Chinese pin hopes on Bangladesh’s product diversity, quality

Chinese fabric manufacturers foresee continuous business with Bangladesh thanks to the diversification in the latter’s readymade garments sector along with qualitative improvements.

The optimism was expressed to The Daily Star by participants of the “20th Textech Bangladesh International Expo 2019”, “16th Dhaka International Yarn & Fabric Show 2019-Summer Edition” and “38th Dye+Chem Bangladesh 2019 International Expo”.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun inaugurated the four-day concurrent exhibitions, organised by the Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS) Global at the International Convention City Bashundhara yesterday.

Bangladesh, the world’s second largest garment exporter, largely relies on China when importing fabric as a raw material for the garment industry, with annual figures reaching as much as $5 billion.

India is the second largest source accounting for imports of some $2 billion. 

Lucca Cao, manager of Changzhou Outex Corporation which specialises in knit fabric, said she has been taking part in the annual fair for the last three years and managed to attract three clients in Bangladesh.

She said though her company exported products worth $100 million solely to Bangladesh in 2018, she did not deem it satisfactory.

“It is not a bulk order for us (compared to what the company exports to other countries),” she said, adding, “I think there is good potential for knitting sector in Bangladesh.”

“Our fabric export will increase in the coming days as Outex manufactures high quality knit…My company is looking for more good business with Bangladeshi readymade garment manufacturers,” she said.

Hassan Tarique Imam, Bangladesh country manager for Dayao, said they supplied woven fabric and denim only to select global brands which outsource RMG products from Bangladesh.

“Dayao’s sales volume on an average is $2.5 to $3 million per month in Bangladesh and the annual growth rate is 10 to 12 percent,” he said.    

One participant who has been taking part in the fair every year is Michael, manager (international sales) of Pinitex. 

He said they currently supplied fabric directly to 10 readymade garment manufacturers in Bangladesh and were taking part in the fair with hopes of the export volume to increase in future.

Over 1,300 companies from countries including China, India, Germany, the UK, US, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey, Italy and Sri Lanka are exhibiting products and services through 1,500 booths from 10:30am to 7:30pm.

Yesterday’s launching was addressed by CEMS Global Group CEO SS Sarwar, President and Group Managing Director Meherun N Islam, and Textiles Secretary Mohammed Belayet Hossain.