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The 4th Buyer Sellers meet cum Exhibition of Footwear Components was held on 10th & 11th may 2008 at the Bangladesh China Friendship Convention Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 29 member companies participated in the two day meet. The Event was a resounding success with the active support of The Indian High commission and the Leather Goods and Footwear manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh who not only gave active support in organizing the event but also facilitated the participants in obtaining Visas and smooth custom clearance at Dhaka airport. The Event was supported by the Council for Leather Exports.
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rehman, Advisor, Ministry of commerce and Education, Govt. of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony on 10th May 2008, at 10.30 am. Other distinguished guests present at the inauguration ceremony were: Mr Feroz Ahmed, Commerce secretary Govt. of Bangladesh, Acting High commissioner of India Mrs Mukta D. Tomar, Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Chairman Apex Group, Mr Saiful Islam,President Leather Goods and Footwear manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, Mr J.D. Hearns, MD Bata Shoe co. (BD) Ltd and Senior Staff of the Indian high commission and members from the trade and industry of Bangladesh. Since the Hon'ble Advisor Dr. Rehamn was hard pressed for time, he had to leave after giving his address to the gathering hence, the event was jointly Inaugurated by the Mr Ahmed, Commerce Secretary Govt. of Bangladesh and Her Excellency Mrs Mukta Tomar.
Mr B.D. Bhaiya in his welcome address during the inauguration thanked the president LFMEBD for their support in organizing the BSM and also urged the Govt. of Bangladesh to reduce the incidence of Import duty on Footwear components from India as practically no components are manufactured in Bangladesh. He also thanked other distinguished guests for taking out time from their busy schedules to be present at the inauguration.
In his address to the gathering, Advisor commerce, Govt. of Bangladesh complimented the organizing of the BSM and viewed that it was a healthy sign that bilateral engagements were moving from policy matters to more concrete interactions as this BSM. He also urged the Indian participants to consider JVs with companies in Bangladesh or even having 100% subsidiaries.
Mr Elahi, Chairman Apex highlighted the need trained manpower in footwear factories and requested IFCOMA to help them in this. He also pointed out that we should not miss this opportunity to have JVS in Bangladesh as many factories have closed down in China and were exploring possibilities of moving to Bangladesh. He also opined that people of Bangladesh would prefer doing business with India as culturally there is no difference between both our countries.
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Mr Islam president LGFMEAB also expressed similar views as Mr Elahi and thanked IFCOMA for organizing the BSM and hoped that this event will become a regular yearly event in Bangladesh with wider participation from Indian companies. He also requested the High Commissioner of India to extend import duty concessions for Import of Footwear from Bangladesh by Indian companies.
Mr Feroz Ahmed, Secretary, Commerce Govt. Of Bangladesh also reiterated the need of JVS in Footwear components and promised all support to Indian companies for the same including setting up 100% subsidiaries.
Mrs. Mukta Tomar, Acting high commissioner of India, thanked the Advisor (Commerce) for his presence and his encouragement to Indian Footwear component manufacturers to explore possibilities of investment into Bangladesh. She also recalled recent trends in India & Bangladesh trade and initiatives taken by India in recent months to provide increased market access opportunities to products form Bangladesh. She also appreciated the IFCOMAfor organising the BSM.
Mementos were presented to the distinguished guests by Shri Bhaiya and other members from IFCOMA.
Mr. Vipan Seth, Vice president (South) gave the vote of thanks, thereafter the event was inaugurated and the guests were taken around the stalls by the president.
The BSM was highly publicized and all the prominent newspapers & electronic media covered the event extensively.
The BSM had participants from all over India and the products on display included Soles of all kinds, Heels, Leather finishing Chemicals, Footbeds, Leather veneers, Welts, Crosslinked Polythlene Foam, EVA Socks, Cup Insoles, Linings & Interlinings, laminated fabrics, Packing boxes, Shoe laces, threads, Shoe Lasts, Zippers, Machinery, Band knives / blades, TPR and Plastic compounds, Non Woven Fabrics, Non- leather materials etc.
The two day event attracted more than 600 visitors from the trade & industry from all over Bangladesh. Footwear manufacturers from Chittagong also visited the event for the first time. At the end of the BSM the participants have reported serious business negotiations of over USD 100,000 approximately and expressed their satisfaction for a successful BSM.
A dinner was also hosted by IFCOMA for the Industry on 10th and LGFMEAB gave a dinner to the Indian Participants on 11th May 2008.
The visitors who visited the event were pleased to find all materials required for the manufacturing of footwear at one place. The Industry of Bangladesh has shown keen interest in the event being replicated next year also.
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