Bangladesh's furniture industry requires skilled manpower in order to earn more foreign exchange through exports while meeting domestic demand, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said yesterday.

"The industry has been able to meet the market needs of the country. Now it is high time to focus on exporting furniture robustly," he said.

Munshi added that there is no alternative to creating skilled manpower in order to boost the development of any sustainable industry, including the furniture industry.

Munshi made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the five-day "18th National Furniture Fair 2023" at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital.

The fair has been organised by the Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners' Association (BFIOA) in order to promote the sector both locally and internationally.

At the event, the minister said the country's furniture sector had transformed remarkably within a short span of time.

He remarked that Bangladesh's furniture products have become much more advanced and modern in terms of design and quality.

"Despite our lack of skilled manpower, the sector has witnessed a revolution. Once there was a need to import furniture, now there is no need for that."

A huge number of workers are already involved in the industry, but that number can be doubled if exports increase, he said.

He urged entrepreneurs to come forward and produce raw materials, which most furniture-makers in the country import.

He said that there was no reason to be disappointed by the industry's export earnings of $110 million, adding that the garment industry had grown from small figures to over $45 billion in export earnings.

Munshi said Bangladesh had 17 crore people, of which about four crore had purchasing power equal to that of the people living in Europe.

These four crore people can buy high-end products at higher prices, he added. However, manufacturers should consider middle-income people too, the minister said.

Salim H Rahman, chairman of the BFIOA said: "$110 million worth of furniture was exported in the fiscal year 2021-2022. If we get government policy support in importing furniture accessories and raw materials, we can further increase exports."

FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam told entrepreneurs to not just focus on the local market, but to increase exports and help boost the foreign exchange reserves.

Among others, AHM Ahsan, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau, and KM Akhtaruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Furniture Exporters Association, also spoke at the event.

A total of 185 stalls were set up by 30 companies, including Hatil, Akhtar, Omega Furniture, Navana, Pertex, Regal, Nadia, and Brothers, for the fair.

The fair will continue till October 21, running from 8:00am to 10:00pm.