After a break of two years, the 17th National Furniture Fair is set to start on October 6, with a target to further develop the furniture industry locally and globally.
The fair- the biggest event of the country's furniture industry- will be held at the International Convention City of Bashundhara in the capital and will continue till October 10.
Chairman of Bangladesh Furniture Industry Owners Association Salim H Rahman disclosed this at a virtual press meet on Saturday where the association's secretary general Md Elias Sarkar, vice chairman and convener of the fair committee Alhaj Sheikh Abdul Awal and organising secretary A Karim Mazumdar were present.
Mr Rahman, also managing director of Hatil, said a total of 182 stalls of 34 companies including Hatil, Akhtar, Navana, Pertex, Regal, Nadia and Brothers will showcase their latest products at the mega event.
Terming the event a key to the development of the sector, he said the industry is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic shocks that forced them to skip arranging such an important event.
As the situation has started improving, they decided to resume the annual event this year, targeting both the domestic and overseas markets, he said.
He also informed that Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun may attend the inauguration of the exhibition as the chief guest.
A children's painting competition with the theme 'Houses like pictures' will also be held alongside the fair.
Attractive prizes will be given to 10 participants for drawing the best picture and each participant will get a certificate and sketch book.
According to the organisers, the purpose of this fair is to develop the local furniture industry as well as to increase exports outside the country, as export of furniture has increased significantly in recent years.
The country exported furniture worth US$190.36 million in the financial year 2021-2012, which is 38.87 per cent higher than previous financial year.
Currently, furniture is being exported from Bangladesh to various countries of the world, including India, Nepal, USA, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and European Union countries.
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