An international fair of garment accessories and packaging industries began in Dhaka yesterday to bring into focus the country’s strength in backward linkages that have helped build a strong local apparel sector.Over 300 companies from 30 countries are showcasing their products at the four-day GAP EXPO 2015 in over 600 stalls at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.Bangladesh Garment Accessories Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association or BGAPMEA organised the fair.The expo provides an international platform for the members of the association to display their latest products and latest collections to garment exporters and buying houses, said Rafez Alam Chowdhury, president of BGAPMEA, in the opening ceremony.It also provides wider access for sourcing machinery and latest technology from all over the world, he said.  Companies making corrugated cartons, back board, neck board, sticker, hang tag, barcode, size tag, price tag, collar insert, collar bone, sewing thread, tape, elastic, printed and woven labels, zippers, hangers, buttons, and quilting and embroidery are displaying wares at the four-day fair.  The sector that boasts 1,200 suppliers is an important component of backward linkages and is strong enough to meet the demand of the garment industry.The export-oriented garment accessories and packaging sector earned $4.75 billion in the last fiscal year, and is likely to grow to $12 billion by the end of 2018.The sector is growing at an annual rate of 13 percent, with its value addition standing at over 40 percent, according to Chowdhury.Speakers at the opening ceremony urged the government to put more emphasis on the backward linkage industries including garment accessories and packaging, to help the country achieve its $50 billion garment export target by 2021.They also urged the government to grant cash incentives to the sector and make it a thrust sector in the Industrial Policy of 2015.Two other fairs — Garmentech Bangladesh and International Yard and Fabric Sourcing — are also being held at the same venue simultaneously. The events are being co-organised by Zakaria Trade and Fair International, AKS Trade and Exhibitions and BGAPMEA.At the pavilion of Garmentech fair, Udit Kumar of Sewing Solutions, has on display an automated pocket making machine that can save time and increase productivity.The presence of the visitors was thin in the afternoon, but participating companies hope for a big rush on Friday and Saturday.JUKU, a global sewing machine producer of Japan, is showcasing apparel and non-apparel sewing machine, said Nazmul Hossain, a senior sales executive of its Bangladesh subsidiary.He said the company is showcasing eco-friendly machines, as buyers around the world are increasingly demanding more and more environment-friendly products and production processes.  Naf Group is showcasing automated embroidery machine from Japan’s Tajima company.At the International Yard and Fabric Sourcing fair, Alam Industries has brought woven and knit tapes, which can be used in making inner wears and belts, said Nur Alam, one of the owners of the Gazipur-based company.In the same pavilion, A Arun, executive director of Vijay Velavan Spinning Mills Ltd in India, is displaying export quality yarn and fabrics.Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu inaugurated the fair, where MA Mannan, state minister for finance, and Shitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, also spoke.