Ceramic exports grow

Aims to take place in top 3 exporting sectors

Golam Mostafa Jibon: Various ceramic products made in Bangladesh have taken a big space in the world market after fulfilling the domestic demand that showing a way to new horizon in the sector.
The possibility of export and investment of ceramic products is increasing in the country. The local market of this sector is about Tk 7000 crore annually. Besides, the export income is around Tk 500 crore annually. Ceramic exhibition is held in the capital every year to highlight the further expansion, export and investment potential of ceramic products in the country and abroad, insiders said.
Among the various ceramic products, table items have now created a great demand in the foreign markets. These table products include 150 to 250 types. Apart from this, orders from famous foreign brands like H&M and Marks are also being taken in domestic ceramics factories, which are being supplied after manufacturing.
The ceramic factories are earning thousands of crores of foreign currency every year by exporting local ceramics products. These ceramic products made in Bangladesh are being exported to at least 40 countries of the world including Europe, America and Middle East. Especially the world market held by China is now trying to take over Bangladeshi ceramics. There is a great possibility to grab the entire world market of ceramics with the special supports of the government.
In continuation of this, in the first 8 months (July-February) of the last fiscal year 2018-19, ceramic products worth $5.65 crore have been exported, which is 127 percent more than the same period of the fiscal year 2017-18.
In the first 8 months of the financial year 2017-18, the export amount was $2.49 crore. The target of export in 8 months of the last financial year was $3.73 crore. However, 51.37 percent more exports than the target due to the export of $5.65 crore in 2019.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), ceramic products worth $3.11 million were exported in the last financial year 2020-21. On the other hand, Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA) claimed that, ceramic products worth 41.7 million dollars were exported in that financial year. Among them, tiles have been exported worth $950,000.
Regarding the high growth of export of ceramic products, Irfan Uddin, General Secretary of Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA) and Director of Far Ceramics Limited said, “China is the country occupying the top market of ceramics in the world market, especially their monopolistic influence in the European market. But we are occupying their place. Because of the China used to export ceramic products to the European market with 12 percent duty. But due to the increase in tariffs for Chinese goods, they now have to export goods at higher tariffs. This has increased the price of ceramic products in China more than before. Because of this, European buyers are tending to Bangladesh market to buy ceramic products at low prices as Bangladesh enjoys duty-free ceramic products in the European market.”
Irfan believes that, due to these reasons, the ceramic industry of Bangladesh has great potential.
The entrepreneurs of the ceramic industry said, the ceramic manufacturing companies are now working in full swing due to receiving regular work orders from abroad. Most of the organizations have got a one-year mandate. As a result, many companies are investing in this industry. Older companies are increasing their number of units. Thus, the ceramic industry of the country is becoming prosperous day by day. They expect that the ceramic industry will take place among the top three export sectors of the country in the future.