The Bangladesh Denim Expo, which took place for the second time in May in the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka, aims to help turn the country into the ultimate business platform for the entire denim production chain. Presented at the show were innovations and trends in the denim market, as well as technologies, accessories, and materials used within the industry. Twenty-five jeans producers and companies from the United States, Spain, Japan, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, China, San Marino, and Bangladesh showcased their collections to the more than 2,000 visitors and buyers from Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam seemed confident that they would be successful in doubling denim production from their current value of 3.5bn US Dollar by 2021, as well as in exceeding total export revenues of 50bn US Dollar in the textiles sector within the same period. After China, Bangladesh is the second largest supplier for the European denim market. Around 400 manufacturing sites export 180 million pairs of jeans worldwide each year.

A number of world-renowned denim manufacturers and importers are now investing in Bangladesh, which has grown into an important supplier in the denim market due to its competitive prices and high quality products. “The response from global brands and retailers has been overwhelming. They feel that Bangladesh is highly attractive as sourcing market with reasonable prices,” said Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director of Denim Expert Limited and organiser of the Bangladesh Denim Expo.

The next, third edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo will take place on 11 and 12 November.

[ www.bangladeshdenimexpo.com]