Ceramic exports moved up by 26 per cent in 2014 financial year as it showed resilience even after the suspension of Generalised System of Preferences by the US government, industry executives said.
The sector brought in US$47.5 million in FY'14, compared with $37.7 million a year ago, data from the state-linked Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) showed.
The US government suspended the GSP facility for Bangladesh exports in June last year. Around 35-40 per cent of the country's export is destined to the US market.
Bangladesh used to export ceramic table wares, furniture, toys, plastic materials, tents, tobacco products etc., under the GSP facility meant for the least developed and developing countries.
They said a diversified product base with competitive prices helped the sector boost export to the US, the European Union and other countries.
The executives said the industry has taken some initiatives to explore new markets, helping the sector earn $200 million in exports in the next three years.
The Tk 20-billion-sector even surpassed its shipment target by nearly 13 per cent, officials at the EPB said.
"Demand of our products in the US, the EU and other countries has been increasing gradually, helping export to rise," Chief Operating Officer of Shinepukur Ceramics Rizvi Ul Kabir told the FE.
He said shipment would have been more had the US not suspended the GSP.
"Outstanding performance in other markets helped us raise export, despite nominal growth in US," he said.
"Skilled labour force is our great resource and it also blessed ceramic industry like other sectors in the country," he added.
He said the industry is using the most advanced Bone China technology and the availability of labour is relatively easy compared with the developed nations.
"Bangladeshi companies are producing high quality ceramic and porcelain wares, which have been able to explore markets," he said.
Executive director of Paragon Ceramic Industries Ltd Md Ashek Alam said the quality of products, such as dinner sets, tea and coffee sets, is much better than that of India and China.
Mr Alam said exports will increase more in the coming years as the government has reduced import duty on a few raw materials.
"Assurance of uninterrupted power and gas supply can make us one of the three largest global ceramic exporters in the next six years," he added.
The country exports ceramic products to about 50 countries including, the US, the EU and Canada, tiles to India, Nepal and Bhutan, and sanitary wares to the Middle East, specially the UAE.
Raw materials for ceramic industry are imported from China, Rumania, Indonesia and Germany.
More than a dozen of ceramic factories are operating in Bangladesh, employing more than 0.1 million workers.
Monno, Shinepukur, Bengal Fine, Standard, Peoples, Paragon and National Ceramic are major players in the ceramic tableware market.
Ceramic export booms defying US trade benefit suspension
Yasir Wardad | Published: July 17, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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