The 3rd National Furniture Fair 2006 began yesterday at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka to promote locally produced furniture.
The five-day fair jointly organised by Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners' Association (BFIOA) and Design and Technology Centre will continue until April 8.
A total of 103 stalls have been set up to display furniture in the fair, which will remain open to visitors from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm everyday. The participating companies are also offering 5-15 percent discounts in the fair.
Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury inaugurated the fair as the chief guest.
Chairman of BFIOA KM Akhtaruzzaman presided over the inaugural ceremony while artist and sculptor Nitun Kundu, also managing director of Otobi Ltd, was present as a guest of honour.
Among others, Malaysian High Commissioner in Dhaka Abdul Malek Bin Abdul Aziz and Secretary General of BFIOA Selim H Rahman were present the inauguration.
The Daily Star and Channel i are the media partners of the fair.
"As Bangladesh exports furniture to 63 countries, technological development and a proper working strategy for the sector are needed," said the commerce minister.
The entrepreneurs sought policy support from the government to improve the efficiency furniture makers.
Different furniture including dinner wagon, dinning chair and table, cupboard, multipurpose shelf, reading table, showcase, bed side cabinet, corner showcase and TV cabinet are on display.
The companies including Navana, Otobi, Akhter Furnishers Ltd, Athena's Furniture and Home Decor, Furniture Depot, Powerhouse Furniture, Legacy Furniture (Pvt) Ltd, and Brothers Furniture are taking part in the show.
