Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir has said gold has the potential to become the next emerging product in the country’s export basket if the sector gets policy support from the government.

Addressing a reception as a special guest on Friday, he said there are 20 million non-resident Bangladeshis around the world who have interest in gold items made in their own country.

"Our neighboring country India earns huge money from gold export. Around 80 percent of handmade gold ornaments are manufactured in Bangladesh and India. Now, we should focus on exporting gold items. There’s huge potential of gold export," he said.Bangladesh Jewelers Samity (BAJUS) organized the reception at The Westin Dhaka to recognize the industry leaders.

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jashim Uddin was the chief guest at the event.

Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) President Alamgir Shamsul Alamin also spoke on the occasion as a special guest.

BAJUS President Enamul Haque Khan and General Secretary Dilip Kumar Agarwala were present.

Bashundhara Group, the leading industrial conglomerate of the country, has recently invested in the gold industry through establishing Bashundhara Gold Refinery Limited and Arisha Jewellers.

Sayem Sobhan Anvir also sought policy support from the government for promoting the gold export."There’re 20,000 registered jewelry shops in Bangladesh that have become an emerging industry. The gold business can add more values than the garment industry if the sector gets policy support," he said.

BAJUS President Enamul Haque Khan said the cost of gold processing in Bangladesh is higher than India due to huge wastage. "We should focus on research to reduce the wastage in gold processing. The businesses can't survive without expanding the footprint into the international market. And research is important to enter the global market," he said.

He also claimed that no jewelry shop has received any stimulus support during the coronavirus pandemic.

There are around 2.8 million people directly or indirectly involved in gold business, according to the BAJUS president.

At the program, 14 individuals were honored for their contribution to the gold industry.

They are Dhaka Sworno Shilpi Songho Director Sangkor Bosak, Dhaka Gold Director Subhash Saha, Bangla Gold Director Mizanur Rahman Manik, BAJUS lifetime member Ali Akbar Khan (posthumous), its founding President AZM Sanaullah, founding General Secretary Shamsul Alam ( posthumous), former General Secretaries MA Hannan Azad, Dildar Ahmed Selim, Dr Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin, incumbent General Secretary Dilip Kumar Agarwala, former Presidents MA Wadud Khan and Dr Dilip Kumar Roy, Kazi Sirajul Islam and Ganga Charan Malakar.