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Alternative furniture impress all

CITY CORRESPONDENT
Due to the lack of steady supply of wood and high cost of some imported raw materials, furniture companies are producing lacquer based, medium density fiberboard (MDF) & wood particle laminated board (LB) furniture which do not require too much wood.
The traditional taste and preferences of most city dwellers toward furniture is also changing fast due to the quality, comfort and durability of these products as has been evident at the ongoing furniture fair which is being held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
"The new lacquer-based products that we have launched especially for this fair have been greatly appreciated and we are even receiving orders for some of them," said Selim H Rahman, managing director of Hatil Complex Limited.
Rahman informed that most Bangladeshi furniture companies are using minimal wood due to the ongoing crisis.
"But local producers have come up with their own durable and economic replacements for wood," said Rahman.
Furniture like tables, chairs, wardrobes, showcases displayed at various stalls of the fair are by and large affordable.
"Wood always has some disadvantages. It is breakable and after a certain time, fresh burnish is required. But with lacquer based
furniture those problems have been solved," added Rahman.
Some companies are only using MDF and LB materials to produce their furniture.
"Most heavy furniture like office tables, beds are made of MDF. The material is a little thicker than LB but is a lot more durable," said Mahmudun Nabi, pavilion incharge of Navana Furniture.
Nabi also displayed the shelves and drawers made of LB.
"LB furniture is quite inexpensive and despite being light, it is also durable," said Nabi, Some of the leading furniture houses of the country are currently designing their own products through specialised designing units.
"We had even arranged a competition for furniture designers very recently," said Selim Rahman.
Most companies are offering after-sales service, which has been appreciated by the customers.
"The furniture comes with warranty but even if there are any damages beyond the warranty time limit, then a customer can take help from our service centre," said Nabi adding that the service centre also fixes damaged foreign or local furniture designed and manufactured by other companies if the customer is prepared to pay for that.
Furniture industry officials said their businesses would grow over the next couple of years if the government continued with its sup-
port.
"Reduction of taxes on some imported raw materials would greatly help the furniture industry," said Rahman.
There are stalls at the fair which are showcasing designed doors, office furniture, computer tables, bolts, hedge bolts, dining tables, furniture sets for children's room and security doors.
"Most of these stalls had something unique and glamorous to offer," said Asaduzzaman, a visitor from Mirpur.
Zaman also appreciated the introduction and distribution of furniture manufactured from artificial material other than wood.
"The concepts are quite environment friendly and this is high time for such changes."
The furniture fair, organised for the second time, began on August 16 and ends today (Sunday). 57 different companies are participating in the fair. There are 127 stalls.
"We have received a huge response from the general public. There was a large crowd even on August 17 when bombs went off across the country," said M A Samad, managing partner of Communicare Dot Events who are one of the organisers.
Bangladesh Furniture Industry Owner Association arranged the fair while Navana Furniture was the event partner. ATN Bangla, The Daily Star and www.munshigi.com were the media partners.