Made in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Haute Footwear from Bangladesh

 

[Bilal9]

Samsung opens two appliance plants in Bangladesh

Muhammad Zahidul Islam

South Korean technology giant Samsung is set to inaugurate two factories in Bangladesh today with a view to manufacturing four home appliance products -- a move that can be viewed as recognition of the country's engineering capabilities.

The plants, where LED television, refrigerators, air conditioners and microwave oven will be manufactured, have been set up in joint venture with local Transcom Group and Fair Electronics.

At present, Bangladesh is mostly reliant on imports for the products, so the move will not only make the appliances cheaper but also help the country save huge amounts of foreign currency every year.

Under the deal struck with Transcom Electronics, Samsung will manufacture LED television at the former's state-of-the-art facilities in the capital's Mohakhali area.

The plant on 18,000 square feet started manufacturing televisions on a test basis from last month.

“The televisions are very high in quality,” said Yeamin Sharif Chowdhury, Transcom Electronics's head of business.

Some 13 models of televisions -- all of which would be less than 55 inches -- will be manufactured at the plant, with some of the components brought in from Vietnam. The factory will be operated by 85 engineers, while Samsung will provide technological support.

“The factory will be one of the most prestigious ones in Bangladesh, one that will be helpful in the country's branding,” Chowdhury added.

The televisions will be cheaper than the imported Samsung ones currently available in the market, according to Md Shakil Choudhury, Transcom Electronics's general manager for finance and accounts.

Samsung currently has five distribution partners and the factory will supply televisions to them.

“The local demand is rising every day as our economy is scaling high,” Choudhury said, adding that there are no plans to export the products.

The existing market for televisions stands at about ten lakh units a year. Of the sum, branded products account for 40 percent.

“Transcom wants to grab a big chunk of the market share from this branded televisions segment,” Choudhury added.

The plant will be inaugurated by KooYeun Choi, strategic business group leader of Samsung Electronics, and Taeho Park, Samsung's consumer electronics head for southwest Asia.

The other factory, which will be run by Fair Electronics, will be situated in Shibpur of Narsingdi.

The plant will manufacture refrigerator, air conditioner, microwave oven and television. Fair Electronics has plans to branch out to other popular home appliances like washing machine.

Fair Electronics has already started manufacturing refrigerators at the plant and will shortly go into production of the three products, said Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub, chairman of Fair Group.

“We are investing $100 million and Samsung's investment is technology and knowledge,” Mahbub said, adding that the company is aiming to grab 30 to 40 percent of the market share of the products in terms of value within next three to four years.

There are opportunities to export Bangladesh-manufactured Samsung products but for that the government's support needs to increase and some policy needs to be made clearer, he added.

The plant, which will employ about 3,000, will be inaugurated today by Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Korean Ambassador Ahn Seong-doo.

Samsung's move was lauded by Palak yesterday at parliament during a session on the proposed budget for 2017-18.

Earlier, he told The Daily Star that Samsung's initiative can encourage other global brands to follow suit and park their funds in Bangladesh.

Samsung's first factory in the subcontinent was in India's Uttar Pradesh in 1997, where it assembles mobile phones, refrigerators and LED TVs.

And in November 2007, it set up another plant in Tamil Nadu, where it manufactures LED TVs, washing machines, refrigerators and split air conditioners.

Since its founding in Korea in 1969, Samsung Electronics has grown into a global information technology leader, managing more than 200 subsidiaries around the world.

 

[Bilal9]

Made in Bangladesh -for Indian use.

Bulk Carrier Vessel JSW PratapGad

Sister Ship JSW Raigad can be seen off in the distance to the right.

Owner : JSW, Jaigarh Port Ltd. India
Builder : Western Marine Shipyard Limited, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Facts:
Length OA: 122.25 m Length BP: 117.10 m Breadth MLD: 20.00 m Depth MLD: 07.20m
Deadweight Tonnage: 8,000 DWT
Gross Tonnage: 6,000 T
Trial speed (loaded): 10 knots
Fuel consumption: Approx.196 gm/kwhr
Engine Power: 1330 kW @ 900 RPM, Yanmar, Japan
Class: Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)
Registration/Flag: India
Route: Sea Going

Photo © Samiul Wares
At Karnaphuli River, Chittagong, Bangladesh

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Bangladesh-made Kenyan Offshore Patrol Vessel DORIA is seen being offloaded recently at Sio Port, Kenya.

Type of Vessel : Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)
Main propulsion:
Engine type wing, Servogear: MTU 16V4000M93L-1DS
Engine power wing, Servogear: 3440kW@2100RPM, per wing installation
Engine type, WJ: MTU 20V4000M93
Engine power, WJ: 3900kW@2100RPM
Speed at MCR Servogear only: 28 knots (25 knots contract speed)
Speed at MCR Servogear + WJ: 35,9 knots (35 knots contract speed)

Offshore patrol vessel "Doria" exceeds expectations

17.08.2017
Western Marine Shipyard LTD has performed sea trials for "Doria", their new 54 m offshore patrol vessel built in Bangladesh. Doria exceeded contract expectations, achieving a speed of 35,9 knots.

She has a range of 1500 nautical miles and fuel consumption of 3.6 tons a day. The vessel has 12 crew and can take 60 passengers. A helicopter deck on the back of the vessel can accommodate a five ton helicopter.

The vessel will be operating for the Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries.

Doria is equipped with Servogear Ecoflow Propulsor, and in addition, the vessel has a Water Jet placed in the centre of the transom, working as a booster. Icarus Marine Pty. LTD is the designer.

Gunther Migeotte, Executive Director of Icarus Marine says “I am very happy to have the Servogear Ecoflow on the vessel as it offered the best performance for the vessel allowing us to make speed with a more comfortable safety margin that any other propulsion system could offer.”

We congratulate with the successfull delivery, and look forward to future cooperations.

Sea trial of DORIA hitting about 35 knots with waterjet assistance.

https://www.facebook.com/

 

[Bilal9]

Radiant shipyard in Bangladesh is a rather small yard based in a 'char' or shallow river island within the Meghna riverine system. Some images of recent builds and launches using airbags...

Launch of 186 TEU Container Carrier MV Auri. Bangladesh Shipping Ministry has standardized on this design for trans-shipping of containers between Chittagong and other seaports/lighterage to Dhaka's Pangaon and other Inland River container ports. Overall some 150+ Container carriers are being built to this design by various yards and some 20 plus are already built and in service.

Other MPCs being readied for launch

Cutter Suction Dredger

LPG Carrier MT Omera Princess

Passenger Vessel MV Sail

And last but not least here's a video of 186 TEU Container Carrier MV Auri being launched....

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

Formulation of motorcycle policy on the cards
Rezaul Karim | October 14, 2017 10:16:36

Photo collected from internet

The government has prepared the draft of a national policy for the motorcycle industry with a target to produce 1.0 million motorcycles and create 1.5 million jobs in the country by 2027, officials said.

"A draft policy styled national motorcycle industry development policy-2017' has been formulated. It has already been sent to the authorities concerned for taking their opinions," a senior official of the ministry of industries told the FE on Thursday.

The country needs a comprehensive policy for facilitating the growth of the motorbike industry. It will be finalised shortly, he added.

According to the policy, both the producers and local sellers of motorbikes will enjoy reduced tax rate facility. Less than 1.0 per cent of duty will be imposed on import of raw materials that will be used for production of spare parts of motorbikes.

Domestic parts producers of motorcycles will be provided with special incentives. Bike producers will have to take necessary certificates from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for locally-produced motorcycles before marketing, the policy motioned.

Duty drawback and bonded warehouse facilities will be provided to exporters and importers respectively. Registration cost, registration, examination process and etc will be easier and befitting, according to the policy.

After commercial production of motorcycles, entrepreneurs will get various facilities for at least five years.

A powered-committee headed by the industries minister will be formed to implement the policy.

The motorcycles' contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is now 0.5 per cent. It will be raised to 2.5 per cent by 2027, the draft policy reads.

Besides, motorcycle industry-friendly tax policy and required steps will be taken to attract local and foreign investments.

There is a provision in the existing policy that the manufacturers will have to set up all kinds of machinery before producing the two-wheeler, but it is not possible for a single manufacturer to produce such machinery.

Entrepreneurs of the bike assembling and manufacturing sector can implement their manufacturing plan through various vendors to produce different machinery.

Nowadays, motorbike has become first choice for many office-goers and professionals in the country because of its size and affordable price.

Apart from fulfilling individual transport needs, the two-wheeler has commercial value in the country's many areas. Thousands of unemployed rural people, mostly youths, use motorcycles as their main source of earnings. They commercially carry passengers on narrow roads from one town or village to another. But adequate road shortage stands in the way of using the vehicle, industry people and users said.

 

[Arthur]

Bangladesh-made Kenyan Offshore Patrol Vessel DORIA is seen being offloaded recently at Sio Port, Kenya.

Type of Vessel : Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)
Main propulsion:
Engine type wing, Servogear: MTU 16V4000M93L-1DS
Engine power wing, Servogear: 3440kW@2100RPM, per wing installation
Engine type, WJ: MTU 20V4000M93
Engine power, WJ: 3900kW@2100RPM
Speed at MCR Servogear only: 28 knots (25 knots contract speed)
Speed at MCR Servogear + WJ: 35,9 knots (35 knots contract speed)

Offshore patrol vessel "Doria" exceeds expectations

17.08.2017
Western Marine Shipyard LTD has performed sea trials for "Doria", their new 54 m offshore patrol vessel built in Bangladesh. Doria exceeded contract expectations, achieving a speed of 35,9 knots.

She has a range of 1500 nautical miles and fuel consumption of 3.6 tons a day. The vessel has 12 crew and can take 60 passengers. A helicopter deck on the back of the vessel can accommodate a five ton helicopter.

The vessel will be operating for the Kenyan Ministry of Fisheries.

Doria is equipped with Servogear Ecoflow Propulsor, and in addition, the vessel has a Water Jet placed in the centre of the transom, working as a booster. Icarus Marine Pty. LTD is the designer.

Gunther Migeotte, Executive Director of Icarus Marine says “I am very happy to have the Servogear Ecoflow on the vessel as it offered the best performance for the vessel allowing us to make speed with a more comfortable safety margin that any other propulsion system could offer.”

We congratulate with the successfull delivery, and look forward to future cooperations.

Sea trial of DORIA hitting about 35 knots with waterjet assistance.

https://www.facebook.com/

This thing looks sleek like a swan !!

 

[Bilal9]

This thing looks sleek like a swan !!

Indeed it does. Fast too.

 

[Bilal9]

Samsung, LG to manufacture in Bangladesh factories: Commerce Minister Tofail
Senior Correspondent, BDnews24.com

Published: 2017-10-23 21:13:10.0 BdST Updated: 2017-10-23 21:15:54.0 BdST

Korean tech giants Samsung and LG Electronics will manufacture a wide range of products in Bangladesh, says Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed.

“South Korea is planning huge investments for Bangladesh,” he said in a statement issued after his meeting with Ambassador Ahn Seong-doo at the Secretariat on Monday.

“Besides the Korean Export Processing Zone, South Korea is planning to invest in special economic zones announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”

Trade with the East Asian nation stands at $1.5 billion, said the commerce minister. “South Korea feels it is more profitable to export products made in Bangladeshi factories.”

In fiscal 2016-17, Bangladesh has fetched $238 million in exports to South Korea, and imported goods worth $1.27 billion.

South Korea allows duty and quota-free entry for a range of Bangladeshi products, said Tofail.

“Both governments are working to clear trade hurdles to make this benefit available. Two-way trade will be boosted to reduce trade gap.”


India’s engineering exports to Bangladesh nearly double in five years
Senior Correspondent, BDnews24.com

Published: 2017-11-03 01:35:55.0 BdST Updated: 2017-11-03 01:35:55.0 BdST

Indian engineering companies have now gained “acceptance on a global scale” and the exports of their products to Bangladesh have nearly doubled in the last five years, High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla says.

He says India’s global engineering exports stood at $65.23 billion in 2016-2017.

India is exporting transport equipment, capital goods, machinery/equipment and light engineering products such as castings, forgings and fasteners to US, Europe, Japan and South Korea, among others.

“India is one of the most important suppliers of these products to the Bangladesh economy. In the last five years, our engineering exports to Bangladesh have nearly doubled to $2 billion,” he said, speaking at an exhibition in Dhaka on Thursday.

EEPC India with support from the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and the High Commission of India in Dhaka is organising the 37th edition of its flagship event and its first such event in Bangladesh – the Indian Engineering Exhibition (INDEE Bangladesh 2017) – at the International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka from Nov 2 to Nov 4.

INDEE Bangladesh 2017 is also supported by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI), the India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IBCCI), the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA), and the Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers Association (BEMMA).

Some 100 Indian engineering companies covering a wide of range of products, including auto-parts, medical devices, electrical machinery and components, light engineering, and food processing machinery are taking part in the event.

The high commissioner said India’s engineering exports to Bangladesh are dominated by two and three-wheelers, auto components/parts, commercial vehicles, iron and steel, industrial machinery, aluminium products and “serve as critical inputs for the local economy”.

Given its competence and geographical proximity to Bangladesh, the Indian industry is in an ideal position to meet the demand for engineering and engineering products in Bangladesh.

Several top exporters of these goods have invested or are investing in Bangladesh. Prominent examples include Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp, L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Reliance, Adani, and Godrej.

In a significant development for India-Bangladesh trade ties, Ashok Leyland with their local partner IFAD Group recently sent 185 commercial vehicles from Chennai under the India Bangladesh Coastal Shipping Agreement.

“India is also a committed development partner of Bangladesh, and we have pledged $8 billion in concessional financing to Bangladesh,” the high commissioner said.

The 17 pre-identified projects under the new line of credit will help improve infrastructure in Bangladesh in sectors like ports, power, railways, highways and airports.

“Our companies in the engineering sector can contribute to the infrastructure improvement in Bangladesh by associating themselves with these projects,” Shringla said.

 

[EastBengalPro]

Export earnings from shipbuilding soar

Export earnings from the country's shipbuilding sector has surged in recent months due to handing over of several high-value ships to foreign companies after a sluggish growth witnessed during the last couple of years, insiders have said.

They are becoming hopeful of the sector to contribute more to the country's export earnings in the days ahead, if there is enabling policy support specially low cost finance.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country earned $30.45 million in the first five months (July-November) of the current fiscal year (FY) 2017-18, a robust growth of 460.77 per cent comparing to the corresponding period in previous FY.

In July-November period of FY 2016-17, the country exported ships and other floating structures worth $5.43 million. The total export figure for whole FY 2016-17 was $65.61 million, a growth of 230 per cent from $19.89 million in FY 2015-16.

Export earnings from the sector were $0.44 million and $5.73 million in FY 2013-14 and FY 2012-13 respectively. However, in 2011-12 FY, it was $45.95 million, the official data revealed.

According to estimation by Businesswire, a global economic data analysis agency, around $650.83 billion will be spent for the procurement of new ships in the year 2026 across the globe.

Sources said the country may tap the multi-billion dollar opportunity riding on its expertise and long tradition in ship building. The global market is led by China, Korea and Japan.

When contacted, President of Association of Export Oriented Shipbuilding Industries of Bangladesh (AEOSIB) Dr Abdullahel Bari said the country has huge prospect to earn from the global shipbuilding market.

"The global shipbuilding industry is growing at a significant rate in recent times," he said adding : "The sector will see a robust growth from next years as shipyards are receiving increased orders."

Mr Bari, chairman of Ananda Group, a pioneer in vessel export also said domestic market has become important for the shipbuilders.

"It will be our first job to build our ships by ourselves, not by foreign shipyards at higher cost," he said.

Admiring the capability of Bangladeshi ship builders, the veteran engineer said: "Our entrepreneurs are very courageous to invest money in the sector who are giving the country an identity of a ship exporting nation."

However, higher cost of investment is the main challenge for the sector, he said.

The shipbuilding industry is very important one considering its direct link with total export-import and merchandise handling to and from the country.

Bangladeshi Shipyards have to pay a double digit (12%) interest rate for funding from the banks.

"India and Vietnam governments are providing interest-free loan for a period of up to 20 years," he said.

Sources said around 300 shipyards are operating in the country with employment of more than 0.3 million people.

They added that unlike other industries including apparels, shipyards require extended period from investment to profit ensuring. This is why many banks are reluctant to invest in the sector. Moreover, construction of a ship usually requires more than two years.

In addition to this, shipyard owners have to pay import duty on raw materials aimed at ship construction in the country, which is contrary to the industrial policy. The authorities concerned failed address the issue, despite persuasion from shipbuilders.

Amid such challenges, the ship builders are doing well, said the AEOSIB president.

"In next five years we shall be highly successful in shipbuilding," he said adding that: "Bangladeshi manufacturers can build ship with capacity up to 15,000-20,000 Dead Weight Tonne (DWT)."

Ananda Shipyard and Slipways is now more focused on local market in recent years, he added.

According to the sources, for the last couple of years, only Western Marine Shipyard (WMS) Limited has been exporting vessels.

While contacted, the WMS Company Secretary, Shahadat Hosen said the WMS has already exported 15 vessels including ship, barge and ferries in calendar year 2017.

Of those, only three ships brought $30 million approximately. The company earned $2.6 million from export in the year 2016.

"Recently we have sold an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to the government of Kenya through a Danish buyer at a cost of $18 million," said Mr Shahadat.

He also said two other ships have also been sold at nearly $10 million each in recent months. These earnings have been reflected in nearly five times growth trajectory compared to first half of last years.

The WMS is making numerous ships for both international and local buyers.

Sources said the country exports vessels to countries including the UAE, Denmark, Germany, Norway and India. Buyers choose Bangladesh for low cost and availability of cheap labour.

The sector's great achievement is in reducing the import dependency, said Tariqul Islam, executive director of Ananda Group and a naval architect.

"We are meeting almost whole of the local demands in recent years", he said adding that local ship buildings annual market value is about $1 billion.

His company has been making vessels for government and non-government organisations like Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Bangladesh Navy, Chittagong port, Mongla port and others through international tender.

With the country's growing economy in recent years, shipbuilding sector will also thrive to meet the increased demand for commodities and other goods, he said.

"The government should adopt a refinance scheme for supporting the sector," he said.

Besides, Banks should extend the term for loan against trust receipt (LTR) to more than one year for the shipyards as it takes time to make profit from building a ship, he added.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/export-earnings-from-shipbuilding-soar-1513396358

 

[Bilal9]

Western Marine Shipyard Limited just handed over two 8000DWT Bulk Carriers to Jindal Group of India on Nov. 7 last. The vessels sailed off to Haldia Port near Kolkata in India. These are the first two of an identical batch of 10 being built.

Early build shot

JSW also handed over landing craft made for a UAE customer. Similar LCT's are also being built for Bangladesh Army (two examples).

 

[Bilal9]

Today I will tell you folks about a non-traditional ingredient like jute fibre to make structural items (like jute fibre boats), built of fibreglass strengthened with Jute rovings. The place is Taratari Shipyard south of Dhaka (moved to Chittagong finally), set up by Yves Marre of Chantier Naval, a boutique marinecraft and ship-designer from France. Yves designs yachts like this,

He married one of our Bangladeshi girls, by the way - Runa Khan. Him and Runa founded an NGO called 'Friendship' to build floating hospitals and provide health care to inaccessible areas in Bangladesh.

Some years ago this twenty something from France used this jute fibre boat above to sail from Bangladesh to France. Thor Heyerdahl for the new millennium!

Other products made of jute fibreglass.

skateboard

PA Speaker box (note the tabla shape)

Surfboard thruster fins

Sidetable?

For those who don't know about how jute fibre is harvested - here are some shots.

Plants being harvested.

Peeling wet jute fibres off the stick after retting (decomposing underwater)

Drying the fibres

 

[Bilal9]

More jute production images

Jute retting on water

Dried and bundled into bales for transport

Unsinkable Jute fibre boat designs by Taratari Shipyard...

Mandari boat

Masdori boat

Hatirjheel water taxi...

 

[Bilal9]

Courtesy of the
Product of Bangladesh Blog

Ralph Lauren Hampton's Tea Set


Bangladesh has been making ceramic products for local market for decades since it's the establishment of Tajma Ceramic Industries Ltd in Bogra in the 1950s. The export market for ceramic products is experiencing fast growth to dozens of countries. You can find Bangladeshi ceramic products at major department stores in Europe and Americas like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Don't be surprised to find fine quality Bone China under major brands that are made in Bangladesh like this one by Ralph Lauren.

Monno Espresso Coffee Cup and Saucer

Your favorite store Pier 1 sells fine porcelain and bone china made in Bangladesh. This particular Espresso coffee cup and saucer was made by one of Bangladesh's oldest and best company making and exporting such products. This set has White with gold rim on saucer and gold lettering around rim of cup. The words "Espresso Cafe" is in gold block lettering around the rim.

Crate & Barrel Dinner Plate

Crate & Barrel is an American upscale chain retail store specializing in housewares and furniture. They have uniquely styled products. They display their products in a unique way as they would appear in your home grouped together room by room. This particular item is dinner plates with green band. Crate & Barrel is found primarily in the United States but they are expanding into Canada and other countries. Of course, this is made in Bangladesh and it appears the Monno (one of the major players) is making fine products like this one for Crate & Barrel.

Doel Laptop


Laptop computers made in Bangladesh? Yes, it is happening and at an affordable price. We have been hearing about US$100 laptops for developing nations for a long time. It's a reality now, for at least Bangladesh - few models of Doel brand laptop computers will soon be available to the masses for starting price of just over US$100. This is of course a major stride towards "Digital Bangladesh" phraseword that we have been hearing from the current government.

Aarong Coffee Mug with Bangla Alphabets

Really colorful yet sophisticated looking coffee or tea mugs for Bangladeshis to express their patriotism or for non-Bangladeshis with something unique with Bangla alphabets.

 

[Bilal9]

The booming bicycle industry in Bangladesh
Wafiur Rahman

Global demand helping export growth, while European investors show interest

Bangladesh started exporting bicycles to the European market in 1999. The following year, the value of the country’s bicycle export stood US$10 million, the figure of a new item in the export basket that only indicated growth potential. A decade later, the annual export of bicycle rose to $105 million. Despite higher growth in export performance in terms of percentage, Dhaka has captured only an insignificant portion of the global bicycle market of $60-plus billion a year.

And rising costs of bicycle manufacturing pushed by wage increase in China has shifted the focus of sourcing of bicycle making to countries like Bangladesh which also has a favourable market access to the European Union (EU).Bangladesh is Europe’s 5th biggest bike supplying country after Taiwan, Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand.

Entrepreneurs say Bangladesh can easily increase its market share in the global bicycle exports by taking domestic preparations given the scope in the Western market. The investors need supports, especially conducive environment for the growth of the sector.

Some European investors are willing to make investments in Bangladesh’s bicycle industry. Sales of bicycles, many of which are imported, in the local market are also on the rise, thanks to an increase in the number of bicycle riders in the country. So, this is high time Bangladesh made its bicycle industry sustainable banking on market prospects at home and abroad.

It was Meghna Group which began exporting bicycle. Now, there are 20 companies that are engaged in making bicycle targeting for the export market and local market. “New investments are coming and even foreigners are interested in setting up plants here,” said Mustafa Ahmed Tanvir, general secretary of Bangladesh Bicycles and Parts Manufacturers and Exporters Association and also managing director of Trans-World Bicycles Limited.

Bangladesh now exports 1.5 million pieces of bicycles every year. ‘Of course, the demand in the global market is much higher and we can take advantage of the market opportunities,’ he added.

Pran-RFL bike is also joining the market. The EU’s new Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) facility which went into force on January 1, 2014, and runs up to December 31, 2016, is ‘the driving force behind’ such initiatives, according to the latest report of the BIKE europe.

Under certain conditions, GSP allows Bangladesh (and Cambodia) to export bicycles, parts & accessories to the EU’s 28 member states without the regular 14% import duty on complete bicycles and 4.7% duty on imported parts and accessories.

Bangladesh is already for some years benefitting from the EU trade incentives that boosted the country’s bicycle and bike products export to the EU market. In the first 10 months of 2013, Bangladesh exported 435,530 bikes to the EU, 7.4% up compared to the same period in 2012.

According to Export Promotion Bureau, the target for exporting bicycle for the current fiscal year has been fixed at Tk 1081 crore as against the previous year’s achievement of exports worth Tk 865 crore.

Following the footsteps of Meghna Group’s plant in Gazipur, four other companies set up factories for manufacturing bicycles targeting the export market.

H Bicycles Ltd, Trans-World Bicycles, Siraj Bicycles and a German-Bangladesh joint venture plant were there in the race. They are engaged in producing mountain bike, city bike, freestyle, trekking, folding, beach cruiser and children’s bike. The prices of these varieties of bicycles range between US$80-85 a piece, which is considered highly competitive in the European market and America.

Those who import made-in-Bangladesh bicycles include Relay of England, PMC, Motor and Sports, Aldi of Holland, Bestencritch of Germany, Inter-Bike, M and F of Belgium, C Maker and Formula Cycling Company. China was once, and is still, the dominant player in the global bicycle market as it supplied almost 60% of the bicycles sold worldwide.

However, Beijing is gradually its competitiveness due to rise in wage and other costs of living, many factories including bicycle factories have been closed or relocated to elsewhere. As a result, some of the Western manufacturers got back certain edge over China and they are looking at Bangladesh as a sourcing country.

Accordingly, some European investors expressed their willingness to invest in bicycle industry to take advantage of the market vacuum and GSP facilities in the EU market. This is where Bangladesh has a comparative advantage to raise its market share. With growing exports and sales in the domestic market, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have the scope to make the bicycle industry more vibrant.

Infrastructure development a priority: Mizanur Rahman

Availability of labour with reasonably low wage and of the latest technology has given Bangladesh a competitive edge over other countries such as China, Taiwan, and Europe in manufacturing bicycles, according to Mizanur Rahman, a former president of Bangladesh Bicycles and Parts Manufacturers and Exporters Association and chairman of Meghna Group.

“This is clearly an opportunity for us and we should try to exploit the potential by taking necessary preparations and steps,” he said.

In this context, the entrepreneur emphasized the importance of the role of the government in providing infrastructures and land. “We need political stability and policy consistency. Foreigners are ready to join us to make bigger and more plants of bicycles and we can earn higher amount of foreign currency from this growing sector,’ he said. ‘What we need most is the environment, congenial environment for investments and doing business.”

He referred to China’s loss of market and GSP facilities and pointed out that Bangladesh could emerge as a major player in the global bicycle market if necessary steps are taken right now. Local companies are also interested in setting up bicycle plants, he added. Currently, more than 5000 workers are employed in the bicycle factories that export bicycles to different countries. ‘We from Meghna Group started exporting bicycles and others joined us. More can come to the industry and contribute to national development.’

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Bangladesh ranked Third in exporting Bicycles to Europe - backyard linkage to change this soon

A few bikes from Meghna Bicycles

Almost 11% of of global total production of bicycles are exported from Bangladesh to European countries. Taiwan is ranked first among countries who export about 24% of all bicycles, next is Cambodia and its percentage is 18% and then there is Philippines whose percentage is 10%. So Bangladesh is ranked third among Bicycle exporting countries to the EU.

Bangladeshi bicycles are exported to UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Australia and Portugal at this time.

Per European Union sources about bicycle exports to EU, 28 nations exported 17 million Bicycles to the EU in 2016. 58% of EU nations are importing from these 28 countries. At the same time, another 11 million bicycles are exported from those 28 production countries to countries outside the EU.

For Bangladeshi Bicycles exports - European countries remain a major market. Each month bicycles worth 800-850 million BDT are exported to those countries. New backyard linkage industries such as local component manufacture (Aluminium Tubes, derailleurs, modern rims, other components) already in the pipeline will bring down costs and increase export competitiveness even further. Lowering pricing will make products from Bangladesh even more keenly lucrative, industry watchers commented.

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Duranta Bikes made in Sylhet, Bangladesh

http://www.durantabikes.com/media/video.mp4

A few of their bikes,

Road/Racing

Folding

Mountain

___________________________________________________________________


Akij Group is a very large conglomerate in Bangladesh. They have their presence in most traditional industrial sectors in Bangladesh. Some of their products.

Textiles

Cement

Food and beverage

Ceramic and Porcelain flooring (tiles)

Can one of the Pakistani brothers please give me the link for a thread on Pakistani products? I cannot find one.