Denim fabrics and products in Bangladesh have embodied constant evolution over the years with the blessings of latest technology and innovative designs, industry people said. They made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day Bangladesh Denim Expo in the capital yesterday. Denim Experts Limited is hosting the event. “We believe that denim fabrics and denim products are under constant evolution because of strong technological influence and the new generation’s choice to change denim look,” Denim Experts Limited CEO and managing director Mostafiz Uddin said. “We have a specially designed trend zone with the latest evolution and innovative trend that will rule the denim world for the next seasons.” According to sector people, Bangladesh export over 180m pieces of jeans worth $3.5bn to the European and the US markets. “This is really a great job done by the Bangladesh Denim Expo to brand denim products. Bangladesh produces best products in the world,” the Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh, Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere, who were visiting the expo, told the Dhaka Tribune on the sidelines. Bangladeshi factories are meeting sustainable manufacturing conditions and not using much water, electricity and other natural resources, she said. Meanwhile, the sector people and the exhibitors said the exposition on a specific product helps add value to apparel industry as it brings people from across the globe under one umbrella. “BATEXPO was a big platform for the sector people to get together, but Bangladesh Denim Expo is only for an item that focuses on ins and outs of denim,” BGMEA Vice-President Faruq Hassan said. The expo helps manufacturers add value, he said, adding that different types of manufactures, who produce higher-end products, join the event. “Currently, Bangladesh is producing basic to mid-high fabrics. We are installing high technology that would be able to produce standard fabrics,” said Kazi Obaidur Rahman, AGM (marketing and R&D) of Shasha Denim. The sector witnesses new innovation and evolution every day as the sector people have a lot of investment in technology and research, he said. The aim of the expo is to improve the country’s reputation as a denim manufacturer, said Mostafiz. He noted that the expo was successfully doing this, and it has already become a much-awaited event in the international denim calendar. Bangladesh Denim Expo has seen a great success in terms of participation of global buyers and brands, manufacturers and researchers, he said. “I am pleased to declare that we are going to organise the first edition of Bangladesh Green Apparel and Textile Expo 2017 to support the green momentum in the apparel industry.” Knowledge and easier access to energy efficient technology may further facilitate the green process, Mostafiz said. He hopes that this expo will bring environmentally friendly technology and solutions. Currently, there are 28 green factories in the RMG sector certified by the US Green Building Council while 120 were registered for setting up apparel units.
