The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The three-day Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition-BATEXPO'07, the annual trade show of the garment industry, opened at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the city yesterday.

Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Fakruddin Ahmed inaugurated the gala business function, which is one of the largest apparel expositions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The show, organized by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), will expose latest advancement in production capacities of Bangladeshi manufacturers who are among the top three suppliers to the US and EU markets. BATEXPO brings opportunities for the global buyers and their representatives to see varied categories of Made-in-Bangladesh garments with world's most competitive sourcing offers.

Top Bangladeshi suppliers are participating in the event and displaying their products in 75 stalls at the exposition. More than 50 companies, including suppliers for India, China, Japan and Hong-Kong who usually come to market fabrics and accessories, have registered their participations.

Buyers from USA, Germany, U.K. Canada, Middle East, Southeast Asia and other parts in the world wait every year for the BATEXPO and its last version was visited by 3000 industrial visitors including 500 from abroad.

Also varied categories of woven and knitted garments, denim wears and formal wears, textiles and accessories will be displayed at the single venue of the fair. Industry seminars will be held during the fair and experts from home and abroad will address there.

With nearly $10 billion annual exports and 5000 plus exports' manufacturers, the Bangladesh apparel industry is an admired source for numerous global retailers and importers. Local manufacturers are famed globally for executing large volume orders and to be competitive in terms of quality, prices and skills of workers. Their capacity regarding speedy shipments has improved a lot in recent months.