Voice 9, Dhaka Bureau: Bicycles are made of wood. The entire structure is made of wood. Although it looks like a toy, this bicycle is being used as a vehicle outside the country. This bicycle made in Bagerhat is not sold in any market in Bangladesh. The bikes are made exclusively for the European market.
A special type of bicycle called the 'Baby Balance Cycle' was made by 30 local men and women of Bagerhat with the help of wood. Some of them are experienced in making wheels, and some make bicycle handles or frames. Painted with color, it is attractive. At least 30 workers make 30 bicycles every day.
The new export product of the country is a bicycle manufactured by a company named Natural Fibre of Bagerhat BASIC Industrial City. Not only bicycles, but they are also making sun beds, hotel beds, dog and cat toys, and many other eco-friendly pieces of furniture with wood. There is a huge demand for it in the global market. Workers are happy to export their country's products to the European market for the first time.
On the ground, women and men are busy making wooden bicycles in the factory. Some are making wheels, some are making handles, and some are making bicycle frames. Finally, the wooden bikes are being polished with different colors by the skilled hands of the workers.
Abbas Ali, the supervisor of the natural fiber factory in Bisik Industrial City, said: "We make 'Baby Balance Cycles' for foreign children with different quality woods, including Akashmani, Mehgani, and Gamari. It takes one and a half to two days to make this bike. It takes 11 parts to build a bicycle. Parts are manufactured in different parts of the factory. All the parts are assembled in a specific place and converted into a bicycle. After coloring, the baby balance bicycle is fully formed.
Pujarani, a female worker at the factory, said, "The salary I get from working here covers the expenses of my family and children's education. We are happy to make children's bicycles.
Mostafiz Ahmed, an entrepreneur of Natural Fibre Company in Bagerhat BASIC Industrial City, said: "We usually make products with coconut husk. We have recently found customers in Europe who are interested in marketing environmentally friendly products. I get orders for wooden baby balance bicycles from people who want to buy some wooden products. They ordered 40,000 pieces, and we exported 20,000 pieces. The remaining 20,000 pieces will also go very soon.
Sharif Sardar, promotion officer of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Bagerhat, said Mustafizur Rahman always works on unique ideas in the city. At present, they are making wooden bicycles and exporting them to Europe. It is a 100% exportable product. It is not just about earning foreign exchange. A lot of jobs have been created locally. We've always been entrepreneurs. If such products go abroad, the reputation of our country will increase. In this way, all kinds of cooperation will be provided to entrepreneurs who want to export domestic products to foreign markets.
