When we haw a Irtish for using everything foreign. it's hardly surprising that the crockeries we use. art most often not. locally made. At least, that's the impression. New Market as well as other well known skipping centres in town gives such an impression. New Markets Singa pore/Dubai — or whatever you may call it — market sec tkm positively Hoods with imported hems. But perhaps a isirtk uiar type of glassware is more available than the rest rhe regular market goer cant fail to notice the frosted and somew hat translucent burgundy and coffee coloured Indonesian and Malaysian household products, that are not merely confined to normal shops, hut are sprawled on the market's walkway s and on the overbridge joining the two busy malls Gawsia and New Market

Within the last year or so, they have certainly become quite popular with the local consumers. In fact demand is so high here that one can almost believe that the manu factoring countries are producing them simply for us! About a few weeks back, I went to Singapore Market w ith my mom. While she was looking for a Telfon frying pan. 1 was glancing at some cute show pieces. I overheard one salesman trying to convince an exacting customer that the plates she was eying up are the latest' in foreign crockeries: everyone was buying them and she would be making a mistake if she didn't." Thus one shopper relates lier experience.

Turning around one can discover those made-in-ln-doncsia dishware. To be frank, with all the sparkling cry* tai and ceramic stuff from overseas lying around nearby, they didn't seem all that special So, what's their charm? Well firsdy, they are relatively inexpensive, unlike other non Bangladeshi merchandise. A set of six plates or glasses com about Tk 150-200. One can also get mugs and howls at equally reasonable prices. The denizens ought wonder about their easy availability. Several sales people say that the trade barriers have been lifted. I sually heavy tax is imposed on all foreign goods, but the governments have signed a pact making the Indonesian.7Malaysian glassware tax free.

What about the quality? I couldn't help noticing some Irene h dishes right next to them, much lighter but very similar in design. In comparison, the Indonesian ones cer tainiy looked like poor imitations. But tlie shop-keepers argue dial the only reason they seem better are because they are more expensive, the reason of which is at tributed to Vat However, people liaving used the common crockcries remark that they are not all that impressive or durable, but the price is right for daily Use. What's more, they are definitely cheaper than our very own chic and quality Monno and Bengal ceraimcs. They probably sell so well as they are affordable foreign things and one need not lx- extra cautious about handling them.

Besides glassware, the deiiti markets have also gener ously made nxim for the Malaysian and Indonesian food products like noodles, ketchup and chocolates, along with other bidefhi stuff. Almost everything from everywhere can he found in our good okl cosmopolitan Dhaka city. While, healthy competition can prompt the local entrepreneurs to compete with international standards, the unchecked flow of products from abroad will also thwart any attempt of gaining the local consumers' popularity. After all. we seldom get carried away by patriotism and feel compelled to pure base deshi stuff, when their foreign version are available right here and well with in our budget.