Target achievable, conditions apply

Apparel makers in the country are optimistic that garments exports will cross the $30 billion mark within the next three years, as overseas orders are pouring in. At the same time, they point at issues over capacity that is needed to cater to the volumes of orders within this period. The Daily Star speaks to sector leaders to find out the realities and potential.

Jahangir Alamin, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), said growth of apparel exports is taking place, but it might not cross the $30 billion mark. The export of apparel items will increase in the coming years, because the orders are flowing in from other countries. He said the country's backward linkage industries will face difficulties as the garment manufacturers are importing fabric in huge quantities because they are enjoying the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facilities from the EU, even on imported fabric.

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Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, first vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said achieving the target is possible, if some factors, like upgrading workers' skills, increasing port efficiency, developing infrastructure and improving gas and power supplies, are addressed properly.
"We need to set up more training centres to produce more skilled workers. We need to build a good number of dormitories, especially for the female workers, so that they feel secured in their jobs. We need more technical people as well," Chowdhury says.
He said apparel exports are also growing because of the higher values international buyers are paying for the items.
The prices of the garment items made in Bangladesh increased as buyers are paying more to adjust with the increased prices of raw materials, he adds. "We have no problem with the orders," Chowdhury told The Daily Star yesterday, while the association's president was away.
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Salim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), agreed with the other two leaders on the need for more skilled workers.
He operates three training centres for the workers at present. "We need more skilled workers and improvements in the supply of gas and power.”
Achieving the target is possible if all those issues are addressed timely, he says.
He says currently the position of Bangladesh in knitwear exports is second worldwide, after China.

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