Bangladeshi manufacturers and entrepreneurs showcased their innovative designs and concepts at the Dutch Design Week 2022 for the first time in the Netherlands’ Eindhoven to explore collaboration to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
Bangladeshi companies like APEX leather, Walton, ACI, Nourish, and Beniboonon reached out to 1,500 innovative designers at the largest design event in northern Europe Thursday.
The Bangladesh Embassy in the Netherlands organised the unique projection at the Dutch Design Week with the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka, Eindhoven-based Brainport International Project Office, Frontier Fund, and the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.
Leading Dutch Design expert and former director of Design Week, Hans Robertus, presented to the Bangladeshi manufacturers how they could gain an advantage by investing in design innovation aimed at the global market.
Every year, hundreds of designers converge at Dutch Design Week where emerging thinking or trends in design, innovation, new materials, sustainability, and concepts are showcased to entrepreneurs from Europe and beyond.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Riaz Hamidullah indicated the Dutch side’s readiness in pitching Bangladesh in future Design Weeks by having more creative and inspiring Bangladeshi companies.
Syed Nasim Manzur of Apex said: “Dutch Design Week is an important source of inspiration for what the future looks like from sustainability and consumer demand. Bangladesh has started to transition from simply selling products and services to creating and designing its brands.”
“Dutch Design Week can be a valued source of strength for Bangladeshis. This kind of engagement must continue to inspire the next generation of designers – both in Holland and Bangladesh – to solve the problems we all face.”
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Labelling Bangladesh as “the largest living lab,” Manzur invited the Dutch designers to explore collaboration opportunities.
Walton signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) at the Bangladesh event. The company’s Deputy Managing Director Liakat Ali said the collaboration is a significant step towards establishing its brand in the global market.
This collaboration with DAE in Eindhoven aims to produce innovative products which would “give Walton an edge to make globally competitive products,” Liakat added.
The DAE director welcomed it as an exciting opportunity to “ensure smart use of materials and developing newer conceptual products.”
ACI Director (plastic industry) Prodip Kumar Poddar said: “Bangladesh’s plastic products, used daily, offer an opportunity in the recycling industry.”
He hoped to develop sustainable and commercially viable plastic products.
Source: United News of Bangladesh