Int'l garment technology now on display

With a view to giving a clear idea about the world's latest garment technologies to local producers, the second international apparel and knitting technology trade show 'Garmentech' kicked off in the city yesterday.

Some 80 companies from over 10 countries including Japan, Italy, Singapore, Turkey, India and Hong Kong are taking part in the four-day trade show at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Sher-e- Bangla Nagar.

At the trade show, the participating companies are exhibiting the latest technology in knitting, dyeing, sewing, CAD/ CAM and embroidery.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Yussuf Abdullah Harun formally inaugurated the show organised by ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitors Pvt Ltd in association with Zakaria Enterprises Limited at the conference centre.

The inaugural ceremony was attended among others by Bangladesh Garments' Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Kutub Uddin Ahmed, ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitors Pvt. Ltd Managing Director Syed Zakir Ahmed and Zakaria Enterprises Limited Chairman Zakaria Bhuiyan.

Speaking at the ceremony FBCCI President Yussuf Abdullah Harun said though the country is making progress in the RMG sector it still needs to create its own brand in the international arena for which setting up of backward linkage industries is essential.

Harun hoped that the fair would help the garment producers become familiar with the latest technologies which would help the garment sector in establishing backward linkages industries.

He said duty free market access of Bangladeshi products to Canada, Australia and European Union is a good opportunity. "We have to cash in on these opportunities by capturing the big segments of these large markets."

BGMEA President Kutub Uddin Ahmed said though RMG sector is the largest foreign exchange earning sector, it would be faced with the challenges of the post MFA. "To cope with the situation, we have to look for product and market diversification for which we must adopt new technologies."

He hoped the trade fair would provide diverse machinery at competitive prices and reduce expenses in the RMG sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Zakir Ahmed said the fabric requirement of the country is nearly three billion yards increasing by 20 per cent annually. Substantial portion is imported, he said.