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DHAKA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

Furniture makers optimistic of bumper sales

Md Fazlur Rahman
Local furniture makers are using the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair to unveil their new product range in a bid to reach out to a wider customer base.
"It seems that the customers wait for the fair to choose their furniture as there is always a vast collection available," said Sujit Chakraborty, a sales manager of Partex Furniture, adding that 90 percent of the designs at the Partex stall are new.
"We have products that cater to the changing tastes and patterns of customers. We have also kept in mind that many of our potential customers own small- to medium-sized flats."
Hatil Furniture, another big furniture maker, has introduced new models of sofas, lobby chairs, executive tables and chairs, TV cabinets, dining sets and reading tables, on the occasion of the fair co-organised by the Export Promotion Bureau in association with the commerce ministry.
The furniture maker has become the First company in Bangladesh to
make furniture from bend wood, said Firoz Al Mamun, head of sales and marketing.
Arif Islam, an executive of Navana Furniture, said 99 percent of the company's products are new. "You will not find any of these products in our outlets across the country."
The new models include sofa sets, bedroom sets, rocking chairs, coffee and tea trolleys, computer cabins, executive chairs, book shelf and shoe racks.
It is the same story over at Brothers Furniture as well. The company is showcasing furniture in antique designs and natural colours in its DITF pavilion.
"We are also displaying showpieces and carpets to help customers decorate their homes," said Monir Bokshi, assistant manager for sales and marketing at Brothers Furniture.
Akhtar Furnishers has three to five new designs for every type of furniture item, said Safayet Ullah, a deputy manager for sales.
Plastic furniture makers, too, have taken up the opportunity presented by the fair to boost their sales by way
of new designs.
Bengal Plastics' new arrivals include office and home furniture, revolving chairs and restaurant tables along with juice jugs and food cover.
The company plans to unveil some more new products in the remaining days of the fair, said Sanjid Ibrahim, its senior executive.
RFL Plastics, which has set up a two-storied pavilion in the fair, has introduced new models of furniture, beddings, sofas, reading tables and wardrobes at the fair which would run until February 10.
Although most traders and companies have reported sluggish sales in the first 10 days of the fair owing to thin presence of visitors, furniture makers are upbeat.
"The sales are good despite the low turnout of visitors," said Hossain of Brothers Furniture, adding that the company never keeps any sales target for the fair.
Chakraborty of Partex echoed the same. "The response is very good. We have even got orders from customers from Chittagong, Rangpur and Bogra."