Plastic goods makers display strength
Plastics goods manufacturers are expecting a brighter future thanks to rising consumption and variation in products.
“New investors are entering the sector as the future looks bright,” said Md Jashim Uddin, president of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
The sector has been growing at 20 percent annually for the last few years. Per capita annual consumption in Bangladesh stands at six kilogrammes (kg) and will reach 34 kg by 2030. Annual sales in the domestic market have reached about Tk 25,000 crore, according to the entrepreneur.
New and major market players in the sector are taking part in the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair to expand their footprint.
Jashim, also the vice-chairman of the Bengal Group of Industries, said marketing and advertising were the main targets of the participants, not sales.
RFL Plastics, the market leader, is displaying more than 2,000 products in 500 categories, including that focusing baby care, kitchen products, baskets, bins, bowls, toys, containers, water bottles, racks, lunch boxes and furniture.
The company is exhibiting new products in 20 categories, said Kamruzzaman Kamal, director for marketing at PRAN-RFL Group.
It is offering discounts of 5 to 30 percent and making buy-one-get-one-free offers on specific products. Besides, the RFL is holding a raffle draw every week at its pavilion at the fair.
According to Kamal, customers will get a coupon for making purchases of over Tk 500. There will be a lucky draw of all coupons given out with a couple's Dhaka-Bangkok-Dhaka air tickets as the first prize alongside two Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka air tickets as the second prize. Besides, every week seven people will get the opportunity to have dinners with celebrities.
Ali Ahmed Shams, pavilion in-charge of Esquire Plastics Ltd, says they were trying to capture a fair share of the local market by ensuring quality.
The company is displaying more than 200 products, most of which are unique, he said, adding that all products carried a 10 percent discount.
Md Arifur Hoque, pavilion in-charge of ACI Premio Plastics, said the company has brought 235 items to the fair for display.
“We are taking part in the fair for the first time. We have already received good response from visitors,” he said, adding that the company has got bulk orders from the corporate sector.
Tanin Bestware, a plastic furniture maker, is showcasing more than 350 items, including intensive care unit beds for hospitals and home appliances.
“We are selling quality products at competitive prices,” said Md Mostafa Kamal, in-charge of the company's pavilion at the fair. Talking about the environmental impact of plastic products, Jashim pointed out that though taking a very long time to biodegrade, those were all recyclable.
