New avenue for RMG exports

The increasing demand for Bangladesh's readymade garments (RMG) made of organic cotton fabrics in western countries has opened up new avenues for apparel makers and exporters, according to industry insiders.

Exports of such products are on the rise, they say, as major buyers are ready to pay more because the health-conscious customers in the west find the items environment-friendly.

Meanwhile, cashing in on such high demand, local spinners now lean towards manufacturing organic cotton yarn, finds a survey, recently conducted by a giant international RMG brand working in Bangladesh.

In this context, an official of this international company pointed to the fact that the RMG makers are to import such fabrics from India, China and Pakistan as local organic cotton yarn makers cannot meet the entire demand.

The main feature of organic cotton fabrics is a sustainable farming method that discourages use of heavy chemicals and maintenance of soil fertility.

Talking to The Daily Star, Abdullah Al Mahmud Mahin, managing director of Mahin Group who uses organic cotton fabrics for export-oriented RMG products, expressed his high hope of a better chance for higher prices for the RMG products made of organic cotton fabrics.

"If I use five percent organic cotton fabrics for RMG products, the prices increase at least 25 percent," Mahin said, pointing to a value addition to Bangladesh made apparels through the use of such fabrics.

The manufacturers using organic cotton fabrics more than five percent in garments, the Mahin Group boss said, are to go by a system that binds them to obtain certification from growers, yarn spinners on such usage. Finally, the manufacturers are required to make such certification to the prospective buyers.

Global Organic Testing System is a world class organisation who certifies such usage of organic cotton fabrics.

Actually, demand for organic cotton yarn marked a rise over the last one year, said an official of a Chitagong textile mill.

"As a result, we are also receiving huge number of orders from local manufacturers and international buying agents," he added.

reefat@thedailystar.net