Along with concentrating on denim, functional fabrics and other special items of apparel, the garment makers should pay more heed to production of sweaters to reach the $50 billion export target by the year 2021, expanding the overall apparel export volume. The world sweater market which is mainly dominated by China is a potential platform for Bangladesh’s apparel sector. Since China is gradually inclining to hi-tech and heavy industry, Bangladeshi apparel makers can easily grab sweater market, sector insider opined. According to information, the global knitwear market is around $250 billion while sweater market comprises one third of the total knitwear market. The scenario of sweater production is also same in Bangladesh. It shares one third of the country’s knitwear item, according to sources. Data from Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) suggests that the country’s average annual knitwear export is $12 million. Sources said China is the largest sweater manufacturer in the world. Its production volume is around $50 billion while Bangladesh’s sweater production is around $5-6 billion per annum. As Chinese entrepreneurs are shifting from garment industry to hi-tech and heavy industry, it has created a large scope for Bangladeshi apparel makers to grab the position. Obviously, sweater production in large volume would be a pathway for the country’s apparel sector to reach the $50 billion export target, said Md Hatem, former vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association. To do so, it is necessary to increase the volume of production by developing the skills of the workers and introducing new technology in the sector, he opined. Sweater industry insiders informed that production can be enlarged by introducing automated machinery. It was learnt that many sweater manufacturers are already introduced automated jaqurred machines that are helping them enjoy robust volume of production. Japan and South Korea are the manufacturers of the machines, said Hatem adding that around 10,000 machines have been installed at different sweater factories in Bangladesh last year. There is no alternative to reach the goal of $50 billion export by 2021, said Shahidullah Azim, former vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. For this it is necessary for specialised garment items, including functional fabrics and sweater items. Use of automated machines at factories will help increase the workers’ skills as well as production, he added.
