First ever ‘Ceramic Expo Bangladesh – 2017’ Ends with success

DHAKA, Dec. 3 (NsNewsWire) — “CERAMIC EXPO Bangladesh-2017” organized by “Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA)” officially ended today(Saturday) at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Hall-4, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Dr. Towfiq-E- Elahi Chowdhury BB, PhD, Honorable Advisor, Ministry of Energy, Power &
Mineral Resources, Bangladesh was the chief guest of the closing ceremony of “CERAMIC
EXPO Bangladesh-2017” on December 2, 2017 evening at Hotel Regency. State Minister,
Ministry of Finance M A Mannan was the special guest of the occasion.
Md Sirajul Islam Mollah, MP, President, BCMEA; Mr. Irfan Uddin, General Secretary, BCMEA &
Chairman, Fair organizing Committee were present at the event.
Earlier Mr. Tofail Ahmed, M.P., Honorable Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh
inaugurated three (03) day long “CERAMIC EXPO Bangladesh-2017”.
The “CERAMIC EXPO Bangladesh-2017” is the first ever comprehensive and the largest
International exhibition & seminar of the country.

Event was open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day to all Visitors. Manufacturers, Exporters
and Suppliers gained global exposure for their new product, modern technologies and reflecting
the latest design, creating new image as well adding a great value to their brand all over the
world from a single platform.
There were 60 participants in the fair. Over 400 international delegates, 50 hosted buyers, 100+
booths, 100+ brands were present at the event. Around 4500+ visitors visited the expo in this
three days. There were four (04) seminars for the professionals conducted by BUET, Dhaka
University & RUET teachers.
Chief Guest Towfiq-E- Elahi said, “Wonderful things happen here in last three days. New
generation is taking the charge, it’s very inspiring. 400 foreign delegates came here. It’s great to
know. But do some research & development. Find new market places. Try to know what the
buyers want, and prepare for it. We give ceramic industry very high priority. We know there is
electricity problem. But I hope we can overcome that very soon. There are no shortage of gas.
By April 2018 500 LMG will be added. Another 500 LMG will come in October. But I expect your
industry equipment should be energy saving. Please give it priority.”

Special guest M A Mannan, State Ministry of Finance said, “I learned a lot about ceramic
industry from today’s presentation and speeches. Sheikh Hasina government want positive

Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA)

change in every sector. Now this industry is changing in a great speed towards better future.
Our ministry and me personally will be always beside you to make it better day by day.”
Mr. Irfan Uddin, General Secretary, BCMEA said, "we are more than happy about the
response we received. It was really inspiring experience. Many of us found new scope of
business, some find source of better & cheaper raw material which is good for business. Many
of us get the opportunity to setup new factory. Altogether the expo turns out very effective.
Some of the participant already booked their place for the next year expo. So, we have to start
working for the next expo even before ending of the first one.”
Since the establishment in 1992, BCEMA has been contributing significantly to the ceramic
sector. 250 million pieces of ceramic products are being produced annually from 20 tableware
manufactures. Another 120 million square meter tiles produced from 26 tiles plant and 7.5
million pieces of sanitary product produced from 16 sanitary ware companies. Bangladeshi
ceramic products are exported to about 50 countries.
He further said, currently exporting ceramic products of our country to 50 countries. Now the
total amount of investment in this sector is one billion US dollars and the annual income is
approximately 50 million US dollars.
Md Sirajul Islam Mollah, MP, President, BCMEA was saying, "There are currently 62 plants in
3 categories in the country. There are more new companies coming forward. Not only the
readymade garments, ceramic industry in Bangladesh will be a big contributor for achieving
foreign exchange. We have to stuck in Chittagong port month after month to release the goods.
This increase the price of our raw materials almost duble. How to get rid of it? We request the
Hon'ble Minister to take an initiative to use the remaining two ports.”
He also added, “We get huge response from all participant. Even buyers and foreign delegates
proposed us to make even bigger in next year.”
The close competitors of Bangladesh are China and India, but they mostly produce traditional
items. Moreover, due to recent global financial crisis and rising labor cost, the developed
countries are placing more orders to low-cost countries like Bangladesh.
With the increasing demand of Ceramic & allied products both at the domestic and international
markets, all major Bangladeshi ceramic companies have been expanding their plants and
operations.  Press Release