The three-day Bangladesh Apparel and Safety Expo has got spot orders for export of 2.0 million pieces of jackets and shirts and machinery, sweater machine, fire equipments and accessories worth US$ 69 million. The BGMEA leaders have termed this a major achievement and “unprecedented” and said through this exposition Chittagong has showcased its products to the global buyers and proved its potential. The exposition began on Thursday at Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View and ended on Saturday. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed opened the expo, where representatives of global buyers participated. The spot orders include RMG (readymade garment) machinery sales of $ 20 million, sweater machine of $ 12 million, fire safety equipment of $ 22 million and RMG accessories $ 15 million. The export orders for 2.0 million pieces of jacket and shirt came mostly from the Russian buyers where a small fraction of Bangladesh apparel usually gets access. The BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) leaders, however, did not specify the volume of export in terms of money. They said that the spot orders the manufacturers and sellers have gained are the major achievements. “What we have earned through this expo is that we could ably put forth Bangladesh Brand, our potential in the apparel sector to the global buyers and their representatives,” said BGMEA first vice president Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury. He said that they have successfully projected the Bangladesh apparel and its future to the global buyers. Many global buyers have visited the expo in person as it was held in a gorgeous manner in the Radisson Blu. “This was a great event for lift of Bangladesh Brands RMG, especially the potential of the RMG sector in Chittagong. Bangladesh aims to earn $50 billion from the RMG sector by 2021 as envisioned by our Prime Minister,” he said. Coordinator of the Bangladesh Apparel & Safety Expo ANM Saifuddin said the expo has got better response from the buyers’ community. The Chittagong garment manufacturers have got a mental boost from the expo, which will pave the way for reaching the targeted exports , he said.
