Spanish envoy offers effusive remarks on local denim firm

A close look cogently changed a European envoy's view of Bangladesh's apparel industry-and he suggested global buyers not to look beyond this country.           Luis Tejada, the Spanish Ambassador in Dhaka, said Bangladesh has undertaken reform initiatives to improve workplace safety and other labour standards in the garment sector that worked wonders.
"I was impressed visiting the Vintage Denim Studio Limited. You need not look beyond Bangladesh," the diplomat said Sunday while sharing his views on his recent visit to the garment factory with few reporters at his office in the city.
"It is one of the best factories in the world…," he observed.
"Of course, we have opinion how to improve the industry. But the factory demonstrates when the Bangladeshi wants to do something well they can do as good as any other countries in the world."
Vintage Denim Studio Ltd is a sister concern of ABA Group. It has become first factory in the world to receive the US Green Building Council's prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum V3 award, with a score of 90 in 2012.
The recognition put Bangladesh in the forefront of green technology and design.
Bangladesh, the second-largest garment exporter after China, can grab more orders as "the country can offer very good price and supply large quantity," Mr Tejada said.
He expressed the hope that it would encourage buyers to source their buys from Bangladesh.
Naming the name of Spanish retail chain Inditex with brands names that include Zara and Pull and Bear, he said the big brands from Spain are sourcing from Bangladesh.
Replying to a question over the factory inspection, he said, "The whole industry is going through a greater effort to improve for better result."
Perhaps, many factory owners have already taken reform initiatives and others will do in the coming months, he said, terming it a good sign.
Appreciating the factory owners' attitude towards the inspection process, he said the process that has been undertaken by private sector, including factory owners, global buyers and international rights groups, has many aspects.
"But the most important thing is that the owners have understood the necessity of the modernization of the industry, and they are ready to make changes," Mr Tejada added.
He, however, sees establishment of social dialogue between the factory owners and trade unions as the next challenge for the industry.
"All of us are worried about the improvement in this regard. This is something, also a part of the modernization process, will take time," he said.
In this context, the envoy assured EU support.
Replying to another question, he suggested that Bangladesh should go for more free-trade agreements with the EU countries to get duty benefit since it would lose GSP facility as it becomes a middle-income country.  
"Bangladesh is a big country; though the per-capita income is low, but size of economy is large.  It can negotiate FTA with European countries," Mr Tejada said.
As an LDC, Bangladesh now enjoys duty-free access under 'everything but arms' trade regime on the EU market.
Spain is one of the largest importers of Bangladesh-made apparel products among the EU countries, especially after Germany and the UK.
In the fiscal year 2013-14, the country imported apparel products worth $1.50 billion from Bangladesh.

munni_fe@yahoo.com