Owing to innovative designs and being comfortable to wear, the demand for denim and denim-related products has augmented in recent years.
This facilitated Bangladesh to conquer the global denim market by becoming a top supplier of the popular garment items to the Western market including the European Union countries and the United States.

Entrepreneurs said that their hard work and innovative ideas helped them reach their position in the global market.

But they also have a huge opportunity to increase their market share thereby adopting automation, sustainability, and ensuring data availability, compliance, recycling, as well as innovations.

Entrepreneurs also said they have increased their investments from Tk8,000 crore to Tk26,000 crore in a decade in the denim industry of the country.

Talking to the Daily Sun, Managing Director of Sparrow Apparels Ltd Shovon Islam informed that Bangladesh currently exports denim products constituting 14% of total readymade garment exports worth US$47 billion.

“We have a great chance to increase our global share of denim item exports by adopting automation and ensuring data availability, recycling, and innovations.”

He informed, “We are holding a top position in denim exports and our market share is now 8%. But we want to increase the value to $10 billion by 2030 from the $8 billion now.”

Shovon Islam, also a member of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), stated that there are currently 40 denim fabric mills in the country.

Entrepreneurs invested Tk26,000 crore in the denim sector and the sector’s growth is 5% annually. At present, 60% of raw materials are collected from local sources.

The company’s principal exportable products are woven tops, bottom and outerwear, pants, shirts, jackets, and trousers.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported readymade garments (RMG) of $46,991.61 million in the fiscal year 2022-23. Of this, knitwear comprised $25,738.20 million and woven garments $21,253.41 million.

Better margin, better future

Denim experts at a seminar of the 16th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo on Monday underscored the need for sustainability, using modern technology, and ensuring data availability to take the untapped potential of the global denim market.  

Managing Director of Ananta Group Sharif Zahir said the denim was the first product of the company. It has a better margin and a better future.

“Bangladesh has already gained its top position exporting the products. But there is a lack of knowledge, data, and compliance,” he said.

Zahir added, “Competitive prices of the products, sustainability, recycling and new technology are also challenges for entrepreneurs.”
He pointed out that local investors are investing in the denim sector to take the opportunities.

M&J Group director Munir Ahmed said they have to face a challenge owing to the increasing cost of production.

“The denim market is growing in the international market. We have advantages to take it thanks to geographical location. Now, we should improve our image and expand to new markets,” he added.

Asif Ashraf, Managing Director of Urmi Group, said Bangladesh is exporting 75% cotton-made products. The country has a lot of opportunities in exports of manmade fiber (MMF) products, he added.

“We gained second position in the RMG exports and top in denim items exports in the international market thanks to our hard work. Now we need policy support from the government to expand our MMF items. Besides, we have to strengthen our backward linkage industry,” he opined.

CEO at Tex Fasteners Deepak Shah said harmful chemicals are used to produce denim products. “Entrepreneurs should focus on environmental issues and sustainability.”

Two-day Denim Expo begins Monday at ICCB

In order to showcase innovative and upcoming products as well as knowledge sharing on future denim trends, the 16th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo is underway at the International Convention City, Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka on Monday.

Over 60 exhibitors from 11 countries including India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Vietnam, and Japan are set to attend the event, organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE).

Participant categories include fabric mills denim and non-denim, garment manufacturer, washing & laundry, accessories & trims, chemicals, machineries or technology, and logistics.