The three-day Bangladesh Jewellery Expo-2022, first of its kind in Bangladesh, has begun today (March 17) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital marking the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all times.
Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (BAJUS) has arranged the exhibition at halls 1, 2 and 3 of the ICCB to showcase the country’s Jewellery products and potential of the sector across the globe.
The leading jewellers from the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country have taken part in the exhibition and displayed their products. The venue will remain open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm every day until Saturday in compliance with proper health guidelines.
Noted novelist and a director of East West Media Group Limited Imdadul Haq Milan inaugurated the expo through a grand gala ceremony at the ICCB.
BAJUS general secretary Dilip Kumar Agarwala anchored the inaugural session of the expo while treasurer Uttam Banik delivered a welcome address.
Former presidents Dr Dilip Kumar Roy and Enamul Huq Dolon, vice-presidents Gulzar Ahmed, Anwar Hossain and MA Hannan Azad, and Expo Committee chairman Uttam Banik also spoke on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Imdadul Haq Milan said the Jewellers Samity under the leadership of its new president and Bashundhara Group managing director Sayem Sobhan Anvir will be able to translate the dream of Bangabandhu to make a golden Bengal into reality.
Terming possession of gold very important for economic security, he said it is a longstanding culture of Bengali women to preserve some gold with an intention to use it for any future economic crisis and needs.
The leaders of the BAJUS said they organised the expo with advice from and patronisation of the association’s incumbent president Anvir marking the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They paid deep respect to Bangabandhu on his birthday saying that had he not liberated the country, the businessmen would have not been able to come to this position and organised the expo.
BAJUS leaders also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for announcing a gold policy to revamp the country’s Jewellery business.
Hailing the initiative of Sayem Sobhan Anvir, they said the neglected Jewellery sector has got back its life and image due to the apt leadership of the managing director of the Bashundhara Group.
They said BAJUS is bringing all Jewellery owners of the country under the umbrella of the organisation to implement the gold policy of the premier.
Earlier BAJUS had members at the district level but now it has expanded its network to the upazilas and unions, they said.
They said that Jewellery will be the largest export-oriented sector and foreign currency earner as dreamed by BAJUS president Sayem Sobhan Anvir.
It was beyond the imagination of BAJUS leaders to organise any expo in the country but it has been possible due to the prompt and prudent decision of organisation’s new president.
They said BAJUS president wants to turn the sector a catalyst for the country’s economy and create employment of lakhs of people.
Earlier, the country’s gold businessmen and Jewellers used to participate in the expo abroad and now the situation has turned turtle as foreign business will come to Bangladesh to visit the expo and buy products.
Praising the quality of Bangladesh ornaments, they said the works of the local artists are appreciated all over the world and the country’s diamond ornaments are dominating the European market now.
The goldsmiths of Bangladesh migrated to India are doing well there, they said adding that the country’s efficient hands doing job at various countries have started to contact and are willing to come back home if the sector becomes vibrant and export-oriented.
The neglected but potential gold business is going to be flourished with the initiative and apt leadership of the country’s largest business conglomerate Bashundhara Group managing director.
On the first day, the fair with more than 70 stalls has attracted a significant number of visitors and crowds in the ICCB.
Prizes and Raffle Draw for visitors
BAJUS announced Tk 10 lakh as the first prize and Tk 5 lakh as the second prize for lucky visitors of the expo through raffle draw while 10 others will get Tk 1 lakh each as the third prize.
Besides, there will be no entry fee for visitors and buyers here to get acquainted with new designs of jewellery made by the goldsmiths of this country.
BDST: 1656 HRS, MAR 17, 2022
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