The global manufacturers of denim and denim raw materials, including fibre, chemicals, and yarn, said that Bangladesh would be competitive in the international denim market despite the US tariff and other global trade turmoil.
They also said that Bangladesh is the largest denim supplier to the US and European markets, and they are confident in expanding businesses with the South Asian country.
On Monday, they spoke with this correspondent at the sidelines of the 18th edition of the two-day Bangladesh Denim Expo, organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Expo in the capital.
The Flax Company is a French-based global fibre producer that produces hemp fibre, a sustainable fibre currently used in denim manufacturing.
A representative of the company, Herve Denoyelle, told 抖阴精品 that they have been doing business with Bangladesh for the last six years and supply natural plant-based hemp fibre for the denim sector.
鈥榃e have more than ten buyers in Bangladesh and in the last year, we shipped 100 tons of fibre to our supplier,鈥� he added.
The demand for hemp fibre is growing in Bangladesh as Western buyers demand natural and sustainable products.
Moreover, he added that the price of items produced from plant-based fibre is also high.
He said that people need clothing as a fundamental right regarding the US tariffs. Moreover, China, Vietnam and even India are becoming more expensive.
He also said that the buyers are moving towards recycling and sustainable products.
Deyao Textile produces about 90 million yards of denim fabric yearly at its Foshan City factory in China.
聽Robert Deakin, director (sales) of the company, told 抖阴精品 that they export around 10 per cent of their total exporting products to Bangladeshi manufacturers as per the nomination of Western buyers.
He also said that they exported fabric to prominent Bangladeshi manufacturers, such as Ha-meem Group, Sharmin Group, and Standard Group.
Regarding the US tariff, he said that a number of big manufacturers were considering relocating their plants to Bangladesh, Cambodia, or Vietnam.
However, he said that Bangladesh will remain competitive, but the country must be cautious and focus on lead time and other factors.
Soko Chemical is a fashion chemical company based in Florence, Italy, that supplies chemicals to Bangladesh鈥檚 denim sector.
Matteo A. Urbini, the company鈥簊 managing director, told 抖阴精品 that their sustainable chemical improves the efficiency of the denim.
鈥榃e supply washing technology to the denim sector while the usage of amount of water reduce significantly. We can transfer water into gel as per our hydrogel technology, by which we can reduce use of water to 8 litre for per kg denim, which is 80 litre in conventional,鈥� he added.
They have more than 60 customers in Bangladesh who use their water technology.
He said they still have nothing to say about the tariff, but people must wear clothes to keep Bangladesh competitive.
This year鈥檚 denim expo saw 57 exhibitors from 13 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, UAE, Germany, Switzerland, and the USA.
Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo, said that the focus of negotiation on US trade issues聽should be the industry鈥檚 steady progress towards skill development, sustainability and innovation.
