Selim H. Rahman, the esteemed Chairman and Managing Director of HATIL, a leading name in the furniture industry, was conferred with the prestigious Commercially Important Person (CIP) award for his pioneering contributions to the export of the furniture sector.
The ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, on 9 May witnessed the gracious presence of State Minister of the Ministry of Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu, MP, as the chief guest, reads a press release.
A total of 184 individuals were honored with the CIP designation for the year 2022 under the Commodity Export and Trade category, as per the CIP (Export) Policy 2013, recognising their significant role in bolstering the country’s industrial landscape.
On 3 April, the Ministry of Commerce released a gazette detailing the list of Commercially Important Persons (CIP) for 2022, along with their associated privileges.
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Selim H. Rahman expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, stating, “I am delighted to receive the CIP award in the furniture export category. But I think this achievement would never have been possible for me alone unless every person connected with HATIL in the country and outside the country had done their duty properly.”
Selim H. Rahman’s visionary journey in the furniture industry commenced in 1989, marking the inception of a remarkable legacy. Starting with doors, HATIL swiftly diversified into furniture production, catering to diverse needs across residential, commercial, and industrial domains. Presently, HATIL boasts 77 outlets nationwide, alongside 16 in India and 2 in Bhutan, with exports reaching destinations such as America, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and various South East Asian countries.
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Despite remarkable achievements, challenges persist within the sector. Selim H. Rahman highlighted the absence of a backward linkage industry for furniture, necessitating reliance on imports for raw materials. High import duties further strain competitiveness, hindering price competitiveness despite exceptional quality.
“The government’s industry-friendly policies, sustainable initiatives, the goodwill, and efforts of entrepreneurs like us can further improve our position in the global market,” Selim H. Rahman said.
