¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

The denim and apparel businesses of Bangladesh and abroad said that restoring political stability through the national poll next year could accelerate the country’s business environment.

They also attributed the denim and apparel business to stagnation amid geopolitical tensions and local political uncertainty in Bangladesh over the past few months.

Moreover, the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States also affected the global market, leading to sluggish orders, they added.

They were speaking at the sidelines of the 19th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo 2025, organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange in the capital’s Purbachal.

The 2-day expo began on Wednesday, featuring over 45 companies from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Spain, Australia, Vietnam, Germany, and the UAE.

They showcased their products and innovations across fabric mills, denim and non-denim garment manufacturers, yarn, washing and laundry, accessories and trims, chemicals, machinery or technology, and logistics.

Speaking at the sidelines of the event, Sekip Hayit of Resas Chemie, a Turkey-based manufacturer and exporter of textile and industrial chemicals, said business expansion has slowed worldwide due to ‘the Trump-era tariff policies, ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and political instability in Bangladesh.’

‘Business is now in a constraint mode all over the world. Though the global situation is difficult, the political instability in Bangladesh is also a major concern for investors,’ he added.

He also said they are waiting to see what happens next, as the upcoming election is crucial for restoring confidence in business and the economy.

He also said that the participation at this year’s Denim Expo has been visibly lower, reflecting the current uncertainty.

‘Many Bangladeshi companies are hesitant because of the unstable situation. What the business community needs most now is political stability. Bangladesh has the skills and capacity to do better if that stability is ensured,’ he noted.

Resas Chemie, which currently produces from Turkey, is setting up a joint-venture factory in Jamalpur, expected to go into operation next year.

The company exports textile chemicals worth around $23–24 million annually and plans to expand its footprint once its Bangladesh facility begins production.

Hayit also pointed out that irregular gas supply remains a major challenge for industries in Bangladesh.

He also said that China’s struggle with high tariffs in the US market has shifted global textile trade dynamics.

‘Chinese manufacturers were now focusing more on the European Union, which is forcing others to rethink their strategies,’ he added.

B Hande Yildirim, sales chief of Bossa, one of Turkey’s largest integrated textile companies based in Adana, said both global and local political instability have affected buyer confidence.

Bossa is a 74-year-old company producing around 4 million meters of fabric per month and has been doing business with Bangladesh for the last 15 years, supplying about 3 per cent of its total production to Bangladesh.

‘Work orders from the US and the EU markets were going down,’ she added.

She also said that they are committed to sustainable production and environmental responsibility, but noted that market growth now depends on political stability.

‘Bangladesh remains a potential market, but we expect a stronger recovery in 2026 if stability returns. With political calm, business here can truly boom,’ she added.

Guangzhou HNH Textile, a China-based denim manufacturer, was showcasing its latest sustainable innovation, ‘Antimite’ technology, at the ongoing Bangladesh Denim Expo in Dhaka.

Md Saidur Rahman, the company’s country manager, said it worked with all types of denim fabrics and operated its main production facility in Guangzhou, China.

‘With the growing global focus on sustainability, the textile industry is increasingly adopting advanced technologies. In this context, we have introduced ‘Antimite’ technology in our production process,’ he said.

He said that the technology destroys bacteria through a machine-based process before the fabric is delivered, ensuring enhanced hygiene and durability.

Mostafiz, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo, said that they were working to promote the Bangladesh denim industry to global buyers and consumers. The industry is already well-recognised by international brands and consumers for its high-quality products.

‘However, we are currently facing a challenging period due to the combined impact of the global economic crisis and local political instability,’ he added.

The industry was experiencing a decline in orders from buyers.

‘However, we are optimistic that, with political stability, the industry would recover and regain momentum by the first quarter of next year,’ he added.