3rd Ceramic Expo begins in capital

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday assured the ceramic industry leaders that the ongoing gas-supply crisis, which affected production in factories, would be solved by January.
The minister gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the Third Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2022, which began at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.
The event, organised by the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), will continue till 26 November. Tipu Munshi formally inaugurated the exhibition.
Admitting the ongoing gas crisis in the country's industrial sector, the minister said, "We know that the gas crisis, caused by the global situation, is hampering production in factories. We hope it will be solved by January 2023."
"We will hold a meeting with the top government officials and business leaders to find out a sustainable solution to the present crisis."
He invited the BCMEA leaders to sit with the government regarding their demands and the gas crisis.
The commerce minister praised the industry leaders for achieving a significant growth, as some 80-85 per cent of the country's market demand is met by the local companies.
He hoped that like the RMG, the ceramic industry would also be one of the top foreign currency earners.
Mostofa Azad Chowdhury, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), advocated for providing similar supports (like the RMG) from the government, so that ceramic and other industries can help the country earn dollars (through their exports), as businesses are facing dollar crisis amid declining forex reserve.
BCMEA President Shirajul Islam Mollah said more than 70 factories - producing ceramics goods, tableware, tiles and sanitaryware - have already been set up in the country.
Speakers also suggested enhancing the sector's capacity to contend with competitors in the global market.
Skilled manpower, low labour cost and sufficient supply of sulphur-free natural gas, have been positive factors for the local ceramic industry to grow further and produce goods of global standard, they added.
BCMEA Secretary General Irfan Uddin spoke on the occasion.
Some 200 brands of 90 companies from over 15 countries are participating in the Ceramic Expo, where manufacturers, exporters and suppliers get the opportunity to showcase their new products, latest technology and expertise globally.
Organisers expect over 300 delegates from different countries, making it one of the largest ceramic sector exhibitions in South Asia.
According to the BCMEA officials, Bangladesh is currently exporting ceramic goods, including tiles, tableware and sanitary items, to more than 50 countries.
Some 500,000 people are involved in the sector, making it a top industrial sector in Bangladesh.
The industry now has about US$1.7 billion investments. Its export earning is over $50 million, and sale volume in the local market is about $500 million annually. It meets 85 per cent of the local demand.
In the last 10 years, production in the ceramic sector has increased by 200 per cent and investment by nearly 20 per cent, they added.

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