The readymade garment sector is the driving force of the Bangladeshi economy, accounting for a massive 83 per cent of its exports in October-December 2015. The sector has resulted in Bangladesh enjoying a steady 6 per cent growth rate for more than a decade, but as the industry eyes the future, it will have to make major changes to make sure that growth is sustainable.
One example of these changes is how the denim sub-sector is using lasers instead of chemicals to “finish” the jeans.
The production of denim fabric includes making patterns, as well as getting the right colour for the most popular “blue” colour jeans. This requires washing the jeans using different types of chemicals.
It takes 100 litres of water to make an average pair of blue jeans according to industry insider...
When a well-known international sports brand approached Nagesh Sharma, who runs an apparel sourcing company from Gurgaon, with a huge order for tracksuit pants, Mr Sharma tried to source the product from India.
He found only one apparel factory could match the buyer’s specifications.
The primary problem, Mr Sharma says, is that India’s garment factories are too small; they typically have 150 people and about 80 machines.
The average factory in Bangladesh has 600 people. Mr Sharma eventually sourced the order
from a Taiwan...
Asia is in a rut. China’s economic growth is slowing, dragging down its neighbors, and Asian supply chains have struggled as demand for their products weakens, especially in tech. But as exports slump in economies across the region, Bangladesh has just recorded its highest monthly exports in history.
As Bloomberg reported, the South Asian nation brought in $3.2 billion from exports in Dec. 2015, a record for the country. The World Bank, meanwhile, predicts Bangladesh’s GDP will grow 6.7% in 2016, making it one of the world’s fastest growing economies. So what’s its secret? Insatiable global demand for cheap clothes, which made up $2.67 billion, or more than 83%, of that monthly record.
A four-day international sourcing trade shows on RMG industry under one roof yesterday began in the city in a bid to making apparel industry more enriched.
Industries Minister Amair Hossain Amu inaugurated the three international events as chief guest. He said, “About 300 factories in accessories and packaging sector are in operation in the country. Products ranging 30 to 35 are being produced in the backward industries of the RMG. The country earned about $5.61 billion in fiscal year 2014-15 by exporting surplus after meeting the local demand.”
He said, the government is working to flourish accessories and packaging sectors. As part of
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More than 80 percent of Bangladesh’s garment factories supplying global retailers have been found to be safe, the government said on Monday, citing improvements made after a deadly 2013 accident.
Syed Ahmed, the inspector general of factories, said 1,475 garment factories had been assessed as part of a government initiative supported by the International Labour Organization, Canada, the Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Some 81 percent were found to adhere to building codes, as well as fire and electrical safety standards, he said.
Among the other f...
Bangladesh is set to lose its competitive edge in global apparel business as trade ministers of 12 Asia Pacific nations signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement on Monday.
Economists and leaders of trade bodies suggested that Bangladesh should take preparations to join the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in future.
Bangladesh is set to lose its competitive edge in global apparel business as trade ministers of 12 Asia Pacific nations struck the deal in Atlanta.
The hard-won deal to create the world’s largest free-trade area, en...
