In the sideline of the 5th Bangladesh Denim Expo, three panel discussions, two knowledge sessions and one technical workshop were held. Participating in the panel discussions, denim manufacturers said Bangladesh’s denim industry needs technology support and low cost loans. Manufacturers also urged global brands to give fair price to their products. Issues confronting Bangladesh denim industry Taking part at a panel discussion on second day, Bangladesh’s leading denim manufacturer Envoy Group Managing Director Abdus Salam Murshedy said Bangladesh’s denim industry is in dire need of high quality washing factories. “Our denim industry has earned a good position in the international arena. Now our challenge is to produce high quality fashion denim. We need modern washing factories for that. We have to modernize our washing factories,” he said. “For that, our industry needs low cost loans,” he added. Murshedy urged buyers to give “ethical price” to the manufacturers.
Asif Ibrahim, Vice Chairman of New Age group, said as China is shifting its focus from clothing industry, many orders might come to Bangladesh, Vietnam and other countries and investment will be a big issue for Bangladesh’s industry. Similarly, Mahbub ur Rahman, Deputy CEO of HSBC Bangladesh pointed out access to loans is available for garment factories but companies must ensure financial documentation.
Taking part in the discussion, global brand H&M regional head (Bangladesh and Pakistan) Roger Hubert said that Bangladesh’s denim industry needs to invest on technology. He said the industry needs education, skill development and loans. Roger put special emphasis on using water and said denim factories should have a strategy of water consumption, “How you wash your products is important to us” he said. H&M is working with manufacturing partners to make Bangladesh’s garment industry environmental friendly.
Leoni Cuelenaere, Ambassador of Kingdom of Netherlands to Bangladesh, said her country wants to see a safer and cleaner garment industry in Bangladesh. She said the industry should be concerned about labor circumstances. “Employees of your factories are your capital. You should keep your employees happy,” she said. On second day, another panel discussion was held on ‘Branding Bangladesh through denim’. Taking part in the discussion, Shantanu Shing, General Manager, C&A Sourcing said denim can be a good way to brand Bangladesh. He said that there are lots of opportunities for medium suppliers. On similar lines, Jochen Weikert, Programme Coordinator of GIZ RMG project said Bangladesh needs to create some role models and produce high quality niche products. Talking about growing concerns about safety issues in RMG units, Nazneen Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow of BIDS said that despite the bad image created by Rana Plaza tragedy, Bangladesh’s garment industry is rising and that shows the strength of the industry. Former BGMEA president Atiqul Islam said Bangladesh’s garment industry should work in a way that it can give a message to the world that Bangladesh’s garment industry is the best. Agreeing with view, French ambassador to Bangladesh, Sophie Aubert said Bangladesh’s garment industry is going through a transition and her government is working with the country to improve working conditions and other issues.
