing and the issues that hamper export activities including inefficient port handling, they added.
munni_fe@yahoo.com