Dhaka: The four-day Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2025 concluded here today. Organized by the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), this year's exhibition demonstrates the country's ceramic industry is on the path of rapid transformation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event saw participation from 135 companies and 300 brands representing 25 countries, including Bangladesh, at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. Visitors, both local and international, attended the expo, with awards being presented to companies with previous participation by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
A notable feature of the expo was the seminars and discussions focusing on future technologies, design trends, and eco-friendly production methods in the ceramic industry. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and experts used the platform to gain insights into international market demands and modern production techniques.
The expo also included seminars, job fairs, business meetings, live demonstrations, and new product launches, emphasizing the diversity and technological advancements within the industry. Entrepreneurs note that automation, advanced digital printing, robotic handling, and sensor-integrated products are poised to make production more efficient and cost-effective, potentially enhancing global competitiveness for the industry.
Currently, the country hosts over 70 factories producing tableware, tiles, and sanitary ware, with a market size of approximately Taka 8,000 crore annually. Ceramic exports to over 50 countries bring in annual revenue of about Taka 500 crore, with total industry investment exceeding Taka 18,000 crore, providing employment for around five lakh people.
Industry officials observed significant interest in raw materials and machinery stalls at the fair, with international buyers expressing satisfaction, and some initiating the order process. BCMEA reported that local production now meets a significant portion of the country's demand for ceramic products, with substantial investments in the sector.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, production included 292 million tableware units, 237 million tiles, 163 million sanitary ware units, and 1064 million ceramic bricks. The total market size is approximately Taka 9,500 crore, and ceramics have the potential to become the second-largest export sector with appropriate policy support.
BCMEA President Moynul Islam highlighted the sector's growth, stating, "After apparel, ceramics can be the second largest export sector of the country if we get policy support. Earlier, it was completely dependent on imports, but now more than 80 percent of the products are manufactured in the country."