Furniture industry

The prospective furniture industry in the country is failing to expand due to shortage of trained and skilled manpower. This sector can flourish quickly if the government takes a proactive role. The market demand for furniture is increasing because a few furniture manufacturing companies are making world class furniture and attracting a growing clientele of affluent people with good taste. Many sophisticated buyers are giving up their fascination for foreign furniture and leaning towards elegant furniture made locally at a relatively lower price. In order to develop this industry, more innovations and better designs are necessary. At the same time prices have to be competitive so that all categories of buyers can think of buying durable and tasteful furniture. Presently, it is proving difficult to restrict the prices because of high costs of electricity and raw materials. Proper training of concerned personnel in polytechnic and vocational institutes, creativity in design, technical know-how and skilled workers are needed for the expansion and flourishment of this sector. Government should set up more technical institutes so that adequate manpower can be created for the furniture industry. Duty cuts on imported raw materials and linkage products used in the furniture industry will be helpful. Government should pay attention to this aspect while presenting the budget for the next fiscal year. With helpful government policies, it is expected that the furniture industry in the country can successfully start exporting furniture on a regular basis. Thus, a new item would be added to the list of exportable goods.. Shahidul Haque New Eskaton, Dhaka.