Mr. Asadul Haque Sufyani is currently carrying out his responsibilities as the General Manager, Marketing & Sales of Seven Circle (Bangladesh) Limited. He joined with this leading cement manufacturing company in 2009 and since then he has been trying to carry out his duties with utmost sincerity. Mr. Asadul Haque did his B.Com graduation from Delhi University, India and later on he also completed his Master in Business Administration from Lincoln School of Management, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom.

Mr. Sufyani initiated his career in Brand Management Department of Sanofi Aventis. Later on he worked as a Senior Marketing Manager in Bengal Group Ltd. and also worked with Robi (formerly known as AKTEL) as Head of Trade Marketing. Very recently Mr. Asadul Haque Sufyani gave an exclusive interview to REFLECTIONNEWS regarding Seven Circle (BD) Ltd. and its various activities, problems and prospects of cement sector in Bangladesh. It is also worth mentioning that Seven Circle (BD) Ltd., a manufacturer of Seven Circle Cement Brand (wholly owned company of Hong Kong based Shun Shing Group) which has already emerged as one of the top ranked companies in the country. The interview was taken by M.H.K. Dualal The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

REFLECTIONNEWS: As we know Seven Circle (BD) Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of cement in Bangladesh, how do you evaluate the present market scenario of your products?

Asadul Haque Sufyani: At present thirty four companies are engage in cement producing in the country and of them thirteen companies are in leading positions. We are now in second position in terms of sell volume but first position in terms of quality since last couple of months. Around 65 to 70 percent cement of our company is being used in house building. Although the consumers of house building cannot do the quality test but they purchase products by seeing our involvement with large infrastructural activities. Working with large in infrastructure influences the customers to buy our products. At present we supply cement to some large projects such as Jatra Bari Flyover, Kuril Flyover, Banani Flyover, Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant, Uttara Apartment project, Comilla Flyover (at Paduar Bazar) and Eastern Bridge Improvement project in Sylhet. We do not compromise with quality of our products. To maintain the international level quality standard we spend a substantial amount of money and for this we engage highly qualified consultants, experts who always check the quality of standard with a view to keep the quality of products at international level.

REFLECTIONNEWS: There are many (including multinational companies) cement manufacturing in Bangladesh and in this context do you face any tough competition among yourself? Please comment regarding this.

Asadul Haque Sufyani: No, we do not face any tough competition right this moment. We do not think that Lafarge, Holcim and Scan Cement competitors. Our present activities prove that we are now in good position and it has become possible to uphold our quality of products. Our manufacturing, Grinding and Labs are international standard. We import costly

clinkers from Thailand, China Conch which are famous for its quality and high quality people have been involved to ensure the international standard quality.

REFLECTIONNEWS: Do you think a congenial atmosphere is being prevailed to operate business smoothly? What sorts of impediments do you face in carrying out your business activities?

Asadul Haque Sufyani: Actually at present we are doing business well and we do not face any barriers which hamper our activities. But large projects like Padma Bridge, Dhaka Elevator Express way, Deep Sea port are yet to start it activities and due to this the expected infrastructural growth has been obstructed to some extent. The yearly demand of cement was 14 million tons to 15 million tons in 2011 but in 2012 the totals demand has been raised 15 million to 17 million tons. The yearly business growth is 13 percent to 15 percent.

REFLECTIONNEWS: Do you have any plan to introduce new technology or services in days to come for your valued clients?

Asadul Haque Sufyani: Every day we have to do many things for product development. Highly skilled technical people are engaged for the modification of production and we also add new technology, equipment for quality lab. We do all this things with a view to satisfy our clients.

REFLECTIONNEWS: As an experienced personality in marketing how do you see the prospects of this sector?

Asadul Haque Sufyani: A developing country like Bangladesh has a huge prospect of this sector. We are heading towards a middle income country. The per-capita cement consumption in developed country like Europe, USA is 1000 kg and in Bangladesh it is only 90 to 100 kg. But our neighboring country likes India and Pakistan the per-capita consumption in only135 to 150 kg. Real Estate and Housing is the largest sector in the country which has huge demand of cement.

REFLECTIONNEWS: What contribution have you made so far under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Asadul Haque Sufyani: Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program we have already established a 20-bed hospital at our plant in Ghorashal which extends health care services to the local community. A mosque has been established where 400 people could accommodate for saying their prayer. We also give scholarship to the poor but meritorious students of that locality.