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Akij Ceramics Introduces 100×100 cm Large Tiles
In response to the growing global demand for large-format tiles, Akij Ceramics proudly introduces its new Kathena premium series, featuring 100×100 cm (1000×1000 mm) tiles. These grand tiles, designed to deliver a seamless and luxurious aesthetic in both residential and commercial spaces. Previously, consumers had to rely on costly imports with limited design choices. Now, Akij Ceramics brings a solution that not only meets but exceeds international standards in design, durability, and performance. Produced locally, these tiles provide an affordable and superior option, enhancing the landscape of the Bangladeshi tile industry. Akij Ceramics’ 100×100 cm tiles, known for their high gloss finish, add an unparalleled sense of space and elegance to interiors. With fewer grout lines, these tiles deliver a clean, expansive look that perfectly complements modern design trends. The diverse range of designs ensures that there’s something for every style preference, making them ideal for both residential and commercial application By launching these large-format tiles, Akij Ceramics continues to set new industry benchmarks, reinforcing its reputation for innovation, quality, and craftsmanship. Their “Promise of Perfection” shines through in every product, solidifying their status as one of Bangladesh’s top ceramic brands. Whether you’re transforming your home or commercial space, Akij Ceramics’ new 100×100 cm tiles offer the ultimate combination of beauty, performance, and luxury.
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AkijBashir Group and Edison Real Estate Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Customer Experience
AkijBashir Group and Edison Real Estate Limited, have formed a strategic partnership to
enhance customer value and offer exclusive benefits. This collaboration will provide exclusive
perks to members of the Edison Royal Club, a loyalty program designed for Edison Real
Estate's esteemed clients.
Cartoon e Bidroho’- A bloodshot rebellion portrayed in art!!
Cartoon e Bidroho’- A bloodshot rebellion portrayed in art!!
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A palace on the bank of Buriganga
An integral part of Dhaka’s image in terms of historical architecture that still remains and has been renovated and preserved is the Ahsan Manzil. And like many of common folks who grew up in Dhaka, they have always wondered, at least once in their lives, the reasons behind why this iconic landmark is painted pink. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ahsan Manzil’s history is even more colourful. This iconic building was built on a property that has a rich history dating back to the Mughal era at the southern part of Dhaka. During the Mughal Empire, Sheikh Enayet Ullah, Zamindar of the Jalalpur Porgona (Faridpur-Barishal), who was the original owner of the land, built a palace called Rong Mahal (which loosely translates as ‘Colourful Palace’) in 1720 for his amusement, a typical practice amongst wealthy elites at the time. He also had a garden house and a cemetery on this site. After he passed away, his son Sheikh Moti Ullah sold the property to the French traders in Bengal at the time. The new owners soon established a trading house next to the palace. Later, after being defeated in the Palashy War by the British East India Company in 1757, they had to leave their possessions behind. After changing hands a number of times, the property was purchased by Khwaja Alimullah of Begambazar in 1830, who was a prominent merchant and an important figure of Dhaka’s Muslim community at the time. Alimullah renovated the property, turning the trading house into a residence. He also built a mosque and some other important structures in this area. After his death in 1854, his son Khwaja Abdul Ghani inherited the property and named it Ahsan Manzil after his son Khwaja Ahsanullah. He continued renovations; the old building was renamed Ondor Mohol (ladies quarters) and the new building was called Rangmahal (pleasure palace) and was later renamed Ahsan Manzil. Khwaja Abdul Ghani was one of the most influential Nawabs (Zamindar) of Dhaka. Known for his generosity and patronage of arts and culture, he expanded his estate by acquiring more lands around Ahsan Manzil and also played an important role in improving the infrastructure, education, healthcare, trade, and social welfare of Dhaka. In 1859, he built a new building on Ahsan Manzil’s property that resembled European architecture because of its domes and pillars. The Nawab named it Rangmahal and painted it with different colours every year according to his mood. On 7 April 1888, Ahsan Manzil suffered severe damage from a tornado that impacted most of its buildings, except for Rangmahal and it was temporarily abandoned. Khwaja Abdul Ghani then decided to rebuild Ahsan Manzil with more vigour and decorations than previous ones. He hired Martin & Co., a British construction and engineering f irm, who designed Ahsan Manzil with an Indo-Saracenic style, blended with Islamic and European elements. In 1872, the reconstruction work continued under Khwaja Abdul Ghani’s supervision, what was previously the French trading house was rebuilt as a two-storey building similar to the Rangmahal. A wooden bridge connected the first floors of the two buildings. After he died in 1896 at the age of 87 years, his son Khwaja Ahsanullah continued his father’s legacy by taking care of the palace. He added new features like electric lights, gas lamps, and water pumps as part of modernization. The palace was repaired again following the 1897 Assam earthquake. The Nawab family played crucial roles in the modernisation of the Dhaka city, particularly in the development of educational systems, healthcare, and urban infrastructure, including the f iltered water supply system that served the city population. They occupied important positions as Commissioner of Dhaka Municipality. Today, within the hyper-congested and cacophonous urban growth of Old Dhaka, it is difficult to imagine how this majestic edifice once dominated the riverfront skyline of Dhaka. The landmark is a unique fusion of architectural styles, reflecting the rich cultural influences that shaped Bengal it over the centuries. The main palace building showcases a harmonious blend of Mughal and European architectural styles. The Mughal influence is evident in the structure’s domes, arches, and intricate decorative motifs. The ornate design of the palace’s entrance and interior chambers reflects the opulence that was characteristic of the Mughal era. European influences, on the other hand, are seen in the high ceilings, broad staircases, and expansive verandas. The palace’s central ballroom, adorned with crystal chandeliers and European-style furniture and tableware, exudes an air of sophistication that was imported from Europe during the late 19th century. The building faces the Buriganga River and Buckland Dam. On the riverside is a stairway leading up to the 1st floor. A fountain previously sat at the foot of the stairs but was not rebuilt. Along the north and south sides of the building are verandas with open terraces. Ahsan Manzil is ostentatiously European in its architectural expression, even though the building’s recessed verandahs may recall the Mughal treatment of buildings in a tropical climate. Its triple-arched portal, Greco-Roman column capitals, pilasters, and arched windows—all suggest that it is mostly a European-style building, meshed with some decorative Indian motifs. The palace’s soaring dome appears to be more about impressing the viewer on the exterior, rather than within the interior. The dome is at the centre of the palace and is complex in its design. The room at its base is square with brickwork placed around the corners to make it circular. Squinches were added to the roof corners to give the room an octagonal shape and slant gradually to give the dome the appearance of a lotus bud. The dome’s peak is 27.13 metres (89.0 ft) tall. The palace is divided into the eastern side, the Rangmahal, and the western side, the Andarmahal. The Rangmahal features the dome, a drawing room, a card room, a library, a state room, and two guest rooms. The Andarmahal has a ballroom, a storeroom, an assembly room, a chest room, a dining hall, a music room, and a few residential rooms. Both the drawing room and
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An Ode to Resilience: Shaheed Minar’s Chronicle of Revival
In the Bengali calendar, the month of Falgun signifies new journey of life and a sense of rejuvenation. The month which marks beginning of the spring brings forth joy, vivid hues, and a feeling of renewal. During this time, Bangladesh comes to life with the mesmerizing songs of cuckoos and various f lowers that are in bloom. Urban streets and rural roads are painted with colours of fallen leaves and shades of flowers. However, on the eighth day of Falgun, February 21, 1952, the Dhaka city’s streets were transformed into haunting canvases as the vibrant hues of nature gave way to a chilling shade of dark red. In defiance of the curfew imposed, courageous students took to the streets, passionately demanding that Bangla and only Bangla be recognised as the nation’s state language. The police opened fire on the students. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar, and a few others tragically lost their lives in the incident. Many people were injured. The news of the shooting spread like wildfire in every corner of the city. Soon after, the office court, secretariat, and wireless centre employees decided to collectively refrain from attending work. A wave of frustration swept through the city, drawing people towards the Dhaka medical hostel premises. After a day of fervent protests and demonstrations, the leaders of the student community agreed as a group to honour the language martyrs by constructing a monument. The information quickly got to Badrul Alam, a 24-year-old artist who is well-known for his artistic talents. He knew they needed his creative touch in designing the monument. As soon as the design was approved, something extraordinary happened. The whole night, a dedicated team of people, including medical students, hostel staff, and volunteers, worked on building a Shahid Smriti Stambha. The funding for the monument came from Pearu Sardar, who was a well-known and respected Dhaka panchayet sardar. The symbolic structure, dedicated to honouring the language martyrs, was unveiled to the public on the morning of February 24, a testament to an exceptional display of unity and support. In poignant recognition of his pivotal role in the language movement, Dr. Badrul Alam received the Ekushey Padak in 2014; he was the designer of the First Shahid Minar (Martyrs’ Monument) in 1952. This narrative unfolds as a tale of community solidarity, with the tireless efforts of diverse individuals coming together to construct an 11-foot-tall monument that stands as a lasting tribute to the language martyrs. However, the Pakistani Army and the police demolished it on February 26, 1952. In 1956, the students once again constructed the Shaheed Minar. It was inaugurated by Maulana Bhasani. But it was also disassembled afterward. Novera and Hamid’s grand design In the autumn of 1956, a pivotal meeting unfolded between Zainul Abedin, a luminary in the artistic realm, and Mr. Jabbar, the Chief Engineer of C&B, convened with the esteemed artist Hamidur Rahman and sculptor Novera Ahmed. The duo’s grand design took shape — a sprawling Shaheed Minar complex teeming with symbolism and significance. At its heart stood a semi-circular column, a poignant tribute to the eternal bond between mother and child, forever united in sacrifice. Adorning this column were symbols of watchful eyes, crafted from yellow and dark blue glass, poised to catch the sunlight and cast an ethereal glow upon the square below. The vision extended beyond mere architecture; it wove together threads of history and emotion, with every detail meticulously planned. A railing, adorned with Bangla alphabets, traced the perimetre of the seminar, while painted footprints, some stained with blood, others dark as night, marked the path of opposing forces, forever etched into the stone as a testament to the struggle for freedom. The Selection Committee, presided over by the venerable Greek architect Doxiadis, along with luminaries like Zainul Abedin and Mr. Jabbar, lent their discerning eyes to the fray. As Novera and Hamid poured their hearts into the design, they envisioned a space where memory and meaning intertwined — a sanctuary for reflection and remembrance. The government appointed Jean Delora as an architect at that time, who was in charge of keeping an eye on this work. Yet fate had other plans, and the grandeur of their vision remained but a dream, halted by the tumult of political upheaval and Ayub Khan’s martial law. Barkat’s mother inaugurated in 1963 In 1962, a committee under the direction of the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University suggested altering the original plan and speeding up the construction of the minaret. At that time, they did not even consider informing the designers about the alterations. Shaheed Barkat’s mother inaugurated it on February 21, 1963. In 1971, during the Operation Searchlight, Pakistani invaders descended upon the Shaheed Minar. They ravaged the monument. After independence, the government of Bangladesh took charge of the restoration of the Shaheed Minar. A fresh competition was announced, summoning the nation’s most esteemed artists and architects to present their visions for the revered monument. In a scene of anticipation and hope, the Central Hall of the Government House became a canvas for creativity as presentations adorned its walls. The committee, the media, and the general public all shared a mutual admiration for the design that Novera Ahmed and Hamidur Rahman’s team submitted. After that, its construction was f inished, though it failed to follow the design properly. In the mid-1980s, the Shaheed Minar underwent significant renovation again. The new design for the Shaheed Minar featured four small and one large column symbolising the mother and her fallen children on a 1,500-square-foot basis with a red sun backdrop. However, it was hastily executed, with the columns ending up shorter than planned and the main column’s head being bent more than intended. The Shaheed Minar took its present form in 1983, with marble stones used for repairs. The current Shaheed Minar stands at 14 meters (48 feet) tall. Unparallel significance of UNESCO recognition Since 1952, Bangladesh has embraced February 21st as National Martyr’s Day. On November 17, 1999, UNESCO, recognising its unparalleled significance,
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The Aesthetic Affair of Ekushey Book Fair
Followed by the fragrance of the spring, February in Bangladesh is a month of turning grief into power. Hence, this month is a glowing time for the citizens, with revelries surrounded by various occasions, and Amor Ekushey (Immortal 21) Boimela (Book Fair) is one of them. Started with only 32 books on a mat under a tree in front of Bangla Academy back in 1972, the legacy of Boimela continued till date. This year (2024), too, “Amor Ekushey Book Fair” at Bangla Academy premises opened its doors for literacy and knowledge enthusiasts to commemorate the glorious history of the Bangla language movement. While it’s the love for book that might grab readers to the fair, it is the unique eye-catching design that will pull people towards the book stalls and take a look at the books. This year, Anyaprokash showcased a unique rickshaw theme stall design, featuring a square pavilion with two vault-like structures inspired by rickshaw hoods. Designed by architect SM Rahman, the pavilion features murals and Humayun Ahmed’s portrait, using steel, bamboo, and plywood for its structure. The owner of Anya Prokash Mazharul Islam previously decorated pavilion along with Humayun Ahmed celebrating Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Curzon Hall, the Intellectual Memorial, and this year he chose UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage rickshaw of Bangladesh as the theme. The most interesting stall design has to be Akash Prokashoni’s. At first glance, people might misconstrue it as the traditional wooden houses of Bikrampur. The owner and designer, Alamgir Sikder Loton’s love for folk culture is well-echoed in the pavilion. There are three doors on three sides of the pavilion, along with windows. Books were displayed both inside and outside the house, offering an amusing experience for the customers. The younger generation can thus become more accustomed to Bangladesh culture with such thoughtful designs. The 39th Ekushey Book Fair has 635 stalls and pavilions this year, many of which are appealingly decorated. Things that look attractive tend to draw people in. They love connecting with them, are drawn to them, and want to learn more about them. Even though books are the heart of the book fair, a brilliant mind behind the design of those book stall plays an equally significant role. Every year, the top organisation receives the Artist Qayyum Chowdhury Memorial Award for their aesthetic pavilion design. Last year, Puthiniloy bagged the very award. The book fair’s main attraction, the kid’s section, remained colourful and exciting like always. Mayurpankhi’s stall at the book fair, designed by architect and designer Reesham Shahab Tirtho, stands out with its vibrant theme and arched doors, providing a fun walk for children. Journeyman Book’s stall, designed by interior designer Nazneen Haque Mimi, is another example of simplicity and efficiency. They have arranged a free Wi-Fi zone for the visitors and also used a modern book shelf outside the stall for an artistic appeal and a comfortable visit for book lovers. Sabyasachi Hazra’s signature simple and classy design is reflected on both the pavilions, Katha Prokash and Kobi Prokashoni. The choice of colours and fonts for Katha Prokash is minimal yet catchy. The surface is covered with layers of laterite soil, which gives it an even more fun context. Whereas the white folk motifs on the complete black surface of Kobi Prokashoni attract visitors effortlessly. Bangla Prakash remained unparalleled with its wooden pavilion, which looked more like a wooden box filled with books. The modest design rather appealed as classy, and the books have been kept skilfully on book shelves, which gives off a typical bookshop vibe. The pavilion looks equally great in the evening when the pendant lights it up. This year the prize was awarded for aesthetic and artistic stalls and pavilion and publishing maximum number of books in quality. In the pavilion category, “Anyaprakash” and “Nimphia Publication” and “Bengal Books” in the stall category received the Artist Qayyum Chowdhury Smriti Award as the best organisation in aesthetic decoration among the participating publishing houses. Kathaprokash received the Chittaranjan Saha Smriti Award for publishing the highest number of quality books. In the best book category in artistic and quality judging, Prothoma Prakashan got the prize for “Bangladesh in 21st Century: Transformation of Education” written by Manzoor Ahmed, and Oitijjhya for “Jatratihas: Bangler Jatra Shilper Adi Anta” written by Moeen Ahmed and Journeyman Books got the Munir Chowdhury Smriti Award for publishing “Kilo Flight” written by Alamgir Sattar. And Roknuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Smriti Award-2024 was given to Mayurpankhi for publishing the most books for children in terms of quality. Cultural Secretary Mr. Khalil Ahmed said that efforts are being made to bring the book fair into a permanent structure. Almost every stall and pavilion of this year’s book fair was well-decorated, every stall was well-organised and many stalls had a touch of modernity. Books worth Tk 50 crore were sold in the book fair and as many as 3,751 new books had been published. Written by Fariha Hossain
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the demand for environment-friendly construction materials including blocks and ceramic products is going up significantly
Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now a remarkable change is noticed in the construction sector of the country, thanks to local entrepreneurs, traders, and architects. Nowadays, the demand for environment-friendly construction materials including blocks and ceramic products is going up significantly. Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now a remarkable change is noticed in the construction sector of the country, thanks to local entrepreneurs, traders, and architects. Nowadays, the demand for environment-friendly construction materials including blocks and ceramic products is going up significantly. Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now a remarkable change is noticed in the construction sector of the country, thanks to local entrepreneurs, traders, and architects. Nowadays, the demand for environment-friendly construction materials including blocks and ceramic products is going up significantly. Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now’
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Ceramics Bangladesh magazine has quality and depth of information
Since subscribing to Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine, I’ve been incredibly impressed by the quality and depth of information it provides. Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine is an essential resource for anyone involved in the Bangladeshi ceramic industry. It’s informative, and inspiring, and keeps me connected to the local ceramic community. Mr. XXX Japan
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Ceramics Bangladesh magazine has quality and depth of information
Since subscribing to Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine, I’ve been incredibly impressed by the quality and depth of information it provides. Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine is an essential resource for anyone involved in the Bangladeshi ceramic industry. It’s informative, and inspiring, and keeps me connected to the local ceramic community. Mr. XXX Japan
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Partners – The Ornaments of The Ceramic Expo 2022
The Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 was an event that brought in some 25,000 visitors and the ceramic verse under one roof. Customers and brands were connected throughout all day during the three-day-long expo, and at the end, the organising authority, Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), was overwhelmed by the tremendous response it received from the industry and the community. It was the third expo which was initiated with sponsorship support from renowned national and international brands. Locally, BCMEA was blessed with three co-sponsors for the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2022 – Mir Ceramic, BHL Group, and Stella Luxury Sanitaryware. Dressed in their brand colours, the sponsors decorated their pavilions with the best from their catalog, hoping to gather leads, showcase exclusives, and connect one business to another and directly with customers. BHL Ceramic Company Ltd. introduced PERLA Sanitary ware at the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 BHL Group, a conglomerate with its flagship concern BHL Ceramic Company Ltd., having four ceramic brands under its housing, was a co-sponsor of the Ceramic Expo 2022. During the event, they showcased products from four of their brands, and the front-runner was the newly introduced Sanitaryware brand, Perla Sanitaryware. The conglomerate manufactures for BHL Ceramic, KONGFU Ceramic, VINCI Ceramic, and PERLA Sanitaryware, all of which were featured at the event. With a production capacity of 33,000 sq.m/a day, expected to become 40,000-sq.m/a day manufacturer soon, the emerging brands from BHL Group have stepped into the world of ceramics, and they hope to see the subsidiaries flourish. Entering into BHL Ceramic Company Ltd. Pavilion at the expo, visitors saw the ambiance being set by a cadet grey overall backdrop. They saw their subtle blue logo above one entrance, elegantly carrying the name of the parent company. Under it reads “Driven with Integrity”. The basins from their newly introduced Perla Sanitaryware, along with commodes, and their tiles of varied sizes, were placed on walls and floor, as well as persuasively displayed to show how it would be when fitted. The front runner/star of the pavilion, the products from Perla Sanitaryware, shined throughout the event and had uniqueness in design and shape. The products from this segment are innovative, eco-friendly, extremely hygienic, and saves water. Furthermore, the company showcased its best sellers, and among its different products, there were 60×60mm High Glossy Tiles that had a shine like no other. The BHL Company Ltd. Pavilion received a special mention for one of the best pavilions decided by the jury during the awarding ceremony of the 2022 Ceramic Expo. The event went by smoothly as visitors poured in. The director of BHL Group, Mr. Sifat Arman, along with the Managing Director Mr. Shahedul Islam, graced the event with their presence. The pavilion brought in approximately 9,000-10,000 visitors in all three days providing representatives with countless leads that were later converted. Mir Ceramicof the reputable Mir Group showcased some of the bests A subsidiary of the esteemed Mir Group, Mir Ceramic is one of the largest tile manufacturers in the country, and has embarked on a mission to introduce the strongest and longest lasting tiles in the market since 2001. The company was a Co-sponsor for 2022 Expo, and decorated their pavilion with outstanding products from their catalogue. Mir Ceramic has a pool of talent with years of experience behind the manufacturing process. And with that and more, consumers have seen them turn to a ceramic leader over the past two decades. The company uses SACMI technology in its Mawna factory and sources raw materials from across the world, fine picking for every aspect of the products it manufactures. At the Ceramic Expo 2022, Mir Ceramic had a pavilion dressed in green and white. A “20 years” ceiling-high structure commemorating Mir Ceramics’ 20 years of business and achievements stood proudly at an entrance. The first few products to attract the attention were floral and checkered designs on the walls. Among the products displayed, were the SERENA, portraying dark shades of grey in matte, and DORA with its floral design, both 30×60cm in dimensions. The pavilion showcased two sizes, a rectangular shape with size 60×120cm and a square 80×80cm size, of the product REVENA which was the front runner at the pavilion alongside ALMINA. The products were beautifully showcased for the eyes of the visitors, which constituted of not only enthusiasts, but also designers, architects, and officials from real-estate companies. The Mir Ceramic pavilion won Silver for Best Pavilion of the Year and Bronze for the Most Interactive Pavilion by people’s choice during the award-giving ceremony. Thousands of visitors came in during the event, and conversations were struck. The event proceeded towards an end, and countless leads gathered. From Mir Ceramic, Mr. Anwar Hosen (Asst. Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Nirmal Shah (Deputy Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Mizanur Rahman (Asst. Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Faisal Mahmud (Executive, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Shamshuddin Ali Ahsan (Business Development Manager), Kazi Md Abdullah Faruq (GM Sales and Marketing) and Abdulla Al Zaman (Deputy Manager, Brand) graced the event with their presence. Co-Sponsor Stella Luxury Sanitaryware introduced Italian inspired designs and more Stella Luxury Sanitaryware is a renowned brand and a trusted manufacturer of traditional and modern-day-minimalistic ceramic sanitary ware. The company ventured into the ceramic market in 2011, and ever since, has been introducing world-class products at affordable prices. The factory of the company is located in Kaligonj, Gazipur, and in partnership with SACMI, uses European technology to make their products, offering features such as water-saving, anti-scratch, soft-closing seat covers, dual flush technology, and 44 per cent stronger than local standards. The 2022 Ceramic Expo saw Stella Luxury Sanitary Ware highlight the products from the premium segment out of the catalog in their pavilion. We saw different shapes and sizes, from rectangular to oval counter basins, wash basins, high commodes, and a range of products in five light colours and two premium colours. Stella stands out when it comes to resourcefulness, as they always have replacement parts available. The market is saturated
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Partners – A Historical Breakthrough in Ceramic Industry!
China’s ceramic industry has achieved a historic milestone in the goal of carbon neutrality. After nearly one year’s hard research work, the world’s first piece of ceramic tile fired with zero-carbon fuel was successfully produced in Oceano Test Center, giving a great technological support to the building ceramic industry in realising the target of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutral. It was announced at a press conference in Foshan Xianhu Lab on December 23, 2022, the world’s first piece of ceramic tile f ired with zero-carbon pure ammonia fuel has successfully exited the Ammonia-fueled Roller Kiln at Oceano Test Center. The Associated R&D Center on Advanced Zero-carbon Combustion Technology was jointly established by Foshan Xianhu Lab, Oceano Ceramics and DLT Technology on December 27, 2021. HLT & DLT are the world’s leading suppliers of complete plant equipment for the ceramic sector. To provide turnkey project solutions to the global ceramic industry, Foshan HLT DLT Technology has been the first tunnel kiln that integrated green, low-carbon, and intelligent automation for the Chinese ceramic machinery industry to enter. Headed by Academician Mr. Cheng Yibing, a strategic scientist working at Foshan Xianhu Lab, as Chief Director of the center, the lab was aiming at the key technology of zero-carbon combustion in ceramic kilns to explore new solutions for Chinese ceramic industry. By giving full play to the advantages of the three parties in terms of production, developing and research, the center has developed the “ammonia-hydrogen fusion zero-carbon combustion technology” as well as key systems and solutions for the industrialisation. The center has developed a new series of pure ammonia type and natural gas – ammonia mixture type industrial burners with related auxiliary technologies, having realised stable ignitions in DLT industrial experiment kiln fueled with mixed ammonia and pure ammonia, showing good control of nitrogen oxides emission in compliance with the national standards. This achievement has confirmed for the first time the practical feasibility for the ceramic industry to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutral technology’s industrialisation in the future, marking an important milestone for the industry. The f iring of ceramics with zero-carbon fuel is a disruptive technical innovation, having filled up blanks of both domestic and international, showing a new energy technological path for the ceramic industry as well as for the whole of building material industry to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutral goal with great practical significance. While developing the zero-carbon combustion technology, the team also established a set of safety system and emergency management measures suitable for ammonia-fueled ceramic kilns, including operating procedures, ammonia storage, transportation and other important aspects. Based on this, the team successfully completed the update of Oceano’s ceramic roller kiln by converting the kiln from natural gas fueled mode into pure ammonia and natural gas – ammonia mixture fueled mode. Moreover, it has also developed a precision control system for liquid ammonia evaporation and supply, which is monitoring system for residual ammonia in the fume, and has jointly developed a complete set of high-efficiency liquid ammonia SCR de-nitrification system as well as other technologies and equipment. suitable for the pure ammonia combustion, an online On December 18, 2022, the kiln fueled with 100% ammonia (NH3) successfully produced glazed and unglazed tiles with continuous tile feeding and production. Tested by Oceano Research & Development Center, the quality of finished tiles is above the national standard. According to the on-site test by a third-party environmental assessment agency, the exhausted fume emission of the kiln complies to the national standard. As the first thermal equipment manufacturer to participate in the research and development of Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Advanced Technology, DLT has been focusing on the energy saving and emission reduction of kilns and dryers for the ceramic industry, and has been contributing greatly to the industry’s carbon consumption reduction in order to undertake its social responsibility. In future, the Associated R&D Center on Advanced Zero-carbon Combustion Technology will be further utilised in the application of mass production in the industry on the basis of the results from this pilot production, and will keep breaking through and optimising the new technology adapting with mass production, as a contribution to the ceramic industry as well as the building material industry to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutral, in order to create a disruptive technological path leading from “0” into “1” as being the first time in the world. Project Initiation: Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Tech When the zero carbon combustion chemical equation appeared on the screen of the launch ceremony, it marked a significant breakthrough in carbon neutrality technology. On December 28, the “Advanced Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Technology Demonstration Project for Ceramic Slab and Tile Mass Production Line” (“Ammonia Hydrogen Zero Carbon Combustion Project”) was officially launched at the headquarters of Monalisa Group. This is a new path explored by Monalisa in collaboration with Foshan Xianhu Laboratory, DLT, Oceano, Guangdong Anqing Technology and other companies to build ceramic zero carbon manufacturing and green development, which marks a major step forward for the industrial application of carbon-neutral technology in China’s ceramics industry, and is of great significance for accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation and development of the industry. Ammonia-hydrogen Zero-Carbon combustion technology to explore the optimal solution for the path of carbon neutrality and emission peak. With the current carbon neutrality and emission peak strategy, hydrogen energy and ammonia energy, as renewable green energy sources with high energy density, good storage and transportation convenience, clean and efficient energy, have gradually become an important part of the future energy system and are energy terminals. At present, the ammonia-hydrogen zero-carbon combustion technology has successfully completed technical tests and demonstration production in the Oceano’s experimental kiln. In order to promote the industrial application of ammonia hydrogen zero carbon combustion technology, Monalisa has joined the industrialisation research project of this technology and launched the demonstration project. Based on the developed advanced ammonia hydrogen zero carbon combustion pilot test and pollutant emission detection and control pilot test, the advanced ammonia hydrogen zero carbon
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Basking in Rome’s Sun In Dhaka
Residing in a quiet corner in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, one can find a mini-Europe as soon as s/he spots Raffinato. “Raffinato Ristorante Italiano” – just by seeing the name, one can already sense its Italian essence. At the first glance, I noticed a cozy, two-story white house with an L-shaped stairway leading to a small balcony, which gave more of a European home vibe.
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Business -Of Verdant Backdrop Red Brick Surface and A Memorial Of Pride.
Architecture, in its own language, has the power to narrate stories, forge distinctive perspectives, and evoke profound emotions. The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar is one of those powerful architectures that bear the history and bravery of the nation with its grandeur and glory. Located in Savar, an industrial hub on the outskirts of Dhaka, the monument stands tall as an emblem of reverence, embodying the nation’s profound gratitude to those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of self-determination for the Bengali people. After taking a short tour around it, visitors can’t help but feel a sense of awe and pride as they contemplate the nation’s immense history and resilience. The vast landscape, the luscious greenery surrounding it, and the soaring height of the establishment will remind of its relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. The month of March in Bangladesh is a time of remembrance and reflection. For millions of Bangladeshis, Independence Day is a day of extraordinary sentiments, containing both happiness and grief as the country earned its sovereignty 54 years ago at the cost of 3 million lives. Three phases of construction: The National Martyrs’ Memorial is designed by architect Syed Mainul Hossain (1952-2014). With a distinguished jury, including architect Muzharul Islam, a national design competition for the monument took place in 1978. (The previous attempt didn’t yield any satisfactory results.) Among 57 contenders, the young 26-year-old architect Mainul emerged victorious with his standout design. The inception of the project dates back to 1972, marking the acquisition of approximately 110 acres by the government. Of this expanse, 84 acres were dedicated to the construction of the main complex, while the remaining land was set aside for a verdant land-water greenbelt. The initial phase saw the creation of access roads, laying the foundation for subsequent development. In the second phase spanning from 1974 to 1982, significant infrastructural elements such as mass graves, helipads, parking facilities, and pavements were meticulously established. Finally, the third phase in 1982 witnessed the realisation of the main monument, along with the establishment of the greenbelt and a cafeteria, concluding the completion of this national monumental endeavour. The main monument was built by Concord in 1982 in only 89 days. In 1988, architect Syed Mainul Hossain received the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, in recognition of his profound contribution to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. A sneak peek into this architectural marvel: The central structure of the National Martyrs’ Memorial comprises seven pairs of triangular shapes, each representing pivotal events that propelled Bangladesh towards its independence. Starting with the outermost and shortest triangle, the structures progressively increase in height, leading up to the innermost peak. This architectural metaphor symbolises the nation’s ascent despite formidable challenges. The monument is made of concrete, in contrast with the rest of the structures and pavements, which are made of red bricks. Its design offers a multifaceted viewing experience, presenting a symmetrical pyramid-like formation when observed from afar. However, closer inspection reveals a dynamic interplay of angles and perspectives, inviting visitors to explore its intricate details firsthand. Notably, the surface of the structure is intentionally uneven, mirroring the tumultuous journey towards freedom and independence. This tactile representation serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required to overcome adversity. The whole campus is adorned with trees, walkways, an artificial lake, and a cafeteria. Interplay of numbers: Numerology serves as a hidden vital factor behind the intricate design of the National Monument, reminiscent of ancient architectural wonders like the Athenian Parthenon, where numbers were revered as the essence of aesthetic perfection and cosmic harmony. At the heart of this establishment lies the mystical number 7, symbolising the seven pivotal movements that shaped Bangladesh’s path to independence between 1952 and 1971. The first of these 7 historical contexts is the language movement of 1952. This was followed by the United Front elections of 1954, the Constitution Movement of 1956, the Education Movement of 1962, the Six-Point Movement of 1966, the People’s Uprising of 1969, and then the final victory through the Great Liberation War of 1971. However, these 7 pillars or the number 7 also have different implications if we look at them from different facets. For example, among others, the Language Movement in 1952 contains 5+2=7; December 16, the day of independence in 1971, has 1+6=7; and there were 7 Birsreshto (war heroes) who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberation. Written Kaniz F. Supriya
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Business – Smart Fire Safety is a must for SMART BANGLADESH.
A three-day 9th International Fire Safety and Security Exhibition-2024 concluded with a focus on bolstering Bangladesh’s fire safety measures and aims to reduce fire risks, utilise modern equipment for safety, and raise awareness among the mass people. In the expo held on February 17-19, the people engaged in the industry underscored the need for amending the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 as part of ensuring preventive measure of fire incidents and maintaining fire safety compliance in factories, housing and public infrastructure including mega projects. Held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka, the expo was organised by Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) in association with Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD), Fire Fighting Equipment Business Owners Association of Bangladesh (FEBOAB), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. More than 100 organisations from 30 countries including the USA, the UK, EU, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle East countries took part in the expo. And more than 15,000 local and foreign visitors visited the expo. Salman F. Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, inaugurated the expo on February 17 while Fire Service and Civil Defence Director Brigadier General Mohammad Main Uddin, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam and BGMEA President Faruque Hassan were present, among others. Brig. Gen. Main Uddin informed a seminar during the expo that the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) received 22,300 fire incidents per year but last year it was increased to 28,703 while on an average 150 deaths are recorded every year. In these incidents, an average loss was Tk 368 crore each year and the loss amounted to around Tk 793 crore last year. About 36 per cent fire incidents was caused by electricity last year, he added. Architect Iqbal Habib said using technology harnessing data from every level is a must to monitor and manage city infrastructure to build smart city and provide facilities to citizens. He also said if the soft copy of the building design is on the device, it will reach the fire fighters at the premises within a second. The PPP model will ensure smart safety and security solution to make sure that fire incident would not take place. Investment required for boosting the industry: With the expansion of industrialisation, the demand for fire safety and security equipment is rapidly growing in Bangladesh. But the country is still highly dependent on imported products. Industry insiders say Bangladesh has to depend on around 95 per cent import of the products. So, the country has a scope of attracting a huge investment, and also export the products meeting domestic demand for around Tk 15,000 crore market, if investors get adequate policy support from the government. ESSAB Safety Excellence Award 2024: A total of 13 organisations have been awarded at the expo for ensuring building code compliance and fire safety measures in residential, industrial, commercial buildings. Among them, Rancon Artisti Residences stood first in the residential building category, while Sheltech Rubynur stood second, and Concord Shapla third. In the Commercial Building Category, Shanta Forum, Concord MK Heritage and BGMEA Complex received the award as the First, Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up. Six companies jointly won the excellence award in the Industrial (RMG) category. Among them, Glamour Dresses Ltd. and Designtex Knitwear Ltd. were named the top winners. Tasniah Fabrics Ltd. and SQ Birichina Ltd. came next, followed by Sterling Denims Ltd. and Silken Sewing Ltd. Besides, BM Container Depot Ltd. received the award in the industrial other category. ESSAB also gave special recognition to five fire service personnel for their brave role in fire fighting and rescue operations. They are Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Department Md. Faisalur Rahman and Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Senior Station Officer Md. Nazim Uddin Sarkar, Warehouse Inspector Md. Zahirul Islam and Fire Fighter Alhaj Miah. PPP required to explore untapped market: ESSAB: The ESSAB Secretary General, Zakir Uddin Ahmed, said the sector is important to protect people’s lives and properties from fire and earthquake incidents, and ensure sustainable economic development. So, what are needed include significant awareness, regular checks of the fire safety equipment, and use of quality materials. Mr. Zakir, also Chief Executive Officer of ZM International, stated that PPP is required to explore the untapped market. “We are ready to help investors here. So, policy assistance is the main issue to bring more investment. To create awareness, he fires safety issue should be included in textbooks,” he said adding that high import duty on the products is a key challenge in the industry. In this context, the government should provide all necessary facilities such as policy support, duty cut, and incentive so that investors come to invest in the sector.
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Business – A Glimpse of Timeless Elegance in the British-Pub Revival named BAGHA Club
Located in the Gulshan, Dhaka, the newly renovated bar of The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club is a renovation project designed by Zero Inch Interiors Ltd. The British-Pub-inspired interior design of the BAGHA Club’s bar is conceptualised to transform the space into a comfortable and cozy space. The guiding vision for the interior design of the bar has aimed to offer club members a sanctuary – a place where they could briefly detach from their demanding routines, relax, and recharge in a welcoming atmosphere following a day of work. The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club was established in 1979. It is a part of the British High Commission estate and proudly serves a wonderfully diverse mix of European Union nationals. Among various amenities that the club offers, including a tennis court, children’s play area, all-day restaurants, swimming pools, and a library, the bar stands out as a focal point of social interaction and relaxation. Recently undergoing a remarkable renovation by the design team of Zero Inch Interiors Ltd., the British-Pub-inspired interior now exudes a timeless charm that seamlessly blends the traditional British pub environment with modern aesthetics. The Concept Behind the Renovation Project The interior embodies a distinctive British Pub aesthetic, interpreting traditional British elements in a contemporary style. Sharing the concept of the BAGHA club, Architect Ariful Islam says, “The idea was to renovate the bar in resemblance to British pubs, while, at the same time, doing it with minimal intervention to make the space inviting, cozy, and long-lasting.” A wall was dismantled, which, in fact, made the most visible change and expanded the space. This step in design resulted in lightening up the atmosphere of the club. After rethinking the space, the modified open-plan layout ensured that the bar counter was transformed into a rectangular shape, making it interactive and interesting. The renovation overall, therefore, achieves a delicate balance between reflecting the charm of British pubs and infusing a modern, vibrant dynamism into the space. Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. Architect Ariful Islam explains, “We preferred Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. to choose wood as the primary material because when warm light falls on wood, it creates a golden effect. The red hues further enhance the vibrancy and liveliness of the space.” The ceiling is kept simple and devoid of (intricate) details, maintaining a blackout effect. The flooring features darker tones with rustic tiles adorned with wooden patterns. This careful selection of materials and design elements contributes to the overall coherence and elegance of the bar’s interior. Zero Waste Design Philosophy One mentionable feature of this renovation is the Zero Waste Design Philosophy of the design team. In adherence to this design philosophy, they embraced creative methods to repurpose furniture in the design of this bar. Through a commitment to sustainability, repurposed and recycled furniture, along with other items, were integrated into the overall design. Each furniture piece underwent resizing and repainting to align with current functional needs. Another key aspect of the sustainability initiative involved the replacement of all damaged glass windows, which were previously allowing rainwater to infiltrate the interior. By incorporating new, weather-resistant windows, they not only addressed the structural issues but also contributed to the energy efficiency of the
Read More Spotlight Of Verdant Backdrop Red Brick Surface and A Memorial Of Pride
Architecture, in its own language, has the power to narrate stories, forge distinctive perspectives, and evoke profound emotions. The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar is one of those powerful architectures that bear the history and bravery of the nation with its grandeur and glory. Located in Savar, an industrial hub on the outskirts of Dhaka, the monument stands tall as an emblem of reverence, embodying the nation’s profound gratitude to those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of self-determination for the Bengali people. After taking a short tour around it, visitors can’t help but feel a sense of awe and pride as they contemplate the nation’s immense history and resilience. The vast landscape, the luscious greenery surrounding it, and the soaring height of the establishment will remind of its relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. The month of March in Bangladesh is a time of remembrance and reflection. For millions of Bangladeshis, Independence Day is a day of extraordinary sentiments, containing both happiness and grief as the country earned its sovereignty 54 years ago at the cost of 3 million lives. Three phases of construction: The National Martyrs’ Memorial is designed by architect Syed Mainul Hossain (1952-2014). With a distinguished jury, including architect Muzharul Islam, a national design competition for the monument took place in 1978. (The previous attempt didn’t yield any satisfactory results.) Among 57 contenders, the young 26-year-old architect Mainul emerged victorious with his standout design. The inception of the project dates back to 1972, marking the acquisition of approximately 110 acres by the government. Of this expanse, 84 acres were dedicated to the construction of the main complex, while the remaining land was set aside for a verdant land-water greenbelt. The initial phase saw the creation of access roads, laying the foundation for subsequent development. In the second phase spanning from 1974 to 1982, significant infrastructural elements such as mass graves, helipads, parking facilities, and pavements were meticulously established. Finally, the third phase in 1982 witnessed the realisation of the main monument, along with the establishment of the greenbelt and a cafeteria, concluding the completion of this national monumental endeavour. The main monument was built by Concord in 1982 in only 89 days. In 1988, architect Syed Mainul Hossain received the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, in recognition of his profound contribution to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. A sneak peek into this architectural marvel: The central structure of the National Martyrs’ Memorial comprises seven pairs of triangular shapes, each representing pivotal events that propelled Bangladesh towards its independence. Starting with the outermost and shortest triangle, the structures progressively increase in height, leading up to the innermost peak. This architectural metaphor symbolises the nation’s ascent despite formidable challenges. The monument is made of concrete, in contrast with the rest of the structures and pavements, which are made of red bricks. Its design offers a multifaceted viewing experience, presenting a symmetrical pyramid-like formation when observed from afar. However, closer inspection reveals a dynamic interplay of angles and perspectives, inviting visitors to explore its intricate details firsthand. Notably, the surface of the structure is intentionally uneven, mirroring the tumultuous journey towards freedom and independence. This tactile representation serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required to overcome adversity. The whole campus is adorned with trees, walkways, an artificial lake, and a cafeteria. Interplay of numbers: Numerology serves as a hidden vital factor behind the intricate design of the National Monument, reminiscent of ancient architectural wonders like the Athenian Parthenon, where numbers were revered as the essence of aesthetic perfection and cosmic harmony. At the heart of this establishment lies the mystical number 7, symbolising the seven pivotal movements that shaped Bangladesh’s path to independence between 1952 and 1971. The first of these 7 historical contexts is the language movement of 1952. This was followed by the United Front elections of 1954, the Constitution Movement of 1956, the Education Movement of 1962, the Six-Point Movement of 1966, the People’s Uprising of 1969, and then the final victory through the Great Liberation War of 1971. However, these 7 pillars or the number 7 also have different implications if we look at them from different facets. For example, among others, the Language Movement in 1952 contains 5+2=7; December 16, the day of independence in 1971, has 1+6=7; and there were 7 Birsreshto (war heroes) who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberation. Written Kaniz F. Supriya
Read More Spotlight Smart Fire Safety is a must for SMART BANGLADESH
A three-day 9th International Fire Safety and Security Exhibition-2024 concluded with a focus on bolstering Bangladesh’s fire safety measures and aims to reduce fire risks, utilise modern equipment for safety, and raise awareness among the mass people. In the expo held on February 17-19, the people engaged in the industry underscored the need for amending the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 as part of ensuring preventive measure of fire incidents and maintaining fire safety compliance in factories, housing and public infrastructure including mega projects. Held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka, the expo was organised by Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) in association with Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD), Fire Fighting Equipment Business Owners Association of Bangladesh (FEBOAB), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. More than 100 organisations from 30 countries including the USA, the UK, EU, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle East countries took part in the expo. And more than 15,000 local and foreign visitors visited the expo. Salman F. Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, inaugurated the expo on February 17 while Fire Service and Civil Defence Director Brigadier General Mohammad Main Uddin, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam and BGMEA President Faruque Hassan were present, among others. Brig. Gen. Main Uddin informed a seminar during the expo that the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) received 22,300 fire incidents per year but last year it was increased to 28,703 while on an average 150 deaths are recorded every year. In these incidents, an average loss was Tk 368 crore each year and the loss amounted to around Tk 793 crore last year. About 36 per cent fire incidents was caused by electricity last year, he added. Architect Iqbal Habib said using technology harnessing data from every level is a must to monitor and manage city infrastructure to build smart city and provide facilities to citizens. He also said if the soft copy of the building design is on the device, it will reach the fire fighters at the premises within a second. The PPP model will ensure smart safety and security solution to make sure that fire incident would not take place. Investment required for boosting the industry: With the expansion of industrialisation, the demand for fire safety and security equipment is rapidly growing in Bangladesh. But the country is still highly dependent on imported products. Industry insiders say Bangladesh has to depend on around 95 per cent import of the products. So, the country has a scope of attracting a huge investment, and also export the products meeting domestic demand for around Tk 15,000 crore market, if investors get adequate policy support from the government. ESSAB Safety Excellence Award 2024: A total of 13 organisations have been awarded at the expo for ensuring building code compliance and fire safety measures in residential, industrial, commercial buildings. Among them, Rancon Artisti Residences stood first in the residential building category, while Sheltech Rubynur stood second, and Concord Shapla third. In the Commercial Building Category, Shanta Forum, Concord MK Heritage and BGMEA Complex received the award as the First, Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up. Six companies jointly won the excellence award in the Industrial (RMG) category. Among them, Glamour Dresses Ltd. and Designtex Knitwear Ltd. were named the top winners. Tasniah Fabrics Ltd. and SQ Birichina Ltd. came next, followed by Sterling Denims Ltd. and Silken Sewing Ltd. Besides, BM Container Depot Ltd. received the award in the industrial other category. ESSAB also gave special recognition to five fire service personnel for their brave role in fire fighting and rescue operations. They are Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Department Md. Faisalur Rahman and Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Senior Station Officer Md. Nazim Uddin Sarkar, Warehouse Inspector Md. Zahirul Islam and Fire Fighter Alhaj Miah. PPP required to explore untapped market: ESSAB: The ESSAB Secretary General, Zakir Uddin Ahmed, said the sector is important to protect people’s lives and properties from fire and earthquake incidents, and ensure sustainable economic development. So, what are needed include significant awareness, regular checks of the fire safety equipment, and use of quality materials. Mr. Zakir, also Chief Executive Officer of ZM International, stated that PPP is required to explore the untapped market. “We are ready to help investors here. So, policy assistance is the main issue to bring more investment. To create awareness, he fires safety issue should be included in textbooks,” he said adding that high import duty on the products is a key challenge in the industry. In this context, the government should provide all necessary facilities such as policy support, duty cut, and incentive so that investors come to invest in the sector.
Read More A Glimpse of Timeless Elegance in the British-Pub Revival named BAGHA Club
Located in the Gulshan, Dhaka, the newly renovated bar of The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club is a renovation project designed by Zero Inch Interiors Ltd. The British-Pub-inspired interior design of the BAGHA Club’s bar is conceptualised to transform the space into a comfortable and cozy space. The guiding vision for the interior design of the bar has aimed to offer club members a sanctuary – a place where they could briefly detach from their demanding routines, relax, and recharge in a welcoming atmosphere following a day of work. The British Aid Guest House Association (BAGHA) Club was established in 1979. It is a part of the British High Commission estate and proudly serves a wonderfully diverse mix of European Union nationals. Among various amenities that the club offers, including a tennis court, children’s play area, all-day restaurants, swimming pools, and a library, the bar stands out as a focal point of social interaction and relaxation. Recently undergoing a remarkable renovation by the design team of Zero Inch Interiors Ltd., the British-Pub-inspired interior now exudes a timeless charm that seamlessly blends the traditional British pub environment with modern aesthetics. The Concept Behind the Renovation Project The interior embodies a distinctive British Pub aesthetic, interpreting traditional British elements in a contemporary style. Sharing the concept of the BAGHA club, Architect Ariful Islam says, “The idea was to renovate the bar in resemblance to British pubs, while, at the same time, doing it with minimal intervention to make the space inviting, cozy, and long-lasting.” A wall was dismantled, which, in fact, made the most visible change and expanded the space. This step in design resulted in lightening up the atmosphere of the club. After rethinking the space, the modified open-plan layout ensured that the bar counter was transformed into a rectangular shape, making it interactive and interesting. The renovation overall, therefore, achieves a delicate balance between reflecting the charm of British pubs and infusing a modern, vibrant dynamism into the space. Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. Architect Ariful Islam explains, “We preferred Challenges in the Interior Design Designed by architect Muhammad Ariful Islam and his team in a remarkably brief two-month timeframe, this 2800-square-foot contemporary renovation stands as a one-of-a-kind endeavour in Bangladesh. “We’re confined to some challenges as the site was a rental space, which dictated that major demolitions were not permissible here,” added the architect. The primary challenges faced by the design team during the construction phase of the bar interior design were centred around the principles of minimal design intervention, budget constraints, and the necessity to execute the design within a notably short timeframe. Balancing all these constraints required careful consideration and strategic decision-making to ensure the success and execution of the envisioned space. Color Palette and Materiality In this interior project, wood has been selected as the primary construction material, complemented by glass and metal details. The utilisation of wooden panels, intricate carvings, and carefully curated lighting collectively contribute to creating a cozy, warm, and inviting ambiance. Furthermore, the extensive collection of bar accessories enhances the overall visual appeal, adding a layer of sophistication to the space. A new bar counter along with bar stools have been incorporated into the bar interior design, and this rendition perfectly completes the bar. The stunning stools with red-wine upholstery add a dash of colour to the interior and complement the wooden tone. Lastly, the sophisticated chandeliers add a dramatic charm to the entire British Pub ambiance. to choose wood as the primary material because when warm light falls on wood, it creates a golden effect. The red hues further enhance the vibrancy and liveliness of the space.” The ceiling is kept simple and devoid of (intricate) details, maintaining a blackout effect. The flooring features darker tones with rustic tiles adorned with wooden patterns. This careful selection of materials and design elements contributes to the overall coherence and elegance of the bar’s interior. Zero Waste Design Philosophy One mentionable feature of this renovation is the Zero Waste Design Philosophy of the design team. In adherence to this design philosophy, they embraced creative methods to repurpose furniture in the design of this bar. Through a commitment to sustainability, repurposed and recycled furniture, along with other items, were integrated into the overall design. Each furniture piece underwent resizing and repainting to align with current functional needs. Another key aspect of the sustainability initiative involved the replacement of all damaged glass windows, which were previously allowing rainwater to infiltrate the interior. By incorporating new, weather-resistant windows, they not only addressed the structural issues but also contributed to the energy efficiency of the
Read More Spotlight Artisan Ceramics at the forefront (04)
Amongst the Royal collection in the Buckingham Palace resides gold-covered renditions of Artisan Ceramics. From a company struggling to export, to winning the national export trophy five times in a row, Artisan Ceramics has seen 3 times expansion over the past few years. The entirety of a company’s growth and success inevitably relies on the decisions made internally. Artisan Ceramics Ltd. suffered significant loss until 2011. With new leadership under Finlays, and a change in the modality of business and redesigning, it now has a factory constructed across six acres of land in Sreepur, Gazipur, and a capacity of producing 10 million pieces of assorted premium quality porcelain tableware annually. The current expansion will raise this capacity to 22 million. Artisan Ceramics is an export-oriented tableware company that supplies to over 20 countries across Europe, America, and Asia, and has evolved into a leading manufacturer with no stop to its growth. The company has a contribution of 12-15 percent in the national export revenue. Surely, success in such a short time is a wonder on its own. To find out more, Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine author recently had the opportunity to discuss the adaptations of Artisan Ceramics that led to its success, with M. Mamunur Rashid, CEO of Artisan Ceramics Ltd. Here’s what we’ve learned: The first adaptation Artisan knew Saggar firing was wasteful Saggar or Saguaro is a covering used over ceramic ware when under intensive firing in the kilns. This protection helps safeguard the ware from coming in direct contact with the Kiln, debris inside the kiln, and other gases and smoke. The problem with saggar firing is that the saggar heats up first and then transfers the heat to the product; this makes the process 15-hour long cycle. With Artisan’s adaptation, open and fast firing, it’s a six-hour firing process. “Time-wise and price-wise, Saggar is inefficient. Again, there is the cost of the man behind the machine,” says Mr. Rashid. Fired three times for a longer life! “I have traveled across more than 10 countries just to see the technology companies have adopted, and learned, that the type of products we tend to manufacture are widely unavailable,” said Mr. Rashid. “We have products that have been fired three times, which make them much more durable. These products are more popular in Europe since they are more durable and can withstand knives and forks,” he added. At Artisan, products are fired at high degrees of temperatures — 1330°C to 1350°C, about 100° higher than the global rivals. Discussing global demand with relevance to this particular firing process, we find: “The hard glaze we are using, makes the product stronger, more scratch-proof, and absorption free,” said Mr. Rashid. The global demand has shifted towards such products because of such features. Raw materials sourced from around the world Artisan Ceramics sources its raw materials from almost every corner of the globe –the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, China, and India are some of them. The two types of minerals that make up for 50% of the body, feldspar, and quartz, are brought in from Rajasthan, India. The company also imports alumina which is used to make the body stronger and helps meet HoReCa standards. “Using the best quality raw material with a natural colour is important because the glaze is translucent and the body colour is what you see,” he said. These designs are in trend now and a personal favourite of Mr. Rashid. The company even imports from specific mines. Furthermore, Artisan buys the best quality gold from Heraeus Germany and colors from Izawa Pigments, Japan. Innovative Designs that go well with the trend, and the technology behind it. Artisan is constantly working on new designs. “We are innovating and have recently created double-layer body tea cup that keeps tea & coffee warm for a longer period of time,” Mr. Rashid mentioned. The design depends on customer trends and comes in cyclic order, says Mr. Rashid. Something that is currently trending are reactive glazes where you allow the finishing to be exactly how the kilns are making them fascinate many people. “Keeping up with the ever-evolving trends is a constant challenge, but traditional designs have resurfaced and are a popular preference now,” said Mr. Rashid. Artisan will be introducing a certain collection inspired by the Rajasthani culture. A designer from Sri Lanka by the name of Sudath Fernando is also coming in to train employees. Stay tuned with us for future features. Regarding technology, he said: “We want to make our factory fuel efficient. Our dryers are like ovens that collect heat and reuse it. I have visited a few factories in Europe and have seen how they are doing things, we have called SACMI, Italy, to help us upgrade.” The machines at Artisan’s factory are from the USA, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Artisan has taken green initiatives- they refine and reuse 90% of wastewater, collect rainwater in underground tanks, and reuse heat from the ovens. The company purifies water to the extent that it can be used for irrigation. “Every factory is concerned and the government is putting emphasis on sustainable approaches,” stated Mr. Rashid. Artisan’s plan to sell in bulk Following the recent expansion, Artisan is now concentrating on bulk buyers- examples would be hypermarkets. The marketing team is also trying to bring about a trend change by promoting the use of porcelain over bone china. This is because the water absorption of Bone China is high, it loses colour, and porcelain survives longer. Ultra Bone Porcelain: the newest innovation from Artisan Some customers are price-centric and some look for quality. That is why Artisan needed to innovate a new product retaining the same mechanical strength of pure porcelain and exceptional whiteness that was sure to win people over. Henceforth, came the Ultra Bone Porcelain. Mr. Rashid introduced a special body that can beat the competition and customers are willing to pay premium price for it. Artisan performs CSR Artisan gives education
Read More Artisan Ceramics at the forefront
Amongst the Royal collection in the Buckingham Palace resides gold-covered renditions of Artisan Ceramics. From a company struggling to export, to winning the national export trophy five times in a row, Artisan Ceramics has seen 3 times expansion over the past few years. The entirety of a company’s growth and success inevitably relies on the decisions made internally. Artisan Ceramics Ltd. suffered significant loss until 2011. With new leadership under Finlays, and a change in the modality of business and redesigning, it now has a factory constructed across six acres of land in Sreepur, Gazipur, and a capacity of producing 10 million pieces of assorted premium quality porcelain tableware annually. The current expansion will raise this capacity to 22 million. Artisan Ceramics is an export-oriented tableware company that supplies to over 20 countries across Europe, America, and Asia, and has evolved into a leading manufacturer with no stop to its growth. The company has a contribution of 12-15 percent in the national export revenue. Surely, success in such a short time is a wonder on its own. To find out more, Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine author recently had the opportunity to discuss the adaptations of Artisan Ceramics that led to its success, with M. Mamunur Rashid, CEO of Artisan Ceramics Ltd. Here’s what we’ve learned: The first adaptation Artisan knew Saggar firing was wasteful Saggar or Saguaro is a covering used over ceramic ware when under intensive firing in the kilns. This protection helps safeguard the ware from coming in direct contact with the Kiln, debris inside the kiln, and other gases and smoke. The problem with saggar firing is that the saggar heats up first and then transfers the heat to the product; this makes the process 15-hour long cycle. With Artisan’s adaptation, open and fast firing, it’s a six-hour firing process. “Time-wise and price-wise, Saggar is inefficient. Again, there is the cost of the man behind the machine,” says Mr. Rashid. Fired three times for a longer life! “I have traveled across more than 10 countries just to see the technology companies have adopted, and learned, that the type of products we tend to manufacture are widely unavailable,” said Mr. Rashid. “We have products that have been fired three times, which make them much more durable. These products are more popular in Europe since they are more durable and can withstand knives and forks,” he added. At Artisan, products are fired at high degrees of temperatures — 1330°C to 1350°C, about 100° higher than the global rivals. Discussing global demand with relevance to this particular firing process, we find: “The hard glaze we are using, makes the product stronger, more scratch-proof, and absorption free,” said Mr. Rashid. The global demand has shifted towards such products because of such features. Raw materials sourced from around the world Artisan Ceramics sources its raw materials from almost every corner of the globe –the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, China, and India are some of them. The two types of minerals that make up for 50% of the body, feldspar, and quartz, are brought in from Rajasthan, India. The company also imports alumina which is used to make the body stronger and helps meet HoReCa standards. “Using the best quality raw material with a natural colour is important because the glaze is translucent and the body colour is what you see,” he said. These designs are in trend now and a personal favourite of Mr. Rashid. The company even imports from specific mines. Furthermore, Artisan buys the best quality gold from Heraeus Germany and colors from Izawa Pigments, Japan. Innovative Designs that go well with the trend, and the technology behind it. Artisan is constantly working on new designs. “We are innovating and have recently created double-layer body tea cup that keeps tea & coffee warm for a longer period of time,” Mr. Rashid mentioned. The design depends on customer trends and comes in cyclic order, says Mr. Rashid. Something that is currently trending are reactive glazes where you allow the finishing to be exactly how the kilns are making them fascinate many people. “Keeping up with the ever-evolving trends is a constant challenge, but traditional designs have resurfaced and are a popular preference now,” said Mr. Rashid. Artisan will be introducing a certain collection inspired by the Rajasthani culture. A designer from Sri Lanka by the name of Sudath Fernando is also coming in to train employees. Stay tuned with us for future features. Regarding technology, he said: “We want to make our factory fuel efficient. Our dryers are like ovens that collect heat and reuse it. I have visited a few factories in Europe and have seen how they are doing things, we have called SACMI, Italy, to help us upgrade.” The machines at Artisan’s factory are from the USA, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Artisan has taken green initiatives- they refine and reuse 90% of wastewater, collect rainwater in underground tanks, and reuse heat from the ovens. The company purifies water to the extent that it can be used for irrigation. “Every factory is concerned and the government is putting emphasis on sustainable approaches,” stated Mr. Rashid. Artisan’s plan to sell in bulk Following the recent expansion, Artisan is now concentrating on bulk buyers- examples would be hypermarkets. The marketing team is also trying to bring about a trend change by promoting the use of porcelain over bone china. This is because the water absorption of Bone China is high, it loses colour, and porcelain survives longer. Ultra Bone Porcelain: the newest innovation from Artisan Some customers are price-centric and some look for quality. That is why Artisan needed to innovate a new product retaining the same mechanical strength of pure porcelain and exceptional whiteness that was sure to win people over. Henceforth, came the Ultra Bone Porcelain. Mr. Rashid introduced a special body that can beat the competition and customers are willing to pay premium price for it. Artisan performs CSR Artisan gives education
Read More Smart Fire Safety is a must for SMART BANGLADESH
A three-day 9th International Fire Safety and Security Exhibition-2024 concluded with a focus on bolstering Bangladesh’s fire safety measures and aims to reduce fire risks, utilise modern equipment for safety, and raise awareness among the mass people. In the expo held on February 17-19, the people engaged in the industry underscored the need for amending the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 as part of ensuring preventive measure of fire incidents and maintaining fire safety compliance in factories, housing and public infrastructure including mega projects. Held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka, the expo was organised by Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) in association with Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (BFSCD), Fire Fighting Equipment Business Owners Association of Bangladesh (FEBOAB), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. More than 100 organisations from 30 countries including the USA, the UK, EU, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle East countries took part in the expo. And more than 15,000 local and foreign visitors visited the expo. Salman F. Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, inaugurated the expo on February 17 while Fire Service and Civil Defence Director Brigadier General Mohammad Main Uddin, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam and BGMEA President Faruque Hassan were present, among others. Brig. Gen. Main Uddin informed a seminar during the expo that the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) received 22,300 fire incidents per year but last year it was increased to 28,703 while on an average 150 deaths are recorded every year. In these incidents, an average loss was Tk 368 crore each year and the loss amounted to around Tk 793 crore last year. About 36 per cent fire incidents was caused by electricity last year, he added. Architect Iqbal Habib said using technology harnessing data from every level is a must to monitor and manage city infrastructure to build smart city and provide facilities to citizens. He also said if the soft copy of the building design is on the device, it will reach the fire fighters at the premises within a second. The PPP model will ensure smart safety and security solution to make sure that fire incident would not take place. Investment required for boosting the industry: With the expansion of industrialisation, the demand for fire safety and security equipment is rapidly growing in Bangladesh. But the country is still highly dependent on imported products. Industry insiders say Bangladesh has to depend on around 95 per cent import of the products. So, the country has a scope of attracting a huge investment, and also export the products meeting domestic demand for around Tk 15,000 crore market, if investors get adequate policy support from the government. ESSAB Safety Excellence Award 2024: A total of 13 organisations have been awarded at the expo for ensuring building code compliance and fire safety measures in residential, industrial, commercial buildings. Among them, Rancon Artisti Residences stood first in the residential building category, while Sheltech Rubynur stood second, and Concord Shapla third. In the Commercial Building Category, Shanta Forum, Concord MK Heritage and BGMEA Complex received the award as the First, Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up. Six companies jointly won the excellence award in the Industrial (RMG) category. Among them, Glamour Dresses Ltd. and Designtex Knitwear Ltd. were named the top winners. Tasniah Fabrics Ltd. and SQ Birichina Ltd. came next, followed by Sterling Denims Ltd. and Silken Sewing Ltd. Besides, BM Container Depot Ltd. received the award in the industrial other category. ESSAB also gave special recognition to five fire service personnel for their brave role in fire fighting and rescue operations. They are Deputy Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Department Md. Faisalur Rahman and Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Senior Station Officer Md. Nazim Uddin Sarkar, Warehouse Inspector Md. Zahirul Islam and Fire Fighter Alhaj Miah. PPP required to explore untapped market: ESSAB: The ESSAB Secretary General, Zakir Uddin Ahmed, said the sector is important to protect people’s lives and properties from fire and earthquake incidents, and ensure sustainable economic development. So, what are needed include significant awareness, regular checks of the fire safety equipment, and use of quality materials. Mr. Zakir, also Chief Executive Officer of ZM International, stated that PPP is required to explore the untapped market. “We are ready to help investors here. So, policy assistance is the main issue to bring more investment. To create awareness, he fires safety issue should be included in textbooks,” he said adding that high import duty on the products is a key challenge in the industry. In this context, the government should provide all necessary facilities such as policy support, duty cut, and incentive so that investors come to invest in the sector.
Read More Of Verdant Backdrop Red Brick Surface and A Memorial Of Pride
Architecture, in its own language, has the power to narrate stories, forge distinctive perspectives, and evoke profound emotions. The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar is one of those powerful architectures that bear the history and bravery of the nation with its grandeur and glory. Located in Savar, an industrial hub on the outskirts of Dhaka, the monument stands tall as an emblem of reverence, embodying the nation’s profound gratitude to those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of self-determination for the Bengali people. After taking a short tour around it, visitors can’t help but feel a sense of awe and pride as they contemplate the nation’s immense history and resilience. The vast landscape, the luscious greenery surrounding it, and the soaring height of the establishment will remind of its relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. The month of March in Bangladesh is a time of remembrance and reflection. For millions of Bangladeshis, Independence Day is a day of extraordinary sentiments, containing both happiness and grief as the country earned its sovereignty 54 years ago at the cost of 3 million lives. Three phases of construction: The National Martyrs’ Memorial is designed by architect Syed Mainul Hossain (1952-2014). With a distinguished jury, including architect Muzharul Islam, a national design competition for the monument took place in 1978. (The previous attempt didn’t yield any satisfactory results.) Among 57 contenders, the young 26-year-old architect Mainul emerged victorious with his standout design. The inception of the project dates back to 1972, marking the acquisition of approximately 110 acres by the government. Of this expanse, 84 acres were dedicated to the construction of the main complex, while the remaining land was set aside for a verdant land-water greenbelt. The initial phase saw the creation of access roads, laying the foundation for subsequent development. In the second phase spanning from 1974 to 1982, significant infrastructural elements such as mass graves, helipads, parking facilities, and pavements were meticulously established. Finally, the third phase in 1982 witnessed the realisation of the main monument, along with the establishment of the greenbelt and a cafeteria, concluding the completion of this national monumental endeavour. The main monument was built by Concord in 1982 in only 89 days. In 1988, architect Syed Mainul Hossain received the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, in recognition of his profound contribution to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage. A sneak peek into this architectural marvel: The central structure of the National Martyrs’ Memorial comprises seven pairs of triangular shapes, each representing pivotal events that propelled Bangladesh towards its independence. Starting with the outermost and shortest triangle, the structures progressively increase in height, leading up to the innermost peak. This architectural metaphor symbolises the nation’s ascent despite formidable challenges. The monument is made of concrete, in contrast with the rest of the structures and pavements, which are made of red bricks. Its design offers a multifaceted viewing experience, presenting a symmetrical pyramid-like formation when observed from afar. However, closer inspection reveals a dynamic interplay of angles and perspectives, inviting visitors to explore its intricate details firsthand. Notably, the surface of the structure is intentionally uneven, mirroring the tumultuous journey towards freedom and independence. This tactile representation serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience required to overcome adversity. The whole campus is adorned with trees, walkways, an artificial lake, and a cafeteria. Interplay of numbers: Numerology serves as a hidden vital factor behind the intricate design of the National Monument, reminiscent of ancient architectural wonders like the Athenian Parthenon, where numbers were revered as the essence of aesthetic perfection and cosmic harmony. At the heart of this establishment lies the mystical number 7, symbolising the seven pivotal movements that shaped Bangladesh’s path to independence between 1952 and 1971. The first of these 7 historical contexts is the language movement of 1952. This was followed by the United Front elections of 1954, the Constitution Movement of 1956, the Education Movement of 1962, the Six-Point Movement of 1966, the People’s Uprising of 1969, and then the final victory through the Great Liberation War of 1971. However, these 7 pillars or the number 7 also have different implications if we look at them from different facets. For example, among others, the Language Movement in 1952 contains 5+2=7; December 16, the day of independence in 1971, has 1+6=7; and there were 7 Birsreshto (war heroes) who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberation. Written Kaniz F. Supriya
Read More A Historical Breakthrough in Ceramic Industry!
China’s ceramic industry has achieved a historic milestone in the goal of carbon neutrality. After nearly one year’s hard research work, the world’s first piece of ceramic tile fired with zero-carbon fuel was successfully produced in Oceano Test Center, giving a great technological support to the building ceramic industry in realising the target of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutral. It was announced at a press conference in Foshan Xianhu Lab on December 23, 2022, the world’s first piece of ceramic tile f ired with zero-carbon pure ammonia fuel has successfully exited the Ammonia-fueled Roller Kiln at Oceano Test Center. The Associated R&D Center on Advanced Zero-carbon Combustion Technology was jointly established by Foshan Xianhu Lab, Oceano Ceramics and DLT Technology on December 27, 2021. HLT & DLT are the world’s leading suppliers of complete plant equipment for the ceramic sector. To provide turnkey project solutions to the global ceramic industry, Foshan HLT DLT Technology has been the first tunnel kiln that integrated green, low-carbon, and intelligent automation for the Chinese ceramic machinery industry to enter. Headed by Academician Mr. Cheng Yibing, a strategic scientist working at Foshan Xianhu Lab, as Chief Director of the center, the lab was aiming at the key technology of zero-carbon combustion in ceramic kilns to explore new solutions for Chinese ceramic industry. By giving full play to the advantages of the three parties in terms of production, developing and research, the center has developed the “ammonia-hydrogen fusion zero-carbon combustion technology” as well as key systems and solutions for the industrialisation. The center has developed a new series of pure ammonia type and natural gas – ammonia mixture type industrial burners with related auxiliary technologies, having realised stable ignitions in DLT industrial experiment kiln fueled with mixed ammonia and pure ammonia, showing good control of nitrogen oxides emission in compliance with the national standards. This achievement has confirmed for the first time the practical feasibility for the ceramic industry to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutral technology’s industrialisation in the future, marking an important milestone for the industry. The f iring of ceramics with zero-carbon fuel is a disruptive technical innovation, having filled up blanks of both domestic and international, showing a new energy technological path for the ceramic industry as well as for the whole of building material industry to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutral goal with great practical significance. While developing the zero-carbon combustion technology, the team also established a set of safety system and emergency management measures suitable for ammonia-fueled ceramic kilns, including operating procedures, ammonia storage, transportation and other important aspects. Based on this, the team successfully completed the update of Oceano’s ceramic roller kiln by converting the kiln from natural gas fueled mode into pure ammonia and natural gas – ammonia mixture fueled mode. Moreover, it has also developed a precision control system for liquid ammonia evaporation and supply, which is monitoring system for residual ammonia in the fume, and has jointly developed a complete set of high-efficiency liquid ammonia SCR de-nitrification system as well as other technologies and equipment. suitable for the pure ammonia combustion, an online On December 18, 2022, the kiln fueled with 100% ammonia (NH3) successfully produced glazed and unglazed tiles with continuous tile feeding and production. Tested by Oceano Research & Development Center, the quality of finished tiles is above the national standard. According to the on-site test by a third-party environmental assessment agency, the exhausted fume emission of the kiln complies to the national standard. As the first thermal equipment manufacturer to participate in the research and development of Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Advanced Technology, DLT has been focusing on the energy saving and emission reduction of kilns and dryers for the ceramic industry, and has been contributing greatly to the industry’s carbon consumption reduction in order to undertake its social responsibility. In future, the Associated R&D Center on Advanced Zero-carbon Combustion Technology will be further utilised in the application of mass production in the industry on the basis of the results from this pilot production, and will keep breaking through and optimising the new technology adapting with mass production, as a contribution to the ceramic industry as well as the building material industry to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutral, in order to create a disruptive technological path leading from “0” into “1” as being the first time in the world. Project Initiation: Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Tech When the zero carbon combustion chemical equation appeared on the screen of the launch ceremony, it marked a significant breakthrough in carbon neutrality technology. On December 28, the “Advanced Ammonia-Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Combustion Technology Demonstration Project for Ceramic Slab and Tile Mass Production Line” (“Ammonia Hydrogen Zero Carbon Combustion Project”) was officially launched at the headquarters of Monalisa Group. This is a new path explored by Monalisa in collaboration with Foshan Xianhu Laboratory, DLT, Oceano, Guangdong Anqing Technology and other companies to build ceramic zero carbon manufacturing and green development, which marks a major step forward for the industrial application of carbon-neutral technology in China’s ceramics industry, and is of great significance for accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation and development of the industry. Ammonia-hydrogen Zero-Carbon combustion technology to explore the optimal solution for the path of carbon neutrality and emission peak. With the current carbon neutrality and emission peak strategy, hydrogen energy and ammonia energy, as renewable green energy sources with high energy density, good storage and transportation convenience, clean and efficient energy, have gradually become an important part of the future energy system and are energy terminals. At present, the ammonia-hydrogen zero-carbon combustion technology has successfully completed technical tests and demonstration production in the Oceano’s experimental kiln. In order to promote the industrial application of ammonia hydrogen zero carbon combustion technology, Monalisa has joined the industrialisation research project of this technology and launched the demonstration project. Based on the developed advanced ammonia hydrogen zero carbon combustion pilot test and pollutant emission detection and control pilot test, the advanced ammonia hydrogen zero carbon
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Kamalapur Railway Station: A Gateway to Journeys in Bangladesh
Kamalapur Railway Station, officially known as Dhaka Central Railway Station, stands as a bustling gateway to the vibrant capital city of Dhaka. Nestled in the heart of the city, this vital transportation hub connects travellers to all major cities in Bangladesh. As the largest and busiest railway station in the country, Kamalapur serves as a crucial link, facilitating journeys both near and far. Its rich history, architectural significance, and constant activity make it an iconic landmark. With a unique design and historical roots, Kamalapur Railway Station weaves together the fabric of Bangladesh’s rail network. The station’s significance has increased following the opening of the Padma Bridge. Kamalapur Railway Station (KRS), steeped in history, stands as Dhaka’s historic gateway. Its iron-clad colonial-era architecture evokes memories of a bygone era, a bridge between past and present. But Kamalapur is more than just a transit point; it embodies the spirit of a nation on the move—a pulsating heartbeat that reverberates across Bangladesh. Kamalapur Railway Station stands as a vital link in Bangladesh’s transportation network, connecting people, cultures, and commerce. As trains arrive and depart, the passengers weave intricate stories etched into the very walls of this magnificent station. Here, hope mingles with anticipation, dreams find their rhythm, and reunions unfold. The station’s bustling platforms witness resilience—the quiet strength of travellers forging ahead despite life’s twists and turns. And within its echoing halls, new beginnings take root, fueled by the promise of distant horizons. Kamalapur Railway Station, standing tall against the passage of time, is a living testament to Bangladesh’s architectural ingenuity. It’s not merely a physical structure; it’s a gateway to aspirations, connections, and the beating heart of a nation. As passengers step onto its platforms, they become part of a grand narrative—a journey that transcends mere destinations and becomes an enduring legacy of rail travel in Bangladesh. Architectural Marvel Kamalapur Railway Station stands as a captivating blend of modernity and tradition. More than a mere transportation hub, it represents an architectural marvel that seamlessly connects the past with the present. Designed by the renowned American architects Daniel Dunham and Robert Boughey (Bob Buie) of Louis Berger and Consulting Engineers Ltd. in the 1960s, Kamalapur Railway Station serves as a symbolic gateway to Dhaka. Daniel Dunham, a young architect fresh from completing his studies at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), took charge of Berger’s fledgling Dhaka office. His task was to tackle an extensive backlog of new projects. The station’s architecture draws inspiration from both modernist principles and traditional neo-Islamic influences, as well as Bengali styles. It stands as a testament to Dhaka’s modern architectural spirit. Architect Daniel Dunham skillfully blended modernist elements with traditional Bangladeshi architecture. The station’s most striking feature is its parabolic shell roof—a true engineering masterpiece. Stretching over the platforms, this roof provides shelter to passengers. The lattice-like concrete structure fosters openness and allows natural light to filter through, creating a welcoming ambiance. Kamalapur Railway Station officially opened on May 1, 1968, during President Ayub Khan’s tenure. Its construction cost at the time was Taka 5 crores 30 lakh. When the value of one vori of gold stood at only 100 takas, A year after its inauguration, the Provincial Office of the Railway Postal Service found its new home within this remarkable station building. Design Features The station building is well-suited for tropical climates, providing protection from rainwater like an umbrella. It incorporates various functional spaces, including ticket booths, administrative offices, passenger lounges, waiting areas, and restrooms, all under an integrated canopy-based roof. The structure comprises 36 square domes supported by a total of 49 columns. Above these columns stands a roof featuring 36 slender concrete umbrella-type domes. Each column extends 59 feet high, branching out to support the roof. The open-air design capitalises on Dhaka’s cross breezes while safeguarding interior spaces from monsoon rains. The Kamlapur Railway Station’s thin concrete shell dome-umbrella design, completed by the consultants, has become a local icon, cherished by prominent architects as a cultural heritage piece. The parasol roof continues to define the station’s unique skyline. Architect Dunham immersed himself in Bangladeshi culture, learning Bengali and adapting to local craftsmanship and construction practices. Instead of designing an enclosed monolithic structure with mechanical heating and cooling systems, Dunham leveraged Dhaka’s tropical climate. His innovative roof system provides shade over the station’s offices and facilities, supported by a versatile field of columns. The construction technique involves thin concrete shells, which Dunham explored during his thesis at the GSD. After Dunham’s departure, architect Robert Boughey took over the post, designing tessellating concrete shells for the roof, reminiscent of pointed arches seen in Islamic architecture. These shells were cast on-site using reusable materials. Kamalapur Railway Station, with its remarkable parabolic shell roof, stands as an engineering marvel. This expansive structure spans the platforms, providing shelter to passengers. The station’s circular layout, boasting a diameter of 186 metres, centres around a soaring dome that reaches a height of 26 meters. Eight radial wings extend from the central hub, housing platforms, and tracks. The station’s architecture seamlessly blends modernist elements with traditional Bangladeshi motifs, reflecting the nation’s spirit. The concrete lattice structure allows natural light to filter through, creating an airy and open ambiance. High ceilings and spacious interiors enhance the feeling of grandeur. Kamalapur’s design prioritises functionality while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Geometric patterns, arches, and intricate details evoke the essence of Bengali culture. As a testament to Bangladesh’s identity and heritage, Kamalapur Railway Station stands proudly. The station is an engineering marvel that spans the platforms, providing shelter to passengers. Additionally, in other parts of the country, the Sylhet Railway Station in the north-eastern region and the Chilahati International Rail Station in the north-western part also feature a similar umbrella-like structure. These stations use national flower-shaped “shapla” shells supported by a forest of columns to cover their facilities. Historical Context Bangladesh Railway has been operating in the British period since 1862 in the eastern and western parts of the country, divided by the great river
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Kamalapur Railway Station: A Gateway to Journeys in Bangladesh
Kamalapur Railway Station, officially known as Dhaka Central Railway Station, stands as a bustling gateway to the vibrant capital city of Dhaka. Nestled in the heart of the city, this vital transportation hub connects travellers to all major cities in Bangladesh. As the largest and busiest railway station in the country, Kamalapur serves as a crucial link, facilitating journeys both near and far.
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Democratising architecture: Design that inspires awe and closeness to home
It was as though the beauty, heritage, and history of Mymensingh were plotting the becoming of Architect Masudur Rahman Khan – his birth city. Growing up in vast and glorious Mymensingh, which runs along Old Brahmaputra’s shores and birthed the Nakshi Kantha, Maimansingha Gitika and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the BUET-alum Architect fashions his edifices from the collective memories of his childhood.
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Crafting Timeless Excellence
BHL CERAMICS, the flagship brand owned by BHL GROUP Pvt. Ltd., has evolved over three decades as a dynamic business house and consumer products manufacturer. Since its inception in 2017, BHL Ceramic Co. Ltd. has become one of Bangladesh’s largest ceramic tile manufacturers, symbolizing artistry and creativity. The company’s mission is to reduce reliance on imported foreign tiles and boost domestic production, creating employment opportunities.
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National Budget Thru Turbulent Waters Ceramic Industry Ignored in Budget
The recently unveiled Tk 7.97 trillion national budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year for Bangladesh aims to bringing a balance between controlling inflation and attaining economic growth. Economists, however, caution that higher borrowing and increased taxes on certain goods may prolong inflationary pressures. The budget’s reliance on domestic borrowing could lead to a “crowding-out effect,” restricting financing for businesses, particularly SMEs. Despite a target of 6.75 per cent GDP growth and plans to reduce inflation to 6.5 per cent, achieving these goals is deemed challenging. The budget proposes revenue of Tk 5.45 trillion with NBR tax amounting to Tk 4.80 trillion, leaving a Tk 2.56 trillion deficit to be primarily financed through bank borrowing, which may prompt money printing by the central bank and further inflation. Economists welcome the conservative approach but criticise the plan to increase electricity prices, potentially exacerbating inflation. The budget also includes initiatives for digital transformation and job creation in the IT sector, aiming to attract foreign investment. However, with foreign funding dwindling and significant tax increases on various goods, the effectiveness of these measures in achieving the stated economic targets remains uncertain. Bangladesh’s economic landscape is currently beset by numerous challenges, including stagnant investment, mounting debt repayment obligations, sluggish external sector growth, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, a fragile financial sector, tepid economic expansion, unemployment woes, and widening inequality, apart from soaring inflation. The proposed budget must confront immediate hurdles head-on through targeted budget allocations and fiscal policies. Although the budget is crafted for a single fiscal cycle, it serves as the conduit for translating the government’s economic strategies and political vision into reality. Hence, the proposed budget assumes paramount importance in tackling pressing issues such as safeguarding the interests of the impoverished, low-income, and lower-middle-income households, as well as addressing short to medium-term challenges such as fostering robust economic growth and curbing inequality. Given the prevailing economic exigencies, the FY2024-25 budget must pivot on four critical areas. Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mazid, a former chairman of the NBR, emphasised that this year’s budget cannot be compared to those announced in the past 8-10 years due to the turbulent global economy and several macroeconomic challenges facing Bangladesh. These challenges include a reserve crisis, dollar devaluation against the Bangladeshi Taka, higher inflation rates, and various governance issues. He asserted that overcoming the hurdles facing Bangladesh’s economy in the national budget will be difficult all of a sudden and in a shorter period. Instead, the government should focus on shaping a roadmap to navigate these crises. Dr. Mazid recommended that the budget should not follow the typical patterns of previous fiscal years; rather, it should include reforms in fiscal and monetary policy to address inflation, the dollar crisis, and reserve issues. Additionally, he suggested the formation of a banking commission to address loopholes in the banking sector. To curb inflation, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) could reduce duties on certain products, but effective market monitoring and management are essential to realise the benefits of such duty reductions. Strengthening the NBR’s capacity is crucial for enhanced revenue realisation. Moreover, Dr. Mazid stressed the importance of allowing concerned government organisations, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), to operate independently to ensure effective governance. Ceramic Industry Overlooked The ceramic industry, part of the private manufacturing sector, has been significantly overlooked in the proposed national budget. Leaders of Bangladesh’s ceramic sector are urging for the removal of the 15 per cent supplementary duty on local tiles and the 10 per cent duty on domestic sanitary products. They point to rising raw material and gas prices, which have increased production costs. By eliminating these duties, they believe consumer prices would decrease. Md Shirajul Islam Mollah, a Member of Parliament and President of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), had previously proposed removing additional duties on raw material imports and increasing tariffs on foreign ceramic products to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) before the 2024-25 fiscal year’s budget announcement. These measures would reduce imports, save foreign exchange, and boost employment in the country. Despite the relevance of these proposals, none were addressed in the budget. The domestic ceramic market, valued at Tk 8,500 crore. Although domestic companies control over 80 per cent of the market, they face tough competition from imports due to high production costs. On one hand, due to the dollar crisis, L/Cs (letters of credit) are not being opened for importing sufficient raw materials and machinery. Additionally, despite high prices, necessary gas for producing finished goods is not being supplied. On the other hand, amidst dollar crisis, the Bangladesh Bank has announced a second term reduction in cash incentives for ceramic exports—from 10% to 6%—within a span of six months. Meanwhile, the cost of doing business continuously increases. Over the past year and a half, Bangladesh has received loans from the IMF in three installments, but despite implementing several conditions attached to the loan, there has been no such improvement; rather than deterioration. Addressing Fiscal Challenges Economists believe, in the face of daunting economic hurdles, Bangladesh must embark on a prudent fiscal course to steer through turbulent waters. With inflationary pressures mounting and investment stagnating, the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year demands meticulous attention to fiscal prudence. The government’s traditional reliance on banking sector borrowings to bridge budget deficits exacerbates interest payment burdens amidst constrained fiscal space. Hence, a judicious fiscal consolidation strategy, entailing restrained spending and bolstered tax collection efforts, emerges as imperative. Empowering the Social Sector While substantial investments have buoyed physical infrastructure, the social sector languishes due to chronic underfunding. Education and healthcare sectors, in particular, warrant heightened attention, with allocations in FY2024 falling woefully short of requirements. Fostering human capital development through increased expenditure on education, healthcare, and skills development is indispensable for sustainable growth and inclusivity. Facilitating Small Business Growth Small businesses, the lifeblood of the economy, must be empowered through facilitated access to finance. The banking sector’s burgeoning non-performing loans pose a formidable barrier to lending, stifling entrepreneurial endeavours. Elevating
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A Guide before choosing your Sanitaryware
A home needs innovative ceramic ware and everybody looks for a touch of elegance, style, and personalisation. While the design of the ceramic ware is a personal choice within whatever fits the budget, ignored, sometimes, are the sanitary ware used. However, a lot has changed over the past few decades, as the market grows – People care not only for a well-designed bedroom, but also their bathroom.
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Ayesha Sanaa Asif Tabani Steps up with Sophistication Upholding Legacy of Founding Fathers of the Pioneering Ceramics Company
As the Director of Mirpur and Khadim Ceramics, Ayesha Sanaa Asif Tabani has already been an influential figure in the ceramic industry, championing the integration of modern and innovative ceramic technologies. After completing her graduation and Master’s at Queen Mary University of London, she returned home to join the family business.
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Revolutionising Ceramics with Kingtau Low Maintenance Ceramic Printing Machine
As cutting-edge technology enters into the ceramics industry, tile manufacturing processes are undergoing significant transformation. Only a few years ago, the idea of machinery capable of producing effects such as sugar textures, embossing, matte finishes, and mirror-like polish seemed unimaginable.
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Journey of the CEO of Fu-Wang Ceramic Teamwork Makes a Company Successful
A world where the demand for ceramic products is steadily on the rise, it takes innovation, commitment, and most importantly, a dedicated team to navigate the challenges and lead a company to success. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry Limited (FWCIL), has not only recognised this but also executed a vision that has propelled the company to new heights.
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An ode to a bold architectural narrative The New Travel East Restaurant
At the heart of any remarkable restaurant lies its design—a subjective blend of form and function. The design itself becomes a storyteller, weaving narratives of contemporary tradition. The walls, the textures, the colours—they all tell a story.
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Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 Contribution of Foreign Co-Sponsors
Ceramic Expo 2022 was a remarkable event for the ceramic industry to explore new business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors. It was a 3-day-long event with more than 25,000 visitors and an excellent arrangement by the organiser, Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BCMEA).
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BHAWAL RESORT: A Tranquil Heaven Outside Urban Chaos
Nestled amidst the lush rainforest, the Bhawal Resort of Bangladesh emerges as a green heaven where luxury meets tranquility, offering an escape to the serene beauty of nature. In the Bhawal Resort and Spa, one can discover the idyllic bliss that defines the new dimensions of luxury in the setting of nature. Surrounded by the exotic natural rainforest, the resort is the perfect place to rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. Here the luxury intertwines the serenity of nature for an immersive back-to-nature experience.
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Rise of a Nation through Raghu Rai’s lens
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, the exhibition “Rise of a Nation” took center stage at the Zainul Gallery.
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Akij Ceramics Expands Retail Footprint with New Showrooms in Cumilla and Feni
Akij Ceramics, the leading brand in the ceramic tiles industry in Bangladesh, has recently opened two exclusive showrooms — one in Cumilla and the other in Feni. As a five-time recipient of the Best Brand Award and the Super Brand Award, Akij Ceramics consistently sets the standard for quality and innovation in the country. Its unwavering commitment to the “Promise of Perfection” resonates with clients across Bangladesh.
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Exploring Innovations at the BIID Expo
The Bangladesh Infrastructure Innovation and Development (BIID) Exhibition, held from May 9th to 11th, 2024 in Dhaka, gained significant momentum. Organized by ExpoNet Exhibition Pvt. Ltd at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), this three-day event brought together industry owners, professionals, and stakeholders from various sectors.
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The Ornaments of The Ceramic Expo 2022
The Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 was an event that brought in some 25,000 visitors and the ceramic verse under one roof. Customers and brands were connected throughout all day during the three-day-long expo, and at the end, the organising authority, Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA), was overwhelmed by the tremendous response it received from the industry and the community. It was the third expo which was initiated with sponsorship support from renowned national and international brands. Locally, BCMEA was blessed with three co-sponsors for the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2022 – Mir Ceramic, BHL Group, and Stella Luxury Sanitaryware. Dressed in their brand colours, the sponsors decorated their pavilions with the best from their catalog, hoping to gather leads, showcase exclusives, and connect one business to another and directly with customers. BHL Ceramic Company Ltd. introduced PERLA Sanitary ware at the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 BHL Group, a conglomerate with its flagship concern BHL Ceramic Company Ltd., having four ceramic brands under its housing, was a co-sponsor of the Ceramic Expo 2022. During the event, they showcased products from four of their brands, and the front-runner was the newly introduced Sanitaryware brand, Perla Sanitaryware. The conglomerate manufactures for BHL Ceramic, KONGFU Ceramic, VINCI Ceramic, and PERLA Sanitaryware, all of which were featured at the event. With a production capacity of 33,000 sq.m/a day, expected to become 40,000-sq.m/a day manufacturer soon, the emerging brands from BHL Group have stepped into the world of ceramics, and they hope to see the subsidiaries flourish. Entering into BHL Ceramic Company Ltd. Pavilion at the expo, visitors saw the ambiance being set by a cadet grey overall backdrop. They saw their subtle blue logo above one entrance, elegantly carrying the name of the parent company. Under it reads “Driven with Integrity”. The basins from their newly introduced Perla Sanitaryware, along with commodes, and their tiles of varied sizes, were placed on walls and floor, as well as persuasively displayed to show how it would be when fitted. The front runner/star of the pavilion, the products from Perla Sanitaryware, shined throughout the event and had uniqueness in design and shape. The products from this segment are innovative, eco-friendly, extremely hygienic, and saves water. Furthermore, the company showcased its best sellers, and among its different products, there were 60×60mm High Glossy Tiles that had a shine like no other. The BHL Company Ltd. Pavilion received a special mention for one of the best pavilions decided by the jury during the awarding ceremony of the 2022 Ceramic Expo. The event went by smoothly as visitors poured in. The director of BHL Group, Mr. Sifat Arman, along with the Managing Director Mr. Shahedul Islam, graced the event with their presence. The pavilion brought in approximately 9,000-10,000 visitors in all three days providing representatives with countless leads that were later converted. Mir Ceramicof the reputable Mir Group showcased some of the bests A subsidiary of the esteemed Mir Group, Mir Ceramic is one of the largest tile manufacturers in the country, and has embarked on a mission to introduce the strongest and longest lasting tiles in the market since 2001. The company was a Co-sponsor for 2022 Expo, and decorated their pavilion with outstanding products from their catalogue. Mir Ceramic has a pool of talent with years of experience behind the manufacturing process. And with that and more, consumers have seen them turn to a ceramic leader over the past two decades. The company uses SACMI technology in its Mawna factory and sources raw materials from across the world, fine picking for every aspect of the products it manufactures. At the Ceramic Expo 2022, Mir Ceramic had a pavilion dressed in green and white. A “20 years” ceiling-high structure commemorating Mir Ceramics’ 20 years of business and achievements stood proudly at an entrance. The first few products to attract the attention were floral and checkered designs on the walls. Among the products displayed, were the SERENA, portraying dark shades of grey in matte, and DORA with its floral design, both 30×60cm in dimensions. The pavilion showcased two sizes, a rectangular shape with size 60×120cm and a square 80×80cm size, of the product REVENA which was the front runner at the pavilion alongside ALMINA. The products were beautifully showcased for the eyes of the visitors, which constituted of not only enthusiasts, but also designers, architects, and officials from real-estate companies. The Mir Ceramic pavilion won Silver for Best Pavilion of the Year and Bronze for the Most Interactive Pavilion by people’s choice during the award-giving ceremony. Thousands of visitors came in during the event, and conversations were struck. The event proceeded towards an end, and countless leads gathered. From Mir Ceramic, Mr. Anwar Hosen (Asst. Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Nirmal Shah (Deputy Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Mizanur Rahman (Asst. Manager, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Faisal Mahmud (Executive, Sales and Marketing), Mr. Shamshuddin Ali Ahsan (Business Development Manager), Kazi Md Abdullah Faruq (GM Sales and Marketing) and Abdulla Al Zaman (Deputy Manager, Brand) graced the event with their presence. Co-Sponsor Stella Luxury Sanitaryware introduced Italian inspired designs and more Stella Luxury Sanitaryware is a renowned brand and a trusted manufacturer of traditional and modern-day-minimalistic ceramic sanitary ware. The company ventured into the ceramic market in 2011, and ever since, has been introducing world-class products at affordable prices. The factory of the company is located in Kaligonj, Gazipur, and in partnership with SACMI, uses European technology to make their products, offering features such as water-saving, anti-scratch, soft-closing seat covers, dual flush technology, and 44 per cent stronger than local standards. The 2022 Ceramic Expo saw Stella Luxury Sanitary Ware highlight the products from the premium segment out of the catalog in their pavilion. We saw different shapes and sizes, from rectangular to oval counter basins, wash basins, high commodes, and a range of products in five light colours and two premium colours. Stella stands out when it comes to resourcefulness, as they always have replacement parts available. The market is saturated
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2nd Issue all article is Coming Soon
What is Lorem Ipsum? Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum. Why do we use it? It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy. Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose (injected humour and the like). Where does it come from? Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32. The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham. Where can I get some? There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don’t look even slightly believable. If you are going to use a passage of Lorem Ipsum, you need to be sure there isn’t anything embarrassing hidden in the middle of text. All the Lorem Ipsum generators on the Internet tend to repeat predefined chunks as necessary, making this the first true generator on the Internet. It uses a dictionary of over 200 Latin words, combined with a handful of model sentence structures, to generate Lorem Ipsum which looks reasonable. The generated Lorem Ipsum is therefore always free from repetition, injected humour, or non-characteristic words etc.
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Domestic Entrepreneurs Stare at a Bright Future of Electric Cable Industry
Even though the electric cable industry in Bangladesh has a long history, the sector has grown vastly in the past several years, thanks to extension of power gridlines, growing urbanisation, and industrialisation. Home-grown companies are now playing a significant role in meeting local demand for the electric cables at both households and industrial units in the country. The BBS Cables Limited, a sister concern of Bangladesh Building Systems Ltd. (BBSL), is one of the home-grown cables companies has been contributing to the industry for more than one decade. Innovation for Sustainability The BBS Cables Limited was established in 2009, though the Cable Industry started its journey before Bangladesh came into being in 1971. BBS Cables Ltd. has been an integral part of Bangladesh’s development journey for the past 14 years. The Company understands that shared value creation is essential to a brighter future. “We prioritize sustainability in all our endeavours and believe our efforts must help society as the nation’s sustainable development partner,” Head of Brand of the BBS Cables Md. Rabiul Kamal told the Ceramic Bangladesh. There is a market of around Tk 12,000 crore in the country. The sector is growing around 15 per cent over the past 10 years. Around 50,000 people of total of 120 branded and non-branded companies have been contributing to the sector. Of this, 2500 employees of the BBS cables are directly engaged in the industry. Rabiul Kamal said their company produces various types of products such as Copper Cables, Silicon Cables, Power Cables, Railway Signaling Cables, Jelly-filled Cables, FRLS Cables, Submersible Cables, Flexible Cables, Tele-communication Cables, Aluminum Cables, Optical Fiber Cables, HR-FRLS Cables, Rubber Cables, Welding Cables, Automobiles Cables, Coaxial Cables, Fire Resistance Cables, and FR Skin Coated Cables. Both BBS Cables products enjoy a high degree of acceptance among customers for the high quality of the products and excellent delivery services. The products are distributed through an elaborate chain of BBS Cables Dealers in divisional towns, village and cities of the country. “To grow the cable industry, we need government tax facilities and infrastructural development. The government should reduce the tax on importing raw material and should to be imposed higher tax on foreign cable,” he added. “We are one of the best in cable industries. BBS Cables is a top-tier manufacturer of cables with a reputation for producing high-quality products that meet the needs of a broad range of industries. However, we re-dedicated ourselves to steering our Company’s efforts toward the national goals for the 2030 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) journey and then to the magnificent Vision 2041 for building a smart and developed society with a brighter future for all,” he explained. Mr Kamal said the BBS Cables strives to create a sustainable business promoting diversity and inclusion, fostering collaboration, and providing equal opportunities for all. Their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives have made a meaningful difference to millions of lives through skills development, education support, women empowerment, portable drinking water, and healthcare initiatives. Together, anchored in trust, integrity, and accountability, they are cementing a brighter future where opportunities are abound, communities f lourish and individuals reach their full potential. They try to optimise the use of natural resources, prevent pollution, injury and ill-health in all activities. Safety, Quality and Environmental Policy With the rapid urbanisation from corner to corner worldwide, the necessity of transmitting power assumes significant for sustainable industrial growth. So, the company’s objective is to manufacture electrical Cables, Wires and Conductors of the highest quality and provide unparalleled Customer Service to contribute to national economic growth. They strongly believe that the relentless effort to quality and continuous improvement is the key to long term success. BBS Cables Ltd is equipped with state-of-the-art technology machineries to manufacture and test all types of quality Cables, Wires and Conductors in conformity with the latest version of National and International Standards e.g. International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), German Standard (VDE), British Standard (BS), Bangladesh Standard (BDS), Australian Standard (AS), Indian Standard (IS) and also meet the specific requirements of the customer. They believe in a world that is safe and sound for people and also for A building generally is sustained 100 years. Quality cables also sustain 80-100 years and BBS cables meet the time period, Mr Kamal said. “Now, we produce underground cables with highly protected steel wire armored cable in Bangladesh. To build Smart Bangladesh, more internet services are needed across the country. In Bangladesh market needs modern, speed, safe and sustainable cables. In this context, BBS Cables uses the latest European modern technology for produce internet cables like CAT6e cables for internet service.” The government has decided to transmit electricity through underground instead of overhead conductors. As a result, underground cable replacement has already started by removing the overhead conductors. This has increased the demand for medium voltage cables for electricity transmission in Bangladesh and a new awakening has started in this industry. At present its market is about one thousand crore taka yearly. BBS Cables is conforming to agreed standards to meet customer requirements and continually improve quality, health, and safety and environmental performance. BBS improving product quality and reduce waste to enhance customer satisfaction and business profitability by optimising the use of natural resources, prevention of pollution and of injury. Because high quality cables reduces power wastages. They comply with applicable Health, Safety and Environmental legislation and other requirements, as well as creates a work environment for employees which promotes team work and problem solving in order to improve QHS&E performance. Engineering Excellence BBS Cables Ltd. has successfully established it strength as the “Trusted Brand” in Cables sector of the country. The company has achieved the “Asia’s Greatest Brand Award-2018”. During this period, the Company prepared FR Skin Coated Cables which is known as fire resistance cables for ensuring safety. Unlimited Export Potential The demand for electrical products is not only increasing in the local market but also globally. Electrical items production rate increased by 22 per cent in Europe, 21 per cent in North
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Congratulations to Newly Elected MPs From Ceramic Sector
With the 2024 elections held, and the oath of office taken, the re-elected governing party under the leadership of honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the reins. The 12th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) elections chose leaders from the ceramic sector as elected members of parliament. Congratulations to them! Mr. Salman F Rahman, MP the Vice Chairman of Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd., won in the constituency of Dhaka-1 (Dohar-Nawabganj). A visionary leader and iconic businessman, he has been a beacon of light for the growing nation – a politician, an industrialist, and a philanthropist. He has been the Private Industry and Investment Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Govt. since 2019. He employs over 70,000 individuals under his conglomerate BEXIMCO Group. The company is the largest employer in the private sector. Mr. Salman Rahman entered politics in the mid-1990s with a political party he had founded under the banner Samriddhya Bangladesh Andolan. He later joined Bangladesh Awami League. During Mr.Rahman’s career, he had hurdled through tough terrains to bring in foreign direct investment and fuel business growth. Mr. Md. Shirajul Islam Mollah, MP the Managing Director of China-Bangla Ceramic Ind. Ltd., Bengal Tiger Director of Prime Bank Ltd. Cement Industries Ltd., United Shipping Lines Ltd., United Progressive Dredging Ltd., SIMCO Real Estate Ltd., SIMCO Ceramics Ltd., Trustee Securities Ltd. and the President of Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association (BCMEA). He is also the Ex-Chairman & founder Director of Prime Bank Ltd. A leading businessman and a charismatic political leader, Mr. Mollah, won the election independently this year with a lion’s share of votes in the constituency of 201-Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur). He is a member of Dhaka Stock Exchange. A steadfast leader and a prodigal son of Narsingdi, Mr. Mollah is the Chairperson of the People’s University of Bangladesh and founder President of Bajnabo Abul Fayez Mollah High School in Shibpur. Mr. Mollah is also the founder Chairman of Surjivan Orphanage and Madrasa and provide employment opportunity to many unemployed people of his electoral area and has a foundation called the Shirajul Islam Mollah Samaj Seba Foundation located in Dhaka. Newly elected MPs from Ceramic Sector Mrs. Sultana Nadira, MP the Chairperson of Madhumati TilesLtd. and Advisor to BCMEA, won from Barguna-2 (Betagi-Bamna-Patharghata). Mrs. Sultana, a diligentleader and an exemplary politician, has become MP from the constituency of Barguna-2, taking over theresponsibility of the area under her able wings. A female politician representing strength and honour,she is a true example of a queen in shinning armours. Mrs. Sultana Nadira was elected as a member ofparliament for the reserved seats for women in the 11th Jatiyo Sangsad. Her late husband Golam SaburTulu was also an MP of Barguna-2 constituency. An incredible woman leader, she is now elected to takecharge of Bamna, Betagi, and Patharghata Upazillas, and pave ways for improvement in the regions. Mr. SAK Ekramuzzaman, MP a visionary leader in Bangladesh Ceramic Industry, who is also theManaging Director of RAK Ceramic (BD) Ltd. won in the constituency of Brahmanbaria-1 (Nasirnagar).Mr. Ekramuzzaman, an affluent entrepreneur and a politician devoted to his country, has won this year’selection, and under his care resides Brahmanbaria-1. A successful businessman with decades of expertise, and a political leader with an admirable voice, Mr. Ekramuzzaman has stated that he dreams of opening a University in Nasirnagar, promised to found Mosques and Madrasas, Mandirs, among other educational institutions, and establish a world-class hospital in Nasirnagar. Mr. Ekramuzzaman was in the UAE when he learnt of the ceramic industry after coming in contact with Dr. Khater Massad of RAK Ceramics. His ceramic journey began in 1983 and he climbed to an executive position in three years. Mr. Ekramuzzaman has held the head roles of 22 different companies and is a ceramic icon in Bangladesh.Ceramic Bangladesh is proud to have the very own leaders of the Ceramic Industry as the leaders of the nation, and offer heartfull congratulations to all four MPs and pray all their visions be fulfilled.
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Innovative Architectural Views Attract More Visitors at DITF-2024
Like previous years, the Commerce Ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) organised month-long 28th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) in Purbachal that ended on 20 February, 2024. With a view to attracting local and foreign visitors, the exhibitors brought innovative architectural view at their pavilions and stalls made of various materials such as steel, board, wood, bamboo, electric cables, lights, colour and ceramic items. Premium pavilions, premium mini pavilions, reserved pavilions for women, foreign pavilions, general pavilions and food stalls were set up at the fair venue. A good number of architects and carpenters as well as workers used to work hard to set up the pavilion and stalls to attract visitors and make the fair a success. The minimum rent for the Premier Pavilion floor was around Tk 22 lakh, the stall rent Tk 4 lakh for general stalls and Tk 4.5 lakh for reserved stalls. And, the minimum rent for the reserved mini pavilion was Tk 11 lakh. However, more than 304 companies showcased their products at this edition of the fair, with nine enterprises from five countries—India, Hong Kong, Türkey, Indonesia, and Singapore. The exhibitors displayed local and foreign products, including electronics, apparel, jute and leather goods, furniture, plastic products, handicrafts and various food items in the stalls. Many traders offered discounts ranging from 5 to 30 per cent as well. 41 organizations received awards At the closing ceremony of the fair, the authority gave the awards for best pavilions among the participants at the fair like previous years. A total of 41 stalls and pavilions were awarded the best participants in various categories. This year, 14 best pavilions and stalls in various categories got the first prize of Gold Colour Trophy, 15 pavilions and stalls of different categories got the second prize Silver Colour Trophy, and 12 pavilions and stalls of different categories got third prize Bronze Colour Trophy. They were awarded for winning the appreciation of customers through service and making a significant contribution to the overall success of the fair. Among the awardees are Walton Hi-Tech Industries, Group, Jute PRAN-RFL Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC), Diamond World, KY Two Tone, Olympic Industries, Directorate of Prisons, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Jayita Foundation, Clay Image, MR Technology, Bangladesh Tea Board, HATIL, Navana Furniture and Pentel (Singapore). Like other companies, Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC received “Gold colour Trophy” as the first prize of the best stall in the electronics product category at the DITF. Talking to the Ceramic Bangladesh, Walton coordinator at DITF-2024 Tarikul Islam said, they set up their pavilion by their own architect, used most of their own electronics materials like lights and cables except boards and steel. And they built a pavilion with three general stalls and one premium stall at Hall-‘A’ of the DITF. It covered 20 feet by 80 feet space there. “Before building a pavilion, we thought how much innovation could be brought to the pavilion as per our management direction. And, we created a theme related to our products. We followed international standard. We just displayed our products to inform customers about the products not to sell in the fair,” he also said. In-charge of the architecture designing section of the company Md Monir Hossain Khan said, “We have to think about many issues like cost, colour, height, space, and reuse of the materials. The Bangabandhu Tunnel was our focal point this year. At first, we make a design by computer on our theme. And, we set a focal point so that visitors are attracted to see our pavilion.” The head of architect of Walton also informed that they need 3-4 days to set up a pavilion in any exhibition. “Some 70-72 Walton staffers including designers, electricians, and carpenters worked to construct the pavilion at DITF-2024. Our total budget was TK 18 lakh to construct this year’s pavilion. We will reuse 70% materials used to set up it. So, we try to use maximum used materials,” he also said. The largest pavilion at this trade fair was PRAN-RFL Group. The three-storied pavilion had a huge collection of the country’s best household products. Export orders worth Tk 392 crore with cash sales of Tk 400 crore State Minister for Commerce Mr. Ahsanul Islam said that the Dhaka International Trade Fair will be diversified from next year to increase the country’s exports. He said, seminar, symposium will be organized in the next fair to increase the interest of foreign buyers. The Vice Chairman of EPB and Chief Executive Officer AHM Ahsan said they received good response from visitors in the fair. “Our export order increased 15 per cent this year compared to the previous year. We received export orders worth USD 3.56 million, which is equivalent to about Tk 392 crore, with cash sales of around Tk 400 crore.” However, they plan to arrange a 3-5 days ‘sourcing fair’ at the Purbachal venue for foreigners to attract them to the expo from next year. Because foreign companies do not want to participate in a month-long fair. He explained that they have a committee to select the best pavilions for the award. They scrutinise various issues to select them. Basically they asked exhibitors to fill-in a form about export orders. Later, EPB announced final amount after collecting all data. The DITF usually started on the first day of the New Year, but this year the fair was deferred it to the third week of January due to the 12th parliament elections.
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The Journey of Ceramics in Bangladesh
The origin of pottery in Bangladesh dates back to the later or post Mohenjo-daro and Harappa civilization and to the Indo-Aryan Vedic age, according to the research on ceramic earthenware and artifacts found after excavation of the ruins in Mahasthangarh of Bogura and Wari-Bateshwar in Narsingdi. Discoveries in Wari-Bateshwar included two millennium old potteries and terracotta. The potters then used traditional methods to make water vessels and sculptures for worshipping and as household utensils and showpieces. In the medieval age, the potters were popularised by the Hindu and Buddhist rulers and zamindars when they used to make statues of gods and goddesses, Buddha, plates, other aesthetical items and terracotta plaques in the temples and monasteries. The potters made everyday household items for sale in the local markets to earn a living. In the past century, the white clay deposits were first found in Mymensingh, Sylhet and Netrokona, the largest of which was discovered at Bijoypur of Mymensingh in 1957. Since the discovery of the white clay reserves in Bangladesh, the ceramic industry has come a long way. ‘Ceramic’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘Pottery’. The journey of ceramics started through pottery and was initially only a mixture of inorganic, non-metallic clay which could be heated at very high temperature to make it hold its shape. Since then, mankind has found multifarious uses for this clay and the quality of the clay has been improved. Ceramic in this era has much hardness and strength, is heat resistant, is a good insulator, unreactive to other chemicals and long-lasting and hard-wearing. Among its many uses, the ceramics industry started in Bangladesh with just the manufacture of tableware and now covers four broad subsectors: Tableware, Tiles, Sanitary ware and Ceramic Bricks. A brief review of the journey of ceramics in Bangladesh is portrayed below. In 1959 the industry took its nascent steps with only one small tableware manufacturing plant in Bogura, Tajma Ceramic Industries Ltd. Tajma Ceramics is the first ceramic earthenware plant to produce porcelain tableware using traditional methods. In 1962, Mirpur Ceramic Works Ltd in Dhaka started to produce heavy clay products using German plant and technology and developed a reputation of manufacturing best quality ceramic bricks in the subcontinent. In 1966, Peoples Ceramic Industries Ltd, formerly known as Pakistan Ceramic Industries, located in Tongi, Gazipur, started production using modern porcelain tableware manufacturing technology procured from Japan. They started exporting their products. In 1974, the country’s first non-heavy clay building ceramic plant came on the stream, Dacca Ceramic & Sanitary-wares Ltd. The company was the first to start production of sanitary ware at Tngi, Gazipur. In 1985, Monno Ceramic Industries Ltd transformed and revolutionised the exports of local ceramic products by branding Bangladesh ceramic products on an international level, using West European and Japanese plants and machinery. Monno Ceramic is the first industry to use ultra-modern technologies to produce porcelain tableware aimed at exporting worldwide. Later it added its bone china tableware unit also aimed at improving the exports of ceramic tableware from Bangladesh. In 1986, Bangladesh Insulator & Sanitary ware Factory Ltd. (BISF) started manufacture of ceramic tiles at Mirpur, Dhaka, with Czech machinery and technology. In the same year, Bengal Fine Ceramics Ltd, the first stoneware tableware manufacturer in Bangladesh, located in Dhaka, entered the domestic and international markets. In 1992, with the exponentially growing ceramic industry, a nationally recognised trade organisation of manufacturers and exporters of ceramic tableware, pottery, tiles, sanitary ware, insulator and other ceramic products was formed, called Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BCMEA). In 1993, Madhumati Tiles Ltd. became the country’s first tile manufacturer to use modern German and Italian technologies to produce the latest standard ceramic tiles that domestic consumers see and use at present. In 1999, Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd. started production of porcelain and bone china tableware with Japanese, German and French machinery and technology. It earned a reputation for being one of the major exporters in Asia. Ceramic Industry Scenario (FY 2021-22) An industrial revolution has resulted in a burgeoning Ceramic Industry since the start of its journey with just one small tableware manufacturing plant. Today, there are more than 70 ceramic manufacturers in operation in the country with core products being tiles, tableware, sanitary ware and bricks. As the country experiences steady economic growth and urbanisation, the local demand for ceramic products too continues to grow. These ceramic bricks, tiles and sanitary ware have been used in several mega projects by the government to ensure overall infrastructural development. The growth trend is an indication of the industry’s potential to be one of the top foreign exchange earners. And the tableware made in Bangladesh, both Bone China and Porcelain, is famous around the world for its eminent quality and design. Here is a snapshot of Bangladesh’s ceramic industry: Quality Raw Materials: The exponential growth in the ceramic sector is owing to the high-quality ceramic products manufactured in Bangladesh. The ceramic sector has the availability of uninterrupted Sulphur-free natural gas and the latest cutting-edge technologies imported from Germany, which make our products shinier and more durable. The glaze and pigments are lead and cadmium-free and 100 per cent halal ingredients are used in the production process. The other factor in favour of the industry flourishing is the relatively low labour cost yet availability of skilled manpower. The direct manpower involvement in the industry is about 52,000 whilst the indirect involvement is over half a million. The industry is considerably compassionate towards the women and people with disability. The industry works to train women and physically challenged workers for inclusivity. Around 20 per cent of the workforce is highly-skilled women. Today owing to these favourable conditions, the industry is distinguished around the world. Investment: The total investment, both local and international, in the industry is about US$ 1.70 billion. The investment share of tiles is 62 per cent, tableware 23 per cent and sanitary ware 15 per cent. The sector has lured foreign investment mainly from China and the Middle East. These
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A Bridge to Prosperity – From Transport Connectivity to Economic Corridor
The opening of the Padma Bridge has created the scope for a new wave of investment in the country’s south and south-western region. The region’s easier road communications with the rest planned and tourism sector entrepreneurs are hoping for a business boom surrounding Kuakata sea beach and the Sundarbans. Thus, the bridge has offered a new economic corridor in the making. Economists and business leaders believe with remarkable improvement in road network though the bridge trade and business in the region would expand rapidly, raising the people’s income, creating jobs and eradicating poverty. The Padma Bridge is also expected to bring about a massive change in the entire economy. The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges believes the economic corridor surrounding the Padma Bridge and its adjacent areas would increase the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth by 1.27 percentage point. The southern region’s economy will grow at a higher pace. Predicting a higher GDP growth for the Padma Bridge, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said the rate of poverty reduction will be accelerated by 0.84 per cent every year. However, as many as 53 upazilas out of 133 upazilas in 21 districts on the south-western side of the bridge are of high concentration of poverty, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) poverty map. Another 42 upazilas are in the medium poverty risk category and 38 in low poverty risk category. Economist and chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said small entrepreneurs are more enthusiastic about the Padma Bridge and they should be provided with opportunity to make investment and various supports such as gas and electricity supply should be ensured at affordable costs. He observed that the bridge has jointed the southern belt with the rest of the country. The bridge will result in smooth transportation of farm produces from the region, according to Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Ministry of Planning. It said farmers’ income will increase 15-20 per cent since direct connections between farmers and the market forces will be established. Transport sector insiders added the time for transportation of goods from Benapole to Dhaka would come down to 6-7 hours from 24-36 hours. The southern region was attractive for low-cost transport of goods by river routes but longer time and uncertainity in ferry services earlier discouraged the entrepreneurs from taking business initiatives. The Padma Bridge has now created the scope for big companies to come forward with investment projects in the region. The companies that have shown interest in setting up factories in the region include Sheltech, Pran-RFL, TK Group, Envoy Group, Hameem Group, Mir Group, Karim Group and Opsonin Pharma. Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has unveiled a master plan on Padma Bridge that would directly benefit Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal divisions. It is taking steps to establish 17 new Economic Zones (EZ) in 21 districts of the three divisions. In the 1960s, Khulna became one of the few industrial hubs of the country but it has subsequently lost the glory. However, after the launch of Padma Bridge, Khulna is drawing attention of the investors. Abdus Salam Murshedi MP, president of Bangladesh Exporters’ Association (BEA) and former president of BGMEA said, “I definitely want to use this opportunity. I want to set up a new garment factory in Khulna. I also encourage others to invest in the region.” In fact in 2019, Sheltech Group established the country’s largest ceramics industry in the southern district of Bhola. The company invested more than Tk 7 billion taking advantage of local natural gas and cheap land with the hope of opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022. Now, Sheltech is also planning to set up a non-denim garment factory in Bhola, said Engineer Kutubuddin Ahmed, chairman of the group. “We are now looking for land to set up a ready-made garment industry in Barisal. After the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, investing in the south is the most promising one,” he added. Chini Tikri the inaugural murals the inaugural murals One of the two spectacular installations at each end of the Padma Bridge is its inaugural mural – which has been constructed by using 15,000 ceramic plates. The portraits of Father of the Nation tbreaking these 37 coloured plates into ‘Chini Tikri’. One was the dreamer of Padma Bridge and the another one is its implementer. As the ceramic plate is broken and made, it starts to sparkle when the sun shines on it. These ceramic plates are hammered and broken into about half a million pieces. Then different colours of the pieces are arranged one after one to create two beautiful portraits. Designed by architect Fazle Karim Shishir of Drishik, the two murals were created by artists Ashraful Alam Riaz and Didar Ul Alam. Both are graduated from the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University. The 90-feet-long and 45-feet-high mural at the Mawa end was done by Didar Ul Alam and the 72-feet-long and 36-feet-high mural at the Janzeera end was done by Ashraful Alam Riaz. They told Ceramic Bangladesh that at first the designer thought of making this mural with ceramic tiles, but later they chose ceramic plates of the highest quality considering the bright colour and durability. A total of 15,000 plates of 37 types of colours have been used here. Among them, 7 types of coloured plates are used to display black and white portrait of Bangabandhu. And 30 types of coloured plates are used to produce colourful portrait of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. All of these ceramic plates are customised. Because such a variety of colour plates are not usually produced by ceramic companies. Artisan Ceramics made 8,000 plates used in the Mawa end mural and Monno Ceramics made 7,000 plates used in the Janzeera end mural. This construction work was completed in two months by two separate teams of 50 people, working 24 hours a day, after last Eid-ul-Fitr. No bigger mural has been made in Bangladesh so far. Artist Ashraful Alam Riaz, Managing
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Untold Story of The Father of Ceramic Bangladesh
Have you ever noticed a similarity between government buildings? Have you ever wondered why most of them have a reddish surface? Why are all national monuments founded on red architectural bases? How are hundreds of government structures standing tall prioritising only red ceramic bricks? Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, airports, government offices, quarters, and parks such structures and the list goes on and on. Everything, every single structure is designed with ceramic red bricks. Is this any official rule? Or, is it a legacy since the British period? Or have the architects decided to create a similar pattern? We all have many interesting stories to tell but these red ceramic bricks have much more to say. This one is an unpublished story about the red ceramic bricks. It unfolds how a visionary thinking and support of a great man has changed the shape and outlook of architecture in Bangladesh. Communal Violence Let’s go back to 1946. The violent legacy of the British India’s partition spread across the subcontinent. It was a grave attack on all of humanity. People were uprooted from their ancestral homes in the name of religion. Communities that had coexisted for almost a millennium attacked each other in a terrified outbreak of sectarian violence –a mutual genocide that was never expected. The carnage was especially intense with massacres, arson, forced conversions, mass abductions and savage sexual violence. Mass Migration Immediately after the partition began one of the largest migration of modern human history, as millions of Muslims trekked to West and East Pakistan while thousands of Hindus and Sikhs headed in the opposite direction. The summer of 1947 witnessed a mass migration. According to the book “The Great Divide” by William Dalrymple, around 15 million people had been uprooted, and between one to two million were dead. The people who could afford to, left in planes, ships or special trains. Most of them took regular trains and the poorest of the poor travelled on foot or cart. The summer of 1947 witnessed the biggest mass migration in human history. Around 15 million had been uprooted, and between one or two million were dead. AND THE TABANIS During that time in Gujarat, there lived an aristocrat rich Muslim family, “The Tabanis”. Like other traditional Gujaratis, the Tabanis were also involved in business and lived in a joint family. From their ancestral times, they were into textiles and yarn business. The two young brothers– Ariff Wali Mohammad Tabani and Rashid Wali Mohammad Tabani– used to look after their business and assets. They were well settled with dignity until the fear of communal violence had spread across their state. RASHID WALI MOHAMED TABANI RASHID WALI MOHAMED TABANI Compared to Panjab and Bengal, Gujarat’s experience of violence was not as much worse, even though the state had a long border with Muslim state of Pakistan. Over a million people migrated to Gujarat, mostly from neighbouring Sindh province of Pakistan. The Tabanis were unaffected during the unrest but the news of sufferings coming from the surrounding states forced them to rethink their future steps. The worried Muslim family decided a permanent migration to East Pakistan (currently Bangladesh) along with their prized possessions. Bangladesh was not unknown to the Tabanis. They frequently visited this part of the British Indian sub-continent for expansion of their textile business in their early days. During that period they had already developed a liking for this beautiful lush green land and its amicable and accommodative people. The brothers considered this Muslim majority land as the safest to live seeing an unbound opportunity to explore their textile legacy. Protecting Harmony During the communal riots, young Shiekh Mujibur Rahman was in Kolkata. According to his unfinished autobiography (Oshomapto Attojiboni), he was given the responsibility of guarding a Muslim-inhabited slum. Young Mujib stood firmly in front of the rioters to stop them. He along with his political comrades marched around the streets of Kolkata to protect the victims. People of both religions had been bloodied. The attitude of revenge and counter-revenge was on both sides. Mahalla after Mahalla (locality) had been burnt down. In the midst of all this, Mujib did not hesitate to come forward to help the victims, saving lives of both Hindus and Muslims even at the risk of his own life. Sheikh Mujib’s engagement in maintaining peace and communal harmony in Kolkata was noticeable and for that he was made the leader of hundreds of rescue workers and sent to Patna of Bihar to handle the riot situation on behalf of then Muslim League leader Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy. By the time he came back to Kolkata, he was literally sick as well as sickened by what he had experienced in the past few months. In addition, the political activities of Muslim league were difficult to continue during that time in Kolkata. So, Shiekh Mujib returned to East Bengal after taking permission from his political guru Suhrawardy. And then, there started the beginning of a new era. Dream of a capital city The failure to get Dhaka as the capital of Pakistan was painful for a young Bangabandhu. However, the provincial capital of East Pakistan, Dhaka, was declared as the second capital that’s of Pakistan. He had to wait 25 years to make Dhaka a complete capital of an independent country. Bangabandhu said that although Dhaka was the provincial capital, it had already been declared the second capital of Pakistan. Therefore, there were plans to build a lot of large infrastructures and buildings here soon, which were to be of world class and long lasting. Mujib did not hesitate to come forward to help the victims, saving lives of both Hindu and Muslim communities even at the risk of his own life A New Beginning The Tabani family migrated safely and settled in their new home in Old Dhaka. It was a new place, a new environment and a new opportunity to meet new people – ideal for a fresh start. The inherent spirit of adventure and the
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Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2022
Bangladesh is the new booming market in the world of ceramics. The industry has shown remarkable growth potential with increasing demand and maximum supply level from all of the sub-sectors such as tableware, sanitaryware, and tiles. In order to encourage development and growth of such a promising sector, the 3rd edition of International Ceramic Expo Bangladesh 2022 was held at ICCB, Dhaka from November 24-26. The event is recognised as one of the most prestigious and exciting business expositions of the global ceramic market.
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CERAMICS CHINA 2023 dated on June 19-22
From June 19 to 22, the 37th edition of China International Exhibition for Ceramics Technology, Equipment and Product (CERAMICS CHINA 2023), organized by Unifair Exhibition Service Ltd and sponsored by China Ceramic Industrial Association, will be held in Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou. CERAMICS CHINA 2023 will gather more than 700 suppliers of equipment and materials from home and abroad, to display their high-quality products, leading technologies and solutions including raw materials, decorative materials, refractories, grinding materials, production and finishing equipment, spare parts, moulds, tools, design services, etc., to empower the high-quality development of the ceramics industry. Historical exhibitors of CERAMICS CHINA are from 30 countries and regions including China, Italy, Spain, Germany, UK, France, USA, Japan, Korea, Turkey, India, Iran, etc.
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Architect Muzharul Islam
Beyond his role as an innovative architect, Muzharul Islam was characterised by humility and an unassuming nature. His consistent choice of traditional clothing and a preference for a modest lifestyle indicated a deep commitment to his craft rather than a pursuit of personal recognition. The simplicity and focus on perfection in his work underscored the profound impact of his architectural contributions, and the enduring prominence of his legacy in South Asian architecture speaks volumes about his unwavering dedication and passion. The roots of modernism in Bengal can be traced back to the Bengal Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement spanning the late 18th to early 20th centuries. This period witnessed a resurgence of liberal thoughts, intellectual exploration, and a reevaluation of traditional norms. The Bengal Renaissance played a pivotal role in reshaping ideas related to liberalism and modernity. During the British colonial rule, neo-classical and neo-gothic aesthetics significantly influenced East Bengal’s architecture, evident later on in East Pakistan in public structures symbolising power, the rule of law, and cultural dominance. Before the 1971 War of Independence, which resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, East Pakistan sought to establish itself as a liberal community. One significant architecture during this period was the Faculty of Fine Arts, which emerged as a modern marvel. This architectural endeavour intentionally steered clear of ornamental elements associated with Mughal or Indo-Saracenic styles. Muzharul Islam, the architect behind this significant structure, employed a conscious strategy in abstracting his design through a modernist visual expression. This deliberate approach aimed to rid the architecture of perceived political associations with instrumental religion. By steering clear of traditional and ornamental influences, he aimed to create a design that stood as a manifestation of secular ideals, distancing itself from the religiously charged politics that defined the era. In doing so, the Faculty of Fine Arts became more than just a physical structure; it became a visual and ideological statement, symbolising the pursuit of a secular and liberal identity for East Pakistan through its architecture. Indeed, Mr. Muzharul Islam’s influence extends far beyond his time, establishing him as the one of the most influential architects in the history of his country. His visionary contributions to architecture, coupled with his dedication to shaping the national identity through his work, have left an indelible mark. In 1964, at the pinnacle of his career, Muzharul Islam established the architectural consulting firm “Bastukolabid”. It marked a milestone, as it was the first architectural consulting firm in the East Pakistan. At that juncture, one who could have done his work solely for personal profit, he expressed the desire for collaboration with world-class architects. That period witnessed the notable involvement of the American trio — Louis Kahn, Paul Rudolph, and Stanley Tigerman — in architectural endeavours in Bangladesh. Muzharul Islam played a pivotal role in fostering this collaboration, recognising the need for visually and intellectually stimulating paradigms in the Bengali context. The partnership brought a global perspective to the architectural landscape and contributed to the enrichment of architectural discourse and innovation in this region. Muzharul Islam’s visionary dream was to elevate Bangladesh into a developed, alluring, and civilized nation through meticulous physical planning and control over every square foot of its territory. He aimed to craft a distinctive national identity that would set Bangladesh apart. Muzharul Islam, a fervent patriot who not only fought on the battlefield during the 1971 War of Independence but also contributed significantly to shaping the national identity through his endeavours in art and architecture, faced a disheartening period of neglect in the post-independent era. Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Muzharul Islam found himself marginalised from government projects, a stark departure from his active role in the liberation movement. The reasons behind his sidelining were multifaceted, with a prominent factor being his steadfast commitment to Marxist and Leninist principles. This ideological stance placed him at odds with the establishments during that period. Despite his noteworthy contributions to the freedom of Bangladesh, Muzharul Islam experienced discord with the post-independence political landscape. This period of neglect serves as a poignant illustration of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals with unwavering ideologies in the aftermath of political transitions. In 1953, at the age of 30, Muzharul Islam designed the Institute of Arts and Crafts (Art College) building in Dhaka. It is recognised as the first modern building in Bangladesh. After completing the Fine Arts Building in 1956 and the National Library in 1958, it was being said that Muzharul Islam wanted to include other arts like music building, dance, and dramatics departments in addition to the architecture school besides the Fine Arts Building. Creating a total art complex would have expanded the scope of architectural education, breaking away from the traditional notion that architecture is solely rooted in science. If Muzharul Islam had succeeded in implementing his vision, it could have had a profound impact on architectural education in the country. The inclusion of diverse art forms within the same educational campus might have fostered creativity, collaboration, and a broader understanding of the cultural and aesthetic aspects of architecture. This holistic approach could have produced architects with a richer skill set, capable of not only designing structurally sound buildings but also creating spaces that resonate with cultural and artistic expression. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Muzharul Islam’s Six-B pencil and charcoal inspired designs like Falgudhara, building one modern architecture after another. Science Laboratory (BCSIR) building in Dhaka, NIPA Bhawan of Dhaka University, BADC Bhawan and Jiban Bima Bhawan in Motijheel, Rangamati Township, Chittagong University, Jahangirnagar University, the World Bank Dhaka Office, Mausoleum of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam etc. are modern architectures used as a tool to build a modern society. His most important work was born when the Governor’s Conference of Pakistan decided in 1959, under the President Ayub Khan, that Dhaka will be the second capital of Pakistan. The government decided to build a capital complex at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Muzharul Islam was given to design Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (National Assembly Building
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Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry A Journey of Resilience and Growth
FU-WANG Ceramic Industry Limited, founded in 1995 as a joint venture between Taiwan and Bangladesh, has evolved into a major player in the ceramic industry. Despite Taiwan investors’ departure in 2008, the company continued to thrive, reshaping the landscape of ceramic production in Bangladesh. During the 1990s, Bangladesh heavily relied on ceramic imports from countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Spain, and Italy. Fu-Wang entered the market and made a significant impact. Subsequently, other prominent players like RAK, CBC, and Mir Ceramic joined, solidifying their presence in the country’s tiles market. Presently, RAK, DBL, Fresh, Fu-Wang, and X Ceramic are the key players in Bangladesh’s tiles sector. With an aggregate investment of $1.8 billion in the ceramic sector, of which 66 per cent is allocated to the tiles, the domestic tile market is valued at $650 million. Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry went public in 1998, listing its shares on the Dhaka and Chattogram Stock Exchanges. Fu-Wang Ceramic has created a good number of employment opportunities. Its products are manufactured in the factory of Gazipur. The company has since maintained impressive annual growth, consistently achieving a 20 per cent increase. Product diversification and challenges faced Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry is known for producing two types of products: those tailored for the mass market including industries, universities, shopping malls etc. and luxurious tiles designed for apartments, hotels and offices. The company has also introduced high-quality brands like Picasso and Picasso Premium, offering larger wall sizes and various floor sizes tiles under the guidance of European and Asian technologists. The foundation of Picasso Premium 60x60cm PGVT tiles lies in state-of-the-art robotic technology. Each tile is crafted with unparalleled precision and accuracy, ensuring uniformity in size and shape. The company employs Nano Technology in the production of PGVT tiles, enhancing their durability and shine. This advanced technology creates a protective layer on the tile surface, making them resistant to scratches, stains, and wear. The timeless elegance of marble, the warmth of wood, or the modernity of concrete, Fu-Wang designs capture the essence of nature and elevate the interior design to new heights. Each of 60x60cm PGVT tiles is meticulously packed with a surface protective film. This film safeguards the tiles during transportation and installation. However, the industry currently is facing a range of challenges. These include difficulties in opening Letters of Credit (L/C), surging natural gas prices coupled with low gas pressure, and unreliable electricity supply to factories. Moreover, navigating the intricate landscape of government policies has posed additional obstacles for businesses in Bangladesh. Besides, current economic headwinds has contributed to decline in the sales of the ceramic products. To carry on the business, the government should withdraw Supplementary Duty (SD) on the local ceramic products and supply gas and electricity uninterruptedly to the factories. The CEO of Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry Limited (FWCIL), Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan, shared his experiences with the Ceramic Bangladesh (CB) in an exclusive interview. Adapting to market dynamics Despite these challenges, Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry remains steadfast in its commitment to leading the tiles sector in Bangladesh. The CEO recognises that competition is intensifying, and only large companies will be able endure while smaller ones might face closure. Making profit is tough due to competition. Besides, the demand for high-value and luxurious products is increasing in local and international markets. So, small companies have to compete with large companies. However, considering current market demand, they have to change product designs in accordance with new technology. Now local companies are meeting 85 per cent domestic market demand. And the rest of 15 per cent is met by imported products. If they can reduce import dependency further, dollar reserve will increase. So, policy support is crucial. “Our plan for the future is to manufacture selective and valuable products to compete in the market. We will expand our production base. Mass production helps to reduce product costs. We will produce high-value products in the future increasing market demand,” said Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan. To meet the evolving market demands, Fu-Wang plans to adapt its product designs using new technologies. Moreover, they aim to reduce their dependency on imported products to bolster their reserves. The company’s strategy for the future is to manufacture selective and high-value products to cater to the increasing demand in both local and international markets. Export challenges, domestic potential While the export market has presented challenges due to global competitiveness, the domestic market for tiles has experienced significant growth. Changes in people’s lifestyles and increased per capita income have contributed to the surge in demand. Fu-Wang is exploring the possibility of entering the tableware manufacturing sector and is focusing on branding and digital marketing to expand its market presence. A call for government support and FDI The domestic demand for tiles has increased vastly thanks to change in people’s lifestyles and booming construction sector. A good number of companies have also been established here. In Bangladesh, the number of tile companies may further go up as tiles are now used in rural areas too. So the market is expanding, and it will continue to expand. People are spending more money on their houses as a pre-emerging country. In this context, Fu-Wang management is planning to what type of new products can be brought in the market in future. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has made a reputation in the international market exporting high-valued tableware products. However, there is a huge potential for foreign direct investments (FDI) in Bangladesh. The government has set up 100 special economic zones, something which is a positive initiative to bring more FDI. Also, there are some challenges including land scarcity, gas and utility supply, and the business operational registration process. All problems should be resolved as soon as possible. Besides, transparency and accountability are crucial to ensure ease of doing business. Basically, the country’s all services should be available on online. Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan underscored the need for government support, including withdrawal of supplementary duty on local ceramic products, reducing import duties on raw materials, uninterrupted gas supply, and reliable electricity
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Silence, an Integral Aspect of ARCHITECTURE
As Nurur Rahman Khan commenced his discussion on architecture, a concept exists only as an idea that becomes apparent once it is created. Attaining the deep level of architecture requires a great deal of time, attention, and meditation. If we wish to reach that level of it, we must bring our soul to it. It could be difficult for the public to comprehend or accept it entirely. Nurur Rahman Khan began his architectural career at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), despite lack of understanding of how architecture functions. The sole realisation he possessed was that architecture constitutes a fusion of engineering and creativity. In his formative years, he delved deeply into music, photography, graphic design, acting and writing alike. Before he began his career in architecture, he had no prior experiences in drawing or sketching. Over the time, he acquired the skill of drawing architecture from mathematical drawings in the form of ‘axonometric’ drawings. He did not become aware of architecture until the very end of his first academic year, since it was then that he was able to appreciate architecture’s beauty. As a consequence of his subpar craftsmanship, he used to receive lower grades. After his first year of school, he began going to the library to learn about the aesthetics of architecture. It was at that point during which he began comprehending the aesthetics of architecture, and since then he never stopped his journey to acquire knowledge about it thereafter. He continued by outlining the method by which architects prioritise aesthetics over attaining the fundamental purpose of their design, instead of flaunting the design, one should be proud of it. The greatest architect of Bangladesh, according to him, is Muzharul Islam, and his level of prosperity ends there. We are forfeiting numerous facets, failing to appreciate the true essence of architecture. Our focus has shifted towards the grandiose, the towering, and the extravagant, relinquishing our humanity to the allure of grandeur and brand-centric values. Addressing the architects within our community, NR Khan inquired about the apparent challenge in reaching the remarkable levels of creativity and imagination set by Muzharul Islam in the field of architecture. Tanya Karim and Nurur Rahman Khan, who are partners, founded an architectural firm with the goal of significantly altering the architectural arena. Their office became known for its theoretical pretext, search for situated modernity, and use of historical and cultural allusions. In the summer of 1991, Tanya Karim, NR Khan & Associates became known as an architectural firm leading the way in modern ideas in Bangladeshi architecture. Throughout his academic journey, he teamed up with Tanya Karim as a groupmate, and their collaborative synergy flourished after they graduated between the years 1992 to 1993. In his viewpoint, when discussing Tanya Karim, he recognised her as a nurturing figure who would impart knowledge to classmates just before exams. He highlighted the enduring complementarity between himself and Tanya Karim. During their studies with her, a profound mental connection was forged. Tanya Karim played a pivotal role in enlightening him about the intricacies of art, fashion, and other facets of design, drawing from her upbringing in a culturally enriched family. Their designs are always inextricably linked to the point at which the architecture’s user finds it worthwhile. “A project is a canvas of someone else and we are the architects painting on it. If we indulged ourselves in a self-centered design, it definitely would have been a short lifespan,” Nurur Rahman Khan remarked. They (TKNRK) have secured positions of distinction in numerous competitions, notably triumphing in the National Competition organised by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) in 2012. They clinched the 1st prize for their outstanding design of the Bangla Academy. The Bangla Academy project takes a multifaceted approach to sustainability rather than focusing only on being “environment friendly”. The “site” is the first sustainability metric that the project looks at. On the grounds of a historic building and later additions to the “Bangla Academy Complex’’. In the modern era, there appears to be a tendency to use sophisticated design techniques and technologies to achieve a “green” solution to building design. It is important to remember that utilising the actual “environment” is one of the most logical approaches to designing “environment friendly” architecture. The site, the environment, and the climate should take center stage. “Indifferent” methods can be used to create a successful “green” architectural design. As for the building design, a significant portion of the office building has been designed to benefit from natural ventilation and abundant natural lights. Most days, the interior is bathed in natural light, creating a well-lit and airy environment. Moreover, when discussing TKNRK, he emphasised, “We are forward-thinking individuals, acutely aware of the essence of our architectural pursuits. Our ancestors crafted cities like Mahasthangarh 2000 years ago without external guidance as today’s. Therefore, as architects today, why limit ourselves to the mundane concept of a ‘Kurey Ghar’ (hut) that does not align with our cultural heritage? Instead, let’s draw inspiration from the grandeur of the cities our forebears-built millennia ago and aspire to create something extraordinary. By utilising costly materials to create an appearance of frugality, we are engaging in economic dishonestly within the country. This practice not only deceives the economy but also reflects a lack of integrity towards the materials themselves.” For him, it holds paramount importance to instill into people a genuine understanding of the true essence and user-centricity of architecture, steering clear of the reliance on extravagant products merely for aesthetic appeal. Whether designing a school or any other space, the emphasis lies in ensuring that the design not only looks the part but also functions seamlessly according to its intended purpose. In his elucidation about TKNRK, he expressed that, they do not adhere blindly to any distinct style, recognising that they are in a constant state of learning and evolution. The absence of a signature style, in itself, constitutes their unique design approach. Emphasising the diversity of our nation’s inherent genetic
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Remains of ARMENIA
As you walk through that particular street of Armanitola where the Armenian Church has been perching for almost two and a half centuries, its white coloured skin subtly piercing you with an invitation to enter inside, a peculiar sillage coming to life from the hundreds of variants of notes from the line of perfume shops beside, mixed with the eerie scents carried by the winds flowing over the Buriganga which is just within a minute of walking distance, will hit your nostrils. Soon, you will start noticing all the examples of unplanned and unappetising architectures of different heights and looks that popped up in the recent decades and still keeps popping up every now and then with no signs of stopping, trying its best to engulf the church with the shadows of its murky glory. The current state of many of the historical structures that had been living in Old Dhaka for centuries, is just like the present attire of Old Dhaka that we gradually forced her to wear – a living testament of what we were, what we could have been and what we are now. Despite our passionate habits of being collectively amnesic towards history and always letting our greed filthily winning over the importance of preservation of historic structures, some monuments somehow still managed to sail through the waves of time and survived. While many are only skeletons of their mighty past or half alive with all their graciousness, some continue to breathe. As if in an endeavour to effortlessly remind us of the fascinating times that are by gone. The Armenian Church in Dhaka is one of them. The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection or simply known as The Armenian Church, is located in 4 Armenian Street, Armanitola between Armanitola and the Mitford Hospital Dhaka, is named after the Armenian Colony which settled here in the early 18th Century. It was built in 1781 on the ruins of an earlier chapel and later, in 1837, a steeple serving as a clock tower, was added towards the west, near the belfry. This collapsed during the earthquake of 1897. The name of the church and the area it is situated in, easily gives off hints about certain aspects of its stories. When you think of historical structures, particularly about those which were built during the colonial era, it is obvious that you would relate it with the British period in Bengal. But the British were not the only Europeans who sailed here in the heydays of business and commerce in the region. The Dutch, Portuguese and notably French traders also set important businesses in parts of present-day Bangladesh with majority of the setups being in Old Dhaka. Another typically less talked about history of Europeans who set up a colony here only with the intentions of business, is the enthralling history of Armenians in Bangladesh. Although there is no exact record of when the Armenians first came to Dhaka but based on historians and the evidence of dates on ledger stones, it is assumed that they first came to Dhaka around early 18th century and most were engaged in the jute trade and the community was small but wealthy. Interestingly parts of the gardens of Shahbag, Ruplal House and the plot where Bangabhaban stands today, belonged to Armenian landlords. As you enter the church premise, you will be welcomed by an inexplicable aura. When you start your curious walk inside the church compound, what will make you wander in wonder at first are all the ledger stones surrounding the main church building. A few of them dug even before the church was built, these are graves of Armenians who rest here, each with their different stories. On one side, an age-old Armenian residence rests, almost in ruins and not allowed for visitors to enter anymore due to safety issues, as there are risks of it crumbling anytime. At another side amongst the calmness of ledger stones, stands a sundial. You will be even more surprised with a touch of eeriness after you enter inside the church and notice that there are ledgers stones beneath some of the benches of the prayer hall too. Imagine sitting on a bench set above someone’s grave who died decades back, spooky? There are also elements embodying biblical visuals, including a painting of a scene from The Last Supper. There are a plethora of details about the entire architecture of the church, the history of Armenians in Bangladesh, the context of their arrival and their life in Dhaka, etc., which are difficult to fit within the constraints of a magazine, and above all the distinct aura that spaces like these holds, which is almost impossible to portray with words in any format. And your best option to experience it is by visiting the space. With that being said, this magnificent monument might have breathed its last long back or would have been in the verge of turning into complete ruins, just like many of its kind in the area! But it solely survived due to one Armenian gentleman, Michael Joseph Martin. The stories of what Martin did to ensure the survival of this last monumental remnant of Armenians in Dhaka, is beyond heroic. In the mid 1980s when the church was in a horrible state, Martin took charge of the place in a turn of events. Despite all the grievous hindrance he had to endure from the locals, including property-related issues which he solved at court, illegal grabbing of the space and misusing for profit, and even life threats, Martin along with the support of his family firmly managed to spearhead the restoration process and later dedicated the rest of his life to keeping the church breathing. Martin was the last Armenian resident in Dhaka. Due to health issues, he had to move to Canada in 2014 to stay with his family. During the pandemic, the former custodian of the church passed away at the age of 89 and then
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Innovation unleashed at the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022
The first few teasers of the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 ushered in the forthcoming of one of the biggest and highly anticipated ceramic events in the country. The event took place in ICCB, Dhaka, from 24-26 November, 2022, and was buzzing with visitors all three days. The Ceramic Expo housed 120 exhibitors, 300 brands from 20 countries, and 500 delegates, along with a whopping 23,000 visitors. It brought under one roof exporters, manufacturers and suppliers of ceramic and related products. During the event, visitors came from all over, dispersed excitement across the venue, and filled it with murmurs of conversations. As excitement spread, we saw visitors and exhibitors interact, and the event turn into a big success. Sheltech Ceramics one of our Platinum Sponsors exhibited their largest tiles Sheltech Ceramics Limited, showcasing the country’s largest (1m x 1m) tiles, participated in the prestigious Ceramic Expo-2022. Owing to the exquisite design of the pavilion, it received the Best Pavilion Award (Gold) from the jury members. Sheltech Ceramics embellished its pavilion with a minimalistic touch of white and blue. Architecturally, the pavilion was designed in a way that was intended to draw visitors’ a-ention easily. One of the key cornerstones of this pavilion was to portray product manufacturing dynamism with diverse dimensions and types towards all segments of the target group or customers, like architects, corporate clients, end users. Additionally, the tiles were displayed in a manner that covered every segment in terms of colour and size. It is worth mentioning that, with modern machinery enriched with European technology, Sheltech Ceramics is equipped to produce 39,000 sqm of premium wall and floor tiles per day spanning multiple sizes and textures. Exploring the pavilion, one could see that the tiles were shown exactly as they would be when tiled. The white backdrop was used to accent the vibrant collection to draw more visitors’ a-ention. Other tiles were displayed on the walls; alongside those, photos of the factory took over some portions of the walls, demonstrating the magnitude of the company’s production capacity. Especially, the company’s remarkable journey is portrayed on the front wall. Coming to the centre-stage of Sheltech Ceramics, the Prime Series was the frontrunner amongst the displayed products and was highlighted throughout the event. The 1m × 1m tile from Sheltech Ceramics is the largest floor tile manufactured in Bangladesh and was an absolute head-turner at the event. Launched in May 2022, the Prime Series is produced in an environmentally sustainable way. This 12-mm-thick Prime series floor tile ensures a lot of benefits, including a moderate water absorption rate, a robust and extremely durable texture, a glossy, light-reflective surface, and the ability to withstand thermal stress. It has diverse and a-ractive pa-erns with flawless textures, and most importantly, it is easy to clean and maintain. Mr. Kutubuddin Ahmed, Chairman of Sheltech Group and Envoy Legacy, and Mr. Tanvir Ahmed, Managing Director of the same, graced the event with their presence along with other marketing personnel. Sheltech Group, with more than three decades of experience, launched Sheltech Ceramics in 2019 which exclaims an unwavering commitment to innovation and design and moves forward with ongoing trends. DBL Ceramics joined in as a Platinum Sponsor as well acquiring 70% lead conversion DBL Ceramics became part of the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 as a Platinum Sponsor and showcased five new products in their pavilion. DBL Ceramics’ research and development team worked tirelessly for six months to plan some of the best and most recent tile collections from DBL Ceramics to display in the pavilion. As one walks towards the pavilion, one is struck by the vibrancy of the tangerine laser-cut design pa-erns on the walls and roofs of some pavilion sections. The products were displayed on the walls, screens, and, in most cases, retractable panels and drawers. Among the various elements of the pavilion, one wall featured a sophisticated analog clock and a corner with an all-white conference table. The pavilion showcased not only the new and innovative products from the catalogue, but also had exclusive insights on upcoming products that DBL Ceramics was working on at the time. The front runner at their pavilion was the Glue and Granilla tiles, which is a glazed porcelain, and has a premium decorative texture. Having granules glued to the surface makes it anti-slippery and abrasion resistant. A leading brand with over 160 dealers and six major display centres across the country, DBL Ceramics is expanding and has a new extension called Bright Ceramics. The company adopted the practices and concepts of Industry 4.0 and has factories with state of the art machineries. Mr. M. A. Jabbar, Managing Director, Mr. M. A. Rahim, Vice Chairman, Mr. M. A. Quader, Deputy Managing Director and Group CEO, Mr. Md. Bayazed Bashar, Head of Operations of DBL Ceramics, along with other senior officials graced the event with their presence. There were special appearances from celebrity guests such as Ms. Aupee Karim and cricketer Taskin Ahmed. And finally, there were also live sessions with industry experts. DBL Ceramics’ strategy for the 2022 expo was to display the newest innovations. Every year architects, designers, and experts from dierent companies and oices visit the Expo and extensively engage with the stalls. At the 2022 Expo, DBL Ceramics focused on acquiring these leads, and had a 70 per cent conversion rate among all leads. “The 20-30 per cent that we weren’t able to convert was because we weren’t planning to launch those products at the time,” said Mr. Bayazed Bashar, Head of Operations at DBL Ceramics. The Expo was a grand success, and we had tremendous response from visitors and exhibitors. We can only hope that the hype will be even more for the Ceramic Expo 2024. BCMEA Report
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Shahjalal Bank First Green Building in the Banking Sector of Bangladesh
Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC is playing an important role in providing investment in all areas of manufacturing and service sectors, ready-made garments, trade financing, infrastructure and agriculture. Starting operations on 10 May 2001, the bank is running with 12,40,000 deposit and investment customers. As a third generation Islamic Shariah-based private commercial bank of the country, Shahjalal Islami bank plc has reached a strong position within a short span of time and has been playing a worthy role in the economic development. The financial base of this bank is very strong. The bank has currently been providing banking services to its customers with great reputation and trust through 140 branches, 4 sub-branches, hundreds of ATM booths and agent banking outlets, one offshore banking unit and priority centre across the country with 3,000 staffs. It has its iconic 17-storied building with basement on Gulshan Avenue in the capital Dhaka, where the bank’s head office operations are being conducted and being USGBC Lead Gold certified, this building is the first green building in the banking sector in the country. Renowned Architecht Prof. Shamsul Wares has designed the building. The total deposits of this bank (as on September 2023) is about Tk. 24,421.70 crore and investment amount is Tk. 23,023.45 crore. The amount of import trade in first nine months was Tk 18,982.00 crore and the amount of export trade was about Tk 18,596.00 crore. Shahjalal Islami Bank’s credit rating is AA+ for long term and ST-2 for short term as per Emerging Credit Limited (ECRL) rating. This rating proves that the bank is one of the leading financially strong banks and both customer deposits and investments in this bank are safer and risk free. It has launched Islamic Credit Card following the Wakalah concept of Islamic Shariah. It has 24-hour ATM service and real time online banking and SMS push-pull service. It has agreements with more than 20 of world-renowned remittance companies to provide overseas remittance services, including Western Union, MoneyGram, RIA, Transfast, BRAC Sason, and Al Zaman. Expatriate Bangladeshis can send home hard-earned money, which their relatives can withdraw from any branch of the bank. Moreover, all the branches have facility of online-based utility bill payment. A customer can deposit all types of fees and taxes of Titas Gas, PDB, PalliBidyut, WASA, DPDC, DESCO and BTCL through any branch of Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC. All its branches have e-GP service for respected traders, through which all types of government tenders can be submitted online. No charges are levied for pay orders associated with this e-GP. Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC is working for bringing the people of remote areas under banking services. Thus it is expanding branches and sub-branches. The bank wants to deliver everyday financial services and products easily to the doorsteps of common people. As part of the financial inclusion programme, it wants to extend banking services to all sections of the society. The bank’s remarkable number of agent banking outlets and ATM booths set up in different parts of the country are providing 24/7 cash services. The board of directors of the bank is comprised of professionally competent persons who can formulate policies and guidelines and supervise business and ensure good governance in the banking sector. The Managing Director and CEO of the bank, Mr. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, said, “Our goal is to provide welfare banking services to all the people. Profit making is not the main objective. For this purpose, Shahjalal Islami Bank Foundation has been established in consideration of social responsibility, through which this bank provides free medical treatment to helpless and poor people, distributes food and relief items in cyclone and flood-affected areas, provides scholarships to meritorious and poor students and other humanitarian aid. It is trying to spread light of education, public welfare activities, providing scholarships to 600 poor meritorious students studying at higher secondary and graduation level.” “We firmly believe if every financial and business institution spends even a fraction of their profits on improving education of children from poor families, we will definitely have a well-educated and skilled nation. Moreover, cooperation in the development of sports, social and cultural development is being provided as well. Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC provides free Hajj guides, umbrellas and bags to Pilgrims every year and provides bus service for Hajis from Haji camp to Airport.” National and International recognitions and awards Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC has received several national and international recognitions/awards in recent years for its excellent and cordial customer services. It has received the award as a recognition of success for achieving a satisfactory position in the sustainable rating by Bangladesh Bank. On 29 August 2023, The bank’s MD and CEO received the award from the central bank Governor. The Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) awarded Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC for Sustainable Rating 2023. The bank won the Gold Award (First Prize) at the 9th ICSB National Award for Corporate Governance Excellence-2021 for best presented annual report 2021. The award was given for ensuring sound corporate governance, discipline and transparency and accountability in the overall management of the bank. Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB) awarded Gold Award to this bank in Private Commercial Bank (Islamic Operation) category on 2022. Also, it won the 1st Prize in the 22nd ICAB National Award for best presented annual report. Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC won the first prize (Gold) in “ICMAB Best Corporate Award-2021” for best presented annual report of 2021. The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) awarded Gold Award to Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC as the 1st place in Private Commercial Bank (Islamic Operations) category on 2022. The bank has won awards in three categories from South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for best presented annual report of 2020. The bank won the first runner-up award in the Private Sector Banking Institutions category, the joint first runner-up award in the SAARC Anniversary Award for Corporate Governance category and the second runner-up award in the overall category. The bank is constantly working
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Dream Train in the City of Oysters
Cox’s Bazar Rail Station has been built as a modern marvel for travelers.
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Dream Train in the City of Oysters
Cox’s Bazar Rail Station has been built as a modern marvel for travelers. The new ‘green field’ of railway alignment has connected Cox’s Bazar, the top tourist destination and a rapidly developing region in Bangladesh. Finally, the long-term dream of tourists has been fulfilled. On November 11, 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 102-kilometre dual gauge single railway line between Cox’s Bazar and Dohazari in Chattogram and the newly built Cox’s Bazar iconic rail station in the shape of oyster shell. The architect of the station, Mohammad Foyez Ullah, principal architect of Volume Zero Limited, took inspiration from the shape of an oyster for its exterior, which symbolises the beach. It is a station with marine atmosphere at first sight. With this, not only has the country’s leading tourist destination become more easily accessible, the entire southeast region is also poised for boosting trade and connectivity. The rail link project, the latest among several such communication-related projects, is part of an elaborate development scheme focused on Cox’s Bazar. Enhanced connectivity will be crucial for transportation of goods to and from Teknaf land port, as well as the growth of local industries including fish, salt, rubber raw materials, forest and agriculture products and dried fruits, according to local business experts. There are nine railway stations on this route, which means the surrounding areas will also see economic transformation. After Cox’s Bazar to Chattogram the stations are followed by Ramu, Islamabad, Dulahajara, Chakaria, Harbang, Lohagara, Satkania and Dohajari. The rail line will be extended to the Myanmar border, and to the planned deep-sea port on Matarbari Island. The extended part will have three stations – Ukhia, Teknaf and Ghumdhum (Bandarban). Cox’s Bazar Station to enhance tourists’ experience Nestled on a 29-acre expanse in Chanderpara, under the Jhilongjha union in Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila, stands the paradise sighting station, located three km away from the sandy beach, built at a cost of Tk 215 crore. The six-storied building, covering 187,000 square feet area, captivates visitors with its unique exterior. The canopy serves a dual purpose — not only enhancing the station’s aesthetic appeal but also effectively cooling the building, ensuring proper air circulation, and welcoming ample natural light, according to the project engineers. Adding to the visual allure, a variety of coloured lights grace the front of the building, providing an artistic perspective to the station’s entrance. This station is Asia’s first 100 per cent tourist-friendly central air-conditioned multi-storied station. It has all kinds of facilities for tourists. Arrangements have also been made so that tourists can visit Cox’s Bazar in a day and return the same day without hotel accommodation. This railway is perfect Cox’s Bazar as an international tourist hub. It will be helpful to bring foreign tourists. Not only in the winter, tourists will be encouraged to visit Cox’s Bazar throughout the season including monsoon. In the construction of this iconic station, facilities of various modern stations of the world including China, Belgium, England, and Italy have been taken into consideration. A total of 250 engineers and more than 600 people, including 110 foreigners, were working in the entire project. After four years of hard work, the uniquely beautiful railway station building is visible today. On the ground floor, ticket counters, arrival and VIP lounges, ATM booths, Bank and forex service, pharmacy, post office, railway service office, baby care centre, information booth, and luggage lockers. The first floor offers a departure lounge, waiting lounges, display centres, locker room, prayer space, shops, and a cafe. Levels 2 to 5 house a shopping mall and food court, bookshop, five-star overnight stay option with dining, office spaces, restaurants, a multipurpose hall and hotel with recreational space for passengers. The hotel has 39 rooms. The fourth floor is intended to be leased for offices and conferences. Top floor reserved for future use. Travelers arriving at Cox’s Bazar by overnight train can conveniently store their belongings in lockers and explore the beach and other tourist spots during the day before catching a night train back to Chattogram or Dhaka. Tourists can leave their luggage in station lockers while they enjoy their time sightseeing at the beaches and tourist sites. Around 500 tourists will be able to keep their luggage in the station lockers at a time. As a result, tourists would be able to leave Cox’s Bazar without staying at night in hotel. However, they have to pay locker rent for this. The station is equipped with ample amenities, including escalators, lifts, parking area and refresh rooms for men, women, and those with physical disabilities. Accessing any of the three platforms is made easy with a footover bridge connected to escalators, staircases, and a ramp bridge facilitating movement between platforms. The rail station also features separate facilities for women, children, the elderly people. The Cox’s Bazar station has the capacity to transport around 50,000 people each day, as well as facilitate the operation of wagons for transporting fish, dried fish, salt and other items. Work of the project is being completed in two parts with China Railway Engineering Cooperation (CREC) and Toma Construction carrying out the first part from Dohajari to Chakaria and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Max Infrastructure Limited are doing another part from Chakaria to Cox’s Bazar. Additional Deputy Inspector General of Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar region Apel Mahmud said the arrival of tourists in Cox’s Bazar will increase, thanks to the train service. All kinds of preparations have been made for the service and safety of tourists, he added. Passengers say the journey is enjoyable. A crooked rail line has been built through the green field and forest. Sometimes the hills touch, sometimes the eyes will be drawn to the unique beauty of the green village of Bangladesh. A hundred kilometers of railways has completed to see such a scene. Every station is equipped with relay batteries, generator rooms, sewage and waste management facilities, and energy-saving features such as solar panels. Both meter and broad gauge rail
Read MoreAhead in Time’s Silent Symphony
Beyond his role as an innovative architect, Muzharul Islam was characterised by humility and an unassuming nature. His consistent choice of traditional clothing and a preference for a modest lifestyle indicated a deep commitment to his craft rather than a pursuit of personal recognition. The simplicity and focus on perfection in his work underscored the profound impact of his architectural contributions, and the enduring prominence of his legacy in South Asian architecture speaks volumes about his unwavering dedication and passion.
Read MoreFu-Wang Ceramic Industry A Journey of Resilience and Growth
FU-WANG Ceramic Industry Limited, founded in 1995 as a joint venture between Taiwan and Bangladesh, has evolved into a major player in the ceramic industry. Despite Taiwan investors’ departure in 2008, the company continued to thrive, reshaping the landscape of ceramic production in Bangladesh. During the 1990s, Bangladesh heavily relied on ceramic imports from countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Spain, and Italy. Fu-Wang entered the market and made a significant impact. Subsequently, other prominent players like RAK, CBC, and Mir Ceramic joined, solidifying their presence in the country’s tiles market. Presently, RAK, DBL, Fresh, Fu-Wang, and X Ceramic are the key players in Bangladesh’s tiles sector. With an aggregate investment of $1.8 billion in the ceramic sector, of which 66 per cent is allocated to the tiles, the domestic tile market is valued at $650 million. Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry went public in 1998, listing its shares on the Dhaka and Chattogram Stock Exchanges. Fu-Wang Ceramic has created a good number of employment opportunities. Its products are manufactured in the factory of Gazipur. The company has since maintained impressive annual growth, consistently achieving a 20 per cent increase. Product diversification and challenges faced Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry is known for producing two types of products: those tailored for the mass market including industries, universities, shopping mall etc. and luxurious tiles designed for apartments, hotels and offices. The company has also introduced high-quality brands like Picasso and Picasso Premium, offering larger wall sizes and various floor sizes tiles under the guidance of European and Asian technologists. The foundation of Picasso Premium 60x60cm PGVT tiles lies in state-of-the-art robotic technology. Each tile is crafted with unparalleled precision and accuracy, ensuring uniformity in size and shape. The company employs Nano Technology in the production of PGVT tiles, enhancing their durability and shine. This advanced technology creates a protective layer on the tile surface, making them resistant to scratches, stains, and wear. The timeless elegance of marble, the warmth of wood, or the modernity of concrete, Fu-Wang designs capture the essence of nature and elevate the interior design to new heights. Each of 60x60cm PGVT tiles is meticulously packed with a surface protective film. This film safeguards the tiles during transportation and installation. However, the industry currently is facing a range of challenges. These include difficulties in opening Letters of Credit (L/C), surging natural gas prices coupled with low gas pressure, and unreliable electricity supply to factories. Moreover, navigating the intricate landscape of government policies has posed additional obstacles for businesses in Bangladesh. Besides, current economic headwinds has contributed to decline in the sales of the ceramic products. To carry on the business, the government should withdraw Supplementary Duty (SD) on the local ceramic products and supply gas and electricity uninterruptedly to the factories. The CEO of Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry Limited (FWCIL), Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan, shared his experiences with the Ceramic Bangladesh (CB) in an exclusive interview. Adapting to market dynamics Despite these challenges, Fu-Wang Ceramic Industry remains steadfast in its commitment to leading the tiles sector in Bangladesh. The CEO recognises that competition is intensifying, and only large companies will be able endure while smaller ones might face closure. Making profit is tough due to competition. Besides, the demand for high-value and luxurious products is increasing in local and international markets. So, small companies have to compete with large companies. However, considering current market demand, they have to change product designs in accordance with new technology. Now local companies are meeting 85 per cent domestic market demand. And the rest of 15 per cent is met by imported products. If they can reduce import dependency further, dollar reserve will increase. So, policy support is crucial. “Our plan for the future is to manufacture selective and valuable products to compete in the market. We will expand our production base. Mass production helps to reduce product costs. We will produce high-value products in the future increasing market demand,” said Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan. To meet the evolving market demands, Fu-Wang plans to adapt its product designs using new technologies. Moreover, they aim to reduce their dependency on imported products to bolster their reserves. The company’s strategy for the future is to manufacture selective and high-value products to cater to the increasing demand in both local and international markets. Export challenges, domestic potential While the export market has presented challenges due to global competitiveness, the domestic market for tiles has experienced significant growth. Changes in people’s lifestyles and increased per capita income have contributed to the surge in demand. Fu-Wang is exploring the possibility of entering the tableware manufacturing sector and is focusing on branding and digital marketing to expand its market presence. A call for government support and FDI The domestic demand for tiles has increased vastly thanks to change in people’s lifestyles and booming construction sector. A good number of companies have also been established here. In Bangladesh, the number of tile companies may further go up as tiles are now used in rural areas too. So the market is expanding, and it will continue to expand. People are spending more money on their houses as a pre-emerging country. In this context, Fu-Wang management is planning to what type of new products can be brought in the market in future. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has made a reputation in the international market exporting high-valued tableware products. However, there is a huge potential for foreign direct investments (FDI) in Bangladesh. The government has set up 100 special economic zones, something which is a positive initiative to bring more FDI. Also, there are some challenges including land scarcity, gas and utility supply, and the business operational registration process. All problems should be resolved as soon as possible. Besides, transparency and accountability are crucial to ensure ease of doing business. Basically, the country’s all services should be available on online. Mr. Rafiquzzaman Bhuiyan underscored the need for government support, including withdrawal of supplementary duty on local ceramic products, reducing import duties on raw materials, uninterrupted gas supply, and reliable
Read MoreSilence, an Integral Aspect of Architecture
As Nurur Rahman Khan commenced his discussion on architecture, a concept exists only as an idea that becomes apparent once it is created. Attaining the deep level of architecture requires a great deal of time, attention, and meditation. If we wish to reach that level of it, we must bring our soul to it. It could be difficult for the public to comprehend or accept it entirely. Nurur Rahman Khan began his architectural career at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), despite lack of understanding of how architecture functions. The sole realisation he possessed was that architecture constitutes a fusion of engineering and creativity. In his formative years, he delved deeply into music, photography, graphic design, acting and writing alike. Before he began his career in architecture, he had no prior experiences in drawing or sketching. Over the time, he acquired the skill of drawing architecture from mathematical drawings in the form of ‘axonometric’ drawings. He did not become aware of architecture until the very end of his first academic year, since it was then that he was able to appreciate architecture’s beauty. As a consequence of his subpar craftsmanship, he used to receive lower grades. After his first year of school, he began going to the library to learn about the aesthetics of architecture. It was at that point during which he began comprehending the aesthetics of architecture, and since then he never stopped his journey to acquire knowledge about it thereafter. He continued by outlining the method by which architects prioritise aesthetics over attaining the fundamental purpose of their design, instead of flaunting the design, one should be proud of it. The greatest architect of Bangladesh, according to him, is Muzharul Islam, and his level of prosperity ends there. We are forfeiting numerous facets, failing to appreciate the true essence of architecture. Our focus has shifted towards the grandiose, the towering, and the extravagant, relinquishing our humanity to the allure of grandeur and brand-centric values. Addressing the architects within our community, NR Khan inquired about the apparent challenge in reaching the remarkable levels of creativity and imagination set by Muzharul Islam in the field of architecture. Tanya Karim and Nurur Rahman Khan, who are partners, founded an architectural firm with the goal of significantly altering the architectural arena. Their office became known for its theoretical pretext, search for situated modernity, and use of historical and cultural allusions. In the summer of 1991, Tanya Karim, NR Khan & Associates became known as an architectural firm leading the way in modern ideas in Bangladeshi architecture. Throughout his academic journey, he teamed up with Tanya Karim as a groupmate, and their collaborative synergy flourished after they graduated between the years 1992 to 1993. In his viewpoint, when discussing Tanya Karim, he recognised her as a nurturing figure who would impart knowledge to classmates just before exams. He highlighted the enduring complementarity between himself and Tanya Karim. During their studies with her, a profound mental connection was forged. Tanya Karim played a pivotal role in enlightening him about the intricacies of art, fashion, and other facets of design, drawing from her upbringing in a culturally enriched family. Their designs are always inextricably linked to the point at which the architecture’s user finds it worthwhile. One of their cherished projects is the Shanchita Residence, envisioned as a Baganbari- A House in a Garden. It was conceived with the idea of providing a nurturing environment for both the users and their children to cherish as they grow. The concept of Baganbari is not merely about architecture; it’s a philosophy woven into the very roots of the design. It is a place where family bonds are nurtured, and the architecture becomes a silent witness to the laughter, joy, and shared moments that shape the family. “A project is a canvas of someone else and we are the architects painting on it, if we indulged a self-centered design, it definitely would have a short lifespan,” Nurur Rahman Khan remarked. They (TKNRK) have secured positions of distinction in numerous competitions, notably triumphing in the National Competition organised by the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) in 2012. They clinched the 1st prize for their outstanding design of the Bangla Academy. The Bangla Academy project takes a multifaceted approach to sustainability rather than focusing only on being “environment friendly”. “Site” is the first sustainability metric that the project looks at. On the grounds of a historic building and later additions to the “Bangla Academy complex’’. In the modern era, there appears to be a tendency to use sophisticated design techniques and technology in order to achieve a “green” solution to building design. It is important to remember that utilising the actual “environment” is one of the most logical approaches to designing “environment friendly” architecture. The site, the environment, and the climate should take center stage. “Indifferent” methods can be used to create a successful “green” architectural design. As for the building design, a significant portion of the office building has been designed to benefit from natural ventilation and abundant natural lights. Most days, the interior is bathed in natural light, creating a well-lit and airy environment. Moreover, when discussing TKNRK, he emphasized, “We are forward-thinking individuals, acutely aware of the essence of our architectural pursuits. Our ancestors crafted cities like Mahasthangarh 2000 years ago without external guidance as today’s. Therefore, as architects today, why limit ourselves to the mundane concept of a ‘Kurey Ghar’ (hut) that does not align with our cultural heritage? Instead, let’s draw inspiration from the grandeur of the cities our forebears-built millennia ago and aspire to create something extraordinary. By utilizing costly materials to create an appearance of frugality, we are engaging in economic dishonestly within the country. This practice not only deceives the economy but also reflects a lack of integrity towards the materials themselves.” For him, it holds paramount importance to instill into people a genuine understanding of the true essence and user-centricity of architecture, steering clear of the reliance on
Read MoreRemains of ARMENIA
As you walk through that particular street of Armanitola where the Armenian Church has been perching for almost two and a half centuries, its white coloured skin subtly piercing you with an invitation to enter inside, a peculiar sillage coming to life from the hundreds of variants of notes from the line of perfume shops beside, mixed with the eerie scents carried by the winds flowing over the Buriganga which is just within a minute of walking distance, will hit your nostrils. Soon, you will start noticing all the examples of unplanned and unappetising architectures of different heights and looks that popped up in the recent decades and still keeps popping up every now and then with no signs of stopping, trying its best to engulf the church with the shadows of its murky glory. The current state of many of the historical structures that had been living in Old Dhaka for centuries, is just like the present attire of Old Dhaka that we gradually forced her to wear – a living testament of what we were, what we could have been and what we are now.
Read MoreInnovation unleashed at the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022
The first few teasers of the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh-2022 ushered in the forthcoming of one of the biggest and highly anticipated ceramic events in the country. The event took place in ICCB, Dhaka, from 24-26 November, 2022, and was buzzing with visitors all three days. The Ceramic Expo housed 120 exhibitors, 300 brands from 20 countries, and 500 delegates, along with a whopping 23,000 visitors. It brought under one roofexporters, manufacturers and suppliers of ceramic and related products. During the event, visitors came from all over, dispersed excitement across the venue, and filled it with murmurs of conversations. As excitement spread, we saw visitors and exhibitors interact, and the event turn into a big success.
Read MoreShahjalal Bank First Green Building in the Banking Sector of Bangladesh
Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC is playing an important role in providing investment in all areas of manufacturing and service sectors, ready-made garments, trade financing, infrastructure and agriculture. Starting operations on 10 May 2001, the bank is running with 12,40,000 deposit and investment customers. As a third generation Islamic Shariah-based private commercial bank of the country, Shahjalal Islami bank plc has reached a strong position within a short span of time and has been playing a worthy role in the economic development. The financial base of this bank is very strong. The bank has currently been providing banking services to its customers with great reputation and trust through 140 branches, 4 sub-branches, hundreds of ATM booths and agent banking outlets, one offshore banking unit and priority centre across the country with 3,000 staffs. It has its iconic 17-storied building with basement on Gulshan Avenue in the capital Dhaka, where the bank’s head office operations are being conducted and being USGBC Lead Gold certified, this building is the first green building in the banking sector in the country. Renowned Architecht Prof. Shamsul Wares has designed the building.
Read MoreRAK slabs to grace your very own
The ceramic industry is a flourishing demography with innovation at the forefront. Today, we have a brand that resembles elegance and reputation behind it, and also has the potential capability to do outstandingly. Slabs have been used in primitive times and has a clay composition. It came into existence in construction to cover roofs and floors, and the slabs streamlined surfaces and covered more spaces with less grout lines. Clay slab absorbs moisture.
Read MoreCONCORD The Pioneer in Construction
Concord is the only Bangladeshi company that has completed a 720-foot tall, iconic and technically challenging structure abroad. The SINGTEL Telecom Tower in Singapore was built by Concord in collaboration with Sumimoto Mitsui Construction Company Japan. Concord is proud for the National Martyrs’ Memorial (Jatiyo Smriti Soudho), the national monument of Bangladesh, set up in the memory of those who laid down their lives in the country’s War of Independence in 1971. The monument is located in Savar, about 35 km northwest of the capital, Dhaka. It was designed by Syed Mainul Hossain and built by Concord in 1982 in only 89 days.
Read MoreA Look Inside the Vibrant World the Potato Digital Office
Designed by architects Sanzid Iqbal Rizvee and Rubayet Ferdous, construction for the Potato Digital Office commenced in May 2022 and was successfully inaugurated in June 2022. Remarkably, within a brief period of 45 days, the team efficiently designed and executed the vibrant space at their new Gulshan branch. Soon, the office turned out to be the talk of the town.
Read MoreShahanawaz Maestro of Ceramics, Carving a Lasting Legacy in Bangladesh’s Ceramic Tapestry
In the captivating tapestry of Bangladesh’s ceramic industry, one name resonates as a beacon of creativity, dedication, and unwavering passion. That is Shahanawaz. With over three decades of commitment, Shahanawaz’s journey through the twists and turns of the ceramic sector has become a legendary one.
Read MoreCaressing The Clouds From 3,235 Feet Above in Bandarban
Bandarban is more like a complete, separate entity and a world of its own, lying gracefully and peacefully on the south-eastern part of Bangladesh. When the lethargy hits you amid the daily blues, this place can work as a whimsical healer and boost our weary souls.
Read MoreSpilling teas from Monno Tea Room
After establishing a glorious legacy of around four decades, Monno Ceramics not only made a mark in the people’s hearts but also in their households. Now that it has stretched its new endeavour into a restaurant, one must wonder if it was only organic to come up with the idea since Monno already has its hands on the core ingredient of any eatery, which is tableware!
Read MoreIAB Build Expo 2023
Once upon a time, people were unaware about the concept of green construction which refers to sustainable building or other establishments. Now a remarkable change is noticed in the construction sector of the country, thanks to local entrepreneurs, traders, and architects. Nowadays, the demand for environment-friendly construction materials including blocks and ceramic products is going up significantly.
Read MoreEconomy in the Doldrums with Inflationary Pressure, Dollar Crisis
Bangladesh sees the end of 2023 with a huge deficit in its financial accounts, the widest gap between foreign currency income and expenses in its history. Consequently, the Bangladesh Bank is struggling to arrest the decline in foreign exchange reserves. This has led to a record imbalance in the overall balance of payments. The repercussions of this financial strains have extended to the commoners and made the fiscal year 2023-24 exceptionally challenging. Despite assurance from the Finance Minister in his budget speech that inflation would be contained at 5.6 per cent, average inflation rate was 9.2 per cent, intensifying the economic pressure and exacerbating the burden of soaring commodity prices on the ordinary people.
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Elevated Expressway A new milestone in communications in Dhaka
The First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) is called a ‘new milestone’ in communications and the project is being implemented under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to alleviate traffic congestion in and around the capital. It has already been visible after inauguration of a portion of total of 46.73-kilometre-length with ramps, including a main elevated section spanning 19.73 km in the city. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 11.5 km part of it between Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Farmgate section, on September 2 with the key objective to shorten the lead time for exports and imports activities. Now people can travel the Airport-Farmgate site in 10 minutes thanks to the FDEE inauguration in the densely populated city. It often takes two hours to travel the 11.5 km due to severe traffic congestion. According to the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Ltd, the total of 46.73-km-long elevated expressway is covering Airport, Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Magbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. The entire expressway is expected to be opened for vehicles from Tejgaon to KutubKhali in June 2024. The FDEE project involves construction of a four-lane main carriageway and one elevated link road, comprising: four-lane dual main carriageway of a total length of 19.73 kilometers. It has a four-lane dual link-road carriageway of a total length of 3.1 kilometers. 32 on-off ramps including 16 on-ramps and 16 off-ramps (one-lane carriageway of 5.5 meter width) of a total length of 23.9 kilometers with 8 toll plazas and 43 toll collection booths. Besides the main four-lane dual carriageway and two suspended termini at its ends, it has five interchanges, two elevated links. The approximate total length of the main carriageway Expressway is about 46.73 km including 19.73 km main flyover and 31 km ramps and elevated links. Dhaka-Ashulia, Dhaka-Narayanganj and Dhaka-Chittagong expressways will also be connected with this elevated expressway in future. The project is one of the largest infrastructure projects taken up by the incumbent government spending a total of Tk 13,858 crore to ease traffic congestion. Of them, the cost of Airport-Farmgate section was Tk 8,940 crore. However, the FDEE project is being implemented under the PPP process between the government of Bangladesh, represented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), and the Italian-Thai Development Company Limited (ITD Group), represented by the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) Co. Ltd. According to the authority, around 80,000 vehicles can run on the FDEE a day. Chinese firm China Shandong International Economic and Technical Corporation, one of the three private partners of the PPP project, will operate the control centre. The FDEE is offlimits to three-wheelers and motorcycles. Other vehicles run on the structure at a maximum speed of 60km per hour in expressway and 40km per hour in ramps at the beginning. BRTC bus services commenced on the Expressway. The non-stop service, which began initially, runs with eight double-decker buses from Farmgate to the Airport. Road Transport and Highways authority said cars, SUVs, microbuses with fewer than 16 seats, and trucks with a capacity of less than three tonnes will pay Tk 80 for using the expressway. Trucks with six wheels will pay Tk 320, those with more than six wheels Tk 400, and buses with 16 or more seats Tk 160. Payment is being processed through e-ticketing. Local construction industries are thriving At least 10 local companies are making and supplying materials, such as cement, steel, stone and paint, for constructing the country’s first elevated expressway. Local products in place of imported alternatives are also being used in this mega project. This is not only saving foreign currency but also building the capacity of the local companies. A major portion of the Tk 8,940 crore project is being constructed using local materials. Of the 10 local contributors, six are cement companies while two are steel makers and the others make paint and PVC products. The cement makers are: Shah Cement, Crown Cement, Bashundhara Industrial Complex, Heidelberg Cement, Seven Rings Cement and Premier Cement. The BSRM and GPH Ispat are providing steel for the project while two concerns of RFL Group — RFL Pipe and Fittings, and Rainbow Paints — are supplying necessary pipes and road marking materials. RN Paul, managing director of RFL Group, said they are providing waste and rainwater pipes and fittings for the drainage system of the elevated expressway as well as road marking materials. Mr Paul explained that if local companies do not provide the required construction materials, then they would have to be imported at the cost of huge sums of foreign currency. “So, local companies benefited and also the process helped save foreign currency through such cooperation,” he said. Till September 2023, a total of 66,000 tonnes of steel has been used in the elevated expressway project, with BSRM contributing a majority 52,000 tonnes (80%). Tapan Sengupta, deputy managing director of BSRM, acknowledged that involvement in this type of large project helps local construction material companies grow their capacity and achieve global standards. Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud, founder chairman of the Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association, said the local steelmaking capacity has nearly doubled to about 9 million tonnes over the past decade. Local cement manufacturers have increased their production capacity to 6 million tonnes per annum while it was 2 million tonnes annually just 10 years ago. Back to history In January 2011, the certificate authority (CA) was signed between Bangladesh government, represented by Bridges Division, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, acted through Bangladesh Bridge Authority (together the “grantor”), and First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) company limited (the “concessionaire”). The ITD, the largest construction company in Thailand, established first Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited (“FDEE”) as a 100%-owned special purpose vehicle, registered in Bangladesh, to accede ITD as the concessionaire in the concession agreement for implementation of the project. The BBA signed deal with Italian-Thai Development Public Company to build the FDEE at a cost of Tk 8,703 crore in January 2011. The agreement was revised and inked again in
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Industry awareness necessary for safe, environment-friendly LPG: Omera CEO
Industry awareness necessary for safe, environment-friendly LPG: Omera CEO Uninterrupted supply of natural gas at the proper pressure is essential as a fuel for the ceramic industry. However, currently, most of the industries are not getting it timely and properly. So, the use of alternative gas is increasing. And in continuity of this, the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) has started in the ceramic industry, though it is a bit expensive. According to Petrobangla currently the natural gas demand in the country is about 4000 million (MMCFD). Supply is 2700-2800 mmcfd. Of this, 700 to 800 mmcfd is being supplied from imported Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). There is a shortfall between demand and supply about 1200-1300 mmcfd. A large ceramic company needs at least 900 tonnes LPG a month, if it is used there. In all, around 65,000 tonnes LPG is needed in 70 ceramic companies of the country every month, if they continue production in their factories based on LPG only. The demand for increasing gradually in both ceramic and apparel industry following environment issues and energy shortage. Omera LPG now the market leader In eight years of operation, Omera LPG has become the market leader with the highest market share in the country’s LPG sector. It is known for high safety standards, consistent LPG supply round the year and excellent customer service (Hotline 16797). Omera imports LPG from the Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar as well as the USA, and shipping it to Kutubdia of Cox’s Bazar by very large gas carriers (VLGC). Then, the LPG is transferred to smaller LPG ships (coasters) by ship-to-ship transfer. The coaster vessels make onward delivery of LPG to their plants in Chattogram and Mongla. They also sell LPG from the VLGC to other operators. Omera stores and bottles the LPG in its five plants of different locations in Bangladesh. The gas is bottled in 5kg, 12kg, 25kg, 35kg and 45kg gas cylinders. After fulfilling national demand, it is exporting the LPG to seven north-east states of India. Its sister concern, Omera Cylinders limited, manufactures LPG cylinder factory in Habiganj district. It exports to African countries. Omera Cylinders Limited is manutacturing new cylinders and retesting/refurbishing cylinders of third party LPG operators Bangladesh. Now the total import of LPG for Bangladesh is approximately 1,20,000 tonnes per month. Omera sells around 27,000 tonnes a month through retail, industrial, auto gas and export. Its group also sells LPG to other operators from the VLGC. So, in total its LPG supply to Bangladesh stands at 45,000 tonnes a month. With more than 35,000 retailers and over 5 million cylinders in residents across Bangladesh, Omera aims to cater the demand of environment-friendly LPG for all segments. LPG’s demand will double by 2030. In 2022, Omera noticed that industries were increasingly seeking energy to heat their boilers and furnaces. Then, it started a new division named ‘Omera Priority’ which brings the most secure and reliable LPG solution for an industrial heating needs. Tanzeem Chowdhury claimed, LPG price is now lower than diesel’s as the government has withdrawn subsidy on the fuel oil. Besides, the industrialists complain about not getting pipe gas properly. So they lean to use LPG. He said that LPGS price is somewhat high compared to natural gas as the government i providing subsidy on pipe gas. But now LPG price is lower than diesel/furnace oil as the government has withdrawn subsidy on diesel. The price of LPG Is Tk 107- per kg while diesel Tk 109 each litre. Besides, the price of LNG is USS 12.70/MMBTU; CNG Tk 43/cubic metre (cbm); NG (Industrial) Tk 30/cbm; NG (Captive Power) Tk 30/cbm, and Tk 130/L. If the government withdraws subsidy from pipe gas, the price will be almost same between LPG and pipe gas. However, the government should create awareness among industrialists to use safe and the environment-friendly energy. LPG is much safer than pipe gas Considering this, Omera has launched a new solution called ‘SNG. When natural pipe gas pressure drops in ceramic industry, its LPG will enter into heater through software. There is absolutely no downtime/ changeover time, so the heater will not be shut down. Now they are getting good response from ceramic manufacturers. Already they have provided the services at some large ceramic companies who are happy getting it. LPG demand is also rising in this sector. If all the companies take services from Omera, there won’t remain any gas crisis and they have that capacity to supply. LPG is safer than pipe gas line. Omera has over 5 million cylinders in residents. Very few accidents occurred in the LPG in industry till now; rather, pipe gas caused accident several times. The company conducts safety audit yearly. Clear policy is crucial for investment Mr. Tanzeem Chowdhury said, “The demand for LPG is increasing gradually, thanks to rising population and changing people’s lifestyle. Now our sale is mostly in cities but the demand is going up in village too. We want to supply our LPG secure and easily, utilising latest technology to boost market share. As we are financially strong so we have no problem of L/C opening now. But our problems are unclear policy and unadjusted price. A clear policy is needed, as to who will get natural gas (NG) and who will not. Unclear policy makes hurdles to investment. Policy is crucial for local and foreign direct investment as well.” He added that Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) fixed bottled gas price (Local portion) in 2021. “But it should be adjusted with the current inflation. Some foreign companies are showing interest to invest in the sector as LPG is promising in Bangladesh.”
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Rancon’s green housing push works marvels in Chattogram
Imagine a time when greenery and what is called green growth were everywhere with the touch of green fingers. Unfortunately, we have to paint a picture in our mind to relish the green landscape of the past. Unlike in the countryside, greenery is like an oasis in the midst of concrete jungle in this time and age. Now, towns people have to escape to a distant village in the hope of relishing a piece of green nature. Greenery and foliage are fast losing out to modernity, urbanisation, and industrialisation. The port city of Chattogram is no exception. This city now abounds with bricks and mortar, stones, and concrete walls that green activists regard as a concrete jungle. If you stand on the balcony or peep through the window, it is hard to see even a piece of the sky. There was a time when a flower garden was an absolute necessity in the courtyard. Also, there used to be a fruit or vegetable farm in the backyard. However, it is time to return from the flashback to the present, as those things of the past are revisiting the urbanites through Rancon FC Properties Limited RFCPL‑. The realtor is working relentlessly to develop sustainable green structures, for both residential and commercial purposes in the port city to feed the growing customer demand for healthy and environment-friendly apartments. The city development authority has mandated setbacks in design to make the home environment healthy. If a building is designed according to the setback, it is sure to have space in front and back in proportion to the size of the land. As a result, it is possible to maintain adequate sources of light and air after the building is constructed. The RFCPL began its journey in Chattogram back in 2010 with an eye toward managing accommodation for the city’s growing population. However, the property developer changed its business philosophy in 2018 as it aspired to create innovative designs, maintain the finest building quality, and establish sustainable living through its creative green establishments.Since its inception, the RFCPL has been transforming the skyline of Chattogram with superior landmarks. It has an array of commercial and residential projects in various central locations such as Agrabad, Khulshi, South Khulshi, Nasirabad, Katalgonj, Halishahar, Mehedibagh, and Panchlaish. The real estate leader has always pledged to ‘Explore Excellence, and, as such, it has strived to keep its promise to meet clients’ expectations of an abundantly green living space. Tanvir Shahriar Rimon, CEO of Rancon FC Properties Limited, says his company attaches great importance to environment-friendly housing as the changing climate patterns, mostly due to reckless human interventions, are impacting lives and livelihoods across the world. “Our company aims to create lifestyles at all stages of the process, from design to construction and beyond. It has set the benchmark for premium commercial and residential real estate in Chattogram. The RFCPL is the optimal choice for customers’ real estate demands in the port city. Each of our projects includes rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting systems. Apart from that, the building is made only after leaving enough space as per the setback to maintain the complete system of light and air,” he pointed out. RFCPL attaches great importance to environment friendly housing as the changing climate patterns. Building temperature is less than 2.0-3.0 degrees celsius than any other buildings in the country. He added, the company is crafting the art to uphold the vertical landscape in different projects, one of their specialities and attractions. Building temperature is less than 2.03.0 degrees Celsius than any other buildings in the country, thanks to use of green materials in line with their green policy, he pointed out. Major Features of Rancon Projects Green materials and equipment, renewable energy, energy-efficient technology, automation, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, and curbing the waste of building materials are the key features of Rancon’s projects. Every unit has natural light and ventilation. A green entrance and water fountain have been set up. Many buildings have special fire hydrant facilities. In the case of any fire incident, there are two types of systems: detection and prevention. Apart from home automation systems, there is a video intercom system and 24-hour security. Wi-Fi facilities are also there in many compounds. Several elevators, as well as generators, are available. Inspace, another concern of Rancon, is designing all of the projects. Wahidur Rahman, Inspace CEO, and principal architect, told Ceramic Bangladesh that international standard design, modernity, and aesthetics have been combined in all of their building projects.Additional facilities are available for exclusive projects. Facilities include, multiple basements and open ground floors with parking, reception, waiting area, gym, prayer space, community space, driver’s lounge, and laundry. An adequate green system has been built, Mr. Rahman pointed out. Eco-friendly Projects Chattogram city has been facing various problems in recent decades, such as a lack of green space, recreational facilities, and disasters. So, the RFCPL is running a total of 23 projects related to commercial and residential schemes with its green goal. White Oak White Oak, handed over recently as a green project, boasts an exquisite oak theme and is the first of its kind in Chattogram. The rainforest welcomes a visitor at the entrance. Three different lounges were purposefully made to engage the community, while space for a gymnasium and a mindfulness zone reduce stress and have a positive impact on the mental health of the dwellers. This white structure, standing sublimely in the tranquil Mehedibagh Residential Area, has not only transformed the surrounding area but has also revolutionised the lifestyle of its inhabitants. The RFCPL’s main objective of “Creating Lifestyles” has been achieved through this holistic approach. Park Terrace Park Terrace is another project that the RFCPL has recently handed over to its sophisticated clients. It was designed to foster a sense of calm and well-being with thoughtful features that promote relaxation, focus, and connection. From the serene vertical garden and meditation place to the lush rooftop terrace spaces, they are carefully crafted to enhance
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Mahasthangarh the Cultural Capital of SAARC
At times when we get tired of the city’s dust, chaotic traffic, and hectic jobs; we might want to step outside its orbit and get some fresh air with a touch of greeneries and nature or want to get closer to history and tradition. Bangladesh, despite being densely populated country with compact horizon, still stands proud on the global map with its rich heritage and significant tourist attractions. Mahasthangarh, the earliest urban archaeological sites and the oldest-known city, is one such must-visit tourist spot for both the historians and the travelholic people. Before the birth of Jesus Christ, i.e. about 2500 years BC, the civilized town was established here. Archaeological evidence has been found. It is located in Shibganj upazila of Bogura district, lying on the western bank of Korotoa river, about 13 kilometres north of Bogura city on the Dhaka-Dinajpur highway. Once Mahasthangarh was the capital of Bengal. It was declared the Cultural Capital of SAARC in 2016. An interesting fact about Mahasthangarh is that it is also a flood-free physiographic unit because of the elevation of 15-25 meters above the surrounding lowlands, which makes it an even exquisite historical tourist spot. It is believed to be the main reason for urban development here as it is one of the highest regions in Bangladesh. The land here is 36 meters (118 ft) above the sea level, while Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is only 6 meters (20 ft) above sea level. Another reason for choosing this place is the location and shape of Korotoa river. The river in the 13th century was three times wider than the present Ganga. Mahasthangarh is located in the red soil of Varendra region which is slightly higher than the alluvial region. Areas above 15-20 meters are considered flood-free geological zones. Mahasthangarh the most significant Buddhist archaeological site, was a thriving administrative, religious, and cultural centre from the Mutual Empire era to the Sen Dynasty era. Initially, the location was known as Paundravardhanapura or Pundranagara, both of which are references to the Pundra Kingdom from Indian epic literature, which was claimed to rule over a region of India, now known as Bihar. A broken limestone slab from the 3rd century BC that bears six lines in ‘Brahmi’ script has been found there with the name ‘Pundranagar’ inscribed on it. The walled city has archaeological monuments from different periods. For several centuries this place was the provincial capital of Maurya, Gupta, Paal, Sen rulers and later the capital of Hindu feudal kings. Numerous Hindu kings and kings of other religions ruled from the third century BC to the fifteenth century AD. Hazrat Shah Sultan Mahmud Balkhi (RA) and his disciples came to spread Islam in this area. There is an amazing legend about the preacher Shah Sultan Balkhi. It is said that he crossed the Korotoa river on the back of a huge fish-shaped boat while entering Mahasthangarh i.e.ancient Pundranagar. The famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited Pundranagar between 639 and 645 AD. In his travelogue he describes the nature and lifestyle of the time. Being famous for Buddhist education, monks from China and Tibet used to come to Mahasthangarh to study. Then they went out to different countries in South and East Asia. There they spread the teachings of Buddhism. The topography of the place offers a fascinating cubicle-like view. The entire area is surrounded by a fortification wall. The rampart of the city, built with burnt bricks, belongs to six building periods, among which the earliest belonged to the Maurya period. Various mounds and monasteries (bihar) are scattered throughout the vast area outside the fortification wall including Bairagir Bhita, Govinda Bhita, Khodar Pathar (stone of Allah) mound, Mankalir Kunda mound, Jiyut Kunda (Well of Life), Godaibari Dhap, Noropotir Dhap, Gokul Medh (Lokhindorer Bashor Ghar), and Bhasu Bihar. One of the highlights of Mahasthangarh is Govinda Bhita, where remnants of two Buddhist temples can be visited. Opposite Govinda Bhita, near the north side of the citadel, one can find the Mahasthan Archaeological Museum. The museum, though small, has a well-maintained collection of pieces recovered from the site including the statues of Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses, terracotta plaques, fragments of ceramics, well-preserved bronze images found in nearby monastery ruins that date back to the pre-Paal period. Gokul Medh Buddhist monastery, located about two kilometers south-west of Mahasthangarh, belongs to the most impressive archaeological sites in this area. Behula Lakhindorer Basor Ghor Behula is the protagonist in the Manasa Mangal genre of Bengali medieval epics. A number of works belonging to this genre were written between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries. Though the religious purpose of these works is to eulogise the Hindu goddess Manasa, these works are more well known for depicting the love story of Behula and her husband Lakhindar.
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MIR CERAMIC Dominates The Quality Tiles Market
Mir Ceramic Limited (MCL) is one of the largest, prominent ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturers in Bangladesh. The most trusted tiles manufacturer was founded in 2001 and began commercial production in 2002 with the globally acclaimed Italian brand SACMI’s state-of-the-art machinery, widely acknowledged as the best ceramics manufacturing equipment provider in the world. Mir Ceramic is a proud member of Mir Group of Companies, one of the oldest and highly reputed conglomerates in Bangladesh. The Group began its journey in 1968 as Mir Akhter Hossain Limited (MAH), the iconic construction company in Bangladesh. The group has diversified into real estate, banking, telecommunications and ICT industries. Mir Ceramic produces a range of high-quality products such as porcelain tiles, ceramic wall tiles, granite floor tiles, homogenous stair tiles, and industrial tiles. One of their most popular products is the Mir polished tiles, which are renowned for their exceptional durability and smooth finishing. It has a production capacity of 90,000 square meters of tiles per month. Proudly promoting ‘Made in Bangladesh’ with a combined workforce of 2,000 local craftsmen and artisans for manufacturing. Mir Ceramic Ltd prides itself on its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. With a team of experienced professionals and the latest technology, they strive to deliver the best possible products to the customers. The company is constantly innovating and expanding its product line to meet the changing needs of the market. Skilled Manpower, Innovation, World-Class Machinery and Raw Materials are behind the Success As one of the leading ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturers, Mir Ceramic Ltd has established a strong reputation for excellence in the industry. Its products are highly sought after by builders, architects, and homeowners alike, who appreciate the quality, durability, and style that the company delivers. Mir secures the highest quality raw materials from across the world, including Spain, Italy, Malaysia and Thailand. MCL has assembled an expert production team, with decades of experience in the industry, to oversee manufacturing. As a result, Mir Ceramic produces tiles with the highest bending strength and lowest water absorption in Bangladesh. Consistently producing superior quality tiles for over so many years has helped establish Mir as a dominant player in the upscale tiles market in Bangladesh. Mir Ceramic’s vision is to create a world where those who won’t settle for anything but the best can proudly use tiles made right here in Bangladesh. MCL is committed to producing the strongest and longest lasting tiles in the country by continually adopting the latest manufacturing technology and sourcing the very best raw materials from around the globe. MCL takes a customer centric approach to product development, by continually engaging customers and technology partners to develop products that meet the evolving needs of the discerning clients. MCL aims to achieve growth while continuing to be environmentally responsible. To achieve this, the company continually leverage the latest technologies to increase the efficiency of manufacturing and energy generation processes and captures and reuses energy, waste raw materials and water. Manifold regulations are key hurdle for local and foreign investors “Once the use of ceramic products in Bangladesh was comparatively low. This was due to low purchasing power of people and high cost of ceramics products at the time. Earlier, the country was heavily dependent on imports spending huge amounts of foreign currency. This inspired the Group to enter the tiles manufacturing business in 2001. By producing tiles locally, we saw an opportunity to not just to reduce import dependency but also value add and create well-paying jobs,” Ruslan Nasir, Deputy Managing Director of Mir Ceramic Limited (MCL), told the Ceramic Bangladesh magazine. He said, once upon a time, there were only a handful of companies producing tiles in Bangladesh. Most tiles produced locally were unable to meet international standards. Mir Group established MCL with a clear objective: to make the strongest and longest lasting tiles in Bangladesh. Since its inception, Mir Ceramic has utilised Italian manufacturing equipment. MCL secures only the highest quality raw materials. Ruslan Nasir said, “Mir has played a pioneering role in the manufacture of quality tiles by being the first local company to utilise European machinery. From day one, we were very serious about the quality of our products. This helped establish Mir as one of the largest and most trusted tiles manufacturers in Bangladesh. Till date, Mir Ceramic is the only ceramics company to be awarded the prestigious President’s Industrial Development Award.” “However, the company faced many challenges in the early days. One of the greatest challenges was the lack of skilled manpower at that time. Mir invested heavily in skill development, through a combination of hiring workers with international experience and hiring foreign trainers to develop local talent. Skilled manpower development, combined with world-class machinery and raw materials, helped Mir Ceramic bring tiles of international quality to the Bangladesh market.” In the last 10 years, the ceramics sector in Bangladesh has experienced phenomenal growth. Today, locally made high-quality ceramic products are more readily available in the country. Recent studies reveal that local capacity is now capable of fully meeting the demand and accounts for over 80% of local consumption. Local manufacturers are benefiting from economies of scale thus driving down prices. This has made locally made ceramics products affordable to a larger segment of the population. As a result, the ceramic sector in Bangladesh has grown 200% in the last decade, creating 60,000 jobs directly in the process and 5,00,000 indirectly. Founder of Mir Ceramic Ltd. and Managing Director, Mir Nasir Hossain is a leading business figure of Bangladesh. He has served as President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), the apex trade organisation. He established Mir Ceramic with a clear objective of producing the strongest and longest lasting tiles in Bangladesh. As Managing Director of Mir Telecom Ltd., Mir Nasir Hossain has received the National Export Trophy (Gold) from the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on multiple occasions. However, the industry has faced significant challenges in recent times which could threaten
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Chuti Resort An Escape from Chaos
‘Chuti’ is a famous juvenile poem by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Bengali ‘Chuti’ means vacation, rest. Take a break from busy work. Some time to laugh, play and enjoy. The Chuti Resort was built from that spirit. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature, Chuti Resort can be your perfect destination. Nestled beside shimmering Lakes, Chuti Resort provides an idyllic backdrop for a rejuvenating getaway. It is dedicated to offering a top-tier eco-friendly lifestyle experience in Bangladesh. Situated near Bhawal Rajbari, 18 kilometers from Dhaka Airport, this resort is in Sukundi village on the eastern side of the Gazipur, a meagre three-kilometre from the renowned heritage site Bhawal Rajbari and Bhawal National Park. Conveniently accessible by road, it takes approximately 1 .5 hours to reach the main destination from Dhaka. Spanning 17 acres of lush greenery, Chuti Resort is committed to highlighting Bangladesh’s rich natural and cultural heritage, promising guests unique and authentic experiences. As one embarks on a journey through this resort, s/he can explore the myriad features and amenities that make them truly exceptional, from serene Lake and inviting decks to whimsical treehouses, engaging Kids Zones, refreshing swimming pools, and luxurious suites. Breath taking views of surrounding lake water and wildlife in amazing natural beauty of land covered with dense green blanket of flora makes anyone feel like enjoying the country’s natural heritage. In this peaceful and tranquil environment, you can have the glimpse of wildlife, firefly processions at night and according to the rules of the resort, during moonlight no light is lit in outside. It is one of the best holiday destinations to enjoy the full moon and rain in the rainy season; also to breathe in the fresh air. Central Lake is the heart and soul of this resort, serving as a serene focal point that encourages relaxation and reflection. Chuti Resort is nestled at the center of a forested oasis and the lake creates an atmosphere of tranquility. Guests can enjoy the gentle symphony of croaking frogs and chirping crickets as they sip their morning coffee on the deck of their cabin or lounge peacefully beside the water’s edge. The lake also provides opportunities for a variety of activities, such as catch-and-release fishing, where guests can try their hand at landing a variety of aquatic species, adding an element of adventure to the serene landscape. Eco-Friendly Boutique Resort Chuti lodges facility that takes steps to reduce its carbon footprint while giving back to its local community. Some of the best ways that they practice to make the resort more eco-friendly and sustainable, maintain energy saving, limit water waste, have guests reuse linens, equip staff with eco-friendly cleaning staff, serve local and organic food. “Accommodation in nature resorts is thoughtfully designed to offer guests an immersive experience while ensuring maximum comfort.” Advocate Mostofa Mahmud Arifee, the chairman of Chuti Resort said adding, “Perched near lakes, these enchanting sanctuaries offer a one-of-a-kind connection with the natural world.” There are 50 rooms with several types of accommodation facilities such as Cottages, Royal suites, Villas with luxurious bathrooms, and private decks with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Falling asleep to the rustling leaves and waking up to the melodic songs of birds is an unforgettable experience. Families with children are warmly welcomed at nature resorts, where they have dedicated Kids Zones designed to engage and entertain the youngest guests. These imaginative spaces are created to introduce children to the wonders of the outdoors in a fun and educational manner. Playgrounds, nature-themed activities, and hands-on programmes encourage kids to explore, learn, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. There is a treehouse making a favourite space for kids to play and spend time. It’s in these Kids Zones that young adventurers can discover the thrill of discovery and the joy of connecting with nature. Chuti Resort’s allure is further enhanced by the inviting swimming pool. This refreshing facility provides guests with a cool respite on a sunny day, inviting them to relax and rejuvenate amidst the beauty of the natural surroundings. After a day of basking in the tranquility of the outdoors, a dip in the pool is the perfect way to unwind and savour the memories created throughout the day, adding an extra layer of luxury to the experience. Advocate Mostofa Mahmud Arifee Chairman, Chuti Resort When it comes to dining, Chuti Resort offers farm-to-table experiences that celebrate the flavours of the region. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are transformed into delectable dishes that are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the palate. Guests can indulge in culinary delights while dining al fresco on outdoor decks, where the soft babbling of the nearby pond and the gentle rustling of leaves create a harmonious symphony of sensory delight. The experience is further elevated by the opportunity to dine under the stars, adding a touch of enchantment to every meal “In Chuti resort we provide Pleasant for couples and families, corporate meetings and workshops, Cottages, and suites to accommodate Modern restaurants serving delicious foods and Authentic recreation in a village environment,” Advocate Mostofa Mahmud Arifee mentioned. Chuti Resort is a magical sanctuary where guests can disconnect from the pressures of the modern world and rediscover their profound connection with the natural world. Whether one is basking in the serenity of a picturesque pond, finding enchantment in a luxurious treehouse suite, watching children explore the imaginative Kids Zone, taking a refreshing plunge in the inviting swimming pool, or savouring farm-to-table dining on a scenic deck, this resort offers a tapestry of experiences that pay homage to the beauty of nature. Chuti Resort serves as a reminder that in our busy lives, the wonders of the natural world are always ready to embrace us, providing solace, adventure, and a deep sense of wonder that leaves an indelible mark on our souls.
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AKIJ CERAMICS BRINGING PERFECTION
Ceramic Expo Bangladesh, 2022 was a magnificent event for the Ceramic Industry with participation of all the key players in the ceramic market. It was an event for business interaction and social gathering of the ceramic industry that brought all the ceramic manufacturers, foreign raw material suppliers, importers, buyers, dealers, architects and common visitors under a single roof to enjoy a world class exhibition experience and see state-of-art ceramics. It was a 3-day-long celebration of the exhibitors and visitors to explore the ceramics world. With the tagline ‘Promise of Perfection’, Akij Ceramics Ltd. patronised the 3rd Ceramic Expo as the Principal Sponsor. The company had sponsored the event for the 3rd time in a row which was a grand event of the ceramics world in Bangladesh. The largest ceramic brand of the country showcased its tiles, tableware and sanitaryware in the event. Under the name of Akij Ceramics the company displayed its tiles under Akij Ceramics & AURA, tableware under Akij Tableware and sanitaryware products under the brand of ROSA in their pavilion at Hall 4 of Novoratri at ICCB. They showcased all the new innovation and products to attract their customers and make them aware of their product range. It was a great opportunity for the organisation to showcase all of their brands under a single platform and interact with their business partners, suppliers, dealers and fellow companies under the same industry. With the gracious presence of 23,000+ visitors the event has positively impacted on the business. In the event of Ceramic Expo, the prime goal of Akij Ceramics was to bring the new products of all the tiles, tableware and sanitaryware segments. The company is looking forward to reducing import of ceramic products by boosting economic growth and development of the industry. The iconic business leader of AkijBashir Group, Mr. Sk Bashir Uddin along with the brand managers and company representatives were present at the event. The Pavilion was the biggest of all and they had decorated it with their products to present to the target customers and created their own unique impression among the crowd. All the visitors were mesmerised with their product collection and variety and also interacted with the company people present there. Mr. Mohammed Khourshed Alam, Director Operations of AkijBashir Group, expressed enthusiasm about ceramic expo in an interview and their expectation from the overall event was to show their brand strength and collect feedback from the customers. To connect with the visitors more actively, Akij Ceramics provided special offers on spot orders in the expo, instant gift packs and also provided gifts for the social media contest winners. At the event famous celebrity actress Bidya Sinha Saha Mim graced the event with her presence on the second day of the expo. The visitors had enjoyed the meet and greet session with Bidya Sinha Saha Mim and she enjoyed her visit to the pavilion and explored products of Akij Ceramics to explore uniqueness of the brands to promote the best products of the company. In the Ceramic Expo Bangladesh, 2022 under the category of best pavilion, Akij Ceramics Ltd. was awarded with second prize on the Exhibitors Night in the Jury Board Choice Award. The award was presented based on well scale, openness, visitor friendliness, product display etc. Akij Ceramics always believes in perfection that comes with the impression of revival, renewal and diverse innovations in their product design, quality, elegance and uniqueness. It was a great experience for them to become the principal sponsor at the event and explore new business opportunities along with world class experience of displaying ceramic tiles, tableware and sanitaryware to the visitors of home and abroad. AkijBashir Group thanked BCMEA, organiser of the event for such an impressive arrangement of the event and expects to have even better event arrangement in upcoming years. Written by Preety Dey
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How bKash Empowers People Thru Financial Inclusion
bKash, a mobile financial services (MFS) provider in Bangladesh, is operating as a subsidiary of BRAC Bank Limited, under the authority of Bangladesh Bank. bKash has been providing fast, secure and convenient services via mobile phone to its more than 70 million verified customers for the past 12 years, authorities say. These customers transact more than Tk 20 billion every day. Only recently, people had to wait in long queues in the morning just to pay utility bills. And almost no financial services could be accessed from home comfortably. However, gone are those days, thanks to MFS providers like bKash. Now, millions of people no longer need to worry about paying bills or fees, doing savings, taking small loans or even receiving remittance from abroad – all these are now a matter of a few taps. MFS has evolved into a common platform for availing various financial services. As a result, the hassles people used to face earlier while seeking financial services are now considered a thing of the past. Financial services have reached the fingertips of people from all strata, making life easier. The dependence on digital transactions thereby increased manifold. It’s not just a means of sending money or paying bills anymore. It has become a complete financial service platform with a variety of financial products including merchant payment, savings, nano loan, remittance from abroad, bill payment and mobile recharge. It has become a part of lifestyle. bKash is now a member of every family in weal and woe. Though some other MFS providers have launched similar services, the term “bKash me” in the MFS arena is now the word of mouth that simply denotes money transfer. In its 12 years journey, according to the authorities, bKash has built the strongest network of 3,30,000 agents, commonly called as “Human ATMs” to take mobile financial services to the doorsteps of people in every corner of the country. These agents have not only succeeded in serving customers, but also been able to improve the living standard of their own families. Other MFS operators who came later, took leverage of this distribution channel established by bKash to reach customers. Bangladesh Bank, the regulator of this industry, has had proper guidance and policy support to help MFS flourish and become customers’ trusted partner for daily transactions. Besides, bKash’s service quality, continuous investment and innovation played pivotal role in garnering the trust of custromers. Of its 70 million user base, more than 45 per cent customers are female. Customers can avail its services such as cash deposit, cash withdrawal, money transfer, top-up, remittance, mobile recharge, payment and bill pay by dialing *247# and using Bkash app. To open an account a customer has to fill the prescribed customer registration form (KYC) with complete details. If the money goes to the wrong number it should be reported to 16247 immediately. bKash started operating as an MFS provider under the license of Bangladesh Bank on 21 July 2011 to cater financial services through mobile phones. Catering to people’s daily transactional needs with secured and time-saving solutions, bKash is empowering them to fulfil their dreams as well as taking the country forward During this time, bKash has brought the unbanked and underserved population into financial inclusion. Be it from a remote village or a small village market or a trading centre, a large number of customers has been connected to the formal financial channels through bKash. Currently, a total of 44 commercial banks are connected to the largest bank integration network of bKash. Thanks to seamless money transfer between bKash and banks, customers’ experience has radically changed, the authorities told the Ceramic Bangladesh. Earlier, going to a shop was the only way of recharging mobile phone numbers. In the span of an era, topping up all operators’ mobile numbers through bKash has become the most preferred way for millions of people in Bangladesh. A mountain of hassles for paying just a small amount of utility bill was a common place before. Now bKash has made all kinds of utility bill payment for electricity, gas and water easier for the common people. Besides, fee payment of many government services has become a matter of a few taps, they said. Since 2017, bKash has successfully disbursed allowances and stipends to around 10 million beneficiaries of many government initiatives and safety net programmes including primary education stipend, the Prime Minister’s Covid-time financial assistance, farmers’ incentive allowance under the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, maternity allowance, the Ministry of Disaster Management and also the salary, allowances and incentives of workers of the export-oriented industries. Bangladeshi expatriates from around 90 countries can send remittances through 80 international money transfer organisations via settlement in 17 local commercial banks. In 2022, nearly Tk 40 billion worth of remittance came to Bangladesh through bKash. Savings through bKash has also become very popular among the people. So far, around 1 .1 million customers have availed the savings schemes through bKash app. The hassles to save small amount of money is now gone due to such service. Not only ‘Savings’, digital nano loan can also be availed through bKash app. bKash, in association with The City Bank, introduced the country’s first-ever Digital Nano Loan in 2021. With this innovation, eligible bKash users can avail a loan ranging from Tk 500 to Tk 20,000 through bKash app. In the meantime, digital loan of Tk 3 billion has been given for a period of 3 months. bKash services save times, relief hassles Proprietor of M/S Taqwa Ceramics at Hatirpool Mohammad Zahid Hossain said, “Many customers want to make payment now after purchasing ceramic products through bKash as it saves their time and reduce other hassles. At the same time, it saves us from risk of handling counterfeit notes.” The digital transaction in business and other payments is going up day by day. As a result, the demand of bKash services increased as well. Another trader, Imran Hossain, manager of Ammar Sanitary of Bangla Motor, said they
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Thai Emerald Dhaka A Myriad Of Browns And Blended Greens
It’s a cosy Thai restaurant that transports one into the cultures and feels of Thailand through its rustic approach and earthy colour palette. So, be prepared to feel the vibes of Thailand and enjoy the warm atmosphere with a great dining experience. Most people know Thai Emerald as a go-to place to enjoy good Thai cuisine. Since its inception in 2012, Thai Emerald has strived to bring the flavours of Thailand to Dhaka – from Uttara to Gulshan to Dhanmondi – through its design and food. It has progressed over the years. Architect Rafia said their goal was to reflect the food served and the geographical setting of the restaurant while making the design. During the design of this restaurant, she used furniture and earthy tones similar to what she did with other restaurants to connect the brand and have a sense of reconciliation with the other two restaurants in town. A few of the dining chairs and the reception table and cash counter with the lotus motifs were elements that she had replicated to harmonise it with its predecessors. The wooden blocks situated on the backdrop of the cash counter pay homage to the second branch of Thai Emerald situated in Gulshan. The space was designed with efforts to keep the restaurant spacious to better accommodate large groups of people that frequent the restaurant. This was further highlighted by creating soft visual partitions through perforated separators or more solid partitions that allow big groups to co-exist with individuals or small groups while dining simultaneously. The architect wanted the diners to have elements to explore while dining at the restaurant – large cluster of doors separating private rooms, mirrored backdrops, or lamps hanging from the walls. The diners would have unique visual characteristics to ponder. She envisioned that people should be able to properly enjoy their time there. Thus, her goal was to create a warm, inviting ambiance with a play of dimmed, hand-crafted lights and splashes of earthy tones to create a soothing, delightful atmosphere for the customers. A focal element for this particular restaurant would be the doors, enclosing the private rooms, designed to be a point of attraction. “The reflection of Thailand is brought in through elements; for example, the lotus motifs in the door handles are a direct reflection. If you see Thai design, you’ll notice the use of softer lines rather than harsh straight lines, which have been reflected in the use of curved lines in the door details with softer, rounded edges,” the architect explains. Designing the small doors and playing around with the depth and lines was an interesting element that she loved when working on the restaurant. The architect wanted the doors to intrigue onlookers instead of having a dead space with boring partitions. In keeping with modern, contemporary design, the perforated partitions are made of sleek frames and thin lines to have a stylish outlook. A lantern of ‘Beth and Chatai’ was carefully designed and crafted in the escalator zone near the entry to give passersby and incoming guests a taste of what unfolds inside. The lantern, which was a focal point, was an experimental design by the architect to challenge the bounds of what could be made with flowy waves instead of the traditional circular design. The architect also worked with multiple local artisans to create custom-designed hand-crafted lights and chandeliers made of local materials like cane, wood, bamboo, and beech. The service corridor is lined with basket-shaped hand-woven lamps that lead people into the restaurant. A mix and match of kerosene wood, gorjon wood, and plywood were used to form the wooden elements displayed in the restaurant. An essential portion of the design was focused on creating a curated colour palette of browns and greens with a touch of grey to avoid having any harsh colours and instead opt for a homogenous, complimentary, soothing colour palette. The earthy tones are further accentuated by using browns that have grey undertones so that the overall output looks well-groomed. Grey texture paint was used to highlight a wall; it includes a chamfered rectangular punch that allows a visual connection with the service corridor. “We decided, deliberately, not to use any blinds on the windows; I want the existing floor-to-ceiling windows to let in ample daylight during the day so that customers can enjoy the sun, and it also gives a spectacular view of the city during the night, “the architect said when asked about keeping the floor-to-ceiling glass windows open. She added that they have not yet had any problems regarding heat gain from the facade. A signature personal style that the architect incorporated into the design was variation in designs of the door knobs used extensively throughout the space. Starting from the door handles of the private rooms, they feature lotus halves, so when closed, they form a full lotus. The door handles were placed much lower than the standard height to create a varied look when all the doors are closed together. The door handles of the restaurant doors have linear wooden handles on glass doors, and the toilet door handles are curved inward to create a unique motif. The restaurant of Dhanmondi, too, has two entrances to cater to both lifts on opposite sides leading to the restaurant floor, a fact unique to this restaurant. The ceiling is left open to have a modern industrial feel and is painted grey to match the vibe of the restaurant, with only a thin red line of the sprinkler system showing up on the ceiling as a touch of colour in accordance with the building safety regulations. A large painting of an elephant is hung on one of the feature walls as an homage to not only the heritage of the restaurant but also to tie bits of Thai cultural elements into the atmosphere. As you enjoy dinner with a loved one in this bustling restaurant, it is possible to have an immersive Thai food experience with plenty of laughs and
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One Journey, Three Companies CEO in 18 Years
A nonhereditary succession of a man who dedicated his career to ceramics, an insider’s view on this patron’s journey, and some heart-rending moments taken as life lessons. From being a brand development executive at Shinepukur Ceramics to becoming CEO of Artisan Ceramics Ltd., M. Mamunur Rashid has walked down almost every road and tackled countless challenges, making him the ceramic leader he is today. To treasure these experiences in our gallery, Ceramic Bangladesh recently had the opportunity to sit with him. “Culturally we’ve all had ceramics and earthenware infused into our lives from childhood,” said Mr. Rashid, whose story is similar- his father Mr. Mohammad Ali at Habib Bank in Pakistan when Mr. Rashid was introduced to beautiful Japanese tableware. “I still remember my father’s collections. The ceramic body was crackled and the flowers on them looked like mosaics. We played with those, and even broke a few,” he said. His family returned to Bangladesh a week before the liberation war started and his father joined Janata Bank. Upon completion of M.Sc from Dhaka University, Mr. Rashid joined Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd, a BEXIMCO Group concern, and started his ceramic journey. Looking back Mr. Rashid toiled seven and a half years with Shinepukur, and the same amount of time with FARR Ceramics. He is now the CEO at Artisan for five years. Here is his ceramic journey in brief: While a novice Mr. Rashid started his career at Marketing section of Shinepukur Ceramics in 1999. Under the mentorship of Mr. Mahmudur Rahman, he contributed to establishing the International Ceramics Tableware Brand “DOEL” in the Indian market. He also worked closely with company Vice Chairman Mr. Salman F. Rahman. “I was a senior executive, but I was selected to work with him directly,” he said. The first job taught Mr. Rashid a lot about marketing and brand development. 7years with Tableware Mr. Rashid joined another ceramic tableware company, FARR Ceramics, during its inception in 2007. It then was introducing the newest technology. However, Mr. Rashid realized that his colleagues had the impression that FARR’s technology would fail. People apprehended that Open Firing was risky! The firing system was much faster, and about 30% fuel efficient – a factor which reduces cost of production. FARR’s technology still succeeded, and the Germans had to come in with similar technology and result-driven evidence to convince other companies to adopt it. Mr. Rashid recalled, “MD of FARR (late) Mr. Iftekhar Uddin Farhad always knew how to pick the right person consider the man my idol because of how well he understood people.” An export miracle Mr. Rashid was put under a lot of pressure on the second or third day of joining FARR Ceramics. Mr. Farhad asked him for a new export client in a week. He took up the challenge. He knew he had to reach out to the most approachable international connection he could find, a company that trusted him, and henceforth, would be easier to sell to. He invited some clients from Delhi on a subsidized trip to Bangladesh. They were convinced seeing the products quality and the technology, and ordered a size of two containers. All this happened within 28 days of Mr. Rashid’s joining. “Mr. Farhad told me, ‘You saved me! I invested a lot of capital in machineries,” Mr. Rashid said. Sky is the limit An adventurous soul, Mr. Rashid was looking for a more suitable place to unleash his full potential. His colleague from BEXIMCO, the CEO of Artisan Ceramics a concern of Finlays by this time, brought him in as a general manager in 2016. Realizing that the product designs needed to change for the international market, he worked with the R&D team, innovated, and redesigned Artisans products in keeping with global trends. The company came in second for the National Export Trophy in FY2018, winning the trophy 4 times in the following years consecutively. This was possible due to unconditional support and highest level of cooperation extended by the honorable Board of Directors and iconic business personals of Finlays. Artisan ceramics has seen 3.0 times expansion. It has a capacity of producing seven tonnes of 100% pure porcelain tableware, and is selling to clients in most of the continent like: Europe, Asia, USA, and some North & South American countries. Mr. Rashid believes secrets to Artisan’s success are the superiors who never intervened, quality, and customer relationship. “I cherish relationships and always put effort into them and it has paid off so far,” Mr. Rashid added. Deep diving into Mr. Rashid’s business philosophy: 1. Mr. Rashid sells trust and assurance, both of which he highly values. 2. To retain customers and get referred, there should be after sales service. 3. A company needs to adapt with the ever-evolving trends. Senior employees in the industry sometimes have a hard time changing their old ways- they need training and habituation. 4. You have to unlearn certain ways and be open to relearning, that’s adaptation. 5. “We have exceptional manpower; we need to train them. Our international rivals cannot compare manpower with us because our manpower is available and competitive.” A quick-fire round: When asked ‘what is the biggest hurdle you’ve faced in your life?’, Mr. Rashid said changing his Job was the biggest hurdle. To gain his expertise in marketing and production, he spent a lot of time in the factories learning every bit of the trade. “A marketing guy should be able to look at a product and know it’s worth,” he said. “S/he should be able to derive what s/he want from simple instructive annotations.” With hobbies to collect stamps, reading and travelling, his passion now is ceramics and dream that this sector will grow boundlessly. “If the government supports more, they can do even better for the country,” he added. He likes vocalist James and is close to Azam Khan’s circle. Ayub Bacchu is also a personal favourite. He reads stories of CEOs and enjoys reading people’s experiences. End of quick fire Ceramics goes through
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Is Bangladesh’s Economy at its Peril
Import dependency in energy sector increasing foreign exchange crisis One persistent issue that continues to affect the Bangladesh’s economic landscape is inflation. Inflation, the rising cost of goods and services over time, poses a significant challenge to both low-income households and industries alike. Recent data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) paints a grim picture: Food inflation has rocketed to 12.54 per cent, its highest in 11 years, pushing countless households into financial uncertainty. Concurrently, Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have plummeted $1.62 billion within 20 days, a staggering decline from $23.06 billion foreign exchange reserves recorded at the end of August. Fueled by a decline in remittances, stagnant exports and increased import pressures, these economic tremors have created certain economic uncertainties. Understanding Inflation Before examining the effects of inflation, it’s crucial to understand the factors driving it. In Bangladesh, inflation is now driven by cost-push factors such as increased producer spending and rising electricity and gas prices, particularly fuel oil, transport and also corruption cost with volatile exchange rates and dollar crisis. In recent years, Bangladesh has experienced an upward trend in inflation rates, affecting the lives of millions. Disproportionate Impact on Low, Fixed-Income Groups Almost all people of limited income and lower middle class, middle-class families are bearing the brunt of the pinching inflation as their earnings often fail to keep pace with rising prices. These households find it increasingly challenging to afford basic necessities. The burden of inflation extends to housing, education, healthcare, and transport. High inflation has been prevailing in the country for a long time. However, the situation has worsened in recent times, as shows government statistics. Another major problem with the inflation is worker unrest. This in turn increases the pressure on the wages of the workers and consequently increases the cost of production. Which increases the price of the product and ultimately reduces the demand. Surging Food Inflation 11-Year High The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics issued an inflation update on September 11, revealing that food inflation had surpassed 12.5 per cent. The BBS data indicated that food inflation reached 12.54 per cent in August. The last time food price inflation had risen to such height was in January 2012 when it reached 12.73 per cent. Notably, food inflation entered double digits for the first time in a decade in August of the previous year, according to BBS and Bangladesh Bank data. In BBS’ calculations, headline inflation climbed to 9.92 per cent in August, marking a shift from two consecutive months of decline. This places the inflation rate on the brink of touching 10 per cent. In July, the food inflation stood at 9.76 per cent but surged to 12.54 per cent in August. Non-food sector inflation in August was recorded at 9.92 per cent in the month. Is Bangladesh’s Foreign Currency Reserve in Jeopardy? Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves continue to face pressure, due primarily to the central bank’s dollar sales to cover essential imports. A decline in remittances has further strained the Bangladesh Bank’s reserves, which dropped $1.62 billion within the last 20 days, as reported on September 21. This decline is notable considering the reserves were over $23.06 billion as of August 31, now decreased to $21.45 billion. During this period, a significant payment of $1.31 billion to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for July-August imports played a role in diminishing the reserves. Additionally, a 13 per cent decrease in remittances over July-August, along with the necessity of providing dollars to commercial banks for loan settlements and import bills, has impacted the reserves. The central bank regularly sells dollars to various commercial banks to meet diverse expenses, particularly import costs. Moreover, a part of the foreign currency earned from exports and remittances directly contributes to the reserves. Foreign loans also directly bolster the reserves. However, the recent drop of $1.62 billion in foreign currency reserves can be attributed to these combined factors. How ceramic sector affected by higher inflation? The ceramic sector is grappling with significant challenges due to rising inflation and fluctuations in the exchange rate. Being an actively involved participant in international trade, Bangladesh’s economy is intricately linked with exchange rates, influencing economic activities and inflation by altering the prices of domestically produced goods and services. In the ceramics industry, a substantial portion of raw materials required for production is imported, necessitating heavy reliance on foreign currency. The Bangladeshi Taka has depreciated by 30 per cent against the US dollar since the last quarter of 2021, escalating material costs for the ceramics industry and directly impacting operational expenses. Furthermore, Bangladesh faces a local annual inflation rate more than 10 per cent, compounding challenges for the ceramics business. Increasing costs of imported raw materials, combined with domestic inflation, higher electricity and fuel price, transportation costs, high interest and exchange rate, pose significant hurdles to the sector’s profitability and sustainability. Additional pressures come from a recent 126 per cent increase in gas prices and gas rationing. But it has not been possible to adjust the price of the finished product accordingly. Various disruptions, including raw material price rise, global recession risks, shortages in raw materials and logistics capacities, global labour scarcity, and energy shortages, have disrupted the entire supply chain. Consequently, ceramic industry production has been severely affected. Md. Mamunur Rashid FCMA Senior Vice President, BCMEA Additional Managing Director X-Index Companies In the light of these challenges, Md. Mamunur Rashid, Senior Vice President of BCMEA and Additional Managing Director of X-Index Companies, suggests that the government should encourage foreign direct investments in the industry in economic zones. He recommends continuing tax holidays for a minimum of five years to support the sector. Additionally, he advocates measures against unfair trade practices such as under-invoicing of imported tiles to safeguard the interests of entrepreneurs in the ceramic industry. Mr Mamun emphasises the need for research and development efforts to economise on energy costs and calls for appropriate and adequate training programmes to develop a skilled labour pool in the sector. These
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Memory Eternal In Remembrance of their sacrifice
Military convoys were heard marching through the Dhaka University campus roads at night on 25 March 1971. Three heavily weaponised regiments – the 18th and the 32nd Punjab, and the 22nd Frontier Force– entered through the north, the south, and the east. A massacre was unfolding! The ground pads of their tanks grinded with the asphalt as they entered, rifles cocking and loading. The attack was directed towards the intellectuals and the nationalists. Operation Searchlight, as it was infamously known to be, targeted the Dhaka University that night. The whole night swept across like a blood-stained hurricane, dark and gore. Intellects and teachers such as Professor Anwar Pasha, Professor Gobindo Chandra Dev, and Professor Jyotirmoy Ghuha Thakurta were, among others, lost. At around 12’o clock, Jahurul Haq Hall and Jagannath Hall were attacked with mortars and continuous firing, as many as 34 more were killed. The martyrs included the staffs of the university. On that dreadful night, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested. Next day, Major Ziaur Rahman proclaimed independence of Bangladesh from Chittagong on behalf of Bangabandhu. And on 10 April, a provisional government was formed in Baidyanathtala of Meherpur. Bangladesh fought back and eventually came out victorious. After massacres and a nationwide uprising, about 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the joint forces on 16 December 1971. The Memory Eternal The University of Dhaka was the heart of the rebellion that contributed to the birth of the nation-state. The students remember passingby, and almost every time, being driven by compassion to lay their inquisitive eyes on the canopied patch of elevated platform that held the memorial. Names of the teachers, students, and staff of Dhaka University who were martyred on the 25 March, were memorialised in 1995 first, on what is known as The Memory Eternal. Located infront the Dhaka University Vice Chancellor’s Bungalow and at one end of Fuller Road, the Memory Eternal consists of rectangular concrete slabs and terracotta designs with poems and clay murals. As one closes in on the site from any direction, a raintree is noticed, branches of which mothers the entire area. The tree holds within itself, the memories of the fearful night, never forgotten. It has seen red and felt tremorson that night, and the very roots have absorbed from the soil, the blood of the martyrs. Under the tree stands the concrete slabs. A few steps up stairs, and you will come across the first poem that warms the heart-words of Tagore himself, speaking of the souls that are immortalised. Another slab carries the words of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and speaks of their sacrifice. The rebel poet calls upon everyone to remember them. The other slabs carried the names of 194 martyrs of Dhaka University on 25 March, on a black plaque written in white ink. On the back are terracotta murals, portraying the olden lives of the evergreen villages, the red and green flag under attack by the meager tyrants, and figurative chains binding the oppressed citizens of East Pakistan. The Memory Eternal or “Sriti Chirantan” was recognised as Dhaka University memorial initially, and in 2015, it was renamed as the “Memory Eternal.” The designers were Abdul Mohaimen and Mashiuddin Shaker. Around the Memory Eternal, there are mostly students, chatting and sipping on tea from a cup under the shade of the raintree. As the sun sets, the darkness is chased away by lights pointed at the memorial, and that is another site to be hold.
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SACMI’S Challenge ZERO-EMISSION CERAMIC KILNS
In the world of ceramics, the name of SACMI is known as the world leader in the supply of advanced technologies for Ceramics and Advanced Materials through continuous development in innovation. The company’s strong positioning on the world market, and its relentless thrive for ensuring high quality standards and customer service is praiseworthy. The Ceramic Industry is focusing on bringing innovative solutions and effective alternatives of traditional machineries through research. The company is focused on working for development of alternative fuels, digitisation and heat recovery aimed at zeroing or reducing consumption in other stages of the process. These are the three pillars of the modern approach to ceramic kiln design, which SACMI recently presented to the market with the first prototype of a 100 per cent hydrogen-fired kiln. The presentation was made during the ‘open week’ organised by SACMI, which took place at the same time as the CERSAIE trade fair. Over 400 international customers of 90 delegations from 35 countries visited the fair. “Making ceramic manufacturing more sustainable is the primary challenge that SACMI has been pursuing for years, implementing optimisations and innovations in all areas of the plant, from forming to firing,” explained SACMI President Paolo Mongardi. Firstly, the kiln accounts for a good 37 per cent of total factory emissions, 46 per cent if one considers all thermal processes (kiln and drier). “With the FMH Maestro, we developed the world’s first industrial kiln fired using up to 50 per cent hydrogen. Today we are taking a further step towards what will be a potentially zero-emission kiln.” The prototype is ready and will be tested to make actual products in the coming months. Meanwhile, the market is moving towards new machines with the full digital management of all parameters in order to optimise quality and consumption. The project The prototype kiln implemented by SACMI is capable of working with variable mixtures of methane and hydrogen – in any percentage – and up to 100 per cent pure hydrogen. The kiln will be ‘switched on’ over the next few weeks, to test its effect on actual products and to take on significant technological challenges, such as the fact that hydrogen has a different calorific value compared to methane and the corrections necessary for managing the firing curves and material feed. From this point of view, the digital control of parameters (e.g. oxygen content at every point in the process) is the prerequisite of this development and has already been implemented in the ‘Maestro’ range of kilns, starting from the FMD model, introduced by SACMI in 2022. The fuel The pure hydrogen production and storage station has already been inaugurated at the SACMI Forni and Filters site in Salvaterra di Casalgrande. The facility, one of the first of its kind in Italy, consists of an electrolyser where hydrogen is produced at a rate of 20 Nm‑ per hour. It is then compressed to increase the outlet pressure from 8/12 bar to approximately 200 bar. This is essential in order to make storage easier, since one of the ‘defects’ of hydrogen is that it is very voluminous (much more so than methane/LPG and up to seven times more voluminous for the same calorific value). The third and last station involves its storage in cylinders, which for the prototype that will be tested in the Lab, “is equivalent to an operating autonomy of 2.5 days” – underlines Daniele Baldini, product manager at Kilns and Driers BU Tiles, SACMI – “sufficient for carrying out full testing on the products”. The advantages Currently, SACMI’s best-selling kiln globally is the modulated air-gas FMA model, which allows air and fuel mixtures to be optimised at every stage, optimising consumption and with great advantages in terms of product quality (especially for complex products, such as slabs), repeatability and consistency of the process. More and more customers are moving towards the latest FMD models (with digital firing parameter and recipe management) and FMH models (already designed for use with methane-hydrogen mixtures of up to 50 per cent). What are the real advantages of ‘full hydrogen’? You just have to consider that by adding 50 per cent clean hydrogen to the mixture, the total saving on CO2 emissions is as much as 23 per cent. This would increase to 55 per cent (more than double) if the mixture were 80 per cent H2 + 20 per cent methane. “What remains constant is the amount of energy required for the process,” notes Baldini, adding, “while to obtain the same amount of energy, a larger volume of hydrogen is required as its calorific value is lower than that of methane (2560 kcal/m3 compared to 8600 kcal); Hence more than proportional savings in emissions to the increase in the amount of hydrogen in the mixture”. This is why it makes sense to increase the hydrogen in the mixture and to get ready for the evolution of the infrastructure, which in all probability will lead to hydrogen-methane ‘blends’ being supplied in increasing but variable amounts. “From this point of view, the way forward already appears to have been decided,” says Claudio Ricci, Tiles R&D Coordinator, BU Tiles, SACMI. “So technology suppliers around the world are getting ready for this development, without forgetting the two conditions which make this scenario viable and truly beneficial to the environment.” First, hydrogen has to be obtained from renewable sources (or rather the electricity needed for the electrolysis process has to be). Secondly, in order for it to be actually applied on an industrial level, the problem of storage has to be overcome (the laboratory prototype is one thing; in a ‘real’ kiln the system would have to be powered directly from the supply network). The 100 per cent H2 kiln is the main but not the only development at SACMI. “By 2024 we will also present a new prototype for an all-electric kiln, exploring all the opportunities in this area as well, with the aim of being ready for the evolution of the infrastructure and
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Made More Spacious with Sheltech 1m x 1m Tiles
Sheltech has entered the ceramics market recently with their premium wall and floor tiles. The ceramic newcomer has been performing outstandingly in the industry with various tiles segments of different shapes and sizes, and designs. Sheltech, a 35-year-old group of industries, initially deep-rooted itself in the real estate industry. Sheltech Ceramics Limited recently launched a venture of Sheltech group, initiated in February 2019. The factory has been set up in Bhola, spread on 57 acres of land. Sheltech Ceramics has added production lines and increased production capacity to 420,000 square feet of tiles daily. This recent investment will potentially turn the company into one of the largest manufacturers in the tiles segment. In May 2022, S heltech introduced the largest tiles manufactured in Bangladesh; in other words, it has the first ever locally made 1 meter x 1 meter tiles. Among the three plants that Sheltech Ceramics has in its factory, the third plant was added to manufacture larger sized tiles, premium in quality. The size of such product makes any surface look more spacious, as fewer and thinner grout lines tend to create that impression. The room also feels streamlined when the floors are covered with larger than usual-sized tiles. The 1m × 1m tiles have a thickness of 12 mm and is made with eco-friendly materials resistant to thermal shock. Made to be strong and durable, this series of prime tiles is shiny and attractive, and helps bounce light around. Additionally, it is easy to clean and maintain. There are imported tiles that are similar to Sheltech Ceramics’ 1m × 1m, but they are imported as per necessity and costs a fortune. Sheltech Ceramics Ltd intends to shift the demand from imported tiles to domestically made ones, and manufacture a quality product within the price range of usual customers-henceforth started the manufacturing of the 1m × 1m tiles. An experiment conducted, and the research paper authored, by Jack Nasar, a professor from Ohio State University, and Saleheh Bokharaei (faculty at Shahid Beheshti University, Iran), on Perceived Spaciousness: Altering the six variable factors (VF) that directly effect perceived spaciousness, we can alter how roomy an office room or a bed room looks. The most obvious VF, size, is directly proportional to spaciousness; bigger size means more space. Light is a crucial second, followed by window size. Texture and wall murals are the fourth and fifth, any and all furniture being the last of the six, yet not the least. If you played around with the six variables, you can create different ambiances. The 2016 experiment by Jack and Saleheh had participants rating spaciousness and preference after being exposed to a space via virtual reality. Written by Chisty Rahim
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RATARGUL Gowain’s Serene
Only a decade back, when considering a trip to Sylhet, most would think about visiting the lush green heavens of tea tree leaves at the wavy hills of century-old tea estates and the waterfalls. However, over the years, a freshwater swamp forest that flows through the arteries of Gowainghat, has cemented its place in the hearts of thousands of tourists who flocks there every season. It is the only swamp forest of sweet water in Bangladesh. The mighty Meghalaya pours into the Gowain, and a stream flows through the Chengi canal, flooding the entire region under 20-30 feet of water where serenely rests Ratargul with mysticism. Ratargul has an addictive aura. It is one of those spaces where one has to be physically present and let themselves be entirely engulfed by its charm to feel its truest essence. And Ratargul in monsoon, is impossible to encapsulate with words. Water lilies, both white and pink varieties, are a common sight, adding a soothing touch to the landscape. These floating plants not only enhance the beauty of the forest but also provide essential habitat and food for various aquatic creatures. One will also notice slender and tall cypress trees rise majestically from the water, creating a picturesque backdrop. There are numerous other kinds of tress, and once in a while you might be welcomed by monkeys hanging from them or birds singing back to the boatmen. These trees not only offer shelter to numerous bird species but also contribute to the overall biodiversity of the forest. Swamp Forest The moist and humid conditions of Ratargul support the growth of mosses and ferns too. They cover the rocks and tree trunks. Reaching Ratargul requires careful planning, as it is situated in a remote area. Here’s how to get there: By Air: The nearest major airport to Ratargul is Osmani International Airport in Sylhet. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ratargul. By Road: You can reach Ratargul by road from Sylhet city. The journey takes 1.5-2 hours, and you can hire a taxi or use public transportation. Local Transport: Once you reach the nearest village, Gowainghat, you’ll need to hire a local guide or a boat to navigate through the water channels that lead to Ratargul. The boat ride is an integral part of the Ratargul experience, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. While Ratargul itself is typically a day-trip destination, you can find accommodation in nearby areas for a comfortable stay during your visit. The beautiful Sylhet city offers a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and resorts. It’s a convenient base for exploring other attractions in the region as well. Furthermore, the nearest town to Ratargul is Gowainghat, where you can find guesthouses and lodges. There are eco-resorts for a unique and eco-friendly experience, consider staying in one of the eco-resorts that have been established near Ratargul. These accommodations are often designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, providing a rustic yet comfortable experience. While planning your visit, remember to adhere to responsible tourism practices to protect this fragile ecosystem for future generations. A visit to Ratargul promises to be an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature’s wonders. Ratargul invites you to be its guest, offering a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. We must respect the regulations in place, support local communities, and engage with local guides who can deepen our understanding of this unique ecosystem. By doing so, we not only enhance our own experience but also contribute to conservation efforts that ensure Ratargul remains a pristine sanctuary for generations to come. It’s more than just a tourist destination – a testament to the exquisite beauty and resilience of the natural world. It is a place where you can find solace, inspiration, and a profound connection to the environment. Let’s also ensure that Ratargul’s magic endures for all to experience and cherish.
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Events Of Ceramic Industry
Inauguration of “Selections” second outlet in Sylhet: Recently AkijBashir Group’s brands emporium “Selections” has opened a new showroom in Hadi Mansion, Pathantula, Sylhet. With the motto – “Select from the best”, the “Selections” brand was launched in October of last year in an aim to provide customers with a one-stop-ground for all of AkijBashir Group’s brand products under one roof with a vast array of ceramic tiles, boards, doors, sanitaryware, bathware and tableware. Inauguration of Flagship Showroom in Mymensing: RAK Ceramics inaugrated their Flagship Showroom in Kalibari Road, Mymensing. Get your desired RAK Tiles & Sanitarywares from the Showroom to decorate your space newly. Fresh Ceramics Organizes Dealer Tour in Thailand Meghna Ceramics Industries Ltd. (MCIL), a concern of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), has earned the trust of Bangladeshi customers within a short time since its start in 2021. As a continuation to that success, a special dealer tour titled ‘Cutting the Edge’ was organized at Pattaya & Bangkok in Thailand during September 27- October 01, 2023. New ‘Robusto’ Floor Tiles Make a Splash in the Domestic Tiles Market An international quality tiles brand ‘Robusto’ has been added to the local market. Manufactured by the reputable company X-Ceramics, the ‘Robusto’ brand has entered the floor tiles market with a strong commitment to quality. X-Ceramics embarked on the journey to produce ‘Robusto’ floor tiles after more than two years of meticulous research. These tiles are versatile, finding applications in homes, offices, shopping malls, and factories.
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ECO-FRIENDLY Roofing Tiles TAKE THE LEAD Industry challenges need to be addressed, say entrepreneurs
Time is NOW for eco-friendly clay-made roofing tiles and now is TIME for tile makers. They are the Bangladeshi makers of clay tiles who have gone global as their tiles have opened up the door of a huge export possibility, especially to Europe. The making of clay tiles is simple but it needs amazing artistry as well as artisanal skills. Fluffy mud is made by mixing soil and water. It then dries in the sun and is burned only to turn into clay gold. The artistic tiles with Bengal clay have revolutionised the style. However, clay artisans were once about to lose their hopes and dreams with their centuries of tradition. They then have turned the corner and things are looking up with the coming of the modern machine-driven industry. The clay artisans have turned around to weave a new web of hopes and dreams. Famed for its ‘Tiles Empire’ over the years, Satkhira has eco-friendly roofing tiles to its credit. Kolaroa Bazar in Kolaroa upazila, some 18 kilometres of district headquarters, is one of the prosperous trading points in Satkhira. Murarikathi village is located just 1.0 km away from the upazila headquarters along the border of the district. The artisans of Murarikati-Sripatipur have built an empire of various sorts of roofing tiles. The village, also called Kumarpara, has now got the moniker ‘Italy Town’ plausibly for exporting a massive volume of tiles to the European country. Tile factories used to produce 700-800 containers a year just a few years back. Some 300-400 container tiles were exported to Italy through Mongla seaport. The price of the product per container is average US$ 15000 Eco-friendly tiles Eco-friendly tiles There is a huge local market for roofing tiles if these hand-made tiles are given a more modern touch and the initiative is taken to use them as an artisanal tile in buildings and structures. During the British raj, cottages, offices or residences of the gentlemen used to have tiles at the peak that are still visible in the ancient architecture of Britain. Although a large number of potters have left Bangladesh, some in Kolaroa have kept the traditional tile industry alive in the frontier district. Until the mid-1960s, there were hardly any houses in the country that did not have a tile-made house or two. As it came cheap, roofing tiles became popular after rice and wheat straw-built structures. The structures were felt cool and comfortable during the summer. How Palparaenters European market The traditional tiles industry almost sank into atrophy when the potters associated with tile production left the country in the mid-60s. Satish Chandra Pal, a native of Palpara in Kolaroa, started crafting house canopy tiles in about 1952. From there, potters spread across the country. As Mr Satish Chandra died after independence, the pottery business simply collapsed. Due to their deep-rooted poverty, many artisans left their ancestral profession. With the passage of time, the potters have changed. They are now making tiles using clay. In 2003, local potters created a revolution by pouring clay into a wooden frame and drying it in the sun, making Bengali tiles in line with Italian design. Since then, Bengali tiles are being exported to Italy How are the legacy-bearers? Among those artisans is Gostho Chandra Paul, the president of Kolaroa Upazila Tali Malik Samity [Tiles Owners Association] and also proprietor of Kolaroa Clay Tiles. But he now struggles to survive as his long-cherished art is on the verge of extinction for a number of reasons. The 60-year-old Paul, who has a three-member family, is producing 1,000 units of tiles at his factory per diem. Each unit is currently being sold at Tk 8.0. He earns Tk 1.6-1.7 million per annum. Getting disgruntled and disappointed over the waning business situation, most owners and workers associated with this industry have already lost their jobs. Mr Paul observed that modernity has affected almost all sectors of the country. However, the tiles industry is yet to get the touch of modernity. Production costs have increased manifold, but the price of tiles has not increased. Mr Paul’s forefathers launched crafting eco-friendly roofing tiles in 1947. However, it all started for Mr Paul in 1986 when he set himself up in business with Tk 3,000 only. Ten workers were employed at his factory when he started crafting eco-friendly roofing tiles traditionally. His uncle told him to be self-reliant and build his own future through the long traditional business, which he acquired lineally. But at least 40 tile factories got shut down in the past six years due to their persistent business losses. Now, the number of factories there is about 12. Almost 6,000 workers become unemployed and only 600 are absorbed elsewhere. For generations, the Pal community in the locality has been contributing a lot to this thriving sector. Mr Paul is also committed to continuing their forefathers’ business at any. In 2003, this clay tile was first exported to Italy. Businessman Ruhul Amin exported the eco-friendly tiles there. Arno Export Import, Shuvo Trade Limited, FH Khan Limited, Maa Cottos Inc., Nikita International, Koto Innovator, JK International, Polo Epo Organic Tiles and D Chandra Paul have followed Mr Amin’s footsteps. They are exporting tiles to Italy, Dubai, France, the UK, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. Mr Chandra Paul, proprietor of Kolaroa Clay Tiles, said Mr Amin continued to look for suitable soil in different parts of the country for exporting tiles to Italy. Finally, Mr Amin found his desired soil in Murarikati area. He is the pioneer in exportable tile business. As the number of roofing tile factories increased in Kolaroa until 2019, the stock remained high at the time. Every year, 300-400 containers of tiles went to Italy. Such tiles are manufactured and sold for 6-7 months in a year. Usually, tile-making season starts from October and continues until the May-June period. Tiles cannot be crafted during the rainy season. Foreigners are using the tiles for floors and walls of their houses because of its eco-friendly nature.
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Reflections on FY24 budget
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has authored a Taka 7,61,785 crore budget for the new fiscal year (2023-2024) with the vision of building a developed ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041. The budget that was proposed in parliament in 1st June is 15.33 per cent higher than the revised budget of the outgoing financial year (Tk. 6,60,507 crore). “The budget Taka 7,61,785 is 15.2 per cent of the GDP (gross domestic product),” he said while reading out 248-page budget speech. He proposed allocation of a total of Tk 4,36,247 crore for operating expenditures and Tk 2,63,000 crore as the Annual Development Programme (ADP). The target of attaining GDP growth was fixed at 7.5 per cent and containing inflation at 6 per cent. The overall deficit in the budget would stand at Tk 2,61,785 crore, which is 5.2 per cent of GDP. Out of the total deficit, Tk 1,55,395 crore would be financed from domestic sources and Tk 1,02,490 crore from external sources. The finance minister set an estimated revenue earning target of Tk 5 lakh crore for the fiscal. “Out of this, Tk 4,30,000 crore would be collected through the National Board of Revenue and Tk 70,000 crore from other sources.” The Tax-GDP ratio is now only 7% and is proposed to be raised to 10% in the new budget. The finance minister wants to increase the percentage of direct tax to 45 per cent from 35 per cent. However, the budget practically depends more on indirect tax. The finance minister said that commission-based private collectors would be appointed for tax collection. The most talked about issue regarding the budget is meeting the conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF), which granted a loan of US$ 4.7 billion at the beginning of this calender year. The global agency has put forwarded 38 conditions that have to be met in the next three and a half years for access to the loan. Nearly half of the conditions have to be implemented by the new fiscal year 2023-24. Budget meant for all – rich and poor : Kamal Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal said that the proposed budget has been awarded to all sections of people, including the rich and the poor, while all the projections made in the budget would be attained as like the previous years. He, however, categorically mentioned that the proposed budget had not been framed in line with the IMF suggestions. Kamal said the IMF usually gives suggestions to its member countries on maintaining balance sheet as well as properly maintaining income and expenditure accounts, which he thinks, is a good thing. He added that the IMF not only helps the member countries with credit support, but also extends support in project delivery in a flawless manner. “We can only take their (IMF’s) suggestions which we feel necessary.” The minister proposed imposing environmental surcharges on multiple vehicles. In the budget, the annual tax-free income threshold raised from Tk 300,000 to Tk 350,000 would give some relief to individual taxpayers. Some 50 types of fees would increase that include travel tax. The government estimated that private sector investment would increase to 27.4% of GDP in FY24 while it remains at 21.8% in FY23, meaning that an additional Tk 4,04,097 crore or 41.8% growth is required. Tk 2.63 lakh crore earmarked for ADP The size of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2023-24, is Taka 2.63 lakh crore with the highest allocation of Taka 75,945 crore (29% of allocation) for the transport and communication sector. The ADP for the fiscal year was approved at a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) earlier. Out of the original ADP allocation of Taka 2,63,000 crore, an amount of Taka 1,69,000 crore would come from local loan sources while Taka 94,000 crore from foreign loan and grants. Considering an allocation of Taka 11,674 crore for autonomous bodies and corporations, the overall ADP size has stood at Taka 2,74,674 crore. The overall ADP size include an allocation of Taka 8087 crore as foreign development assistance. The number of projects in the new ADP totaled 1,309. – 1,118 investment projects, 22 survey projects, 80 technical assistance projects and 89 projects from the autonomous bodies and corporations. According to the new ADP, the highest 10 allocation recipient ministries and divisions are the Power and Energy Division (Taka 44,393 crore or 17% of allocation), the Road Transport, Highways and Bridges Division (Taka 43,126 crore or 16.5%), the Railways Ministry (Taka 14,960 crore or 5.5%), the Local Government Division (Taka 40,503 crore or 15.5%), the Secondary and Higher Education Division (Taka 14,086 crore or 5%), the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (Taka 12,018 crore or 4.5%), the Science and Information Technology Ministry (Taka 12,980 crore or 5%), the Health Services Division (Taka 12,209 crore or 4.5%) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Taka 10,707 crore or 4%). Ten projects with the highest allocations in the new ADP are the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project (Taka 9,707 crore) followed by the Matarbari 2×600 MW Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Project with Taka 9,081 crore, fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-4) with Taka 8,586 crore, Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway Construction project with Taka 5,870 crore, the Padma Bridge Rail Link project with Taka 5,500 crore, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion with Taka 5,499 crore, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project Line-1 with Taka 3,911 crore and Line-6 with Taka 3,425 crore, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway (Jamuna) Bridge Construction project with Taka 3,778 crore. Some industries may be affected The country’s businessmen are paying the price of the government’s policy on energy, said the deputy leader of opposition in parliament, former minister and industrialist Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud. The business leaders are not generally viewing the budget in general as business-friendly. Taxes or duties on imports of raw materials and VAT in some sectors are increased, that may affect the prices of some products and these sectors may not attain the capacity to boost, they said. However, the gains tax
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Standing by the Visually Impaired
An alternative orthography for the vision-impaired, Braille, is a form of written language consisting of raised dots on a surface, in patterns that resemble letters, numbers, and designs (for paintings/artwork). Braille came on papers during the early 1800s by a Frenchman called Valentin Hauy; and was an effective way for visually-impaired people to read. The language, now universally accepted, originally came from the mind of Louis Braille who lost his eyes at the age of three. Young Braille was self-motivated, and went on to study at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth (One of the first institutes for blind children, now known as the National Institute for Blind Youth). During his studentship there, he started developing a tactile coding method which soon emerged as a globally acknowledged form of writing and reading for the vision impaired. Akij’s Braille tiles In collaboration with CarrotComm Ltd. Akij launched their Braille tiles on International Mother Language day 2022, to help over 800,000 existing and recorded blind populace of the country. The Tiles, just like the Japanese ones, will have Braille messages to help those who are visually impaired. The 2022 collaborated campaign was called “Let the walls be Language friendly”. “Language should not be a luxury but a fundamental right for everyone” – Akij Ceramics. Here’s how it works One to six dots arranged in each pattern, forming one of 63 characters, felt by the fingertips or soles. We now have Braille for a lot of things such as money, books, novels, and TILES as well. That brings us to: Braille pavements – It came about in 1967 by the hands of the Japanese; first used as flooring for a street in Okayama. The flooring now, is widely encouraged to be used as directions and warnings/Hazard signs for blind people. The campaign intended to promote the use of Braille tiles to help blind people navigate properly. With a steadfast aim to create an all-inclusive society, Akij’s Braille tiles have now been on the market for over a year. Akij uses modern SACMI technology in an attempt to mass produce perfects. The company brought in machineries from Italy and Spain, all dedicated to manufacturing a high volume of Braille tiles if need be. Upon asking about the most common messages that are imprinted on tiles, Mohammed Khourshed Alam, Director (Operations) of Akij Bashir Group, stated that navigation signs in bus-train stations, markets, educational institutes, etc. are most commonly used forms of Braille tiles. “In terms of sales, the company is focused on the number of people helped rather than the number of units sold.” Braille messages on tiles can be customised to any typefurther adding to the usefulness and versatility of it. Mr. Khourshed Alam believes that if every organisation actively participates by installing Braille tiles, the world for the visually impaired would ease. He also hopes to foster a diverse and inclusive society. Akij collaborated with CarrotComm Ltd. to install Braille tiles at the Icon Eye Hospital Ltd. Akij did this free of cost for Icon Hospital, and spent around Tk 10 lakh in the project.Accolades Best Brand Award from Bangladesh Brand Forum, 2019-22. Most Innovative Solution For Disabled People from the 5th Bangladesh Innovation Award. Written by Chisty Rahim
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RANGAMATI After Gondwana Split
What oozes through your psyche when you hear the word “Rangamati”? For those who have never been there, it might be their half-blurry memories of their very first introduction to the space through their family albums holding photographs shot on a 35mm roll with a Yashica of their newly married parents standing atop a hill with the view of a boundless blue waterbody on the backdrop, or peculiar visuals and texts from their shoddily printed middle school textbooks, where they might have scribbled humorous drawings later on. Whilst for others, it might be freshly baked memories from their last winter trip with friends at the space. Memories of meeting mesmerizing fauna and flora while on a hike through the thrilling trails and their first ever kayaking experience full of excitement and sudden waves of mild fear of drowning from time to time, as they kept the crutch strap locks on check of the old orange life jacket embracing their torso. And for some, finally inhaling the clouds straight into their soul, something they have always envisioned when swimming inside deep daydreams while listening to their favorite romantic music in the background and seeping through the lines of their favorite book about life from a beloved author. But how many of us have actually ever intended to put an honest effort to understand, respect history and internalize the truest essence of a space like Rangamati instead of just always perceiving such spaces like the mindlessly romanticized gazes and activities of the typical tourists, especially in this era of travel package advertisements consisting of hideous drone footages floating around social media? Rangamati is Rangamati, well the entire Chittagong Hill Tracts are a lot more than just an alluring tourist attraction from our southeast and the tessellated spiels. Travellers should be mindful, hence, the least we can try is to educate ourselves and others regarding the complex historical and contemporary contexts of the space from veracious sources, acknowledge the authenticity and try to be on the right side of history. Rangamati is indeed a living embodiment of the meaning of its name, ‘colorful soil’. Millions of years ago Gondwana decided to split, forcing the Indian plate to drift northward and collide with the Eurasian plate resulting in the creation of the Tibetan Plateau which breathes the mighty Himalayas. And due to these otherworldly collisions taking place, the low-lying world’s biggest delta which also later formed from the sediments of the same Himalayas, got its gift of high-altitude lands on the fringes of its body, notably in the southeast where Rangamati serenely rests tall. This geographical history also explains why the region has a complex topography, shaped by the erosion and weathering processes. The distinct features of the myriad of hills, valleys, and water bodies are the result of the geological activities going on for eons and in light of this geographical history and map of present-day Bangladesh, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Rangamati rose before, watching over the rest. Just like its original inhabitants came before us Bengalis. The main attraction of Rangamati is the Kaptai Lake with its scenic splendor. Created in 1960, it is the largest artificial lake of the country having a surface area of 58,500 acres and water holding capacity of 525,000 m3. The lake, dotted with islands, captivates the tourists with its beauty and calmness. Dumlong, considered to be the third highest mountain peak in the country, belonging to the Rentlang Range is about 3,316 feet in height and located in the Bilaichhari Upazila of Rangamati. Roughly thirteen thousand five hundred acres, this fighting land of the ancient kings also boasts as the largest district in the country in terms of land area and also the only district to share international borders with two other neighboring countries, India and Myanmar. The aura of this place will forever be onerous to describe with words regardless of the copious sum of visual and textual information on the internet about the place, starting from must-visit areas to food to accommodation. It is one of those spaces where one has to be physically present and gradually attempt to internalize the rest in order to get the taste of its inexplicable flavor, to the least. The indigenous folks lurking through the veins of Shuvolong; the piercing reverberation of the not to be spoken tales buried beneath the bloody blues of Kaptai; getting lost in a hiraeth of a never confessed love while inhaling the waves of floating white cotton candies straight into the deepest labyrinth of the soul; the shimmery kisses of the full moon dancing like a mystic ballerina all over Karnaphuli’s body as the million years old wind from the unfamiliar mountains caress your hair and softly shuts your eyelids making your mind trek through the fresh memories of trekking and the smell of limestone from the dimly lit rooms inside the heart of Alutila, or the star gazing nights spent on the adibashi village which shook you with the most chasmic lesson of anthropology; one can never get overdosed from the lures of Rangamati, they can either dissolve within its magic or leave parts of their soul and come back from time to time in quests to search for it. Even deliberately letting it go every time they meet their soul, only to use it as an excuse to return the space in the albino fogs of winter, in the magnanimous drizzles of monsoon over the acres of inclined jhum fields and to hold the dry leaves resting over cold palms like mannequins of butterflies waiting to take flight with the winds of the autumn. One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Rangamati is Sajek Valley, which is located among the hills of the Kasalong mountain range in Sajek union of Baghaichhari Upazila. The valley at 2000 feet above sea-level. The Sajek Tripuri Valley is referred to as the roof of Rangamati and the Queen of hills. The Sajek river, which flows from the Karnafuli
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Glimpse of The Architectural Legacy of DWm4
DWm4 Architecture stands out as an innovative and visionary design studio, among the leading firms in the country. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, DWm4 has redefined the architectural landscape of Bangladesh through its creative and sustainable designs. Under the partnership of architect Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury, architect Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad, and architect Shaoki Shamim, this renowned firm has been at the forefront of reshaping the country’s urban landscape with its innovative designs. In practice since 1995, DWm4 has been open to reshaping itself in terms of new design ideas, and also in management and operating strategies. Over the years, the practice has involved three separate and autonomously run units for architectural design [DWm4 Architects], interior design [DWm4 Intrends], and design-build projects [DWm4 Interprise]. While the founding partners, architect Mamnoon Murshed Chowdhury and architect Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad are involved in all three; the ID and Design-Build establishments have partners namely architect Daniel Haque and architect Arif Khan in chief executive and operating positions. In 2022, architect Shaoki Shamim joined DWm4 Architects as the third partner. All three architects had been members of the DWm4 team for a good number of years before joining as partners. With the younger generation coming on board, the vigour and architectural energy are strengthened through better mid-level management, enabling the practice to continuously make additions to its visions. The focus on re-structuring and evolution in DWm4 is based on the intent to produce designs of significance and relevance. While all projects follow the essential principles of being truthful to function, climate, structure, and aesthetics, they vary significantly so as not to be repetitive and predictable. For example, the architectural language is different in the office buildings like Bay’s Edgewater, Prime Bank Head Office on Gulshan Avenue, and Grameen Telecom Trust [GTT] Bhaban in Mirpur. The differences inherently are derived from site context and structural and functional prerogatives. landscaped precinct is created to bring tranquility to the context by appearing as an oasis to the pedestrians. The landscape is viewed from the interiors through the glass façade, and from the terrace formed by terminating the concrete portal on the 8th Floor, which is adjacent to the social spaces like the dining hall area, and daycare room. Another terrace facing East, adjacent to the Board Room on the 19th floor, is also a nod to the context as it provides a panoramic view of Hatirjheel. The design of Bay’s Edgewater celebrates the building’s location – accentuating the views from the interior spaces towards the sensual curves of the lake. At the same time, the layout does justice to its setting in a corner plot – separating the incoming traffic toward the more public café and gallery areas from the regular officegoers. Due to the careful attention to functional attributes, MEP, and BMS elements, after almost a decade of completion, the performance of the building is still stellar. The Prime Bank building is set deeper into the site as much as possible to be away from the maddening traffic of Gulshan Avenue. This was possible due to the site’s elongated shape. A 70-foot deep The Grameen Telecom Trust (GTT) project was designed on a partially built structure with fixed cores. By deleting one structural grid at the front and creating a water body at the place, the architects created a transcendent mediating space between the street and the double-height entry. Similarly, the very deep building floor plate was broken into two blocks by doing away with the middle parts of the floor slab by inserting a skylit atrium, which also ensured north-south airflow. The edges of the atrium are not static and shift in sections at different vertical levels. The facade is an intriguing composition of glass and concrete, creating a dynamic interplay of transparency and solidity. The patterns are inspired by organic lines of leaves and provide the building with a dynamic expression. The transparent glass sections allow natural light to enter the building, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting. About the project, architect Mahmudul Anwar Riyaad said, “We worked with the section of the building, which resembles a gallery. The ground floor lobby is dedicated to the people and space, encompassing a vast openness.” The building, designed in collaboration with architect Rashed Chowdhury reflects on people, progress, and emancipation. The field becomes more than just a patch of land; it becomes a symbol of joy, innocence, and a shared sense of community: In the typology of residential buildings, DWm4 has a large number of building projects that address the core concerns of natural light, ventilation, optimisation of space, and communicating with the context. Be it a single-family residence like the Reaz Loft in Khanpur, Narayanganj, or a multi-family building like Pohela Boishakh in Banani, Dhaka, these ideals find reflection in the designed forms. In Pohela Boishakh, the front landscape, the double-height drop-off area, and the lobby mediate with the street and creates a transition from public to private domain. The community space on the ground floor has a space that is designed as a café where residents come together and bond. The textures on the wall and floor are inspired by alpona motifs, reinforcing the spirit of Pohela Boishakh. The collaboration between the developer Signature 11 and DWm4 Architects ensured the seamless integration of architectural design and real estate development expertise, resulting in a remarkable building. The Reaz Loft stands as an incredible architectural achievement within the busy town of Narayanganj. This home on a very narrow strip of land, blends in with its surroundings and embodies modern living while paying attention to treasured memories of a special childhood field that is located in front of the loft. The elegant layout exhibits modernism with an emphasis on functionality and clear lines. As architect Riyaad explains, “Even though there was no room for horizontal deviations, we used our creativity to play with the building’s sectional elevations.” The structure stands as evidence of the designers’ keen eye for detail and commitment to creating spaces that resonate with the
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Bangladesh far away from tapping insurance potential
“The insurance sector’s share in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) can be raised up to 10% from the current rate of 0.5% in the next 10 years, if the National Insurance Policy 2014 is properly implemented, and public awareness is created in this regard,” Managing Director and CEO of Pragati Life Insurance Limited (PLIL) Md Jalalul Azim told Ceramic Bangladesh (CB) in an exclusive interview. There is a huge potential for both life and a non-life insurance sector in Bangladesh as the country’s economy is booming. “But, we can’t exploit the potential due to image crisis, lack of proper monitoring by the Regulatory Authority, shortage of skilled manpower, and lack of awareness among many people,” Jalalul Azim said. Md Jalalul Azim Managing Director and CEO Pragati Life Insurance Limited There are a total of 82 insurance companies in Bangladesh, including 35 life insurance companies. Of these, the government has two companies– Jiban Bima Corporation and Sadharan Bima Corporation. However, the insurance sector does not flourish as per stakeholders’ expectations due to alleged violation of rules and regulations that leads to unethical practices at different levels. “We have more insurance companies compared to the need. For example, India is one of the world’s largest economies and has the highest population but there are only 52 insurance companies there. Steps of Pragati Insurance Pragati Life Insurance Limited (PLIL) is a third generation company, and Pragati Insurance Limited (PIL) is the first generation company in the country. Considering the overall situation, Pragati Insurance companies are in a better position compared to others. Pragati General Insurance Company along with others got a license in 1985. After achieving success through dynamic activities, the company’s entrepreneurs launched Pragati Life Insurance Limited in 2000. It started with a paid-up capital of Tk 30 millionagainst an authorised capital of Tk 250 million. However, the second generation insurance came in 1990, and the fourth generation in 2013-14. Pragati have 371 branches across the country. The life insurance premium was Tk481.76 crore in 2022 and met claims of Tk315.75 crore in the same year. In view of premiums, “we are now in 7th position among 33 insurance companies. We are in the capital market too. Our share price is the second or third highest in the stock market. Every year, we pay dividends to our shareholders.” The Pragati Life Insurance CEO, Mr Jalalul Azim, said, “We pay insurance claims properly without any hassle while many companies can’t pay their customer’s claims. It seems owners of many insurance companies don’t have a proper idea about insurance operations. So, they can’t pay their client’s claims amply. As a result, a negative idea among many people has been created in our insurance sector.” Overall, he thinks, Pragati is one of the better companies in the country. Why will people take insurance? In general insurance, clients can demand their claims after an accident. On the other hand, clients can demand the claim in both situations after the ending of insurance tenure and accident in life insurance, the Pragati CEO said. Common people get more benefits if they take insurance from reputed companies. Accidents may occur at any time in life. The victim’s family will get a handsome amount if a member takes insurance. Besides, if industrial units are burnt, ships are sunk, and airplanes are devastated from time to time and if businesses take insurance, it can overcome financial crises somewhat. Hence, there is a difference between banking and insurance systems. Banks can give a fixed profit to customers after an estimated period. But an insurance company can give a guarantee. “We do insurance over Tk. 50,000. And, if someone does insurance of Tk. 1 crore, we do Tk. 10 lakh insurance on our own and we do reinsurance at a foreign company for the rest of the amount.” As it is a Muslim-majority country, the demand for Islamic insurance is increasing. But there is a lack of skilled manpower, and policy here. There is no skilled person at the Shariah council to operate the Islamic insurance system. “We have also a service named after Takaful. A policy is very necessary for Islamic insurance.” Insurance for ceramic manufacturers The country’s ceramic manufacturers have to import different types of raw materials to manufacture ceramic products. During the import of the materials, accidents may occur at sea or on roads. For temporary financial support from damage, businesses should take insurance, Mr Azim also said. As per the government direction, import and export businesses have to take non-life insurance during Letter of Credit (L/C) opening. However, every businessman should take the benefit as it has a priority in the globe. Lack of skilled manpower Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) issued a rule for appointing Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) but such highly qualified officials are not available in the market. Insurance-related technical departments also lack skilled manpower to operate insurance companies here. For example, Actuary is important in the insurance sector but there is only one actuary professional who is now 80 years of age. “So, our sector can’t flourish as per the potential.” There is also unhealthy competition in the industry. The government has fixed premiums for general insurance, but some companies offer commissions of up to 50 percent to customers. “There is no reinsurance company in Bangladesh. If the company does not do reinsurance how will it meet customers; claims? So they find a tricky way, he added.” Insurance companies can’t meet the claims of clients without maintaining professionalism. “IDRA installed observers in insurance companies. But if they don’t have money how they will meet the claims?” he said. To bring discipline in the sector, all companies must be brought under rules and regulations. Otherwise, public trust won’t build and develop the sector, the MD said. Sector growth decline Despite economic growth, there is no such progress in the insurance sector. The premium of insurance companies is 0.5 percent of GDP contribution which was 1.0 percent five years ago
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SUSHI TEI Experience Tranquillity with Authentic Japanese Taste
If you’re in the mood for a sublime space and Japanese cuisine, Sushi Tei is the place. Sushi Tei interior aspires to a state of harmony, serenity, and simplicity. Clean lines, uncluttered areas, and a minimalist approach are used in the design to foster a serene mood. Popular Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Tei is known for its sushi and other Japanese cuisine. It began its journey in Singapore and has since spread to several Asian nations including Bangladesh. In 1994, it was opened in Singapore and in Bangladesh it’s first introduced in 2020 at Gulshan, Dhaka. The interior reflects Japanese culture’s Zen Garden idea. recognising and praising the genuine shape and colour that permeated the entire area. A sturdy Keora tree root sculpture stands out at the entrance. A component of nature, yet in its unaltered, unadulterated state, it exudes a unique aesthetic appeal. On the exterior, the GP sheet and MS sheet sculpture blend with the creepers, creating a green facade. The transition from the outside to the inside is thoughtfully planned. At the entryway, a zen garden is included to go with the wooden pavers. A large waiting area is available at the reception desk on the ground floor to welcome visitors. The first floor is where the restaurant is. The staircase’s Tuna fish sculptures on the wall and the north-diffused light from the opening offer visitors a sense of calmness. The entire experience—from the outside to the inside—is a voyage into meditation. “It’s pretty difficult to convert a residential property into a restaurant space. I liked the entire area as there were a lot of space and trees surrounding the structure. The obstacles we experienced served as the inspiration for every design choice,” explains the interior designer and artist Md. Mazharul Haque Tonmoy. “It had an issue with water clogging since the surface in the area was lower than the road. To address that, we included soak-able green areas, which allowed us to design an outdoor zen garden.” The restaurant’s aesthetics favour a subdued and neutral colour scheme. Earthy tones such as beige, cream, soft greys, and muted greens have been used to create a calm and soothing atmosphere. The focus is on functionality and creating a sense of spaciousness. The use of natural materials is remarkable. Wood, bamboo, stone, and natural fibres like cotton are incorporated into the restaurant’s interior. Exposed wooden beams, bamboo partitions, and stone accents create a sense of warmth and authenticity. Sushi Tei’s interior emphasizes open spaces and a sense of flow. The layout of the restaurant allows a smooth transition between different areas. Open floor plans, sliding doors, and screens are used to create flexible spaces that can be adapted for different group sizes or private dining options. It’s fascinating how different types of floor materials are used to separate spaces. To accommodate various visitor demands, various sitting configurations, including booth seating, low-height seating, and Takumi seats, have been implemented. Gentle and warm lighting played a crucial role in this Zen-inspired restaurant. Soft, diffused lighting fixtures like pendant lights, paper lanterns, and wall sconces have been used to create a tranquil atmosphere. While the space is designed as a low-light space, maximising natural light through large windows or skylights is also incorporated to establish a connection with the outside world. Incorporating Japanese artwork, calligraphy, or traditional motifs enhanced the Zen aesthetic. Hanging scrolls (kakemono) with brush paintings, ink wash paintings (sumi-e) and carefully selected artwork provide focal points and add cultural depth to the space. The acoustics of a dining area are crucial to its ambiance. The soft trickling of fountains and running water is now present. The ambient noise was softened with the help of a miniature indoor fountain. To add a touch of nature and artistry, Sushi Tei’s zen garden displays bonsai trees. These meticulously crafted arrangements reflect the Japanese appreciation for beauty and harmony in nature. The entirety of the setting is ideal for taking photos. The use of mirrors and glasses is fascinating. “The Japanese are very sensitive about their design. The patterns they use on their screens are also very detailed. We tried to follow their process of design, not a specific design. The philosophy was to let the space speak for itself about how it wanted to be treated. We were just trying to listen,” Md. Mazharul Haque Tonmoy added. Sushi Tei, provides an oasis of calm for guests, allowing them to relax, unwind, and appreciate the simplicity and beauty of their surroundings while enjoying their dining experience. Written by Fatima Nujhat Quaderi
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Rupayan leans towards building more green apartments Says CEO
Rupayan leans towards building more green apartments, as its demand is going up in the country. But, higher construction material prices and apartment registration costs make a challenge for realtors, CEO of Rupayan Housing Estate Ltd. Md Alinur Rahman told Ceramic Bangladesh (CB) in an exclusive interview. Bangladesh’s real estate sector, Md Alinur Rahman said, has boomed in recent years but today it’s going through a challenging situation due to a variety of issues. The sector has earlier flourished, thanks to the self-motivated venture of Developers and realtors. Since housing is a basic need of people, the entrepreneur said, “we lean to taking big projects on huge pieces of land to build accommodations for more people.” Despite the sector’s huge contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), we don’t get a business-friendly policy or support from the regulatory authorities, he said in an interview. “I believe if the government and other authorities concerned are caring about the sector, it would be the best booming sector in the country.” The Rupayan Housing’s journey of 24 years has been glorious and through this journey, he said, “we have fulfilled the dreams of a lot of people by building apartments and implementing commercial projects” in the country. “We build strong and quality buildings. We have a strong and innovative culture and we maintain the aesthetic design through our creation.” Mr. Alinur Rahman added, “We are such a developer who lead from the front. We’ve created the country’s first township project (Rupayan Town) in Narayangonj and one of the biggest and first premium mega-gated community projects (Rupayan City Uttara) in Uttara in Dhaka.” Rupayan Housing’s strengths are said to be unique products, excellent efficiency, and productivity. It is a customer-centric organisation, he pointed out. “Our services create raving fan customers. We can scale sustainably and have high adaptability. We continuously work on the diversification of products and services. We are also blessed to have robust and decisive leadership.” He said their ongoing projects are in Motijheel, Naya Paltan, Mirpur-1, Tejgaon, West Dhanmondi, South Badda, Bashundhara R/A, Mirpur DOHS, and Savar in Dhaka, Sylhet, Kanchpur, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Narayanganj. “We look forward to creating more so that the Rupayan group continues to create history in the Bangladesh real estate sector,” he said. The foundation work of its green paradise in West Dhanmondi on 102 Katha would start soon. “Our first satellite town at Narayanganj will be environment-friendly.” Now both job holders and businesses are going through a challenging moment. So, apartments between 1500 and 2000 square feet are of higher demand. In such a situation, Rupayan brings to the market apartments worth Tk1.5 crore to Tk2.5 crore. Buyers had once used to look for just an apartment, but nowadays their test has changed, thanks to increased income and change in lifestyle and they want wellness, communities and condominium apartments, he said. Clients want multiple facilities together for their family members in the apartments. They want such an environment that kids and elderly people can enjoy together, he added. RHEL is a pioneer in Bangladesh providing condominiums, gated communities, and satellite towns. Considering social responsibility, “we always try to build environment-friendly housing where all aged people can be beneficiaries,” said Mr. Alinur Rahman. The Rupayan CEO mentioned that the green apartment concept came to Bangladesh about seven years ago. There are a lot of issues in green apartments such as water reusing issues, waste management, huge open space, a percentage of greenery, and soil quality. “We are seriously working to include such facilities in all our projects,” he said adding that several companies such as BTI, Sheltech, SEL, Concord, and Rangs Properties Ltd are doing it. Rupayan Swapno Niloy in the Siddheswari area of Dhaka was built as per green apartment concept. It is a high condominium project, he said. Besides, Rupayan Town in Narayanganj Bhuighar has huge open space and greenery. “Our ongoing project named Rupayan Lake Castle in the Bashundhara area will be a proper greenery building. And, Rupayan green paradise project in West Dhanmondi will be made into a natural pond.” He said, “We don’t think only financial issues before setting up a building. Our priority is to ensure a livable and quality building for our clients. As we build an apartment on our purchased land, we can provide it at a reasonable price.” The entrepreneur pointed out that of the many challenges in the real estate sector, the key one is higher price of construction raw materials and apartment registration costs. He is also concerned about the reported plan to ensure apartment registration in a full-value system. “If it is implemented, the flat registration cost will go up from Tk8-10 lakh to Tk25-30 lakh for a Tk1.0 crore apartment. “The registration process should be at a minimum rate; otherwise buyers will suffer and that will be a new challenge for the sector.” Also, the construction area will be reduced by 30-35 percent due to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) and in such a situation, developers will make buildings jointly with land owners, he said adding that in that case, the apartment prices may rise around 30 percent. So, he recommended amendment to the DAP. There are around 250 sub-industries in the real estate sector and he felt that all should work together to ensure that the sector flourishes. He also emphasized that they try to uphold the rights and privileges of the customers from the land process to apartment handover. “We are firmly committed to ensuring our clients’ rights.” He recalled that once labours used to carry raw materials on their heads to cast the roof of a high-rise building but the trend has changed. “Now we use different type of modern machines in all our work, like foundation piling, and roof casting in buildings. We also use ready-mix concrete (RMC) to maintain qualitative value and speed up the work. The mechanism is also used in civil work, sanitary, and painting.” Now, most companies use machinery to construct their projects.
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Lack of Policy, Marketing Supports Clogs Export Earnings from Pottery Industry
Even though terracotta has thousands of years of history in this region, there is no dearth of demand for the art in the modern era as well. Rather, people’s taste has changed with rising income and innovative design increases the art’s demand. People want to hold their history and tradition through terracotta, murals and sculpture. Nowadays, terracotta murals with traditional Bengali folk symbols and the Liberation War are seen on walls of different establishments such as museums, educational institutions, offices, stadiums, restaurants and squares of roads. The symbols of the Language Movement and Liberation War are noticeable arts in the country. These terracotta murals and sculptures touch people’s hearts easily as history was made through a bloody struggle. In Bangladesh, different ministries and departments allocate funds to set up the arts at various places Nokkhotro ensures innovative design The Nokkhotro is a sculpture and pottery institute established in 2009 by artist Ashraful Alam Riaz in collaboration with Muhammad Rawshan Ali so that the history and traditions of the country can be highlighted through art works to the next generations. “We are moving forward by doing small art-works. At the end of 2011, the artist, Shrivas Basak, joined the Nokkhotro. After that, we never looked back. Today’s Nokkhotro is the result of our tireless work,” Mr Ashraful said. In this context he recalled the contribution of two persons to establishing the institution –Shrivas Basak and Khorshed Alam. However, he was working at Nokkhotro till March 2019,” Ashraful added. Nokkhotro has around 150 artworks till date and most of them are mural and terracotta. “I only built a sculpture ‘Bangabandhu sculpture’ at Rajbari road square of Faridpur,” he shared with author. However, despite a huge demand for pottery items in the global market, Bangladesh cannot take the opportunity due to lack of proper marketing, and policy support from the government He explained that the demand for Bangladesh’s pottery items like crockery, mural, and terracotta have a good demand in local and international markets, thanks to unique designs. He regretted that the country cannot earn more money from the industry by exporting these items due to lack of policy support and marketing difficulties. “I urge the Cultural Affairs Ministry to take an initiative to arrange fairs at home and abroad so that our artists can display their art works in those exhibitions,” Mr Ashraful said. Terracotta are made with clay, and mural and sculptures with ceramic plates, he said, adding that emperors had in the past used earthenware and decorated their basilicas as well as different important places with mural and sculptures by famous artists. Nowadays, murals and sculptures are built in different sites to recall history and enhance beauty of a site Key arts of Nokkhotro “My institution has already produced 120 murals, 30 terracotta and one sculpture,” the artist said. Their remarkable mural and terracotta are ‘52-71 Shironam’ and ‘Sheikh Rashel’ murals on the walls of Shukrabad New Model Degree College in Dhanmondi, ‘Muktir Dak’ mural at Nikunja-1 of Khilkhet, which was inaugurated by former President Abdul Hamid, Bangabandhu Memorial Ghat Mural in Tungipara of Gopanjang, Terracotta of Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, ‘Prerona’ mural in Dinajpur, Muktijoddha and Bangabandhu terracotta in Tetulia, ‘Rouhani Manzil terracotta and mural at Bir Muktijoddha Mofiz Angur Museum in Natore, ‘Shaheed Sritisoudh’ Shikhari Para Tozammel Hossain Chowdhury Degree College Premises in Nawabganj Upazila. He also added that their works on terracotta, and murals are going on, at Dinajpur DC office gate, Narayanganj Rupganj Upazila Parishad Gate, Rupganj Upazila health Complex gate design, and Madhubagh Park. Several new projects to be implemented in different parts of the country are awaiting for approval, Mr Ashraful added. Murals on two ends of Padma Bridge The highest two murals in Bangladesh are ‘Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina’ Murals on both ends of Padma Bridge. One is Mawa site of Munshiganj and another is Zanjira site of Shariatpur that increased the beauty of the Padma Bridge, artist Ashraful said. “We have built Jamdani murals on both Mawa and Zanjira sites; this is our best work so far. The mural of Zanjira site is 72-foot tall, and 36-foot tall. The mural at Mawa end is 90-foot talland 40-foot tall,” he informed this author. “We used to engage 18 artists and 22 workers between April and June 2022 to construct the Padma Bridge mural at the Zanjira site.” We built a special studio for the work there. Portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were placed on the walls on the banks of the Padma River, decorated step by step with Chini-Tikri,” he also said. The artist added that primarily they thought of creating a mural with ceramic tiles, but later opted for high-quality ceramic plates considering the bright colours and durability. “A total of 15,000 plates of 37 types of colour were used in the two. These are called ‘Chini Tikri’. And 30 types of coloured plates were used to produce the portrait of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These ceramic plates are not usually produced by ceramic companies. However, Artisan Ceramics made 8,000 plates used in the Mawa end’s mural, and Monno Ceramic made 7,000 plates used in Zanjira end mural. These are the biggest murals in Bangladesh.” Use of Ceramic products “Now we use 100 per cent ceramic products while we make murals. The ceramic products ensure durability and colour bring brightness in our arts,” he said. “As ceramic products are used in our works, I request ceramic companies to sponsor us to continue our work across the country and the globe. It will help to expand the ceramic market as well.” “We want to keep Bangladesh’s tradition and history through murals, terracotta and sculpture for the next generations. I have a plan of building 100 most influential people’s mural across the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be one of them as she has a contribution to the economy,” Ashraful said. He pointed out that their key challenge is financing support. “It is
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DBL CERAMICS Conservation and Sustainability
Between depleting natural resources and a dire need to conserve and restore nature is the upsurging imperative to ensure industrial growth. An emerging economy like Bangladesh needs urgent transition to a more greener approach when it comes to growth, a resurgence of a 52 year-old nation. Focusing On Ceramic Industry While the product itself is environment-friendly, the production process causes 0.29 tonne of CO2 emission for every tonne of ceramic produced. Following a worldwide awareness, nations are turning to sustainable approach. The ceramic companies in Bangladesh are adapting to it as well. On a broader perspective, the 2023 SDG report says, one in every two countries lacks an effective framework for sustainable water management. From 2015 to 2020 there has been a slight improvement when it comes to SDG implementation. This, however, needs to be doubled if we want to meet the global goals. As Bangladesh has pledged to implement SDGs and comply with global standards, its ceramic sector has seen sustainable growth. DBL Ceramics, a concern of the DBL Group, is a young ceramic manufacturer, established in 2017. In a very short period of time, the company has reached the current position as one of the top manufacturers of ceramic tiles. DBL tiles are made for almost every surface –regular floors, high-endurance/areas with heavy traffic, gymnasiums and so on. The past few years saw substantial growth of the company which has over 160 dealers and 6 display centres in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barishal, with plans to expand to Khulna and Rajshahi. DBL has also made significant investments in reusable resources and waste water management, amongst other sustainable initiatives. In an attempt to reduce waste water, DBL has installed waste water treatment plants capable of treating 18,720 cubic meters of wastes by product everyday. State-of-the-art machineries at DBL SACMI kilns to turn clay to ceramic, Ball Mills for fine grinding, and Air Power glazing line–most of DBL’s machineries are energy efficient motors. They have inverters, energy cogeneration system, machines to reuse energy from kilns and dryers, along with other equipment to reduce wastes. To add a bit more automation to the mix, the company has Techno Ferrari for handling and storage. Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine visited DBL’s Gulshan office recently and sat with its head of operations Md. Bayazed Bashar to discuss his experience in the industry, future plans of the company, export difficulties, and more issues. DBL is a relatively young company but has fast become one of the top tier tiles manufacturers in the country. It has some of the best showrooms in the country and provides clients with an immersive experience, allowing them to visualise the product better. “Ever since I joined DBL, I’ve had unwavering support from our management. I was on project implementation when I joined, and I am thankful for the faith our management had in us, which consequentially resulted in our performance and growth” said Mr. Bashar. “DBL ceramics is the first diversified project for the DBL Group. We have an R&D (research and development) team working on innovation and we have become one of the top brands within a short time. We uphold our standards through our service quality and innovation,” he said. In terms of growth, DBL has been adding a production line every alternative year, and now has the capacity of producing 35,000 square meters per day from the initial capacity of 8000 sqm. The conversation ensued as we talked about the initial steps of a career in the ceramic industry, Mr. Bashar said, “It’s very difficult to find a mentor who can guide you in the earlier years of your career, especially after graduation. A mentor can help you choose the right track, giving you opportunities, and helping you polish yourself. I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to join DBL Ceramics, and found my own mentor here.” He added, “I have seen individuals get frustrated with their jobs if/when they get no opportunity to work on their competency. Once given the opportunity to explore, a working professional finds more interest in his work and solidifies into an asset for his company.” When asked about the hurdles of a career in this industry, Mr. Bashar recalled the tougher times and the ever-existing troubles. Having passed through them, he is now happy with where he stands and what he has learned through the experiences. He stated, “I am happy to have chosen this path for my career, considering that I was inclined towards doing what my friends did – going abroad for higher studies after graduation. Instead I joined DBL in 2007.” One of the most recent initiatives of the company is the Tiles manufacturing project in Sylhet. The extension is called Bright Ceramics – a tiles, tableware and sanitary-ware manufacturing plant, which will finish construction by the end of next year. DBL is also working on advanced ceramic products. According to Mr. Bashar, among some of the major drawbacks of this industry is import dependency. The added disadvantages due to incremental gas price and shortage create a much greater impact on the production cost. A shortage of gas supply results in on-and-off gas in the kilns – slows down in production. According to Mr. Bashar, the added cost has only been inflicted on the manufacturers and the customers are unaffected. “The duty structure really surprised everyone. We are paying full duty on imported clay that is 25-30 per cent moisture.” Mr. Bashar pointed out. On a brighter note, DBL will be the first player in the subcontinent to incorporate Industry 4.0- allowing it to collect data analysed later on a big screen. AI for DBL Ceramics DBL has already started with AI (artificial intelligence) for ceramics. It is planning on a full automation for the factory that will function with minimal human intervention. Mr. Bashar could only tell Ceramic Bangladesh Magazine that the AI software is being developed by an international IT company, and soon, will be set in motion. Concerning imperatives Some of the
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CERAMIC EXPORTS BUT CHALLENGES THWART INDUSTRY GROWTH
Bangladesh’s ceramic industry shows signs of recovery from the global pandemic effects with much higher potential, in terms of both domestic and foreign market demand apart from enthusiasm among and endeavours by the entrepreneurs to see it shining. However, the ceramic sector growth has slowed since manufacturers cannot deliver products on time owing to disruption or shortage of supply of gas as the key factor of production. Bangladesh’s exports of ceramic products rose to a four-year high in the 2022-23 fiscal year but could not yet match the level of exports recorded in 2018-19 fiscal year, the year before the pandemic struck the country. The country’s export earnings from the ceramic sector stood at $43.39 million, 13.22 per cent lower than the target of $50 million export set for the fiscal year 2022-23. It was still about 5.0 percent higher than the earning year before. The export of ceramic products was $41.36 million in 2021-22, $31.11 million in 2020-21, $27.97 million in 2019-20 and $68.97 million in 2018-19, according to Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The country exports ceramic products to 53 countries and the domestic market size of ceramic items is around Tk 80 billion. These figures underline the fact that the country’s ceramics industry has turned into a booming manufacturing sector over the years, cashing in on growing demand both in domestic and international markets. “Manufacturers could not run factories at full capacity due to inadequate supply of gas. This was the main reason the sector did not achieve expected export growth in the last fiscal year,” said Irfan Uddin, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA). Also, he added, the demand in the international market has not increased unlike expectations, due to the Ukraine-Russia war. The gas crisis hit industries last year after the government paused purchasing liquefied natural gas directly from the international spot market to stop depletion of foreign currency reserves, leading to a drastic fall in energy supply. Mr Irfan Uddin said manufacturers did not get the gas supply for around 12 hours a day since last October. “So, we could not make products on time. As a result, we were not able to supply goods against around 30 per cent of the orders,” said Irfan Uddin, also Director at FARR Ceramics Ltd. He, however, appreciated the government for providing a 20 percent cash incentive against exports of ceramic products, terming this as encouraging for the ceramic exporters. M.A. Jabbar, Managing Director at DBL Ceramics, said the business of the ceramic sector is going through a difficult stage due to increase in the production cost and the gas crisis. “Absence of uninterrupted gas and power supply and increase in the cost of production hampered production, ultimately affecting the exports of ceramics,” he argued. The entrepreneur said owing to disruptions in gas and power supply, the sector has faced a big challenge in maintaining quality of products Local ceramic manufacturers mainly produce four types of products: tiles, tableware and sanitaryware and ceramic bricks. Of the 70 manufacturers currently operating, twenty produce tableware, thirty two make tiles and the rest produce sanitaryware and ceramic bricks. Bangladesh mainly ships tableware and has added tiles, sanitaryware & ceramic bricks to the export basket in recent years. According to Mr Jabbar, considering the ongoing high inflation environment, manufacturers are not in a position to raise prices of their products despite an increase in their cost of production. As a result, the profit margin has plunged to the lowest level Ruslan Nasir, Deputy Managing Director of Mir Ceramic Limited, said tiles manufacturers export on a limited scale and contribute an insignificant amount to the export basket. The company mainly exports to the north-eastern states of India. Ruslan Nasir said local tiles manufacturers are focusing on the local market since demand has grown over the past decade, thanks to rapid urbanisation. “There is a lot of competition in the tiles segment globally. And since the sector is dependent on imported raw materials, it will take time for the local producers to grab a significant share of the international export market.” He, however, sees a bright prospect of the tiles segment since Bangladeshi manufacturers produce world-class products. BCMEA President Md. Shirajul Islam Mollah said, “At present, two major problems of the ceramic sector are gas and dollar-crisis. It is facing a challenge. We are not getting uninterrupted gas even with increased prices. Most of the factories in the ceramic sector are in Gazipur. Due to the gas crisis, the production of factories here has dropped to 40-50 percent. Again, the gas situation is somewhat better in Bhola and Habiganj, but there is a problem in Narsingdi and Rupganj. Production of most factories is disrupted due to the gas crisis. Overall production is going down by 40 percent due to the gas crisis. So the production cost is also increasing and exports are facing challenges.” Ceramic manufacturing companies are also facing problems in opening letters of credit (L/Cs) for import of raw materials due to dollar shortage. He said 90 per cent of the raw materials of ceramic products are imported. Meanwhile, the increase in dollar and gas crisis, on the other hand, due to the increase in ship fares, the cost of production has increased by 30-35 per cent. Due to the gas crisis, the tiles could not be produced according to the market demand in the last winter season. It is not possible to use more than 60-70 per cent production capacity of the factory According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) data, imports of mineral clay — ‘China clay’ and ‘Ball clay’, the main raw materials for ceramic products — fell by 17 per cent in the fiscal year 2022-23. Now, it takes 15 days to open L/Cs for raw material imports compared to only two days for the purpose, due to the dollar crisis. Thus there is a shortage of raw materials in the factories. He said, ‘All in all, the ceramic sector
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