Arcasia Forum Build Expo kicks off in Dhaka

The Arcasia Forum Build Expo 2019 has kicked off in Dhaka, offering consumers of different tastes a complete solution for construction and decoration in homes, offices and apartments.

The three-day event, which began on Sunday, is being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. More than 1,500 architects from 21 member countries of Arcasia are participating in the event.

This year's theme for the expo is "Architecture in a changing landscape".

The expo is bustling with visitors checking out the products offered on sale. Navana Real Estate Ltd official Mahesh Chandra Roy is one among many enthusiastic visitors.

After checking out dozens of bathroom sinks showcased at the Marble Di Carrara stall, Mahesh ordered an Italian sink. He then started looking at various other construction and decoration products at the expo.

A total of 85 local and foreign companies are participating in the event. Salespeople were seen passing a busy time greeting visitors and introducing their products.

Seven Bangladeshi companies, including the Akij Group have stalls at the expo, offering modern tiles, particle boards and bathroom sanitary products for sale.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Akij Ceramics Deputy Manager (marketing) Sardar Md Tajul Islam said, "Ensuring product visibility is our true goal at the expo. We are giving our visitors more details about our products. We are also accepting product bookings."

The City Lifts & Engineering supplies and installs lifts in cities across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka. The company sells at least 20 different types of lifts manufactured in countries such as Japan, China, France, Germany, Italy and Korea.

Visitors are checking out various different kinds of lifts at the City Lifts & Engineering's stall. Some even ordered lifts from the company at the event.

Visiting the expo, Building Technology & Ideas Ltd official Hasibur Rahman said, "I have come to this event to find all types of construction and decoration products under one roof. Everything is available here. So, I don't have to visit a lot of places for various products."

Hasibur also said he has plans to place an order with the City Lifts & Engineering.

Remac Metal Industry Ltd has set up a stall featuring sanitary metal products. The company's Senior Executive Numan Ar Fahim said, "Remac supplies all kinds of sanitary and water metal products.

"We are introducing our products to visitors at the expo and also receiving a large number of orders."

The Garden Centre provides landscaping services to apartments and homes in Dhaka. The company has set up a shop at stall number 42.

Landscaping for residential areas includes services like mowing the lawn, weed trimming, planting flowers, shrubs and trees and trimming hedges and trees.

"Our company has so far provided landscaping services to more than 100 apartments in Dhaka. We are participating in the expo to introduce ourselves to a broader customer base," said Garden Centre Managing Director Tarek Hassan.

The expo features a large selection of construction materials for sale as well. Various stalls are showcasing products such as steel, cement, lime, bricks, paints and interior decoration products.

Earlier on Sunday, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury inaugurated the Arcasia Forum Build Expo 2019 and the Architecture Council.

"The architects must tackle challenges posed by disasters, environmental issues and climate change. More green living spaces must be built to ensure eco-friendly environment to city dwellers," Shirin Sharmin said at the inauguration ceremony.

Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim and Arcasia President Rita Soh also addressed the event as special guests.