The 11th National Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Product Fair 2024, a joint effort by the SME Foundation and the Ministry of Industries held at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), has concluded with entrepreneurs receiving sales orders worth approximately Tk 13 crore and purchase orders amounting to Tk 20 crore.
The SME Foundation director and convenor of the working committee on the fair announced this during a press briefing at BICC on Saturday.
This year's fair saw the inaugural participation of banks and financial institutions, facilitating easier access to financial benefits for entrepreneurs, with around 10,000 entrepreneurs visiting their stalls and 1,000 applying for loans.
Rashedul Karim Munna said, “To strengthen the position of domestic products in the global market, first of all, it is necessary to increase the international standards and market linkages of SME products.”
“The National SME Product Fair will gradually transform into an international fair through which foreign buyers will be introduced to the entrepreneurs of our country and business relations will gradually be established.”
While some reported good sales, others had different opinions. Entrepreneurs noted that the timing of this year's fair is not ideal, as it normally takes place during winter.
Aktaruzzaman Tushar, the owner of Jutex, attended the fair with his jute products shop. He was a manager at a buying house before quitting to become an entrepreneur. He said, “I always thought about doing something in the jute sector. So I quit my job and started my own business.”
“The timing of the fair is not good this year. Sales are lower than last year because it is really hot. People do not have money as this is the last week of the month. Many were able to book products but could not take them due to a shortage of funds.”
“I faced challenges such as finding skilled manpower and accessing loan facilities. If we receive enough support, more entrepreneurs like us will be able to enter this sector,” he added.
Other entrepreneurs exchanged their views with fellow businesses and financial institutions at the fair. Fatema Islam Setara, owner of Purbasha Gift and Khadi, shared some insights about her journey. She said, “My business started in 1982, based on Laksam Road, Cumilla. My husband Al Helal helped me a lot, and without his support, it would not have been possible for me to reach this far.”
“This is our family business; my mother ran it on a small scale. I work with local distressed women. We now have our own factory where I manufacture and supply to different dealers.”
“We sell products at very reasonable prices. Our fatuas and shirts start at only Tk 500. This year, sales are not good as it is too hot to tolerate. We make our products in four stages - first, the tanti make the raw cloth, then dyeing, blocking, and embroidery. We export to more than four countries, including India and Canada.”
Monjur Kibriya Bhuiyan, social media and digital manager of Bhola Mritshilpa and Handicrafts said, “We are the largest and oldest manufacturer, exporter, and supplier of clay products and handicrafts in Bangladesh. This is our third time at the SME fair.”
“Our main products are pottery, clay items, jute, and bamboo. We engage in both wholesale and retail operations on a global scale, exporting to 10 countries around the world. What you see in Doel Chattar, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, and other areas are our products.”
“Sales are a bit higher than last year, thanks to the placement of the fair. We make our products with in-house designers, labourers, and potters. If the government focuses and gives support to the pottery sector like other industries, many new entrepreneurs will step forward,” he added.
The SME Foundation introduced the concept of industrial clusters in the context of the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Sondip Chandra’s stall represents one such cluster among many others at the fair. His stall’s name is Nalchity Shital Pati Cluster.
He said, “I received training from the SME Foundation and this is my first time at the SME fair. This business has been passed down through generations in my family.”
"I sold 15-20 shital pati in the last seven days at this fair. You can use it as it is or make a pen holder, tissue box, photo frame, prayer mat, table runner, and other products by cutting them into suitable pieces," he added.
