On January 29, 2008, Canon Singapore Pte Ltd has officially introduced its digital camera products in Bangladesh and on the same day simultaneously declared J.A.N. Associates Limited as its official distributor for Canon camera products, in Bangladesh. Melvyn Ho, Vice President of Canon Singapore Consumer Imaging Group, who headed the Canon headquarter delegation to Bangladesh on this occasions., oversees the marketing of ICP and CSP products covering the territory of 17 countries in South & South East Asia. He and his colleagues supervise the marketing, sales, service and training activities in the region. During his visit to Bangladesh he accompanied by his colleagues Tatsumi Yamaura Director of Canon Singapore Camera Service Division, Consumer Imaging Division Manager Rixon Aung and Mohammad Yazid Bin Ali, Assistant Systems Manager. Our Editor-in-Charge Golap Monir being assisted by Assistant Editor M. A. Haque Anu interviewed Melvyn Ho, at a local hotel on the launching day. During the interview Tatsumi Yamaura, Rixon Aung, Mohammed Yazid Bin Ali and Abdullah H Kafi, CEO of J.A.N. Associates were there to assist him and also to make the interview more resourceful, and so we are very much thankful to all of them. Here are the excerpts :

? What is your observation about the camera market in Bangladesh?

- > I have not gone to observe thoroughly the camera market in Bangladesh. We have asked Abdullah H. Kafi to have a look at the changes, those are going on in the camera market, specially the digital camera market here and I think, he is the right person to do the same. But recently I have also visited some markets in different parts of Dhaka. I think the camera market is developing here. And their lies a potentiality to develop the camera market here. It will take time to make it reach up to a expected level. One thing I should mention here very frankly that import duties being applied on the camera products here is very high, which is really hindering the development of camera market. So for a more potential camera market these high duties need to be lower.

You know that for a camera product the duty, is around 50.03 per cent, of which 25 per cent duty, 15 per cent VAT, and license and others summed up to 50.03 per cent. If I am not wrong, certainly this is a very high rated duty. If it could be a zero-duty product, you can imagine how the prices of camera would go lower.

? So we see the high duty is a potential barrier to develop the camera market here and lower the camera price in the local market. So in this regard what role Canon can play or who are the right persons or organizations to play the sam?

- > To reduce the duty Canon does not have any option or any role to play. I think the media people here has a great role to play to reduce the duties on camera product to lower its price for greater penetration to the society. You know, the media people are the real contributor to make success the zero-duty movement for the computer products. Local journalists deserve to be appreciated for this success. In the same way they can contribute to make the camera a low-duty product.



Pic : From Left to Right : Golap Monir, Melvyn Ho, Tatsumi Yamaura, Abdullah H Kafi, Mohammed Yazid Bin Ali and Rixon Aung

Thereafter, NBR is the right authority, that can take a positive step to lower the duties on camera products.

? Please let us know, what is the situation of duty structures on camera in our neighboring countries?

- >In this case let me give one or two examples regarding this sub-continent. First, let me give the example of Pakistan. In Pakistan for a camera product around 5 per cent flat rate duty is applicable. In Napal this flat rate is around 8 per cent. So look at the big gap that exists with the Bangladesh. This is why in Nepal and Pakistan camera is cheaper than Bangladesh.

? Now what about our the nearest and the biggest neighbour India?

- > In India there are various complex issues regarding the import. You know there they have, introduced a tax on MRP i.e, on maximum retail prices other than import duties. Regarding taxing and duties India is a very odd country. Napal and Pakistan are very good examples in this connection.

But regarding Bangladesh, it owns a very potential market. We are unable go ahead up to our expectation level due to the barrier of high duties. [Abdullah H Kafi added : Astonishingly, Bangladesh is the first country in this sub-continent to introduce zero-duty on computers and its components, but in contrast that it applies the highest duty on camera products. To impose zero-duty on computer products other countries followed Bangladesh path- India , Pakistan and Nepal. But unfortunately for camera I dont know what actually has happened. Today if any body comes with the right proposal with the help of the media, it will yield a good result. NBR should take the matter into its pipe and smoke it right now. Bangladesh Computer Samaty, popularly known as Bcs, should come with a strong and well-planned proposal and appeal to the NBR, to make the move positive. Abdulah H. Kafi is keeping a good touch with the Bcs officials and other concerned in this regard. We are waiting for a good news to yield.



Another thing you should keep in mind, when a Bangladeshi people goes abroad, he buys a camera for him from there, because he gets the cheaper one. In this process Bangladesh government is losing its revenue. One remedy for this is to lower the duties on camera in Bangladesh.]

? When do you plan to introduce Canon EOS DSLR Service Center in Bangladesh?

Yes, just right now we have started compact camera service centre, we have high-end-technology camera, that will require trained and expertise people to repair our cameras. And so a service center in Dhaka is a needed one. Now regarding the service center at Dhaka J.A.N. Associates has signed an agreement in the last quarter of last year and frankly speaking, today we have started our journey for marketing and service both in professional way. On today, January 29, 2008, we have officially launched Compact Camera Service Centre. And it is just a beginning. This is actually an improvement for compact camera. Our aim is to go up to SLR level very soon, but for that a lot of things are required. It is not only the equipment, Equipment is just pay and get the things done. You should have people at the field level. In the field level we require skilled people and right techniques. It requires time to develop. First, you will require right people for the basic training. The second level is training. That is done. But people will have to get some knowledge. And that knowledge you are not going to get in a day. It will take time. But we can assure you, we will not compromise with the service quality. We have started a challenge and we once started selling certainly within the shortest possible time we will go for SLR LOS service also in Bangladesh. We are here to invest in other areas, as you know that, we dont want to run away. We didnt it, and we will not.

? Can you assure us that the Canon Service Center here in Dhaka would be of international standard?

- > Yes, we would like to assure you the same with Canon technology. Within one or two months we will go for further training. Through our different programmes we will ensure that all services from our business partners are of high quality. Call centers will also be able to provide services to the customers. In Pakistan, in Bangladesh also, we are looking for distribution and marketing services. One thing you should keep in mind, that Canon will not compromise anything regarding its quality of services and for that local service providers would be trained as well in the same way.

? Why should people be interested to buy Canon cameras than any other brands?

- > A lot of things here are to be considered here. Fundamentally, because of our camera we have a long history and expertise of about 70 years. You know Canon is the heritage in camera, Canon camera technology is the another thing that should come under consideration while choosing Canon cameras than other brands. You know that the key components of camera are lens. We make the best lenses. Chips are also made by us. We have also our good processor. Canon is the largest company in the world at this moment. Another plus point is, when someone wants to buy something from Canon, they think that Canon is No. 1 company, and they rely on our quality products.

? Would you please enlighten the functions of Digic III processor?

- > Digic III processor has very fast hyper-processing ability. Canon has announced a series of new compact digicams with much-anticipated Digic III image processor. Digic III image processor manages all of the cameras primary functions to optimize operating efficiency. Advanced image processing algorithms deliver super image detail and colour production with accurate white balance. Key improvements over Digic II include markedly faster response times, advanced noise reduction technologies and support for Canons face Detection AF/AE technology. Digic III also enables the PowerShot G7 to support DDR-SDRAM effectively doubling data throughput rates for even faster performance.

J.A.N Associates Becomes CANON Authorized Distributor Canon Singapore Pte Ltd has officially introduced its Image Communication Products i.e. Digital Camera, Digital SLR & Camcorders for the Bangladesh market on January 29, 2008 last in a gala ceremony of product, music and laser beam show. Top officials of Canons regional headquarter, Melvyn Ho, Vice President of Canon Singapore Consumer Imaging and Information Group, Tatsumi Yamaura, Director of Canon Singapore Camera Service Division along with others, were present there to declare J.A.N. Associates as its official distributor in Bangladesh for Canon Camera products.

J.A.N. Associates has been a business partner of Canon for its printers and scanners in Bangladesh for the last 12 years. They have done very well and have not failed to achieve their given targets every year. Right from the first quarter Canon has introduced cameras of all ranges which include the stylish and easy-to-use IXUS digital compact cameras and high performance and value for money PowerShot digital cameras. The professional range of DSLR Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras will dazzle both amateurs and the most demanding of professionals here. Ramp models during the launching ceremony displayed the latest cameras to the audiences.

This year, we are looking at increasing the sale of our products by more than 200% over last year, said Melvyn Ho. Meanwhile, J.A.N. Associates has received the 3C award, the highest award given by Canon Singapore annually, for having a 39% growth from the previous year.

On the occasion Abdullah H. Kafi, the Chief Executive Officer of J.A.N. Associates Limited said, We have observed that Bangladesh has lately caught up to the enthusiasm for digital photography like most other countries. By imposing over than 50% import tax on cameras, the government is not only refusing a solid market but being deprived of its expected revenue. Digital cameras essentially being a computer component have 10 times higher import tax than other computer accessories. Mobile phones with multiple functionalities including that of a digital camera have a flat import tax of Tk 300 only.

With the launch of Canon Camera in the local market, J.A.N Associates has opened a new service centre to ensure service for digital compact camera products in Bangladesh. The centre has experienced and trained personnel using genuine Canon parts for repair servicing, said Melvyn Ho. The speeches followed a dealership signing between Canon Singapore and J.A.N. Associates. During the event, J.A.N. Associates awarded its best dealers for their sales performance in the fourth quarter of 2007. A dinner followed by a splendid laser show and cultural programme was attended by distinguished guests, photographers, representatives from various media and dealers of Canon products in Bangladesh. Melvyn Ho, Tatsumi Yamaura, with many others were present on the occasion .