Jewellery sector can surpass RMG in export earnings: Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan on Monday said Bangladesh’s jewellery sector has the potential to surpass the ready-made garment (RMG) industry in terms of export earnings.

“The jewellery sector can earn four-time higher foreign currency than the RMG industry. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved the gold refinery to support gold export from Bangladesh. We’ve got the approval of the gold refinery 50 years after independence of the country,” he said.

The Bashundhara Group Chairman was addressing a function as the chief guest at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka hotel in the capital, marking the 58th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (BAJUS), reports Daily Sun.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan announced that he will provide a space measuring 40,000 square feet for BAJUS to support gold export.

He also announced a waiver on the hall rent of International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) for holding the BAJUS Jewellery Expo on a large scale next year.

Former BAJUS Presidents Kazi Sirajul Islam, Dr Dilip Kumar Roy, Gulzar Ahmed and adviser Ruhul Amin Rasel were also present on the occasion.

Marking the anniversary, BAJUS honoured senior members and executive members of the incumbent committee for their contribution to the sector.

The awardees are Syed Shamsul Alam, Kazi Sirajul Islam, Satya Ranjan Brahma, Jagodish Chandra Sarker, Alauddin Ahmed, Khabir Uddin and Abdul Layes.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan handed over crests to the executive committee members of BAJUS.

BAJUS celebrated its 58th anniversary across the country focusing on the legacy of the traditional jewellery business in the country over five decades.

With the tagline ‘Invest in gold for future savings’, the platform of jewellers held colourful programmes across 491 upazilas of the country. The programmes include rally, cake-cutting ceremony and discussion.

The jewellery traders in Dhaka established BAJUS on July 17, 1966 as a unique platform for the businessmen in the sector. The main objective of the organisation is to ensure customer service, patronise the domestic gold industry and safeguard the interests of jewellery traders.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul