Bangladesh must tap ceramic export potential: commerce adviser

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has urged businesses to fully tap into the country's growing ceramic industry and transform it into a stronger export-oriented sector.

He made the call while inaugurating the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2025 as the chief guest at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Purbachal, Dhaka today, according to a press release.

More than 70 factories producing tableware, tiles, sanitary ware, and other ceramic products are currently operating in Bangladesh. The domestic market for these items stands at around Tk 8,000 crore annually. Production and investment in the industry have surged by nearly 150 percent over the past decade.

Bangladesh now exports ceramic products to over 50 countries, earning approximately Tk 5 billion a year. Overall investment in the sector has exceeded Tk 18,000 crore, while nearly five lakh people are employed directly and indirectly.

Calling for constructive engagement from the business community, the adviser said, "Not just complaints, but come up with logical, acceptable, and realistic proposals. The government is supportive of you. We are obliged to ensure your facilities. But it must be based on fair and standard industrial conduct."

He added that the country's shifting political landscape has made it clear that "connection-based business" will no longer be effective. "The time is now for skills, competence, and technology," he said.

The adviser also questioned why the ceramic industry has not achieved export prominence similar to the ready-made garment sector, which grew rapidly within a decade.

"Because we still have challenges in sustainable cost competitiveness, design innovation, logistics efficiency, productivity, and energy management. We need to identify these and move towards realistic solutions," he added.

Organised by the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), the four-day fair will run until November 30.

A total of 135 organisations and 300 brands from 25 countries, including Bangladesh, are participating in the expo. Around 500 international representatives and buyers from the sector are also attending.

Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2025, one of the largest ceramic exhibitions in Asia, will feature three seminars, a job fair, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) meetings, live demonstrations, spot orders, raffle draws, and new product launches.

The fair will remain open to visitors from 10am to 6pm daily.