Dhaka Int'l Yarn and Fabric Show kicks off

Business leaders seek policy support for textile and garment industries

FE Team | Published: January 15, 2025 22:04:47

FE REPORT
The 23rd Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show 2025 (winter edition) kicked off at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Wednesday to showcase cutting-edge technologies in textile and garment sectors.
Participants called the event a platform for professionals in the textile and garment sectors to explore innovations, foster partnerships, and connect with hundreds of exhibitors displaying yarn, fabric, trims, and accessories.
The show that will continue from January 15 -18 was organised jointly by CEMS-Global USA and CCPIT-Tex China.
Speaking on the occasion, business leaders sought policy support from the government for recovery of the textile and garment sectors facing various problems.
Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters' Association (BKMEA), said there was more than 85 per cent value-addition in the knitwear sector but it continued to go down day by day due to the ineffective policy of the last government. It now stands at 50-60 per cent.
He feared that value-addition would decrease further, if policy support is not provided.
The garment industry has been struggling hard to overcome the existing challenges and facing immense pressure due to decreasing government support, he added.
"Countries like neighboring India despite being an LDC (least developed country) graduate are providing necessary incentives to the RMG sector to encourage foreign investment and inviting foreign buyers whereas Bangladesh government continues to cut incentives and other facilities showing LDC graduation as a cause," Mr Hatem lamented.
He urged Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to play a vital role in attracting foreign investment and to solve the prevailing problems in the sector.
He also requested the government to discuss with the sector stockholders before taking any policy decision which is required for the betterment of the industry.
Mr. Hatem urged Chinese investors to invest in the country, certainly in the textile sector.
Anwar Hossain, vice chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Administrator of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), was present as the chief guest at the event.
He said, "We know the banking sector is facing some problems which cause sufferings to the industry. We sat with the central bank governor and he assured us of resolving the crisis."
He admitted that concern arose over the recent announcement of gas price hike among entrepreneurs about business expansion, opening new ventures and foreign investment. All what they demand is a business-friendly environment and the government has a scope to work on it along with the private sectors, he added.
He laid emphasis on backward linkage and non-cotton goods production to stop textile sector value-addition from falling further.
Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, secretary and executive member, BIDA, Song Yang, commercial consulate and Zhang Jian, secretary, Embassy of China in Bangladesh, Zhang Tao, vice president, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-TEX), China, also addressed the event.
Meherun N Islam, president and group managing director of CEMS-Global, said that the exposition would work as a bridge connecting Bangladeshi textile and apparel manufacturers with international supply chain manufacturers and suppliers.
Over 325 exhibitors from 15+ countries are showcasing premium yarns, fabrics, trims, and accessories at the show.
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