Some 40 Bangladeshi garment factories will take part in the highly prestigious trade show — Premiere Vision Paris — for the first time in September this year.Bangladeshi companies have passed the selection criteria set by Premiere Vision Paris with over 85 percent compliance levels, whereas Chinese factories have been rejected for compliance levels of less than 35 percent, said Dhyana van der Pols, a consultant of the show.“It’s like the Bangladeshi garment makers have qualified to take part in the World Cup,” she said, adding that exposition has been the definitive platform for the last 35 years for professionals involved in the apparel business.The show highlights the best in fabric and garment manufacturing and production destinations, according to van der Pols. “It is a must-see for all stakeholders in the industry.”With 60,000 visitors from 124 countries each edition, it is a place where manufacturers can engage with new buyers from high-end segments and establish business contacts. Over 5,000 global brands will join the three-day show that begins on September 19, she said.The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries or CBI, a concern of the Dutch government, is helping Bangladeshi companies to take part in the show.“This is a golden and unique opportunity for Bangladeshi garment manufacturers to showcase their goods at a global event,” said Mostafiz Uddin, managing director of Denim Expert Ltd, which will participate in the exhibition.This is the biggest sourcing connection fair, he added.Usually, Bangladeshi apparel makers do not get such a big platform to network with the buyers and brands, said Vidiya Amrit Khan, director of Desh Garments, which will also take part in the show.“So, it is an opportunity for us. It is really a very good exposure for the garment makers,” she added.Some of the Bangladeshi garment makers that will participate in the exposition are: Bangla Poshak, Bengal Knittex, Crystal Composite, Fashion Knit Garments, FGS Denimwear and Hassan Tanvir Fashion Wear.Last week, the CBI officials hosted an event — Best Practices Bangladesh — in Dhaka for the retailers and local manufacturers to discuss ways to participate in the show.With the project Best Practices Bangladesh 2014-2018, CBI have coached 28 garment companies to diversify their offerings and assisted them with making collections for the premium and high-end market segments.“We take pride in positioning Bangladesh on a premium trade show geared at the high fashion market segment. We know that price fighters will come to Bangladesh at their own initiative — if we wish to trade up and improve the image of the RMG sector we have to go to the markets for which we wish to produce,” van der Pols said.Bangladesh offers a full package deal for garment retailers, she said, adding that the production structure in countries like Ethiopia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam is limited to cutting and making or only cut-make-trim.Bangladeshi companies have an efficiency rate of 62-75 percent compared with less than 18 percent and 35 percent of their counterparts in Ethiopia and Myanmar.“It is time to show what Bangladesh can manufacture,” she added.
