Omera Cylinder Limited, a Bangladeshi liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder manufacturer, went global when it became the first company to export LPG cylinders to African countries. Omera Cylinders Limited (OCL), a leading manufacturer of steel LPG cylinders in Bangladesh, has been engaged in manufacturing since 2015. “We produce LPG cylinders, maintaining the highest quality in terms of safety. Since it is of an international standard and we have surplus capacity and since Africa is the second largest market for cylinders, we decided to export there,” Azam J Chowdhury, director of Omera Cylinders Limited, told Dhaka Tribune. “Our quality and safety standards are better than those of other countries in the region. That is why African companies chose to import from us,” he added. “This is a matter of pride not only for Omera but also for the LPG industry and the entire nation,” said Azam. “We are extremely delighted that through the technological strengths and expertise of Omera, today our country has expanded its horizons in the international arena,” he added. In the first consignment, Omera exported 2,500 cylinders in the month of June, and the second consignment of 2,600 will be shipped to the African country in July. “With a nominal quantity, we have started our journey to go global. From August this year, importers will order a bulk amount of cylinders,” Akter H Sannamat, chief financial officer of Omera Cylinder, told Dhaka Tribune. Omera has given importance to exports as there is more capacity than demand in the country, while the prime motto is to contribute to the country through exports, said Sannamat. Currently, there are 13 cylinder manufacturing companies in Bangladesh with a capacity to produce about 90,000 pieces of LPG cylinders against the demands of 60,000 pieces annually. In addition, the cost of production would go up due to the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) in the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2020-21. So going global will make the business more sustainable, said Sannamat. In African countries the market is very competitive. Omera is competing with Thailand, India, China and Turkey. “Since our quality of products is better than that of others and prices are reasonable, we are hoping to grab a larger market share in the region soon,” he added. Omera’s products are being manufactured under absolute compliance through using European technology with automated cutting-edge machinery. Its product sizes range from 4kg to 50kg according to clients’ demand and specification. Omera Cylinders Limited (OCL) is highly dedicated to providing maximum quality output and delivering products in time to its client, local and overseas. OCL is highly committed to meet all applicable requirements of ISO 9001:2015, legal requirements as well as customer requirements. Continual quality improvement through addressing the needs and expectations of customers, process risks based on internal and external issues, appropriate training, innovation and maintaining the highest quality standards are its basic business principles.
