A four-day international textile and garment machinery exhibition began in Dhaka on Wednesday with the aim of attracting investment from both local and foreign investors and assisting the country’s entrepreneurs to explore varieties of latest machinery and technology.The 16th edition of the exhibition is jointly organised by Bangladesh Textile Mills Association and Yorkers Trade and Marketing Services Co Ltd, Hong Kong at International Convention City, Bashundhara.The exhibition remains open for all from 12:00pm to 8:00pm and will introduce the entrepreneurs with innovative machinery and transformation of technology.Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin inaugurated the event while BTMA president Mohammad Ali Khokon and YTMSC president Judy Wang were present, among others, on the occasion.Shafiul said, ‘We need consistent assistance from the government with ensuring predictable business environment to expand our business.’There should be policy-centric stability for a longer period — 8-10 years — to draw more investments, he said.The government should make its position clear over the prices of gas and electricity to prevent any confusion among public over the prices, he said.The FBCCI president also urged the banks to bring down interest rate to single digit.Mohammad Ali said, ‘We expect that the government would come forward with more supportive policy with incentive for the development of the garments and textile industry.’He also urged the government to take adequate and appropriate action against all deficiencies for the greater interest of the country and the economy.The exhibition will enable the entrepreneurs to explore varieties of latest machinery and technology, and will help to increase productivity of the textile industry.Textile machinery manufacturers now value Bangladesh as the centre of textile and clothing machinery business hub, claimed Mohammad Ali.Some 1,200 machinery manufacturing organisations from 37 countries are exhibiting their products at 1,650 booths in the fair.The countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the UAE and the USA.
