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The 5th Buyer Sellers meet cum Exhibition of Footwear Components was held on 30th September & 1st October, 2009 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 22 member companies participated in the two day meet.
The Event was a resounding success with the active support of The Indian High Commission & the Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), 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 (CLE).
The BSM was inaugurated by H. E. Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Hon'ble High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh other distinguished guests present at the inauguration ceremony were: Md. Saiful Islam, President, LFMEAB, Mr. A. K. M. Rahmatullah, MP & Managing Director, Apex Tannery Ltd.
Mr B.D. Bhaiya in his welcome address during the inauguration thanked the president LFMEBD for their support in organizing. He also thanked other distinguished guests for taking out time from their busy schedules to be present at the inauguration.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Saiful Islam, President, LGFMEA commended IFCOMA whose association with Bangladesh firm in the leather sector, according to him had stood the test of time and claimed that demand for the Indian Components was growing in Bangladesh day by day. He informed that the process to set up a joint venture company of Footwear Accessories in Bangladesh was underway and that discussions to provide a building exclusively for this purpose, was at an advanced stage.
He stressed on the need for the Indian firms to invest in Bangladesh while at the same time transferring the much needed modern technology to Bangladesh.
He said that the two countries rather than competing against each other could grow together in the spirit of co-operation which SAARC promoted. Underscoring the potential for mutual collaboration between the two countries in the leather sector, Mr. Nasir Khan, senior Vice President of LGFMEA urged representatives of Bangladesh firms present at the inaugural ceremony to do business with member firms of IFCOMA which reliable in terms of both quality as well as timely delivery of goods.
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High Commissioner Shri Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty said that the event, fifth of its kind in Dhaka, offered a renewed opportunity to footwear industries of both countries to interact and learn from each other.
He said that India had emerged as a major destination of global sourcing of Footwear and was the second largest manufacturer of footwear with an annual production of over two billion pairs. Commenting on the trade figures between the two countries in the leather sector, High Commissioner said that these were not commensurate with the potential and that the time had come to take a leap and plan investments in joint ventures in this win - win sector.
The High Commissioner called upon the businessmen from both Bangladesh & India to go for joint investment, which would boost cross-border trade in the region.
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 BSMhad 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 30th Sept., which was attended by all the particpants and leading industrialists of Bangladesh from the industry.
The High Commissioner of India also hosted a Dinner for all the participants on 29th September.
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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