Govt mulls framing furniture industry policy: Faruk
Friday, 17 April 2009
FE Report
Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan Thursday insisted that the country should not continue importing goods in which it is self-sufficient.
"We have to protect the local products," he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of '6th National Furniture Fair 2009' at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners' Association (BFIOA) organised the six-day fair in association with Design and Technology Centre. Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited is the sponsor of the event.
The commerce minister said that the industries has potentials. "The market of our furniture industry exists both locally and globally and can be expanded if we successfully combine the use of local raw materials, latest technology, timely and proper training and efficient utilisation of skilled labour."
The sector is creating employment opportunities to many jobless persons, he said.
"If we are self-sufficient in furniture production then why should we need to import from abroad?' asked the minister.
"We do not need to import everything. Instead we have to increase the use of locally-grown furniture and enhance export."
Mr Khan said there was still enough scope for the industry to improve. "We have to improve the design and make them attractive and sustainable."
The commerce minister assured the businessmen of all policy support from the present government. The government will also help them promote export through participating in furniture fairs abroad, he added.
He also said the government would also consider formulating a furniture industry policy.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq said the potentiality of the sector was substantial which, he thinks, would grow in the next 15 years.
He also urged the industry people to export as much as possible to take the advantage of 12 per cent duty-free facility Bangladesh enjoyed for being a least developed country.
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Shahab Ullah said the country is too much dependent on too few countries when it comes to export.
"We export 171 items to 189 countries. But only four items dominate the 81 per cent of the export."
"Still we are dependent on the markets of the United States and the European Union. We have yet to explore scopes for our products in Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand."
He said the country exported furniture items worth $2.44 million in last fiscal year which is a meager 0.02 per cent of $8926 million global market.
"We have to introduce new systems of packaging, create re-assembly guide so that the end-users easily can assemble it."
He also proposed to impose non-tariff barrier to discourage furniture import.
BFIOA President KM Akhtaruzzaman, who presided over the opening ceremony, said the objective of the fair was to promote locally produced furniture, create awareness about the quality and international standard of local furniture amongst the local and overseas customers and expand both local and international market.
"We have to be locally stronger. We have to create new designs and styles. For improvement, industry-friendly policy and upgradation of technology are must."
Mr Akhtaruzzaman said that China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam had already strengthened their respective local market. "Now they are dominating over 60 per cent of the global furniture market."
He added around 2.0 million people now work in this sector and this employment opportunity can be available for 5.0 million people.
"The local industry still dominates the local market which is saving foreign currency and creating employment opportunity for thousands."
Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan Thursday insisted that the country should not continue importing goods in which it is self-sufficient.
"We have to protect the local products," he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of '6th National Furniture Fair 2009' at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners' Association (BFIOA) organised the six-day fair in association with Design and Technology Centre. Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited is the sponsor of the event.
The commerce minister said that the industries has potentials. "The market of our furniture industry exists both locally and globally and can be expanded if we successfully combine the use of local raw materials, latest technology, timely and proper training and efficient utilisation of skilled labour."
The sector is creating employment opportunities to many jobless persons, he said.
"If we are self-sufficient in furniture production then why should we need to import from abroad?' asked the minister.
"We do not need to import everything. Instead we have to increase the use of locally-grown furniture and enhance export."
Mr Khan said there was still enough scope for the industry to improve. "We have to improve the design and make them attractive and sustainable."
The commerce minister assured the businessmen of all policy support from the present government. The government will also help them promote export through participating in furniture fairs abroad, he added.
He also said the government would also consider formulating a furniture industry policy.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq said the potentiality of the sector was substantial which, he thinks, would grow in the next 15 years.
He also urged the industry people to export as much as possible to take the advantage of 12 per cent duty-free facility Bangladesh enjoyed for being a least developed country.
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Shahab Ullah said the country is too much dependent on too few countries when it comes to export.
"We export 171 items to 189 countries. But only four items dominate the 81 per cent of the export."
"Still we are dependent on the markets of the United States and the European Union. We have yet to explore scopes for our products in Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand."
He said the country exported furniture items worth $2.44 million in last fiscal year which is a meager 0.02 per cent of $8926 million global market.
"We have to introduce new systems of packaging, create re-assembly guide so that the end-users easily can assemble it."
He also proposed to impose non-tariff barrier to discourage furniture import.
BFIOA President KM Akhtaruzzaman, who presided over the opening ceremony, said the objective of the fair was to promote locally produced furniture, create awareness about the quality and international standard of local furniture amongst the local and overseas customers and expand both local and international market.
"We have to be locally stronger. We have to create new designs and styles. For improvement, industry-friendly policy and upgradation of technology are must."
Mr Akhtaruzzaman said that China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam had already strengthened their respective local market. "Now they are dominating over 60 per cent of the global furniture market."
He added around 2.0 million people now work in this sector and this employment opportunity can be available for 5.0 million people.
"The local industry still dominates the local market which is saving foreign currency and creating employment opportunity for thousands."