Apparel exporters in Bangladesh need to shift their focus more on  value added, high-end apparel items like technical apparels as their demand is high in the global market, said Farque Hassan, President of BGMEA.

The demand for man-made fibre (MMF) based garment items is on the rise in the global market and Bangladeshi apparel exporters should make use of the opportunity, he said while addressing a discussion organized by Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association at The Westin Dhaka on October 26.  

He said it’s a good sign that orders from brands and retailers are coming to Bangladesh following reopening of economies of the European countries and the USA and it would help Bangladesh RMG industry to recover from the pandemic fallout. 

Faruque Hassan said, “To make the business sustainable amidst the fierce competition in the global market, Bangladesh should aim to pursue a higher growth vision through diversifying textile material from cotton to non-cotton.”

“Now is time to take a turn from quantity to quality, from volume to value,” he added.

He invited foreign investment in Bangladesh’s non-cotton textile industry as production of mmf-based apparel will create demand for artificial fibres and other raw materials in the local market.

Mohammad Ali Khokon, President of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Mohammad Hatem, Executive President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), SM Rashidul Islam, General Secretary of Economic Reporters Forum, Rafez Alam Chowdhury, former President of Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) also spoke on the occasion.