The three-day International Fire Safety and Security Expo 2024 began Saturday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital with the aim of reducing the risk and damage of any disaster.

The international exhibition is being organized by the Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) aiming to ensure fire safety, ensuring easy availability of fire safety and protection equipments and raising awareness among all.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman inaugurated the exhibition today as the chief guest, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, Salman F Rahman thanked ESSAB for contributing to increasing public awareness about fire safety and security in the country.
 
He said that after the fire accident at Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion Garments, the government has given special emphasis on reducing fire risk and ensuring safety in industrial factories of the country.
 
"Realizing its importance, private sector entrepreneurs have taken bold steps on the issue of fire safety. Both the government and the private sector are working closely to ensure fire safety and security in the industries and commercial buildings," he added.

Salman said most of the safest and environment-friendly garment factories in the world today are in Bangladesh as a result of the joint work by the government and the private sector.
 
Stating that the government is working extensively to ensure fire safety across the country, Salman said that during the current government's tenure, modern technology has been added to the fire stations across the country.
 
"An initiative has been taken to build fire station in every upazila and the special economic zones of the country," he added.

While speaking as the special guest, FBCCI president Mahbubul Alam said that as the country's industry and investment are increasing, the issue of factory safety is becoming more important.
 
"There is no substitute for fire safety and security in building a sustainable industry. Some unscrupulous people are importing low quality fire safety equipment and selling it in the domestic market," he added.

The FBCCI president also emphasized on ensuring availability and ensuring use of quality equipments.

Niaz Ali Chishty, president of ESSAB, in his welcome speech said that as the size of the economy of the country is growing, the issue of fire risk and security is becoming more crucial.

"Fire safety and security has become a challenge in Bangladesh's socio-economic development and sustainable infrastructure construction. It is high time to strengthen the fire safety system in the country by reducing the fire risk," he added.

During the construction of residential and commercial buildings, at least 2 percent of the total cost should be allocated for ensuring fire safety, said Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Directorate Brigadier General Md Main Uddin.

At this time, he wants the cooperation of FBCCI, BGMEA and related concerned stakeholders in setting up fire science laboratory.
 
Faruque Hassan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), reiterated the garment sector's commitment to green industrialization and workplace safety.
 
He pledged collaborative efforts with ESSAB to ensure fire safety in garment factories.

FBCCI senior vice president Md. Amin Helaly, ESSAB secretary general Zakir Uddin Ahmed, ESSAB senior vice president SM Shahjahan Saju, FBCCI directors, business leaders and others were present on this occasion.

Over 100 prominent companies from 30 countries are attending the expo. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has been extending full support to this exhibition.