First National Industrial Fair 2019 kicks off

National Industrial Fair-2019 kicked off on Sunday at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), aimed at promoting locally produced industrial products and to attract foreign investors.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 7 day fair in the morning. Industries minister, Nurul Mazid Mahmud Humayun, presided over the program while State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, PM’s Private Sector Development Adviser Salman F Rahman, and President of FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries), Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, were special guests.   

A total of 250 organizations including large, medium, and small industries in 16 categories, are participating in the fair with 320 stalls.

In the large industry category, some 14 companies – BRB Cables, Kiam Metal, Walton High Tech Industry,  Bangladesh Building System, BBS Cables, Nahee Aluminum, Composite Panel, Habiganj Agro, Square Food and Beverage, First Auto Bricks, Roxi Paint, S and B industry, Bangladesh Honda and Runner Automobiles -- are exhibiting their products at the fair.

Various businesses such as jute products, cookware, light engineering, packaging, ship building, plastics, herbals, leather & leather goods, and handicrafts, are also taking part in the fair.

Six government agencies, including Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, Bangladesh Securities Exchange Commission (BSEC), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI), Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), and Bangladesh Krishi Bank are also taking part.

“We have arranged the fair for the first time with entrepreneurs from almost all sectors in a bid to branding and promoting our local industrial products,” said Md Mujibur Rahman, a deputy secretary of the Ministry of Industries.

The fair will help expand markets for these products locally and globally, as people from home and abroad are encouraged to visit the fair, he said, adding that they invited foreign visitors from different countries through Bangladesh’s missions abroad.

Additionally, Rahman said the Ministry of Industries is providing technical know-how to entrepreneurs and employees in different sectors. The ministry has established industrial clusters like Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation for boosting industrial production.

However, on a spot visit yesterday, it was found that although most stall owners are exhibiting their products , some are busy setting up their stalls. After the inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, people have started to visit the fair. They were found strolling stall to stall and asking stall attendants questions.

A wide range of products, including motorcycles, ceramics, plastic and household goods, beverages, herbal and food supplements, electronics, fertilizers, sugars, metals, aluminums, and cables were displayed at the fair.

Kamruzzaman Chamak, brand manager of BRB cables, said “we are participating in the fair to let visitors know about our products and their qualities.”

He hoped a large number of visitors will come to the fair as the ministry has arranged the fair for the first time in a large area. “I have seen some foreign visitors already,” he said, expecting more with the passage of time.

Shafiqul Alam, a manager of Walton outlet, said sales is not a factor in the fair. “We are exhibiting our locally produced products, the products of the country,” he said, adding that the visitor will learn the  country is now capable of manufacturing heavy engineering products of the finest quality.
Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com

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