The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

As Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (BATEXPO)-2007, one of the largest apparel expositions in the Asia-Pacific, opens today, the organisers are hopeful to attract more buyers than that of the previous years.

They were confident to say that Bangladesh, with its improved efficiency, would withstand the increased competition in global market and the BTEXPO-07 would be more successful and meaningful.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is scheduled to inaugurate the 3-day fair at Sonargaon Hotel at 11 am today. Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam and Labour and Employment Adviser Anwarul Iqbal will also be present at the exhibition being organized by BGMEA since 1989.

"Everyone known that the competition will be tougher after lifting the EU and US restriction on Chinese exports next year," President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said yesterday.

"We too improved a lot to be able to withstand the competition," he added confidently as he was addressing a press conference at BGMEA marking the BATEXPO-07.

Replying to a question he said apparel manufacturers used to display in the fair the items that produced on buyers' choice. But this time they would offer items developed locally.

"We've developed a lot in terms of fashion, design, colour, fabrics, accessories… these developments will be displayed prominently this year," Anwar said.

The BGMEA president said that they were expecting huge spot orders from the fair. There will also be arrangement for spot sales of ready stock apparel in this year's show.

BATEXPO is one of the unique mega events that display apparels, textiles and related products. This is the platform to interact among the manufacturers, both local and international buyers and new entrepreneurs to render the recent development or changes in the apparel sector.

Since the first BATEXPO, held in 1989, the annual event has created an effective window to show international buyers the range of diversity, quality, fashion, styles and prices of the locally stitched apparels.

Some 68 enterprises from home and abroad would take part in the exhibition to display their products at 82 stalls set up at the Hotel. BATEXPO will be featured with traditional events including seminars on issues and challenges of the industry and two cultural nights of fashion show to reflect the improvements in fashion and designing as well as local textile fabrics.