Accessories makers have cast doubts over achieving their export targets set for the short and medium terms unless the government helps address some problems facing the backward linkage industry. “If the government does not come forward to resolve our existing utility permission and bond facility- related problems, it may not be possible to attain $12 billion and $18 billion export targets by 2018 and 2025 respectively,” President of Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) Rafez Alam Chowdhury said at a press conference in the city on Sunday. The press conference was organised ahead of a four-day international sourcing trade show on apparel accessories and allied products, yarn and fabric. The event, scheduled to kick off in the city on January 13, aims at creating sourcing opportunities for all the stakeholders in the textile and RMG industry. Zakaria Trade and Fair International, ASK Trade and Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and BGAPMEA are jointly organising the event at International Convention City, Bashundhara in the city. The 15th edition of “GARMENTECH Bangladesh 2016 – International Apparel Machinery & Allied Products Tradeshow”, “7th edition of International Yarn & Fabrics Sourcing Fair”, “7th edition of GAP Expo-2016 International Garment Accessories, Packaging & Related Machinery Expo” will take place together during the four-day period. A wide range of latest apparel technology from global majors will be showcased under one roof and the use of such technology will help increase productivity, quality, compliance and value addition in the country, Mr Chowdhury said. “The four-day event will bring a tremendous sourcing opportunity for all the stakeholders in the textile and RMG industry,” said Nanda Gopal K, director of ASK Trade and Exhibitions Pvt Ltd. The RMG sector, the life-line of Bangladesh economy, is moving ahead to reach the target of $50 billion of exports by 2020, Mr Chowdhury said, adding that the backward linkage industry accessories will play a great role in achieving the $50 billion target. He demanded government policy support that includes providing cash incentive, lowering bank interest rate and resolving other bank- related issues that hamper their business. The event will be the technology destination for the RMG sector to modernise, upgrade and increase the value chain, said Tipu Sultan Bhuyian, CEO, Zakaria Trade and Fair International. Some 300 companies will display their latest in sewing, knitting, embroidery, laundry, finishing, dyeing, CAD/CAM, printing, cutting, spreading machinery from leading companies from 20 countries including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, USA, Sri lanka and Bangladesh, organizers said. Some of the machinery is being launched at the event for the first time keeping in mind the needs of the industry in Bangladesh, they said, adding that the event always has been attracting the decision makers and technical personnel from the RMG industry in the country. The latest collection of natural and synthetic yarn and fabric and its blends both for woven and knit sectors being will be showcased by overseas companies that quest for value added garments sourcing newer and innovative blends of natural and synthetic fabrics, they added. The companies will display garment accessories, packaging and related machinery including labels, zippers, gags, tapes, thread, ribbon, buttons, rivets, laces, hooks, transfer film, paper, ink, along with related machinery.
