Costly dollar weighs on imports, inflation in Bangladesh

The rising cost of the dollar is pinching importers and consumers, while it gives a reward to exporters and remitters.

Over 90 percent of the corporate deals (for imports) worth over $150 million were settled at Tk 72.80 against the dollar in yesterday's market, according to fund managers at different banks. The rate was as high as Tk 73.05 against the dollar in a foreign bank. But the inter-bank rate was Tk 71.15 against the dollar.

The dollar has appreciated against the taka by over 4 percent in the past two months although the greenback is losing to other major global currencies.

Bankers attributed the price hike of the dollar to higher imports and its costs and sliding remittances.

“The gap between demand and supply of the dollar is growing faster. Its (dollar) price may increase further if the supply side is not improved,” said a fund manager of a private commercial bank.

The country's supply side depends on exports and inward remittances, while demand is driven by imports and outward remittances.

Bangladesh received around $10 billion from exports and another $5 billion from inward remittances during the first half (July-Dec) of the current fiscal year. The country spent nearly $13.2 billion for imports alone during the period, creating a pressure on the balance of payments. Import growth was 36.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, balance of payments stood at negative $584 million during the July-November period of the current fiscal year, but it was positive at $2.15 billion during the same period a year ago. Foreign exchange reserve has also dipped down to $10.39 billion on January 25 from $11.17 billion on December 30, 2010.

Bangladesh has been witnessing volatility in foreign exchange market after it had faced a crunch in the money market in December and January. The call money rate rose as high as 190 percent recently, but has come down to 5-6 percent now.

Bankers said higher import payments are pushing up the demand for the greenback. The import prices of fuel oil, edible oil, wheat, rice and cotton have increased significantly. Per tonne of edible oil was sold at $480 a year ago, but the price is now at $1,000. Similarly, fuel oil price has gone up to $98 from $60 a barrel last year.

In the past six months, soybean prices rose 46 percent to more than $14 a bushel. Sugar, while lower than in November, is still up 34 percent over six months ago to around 31 cents a pound. Cotton price almost trebled in one year.

The rising import payments for power plant equipment and capital machinery are also making the greenback costlier in the market, according to the bankers. The situation is fuelling the inflationary pressure (nearly 8 percent on point-to-point basis), they added.

“An urgent move is needed to boost exports and inflow of remittances. Otherwise the demand and price of the dollar will soar further,” said a senior official of a foreign commercial bank that is strongly exposed to international trade.

Another fund manager of a private bank said the central bank could cool down the market by selling dollars to the banks instead of lending.

While the overall situation of the foreign exchange market is hurting the importers, it gives more money to the exporters and remittance recipients.

An exporter of $10 million now gets Tk 2 crore more (1 dollar = Tk 72 instead of Tk 70) and a recipient of $1,000 remittances receives Tk 2,000 more than he/she used to get two months ago.

source:thedailystar.net

Fresh SeaShell Bridal Bouquet

I've featured button bouquets, I've featured brooch bouquets, I've even featured door knob bouquets but when I came across this bridal bouquet even I was blown away!

A total Esty find and possible a little expensive at $275, but then again for an international, [ Shells imported from the Philippines. Silk ribbons were hand-dyed in the USA. Beading from China. Swarovski crystals from Europe.] totally unique, potential family heirloom, maybe its worth it?

Image from Esty

First Textile and Garments factory under PSI inaugurated in Accra

The first factory under the President's Special Initiative (PSI) on Textiles and Garments was inaugurated in Accra on Friday.

The 1.2 million dollars T-Shirts, Trousers, Fabric and Garments factory under Belin Textiles International Limited (BTIL) is also the first Ghana-Mauritius partnership company established to export goods to the US under the Africa growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) Initiative.

President John Agyekum Kufuor and the visiting Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Island of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnuath, who is on a four-day state visit to Ghana jointly inaugurated the factory after unveiling the plaque.

President Kufuor said Ghana and Mauritius had become partners in development in the spirit of the African Union (AU), NEPAD and South-South Corporation.

He said such co-operation should be the vehicle through which developing countries should aspire to join the mainstream of globalisation.

President Kufuor said under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) developing countries were now developing the muscles to compete with developed countries therefore, such co-operation between developing countries was ideal.

"Ghana will team up with Mauritius to learn as fast as possible through partnership and leap-frog into the mainstream of development", he said.

President Kufuor announced that another company from Mauritius had expressed the desire to invest about 100 million dollars in sugar production in the Northern part of Ghana.

He said the symbolic inauguration of the factory was the first step in practical terms that the partnership between Ghana and Mauritius was being contracted.

Sir Anerood said the establishment of the factory was the fruit of the hard work that Ghana had undertaken to transform the country into an industrialised nation.

He said it was the textile industry, which formed the basis for Mauritius to diversify her economy and with her knowledge and experience in the industry Ghana could benefit substantially from their partnership.

Sir Anerood commended the Mauritius partners in the company for their entrepreneurial spirit and adventurism to accept to invest in Ghana. He was optimistic that other entrepreneurs in Mauritius would emulate the example of their counterpart and relocate in Ghana for the textile industry in Ghana to flourish like in Mauritius.

Mr Berty Fong, the Mauritius Managing Director, who owns about 49 per cent shares in the company said he decided to invest in Ghana because of the congenial atmosphere and the investment potentials in the country. Mr Robert Paapa Cudjoe, the Ghanaian Executive Chairman, who owns 51 per cent shares in the company, appealed for the establishment of a Ghana-Mauritius Chamber of Commerce to further strengthen the economic co-operation between the two countries.

He announced that the Company was negotiating with the Dutch Government through DANIDA for an expansion programme that would include screen printing of their products.

The Executive Chairman said negotiations were also underway with the Netherlands Government for the establishment of a fertilizer blending plant at Takoradi before the end of the year.

Mr Cudjoe said the Company was negotiating with Courts of the United Kingdom a home furnishing and electrical appliances company to become their retail outlet in the West African Sub-Region.

The factory with a workforce of about 200 began trial production in August, last year, currently produces 3,000 T-Shirts a day as against a target of 6,000 T-shirts a day an equivalent of about 100,000 T-shirts a month and about 20,000 trousers a month. 02 July 11

Caring for your gown

I know it’s very popular to take bridal photos prior to your wedding, but please use extreme caution and care with your gown.  Vintage and outdoor locations are wonderfully beautiful, however they pose some hazards.

If you are dead set on bridal portraits for your wedding, consider the location of your photos carefully.  Wood floors are havens for oil and dirt so it is advisable to take a sheet or drop cloth with you.  The same is true for outdoor locations.

Photo by Wedding Chicks

Your gown is dirty, now what?  First, be calm.  Take your time and find a trained dry cleaner – there is specific training and certification for cleaning bridal gowns.  Many chemicals are harsh and can destroy threads causing beading to come off.  The heat used with some cleaning can harm fabrics and melt the boning used in designs.  In Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills Cleaners does a wonderful job. 

Now that your wedding is over, consider preserving your gown.  It is well known that white and ivory fabrics yellow over time. To avoid this chemical process, your gown should be sealed in an air tight bag. The Bridal Boutique works with the Wedding Gown Preservation Company. Gowns are sent to the company, carefully cleaned and sealed.  It is possible to add your veil, garter, etc. There are different levels of preservation, with the more expensive option to include museum quality preservation.  The cost ranges from $185.00 to $250.00.

You have invested in your gown, so protect your investment with proper cleaning and preservation. Your daughter or granddaughter may want to wear it one day!

As always,

…be timeless

Jenny

Garment and textile industry should invest further in hi-value competitively priced products

Garment sector looks to boost world export standing.The garment and textile industry this year should invest further in hi-value competitively priced products to maintain its position in the world's top five exporters, with a view to making it into the top three, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai told a conference on Monday.

Hai urged the industry to focus on technological innovation, while sourcing the best raw materials and improving the quality of its human resources – including its management.

An adequate support industry was also necessary to ensure the sector's sustainable development, he said.

The sector has set an ambitious target of US$12.7-$13 billion in export earnings this year, according to the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

It is also aiming to source between 55 and 60 per cent of its raw materials locally to cut import costs this year.

To achieve these goals, the sector planned to focus on finding new export markets, Vu Duc Giang, Vinatex chairman, said.

To reduce reliance on imported raw materials, Giang said Vinatex was trying to encourage farmers to grow more cotton.

However, he said it would be difficult to develop a cotton growing industry that met the requirement of the garment and textile industry because of poor soil quality. He said that farmers should alternate growing cotton with other crops to boost profits.

Vinatex is preparing to establish a raw-materials manufacturing joint stock company with its member firms to work with provinces to earmark farmland for cotton growing. It will be looking for farms of 50ha to 100ha.

Despite a number of difficulties, the garment sector still generated $11.2 billion from exports last year, up 23 per cent year-on-year. The localisation ratio rose from 46-49 per cent. — VNS

Indian Textiles sector calls for stable growth policy

Chennai, Jan 19 (IANS) The Indian government should have a stable policy for the textiles industry which needs to adopt a uniform growth plan, an experts panel said here Wednesday.

A panel discussion on 'Prospects of Textile Exports' was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL.

Amit H Ruparelia, chairman of TEXPROCIL, who opened the discussion, said the textiles and clothing sector is facing various challenges like increase in raw material prices in India and overseas and changes in the government policy last year.

According to Manikam Ramaswami, chairman and managing director of Loyal Textile Mills, the domestic demand is on the rise and the industry should move towards free trade regime away from quota regime, implying export quota for cotton.

T. Kannan, managing director of Thiagarajar Mills, said India's competitive strength comes from its home grown cotton, increased productivity and competitive yarn.

Stressing the need for a stable sectoral policy Ashwin Chandran, joint managing director of Precot Meridian, said the spinning industry is sandwiched between cotton growers and the garment makers.

'The fabric and garment sectors should be ready to pay international prices as cross subsidies would not work in the long run,' he said.

Countering the argument, P. Sundararajan, chief managing director of SP Apparels, charged that the spinning mills are not ready to accept orders in advance so that the garment makers can meet their schedules.

Saumitra Chaudhuri, member of planning commission, urged the industry to come out with medium term plan for textile and cotton segment keeping in mind the domestic needs, logistics and integration with South East and African markets.

Profiles of 18 Textile and Apparel Companies in Indonesia

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0ac01a/profiles_of_18_tex) has announced the addition of Textiles Intelligence's new report "Profiles of 18 Textile and Apparel Companies in Indonesia" to their offering.

Indonesia's economy is the largest in South-East Asia and is growing rapidly. The country has a well-established, vertically integrated textile industry which includes nearly every production stage -- although the bulk of its raw cotton requirements have to be imported. The report provides a general overview of the country and an analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).

It also contains profiles of 18 larger players, namely Apac Inti Corpora, Ateja Multi Industri, Busana Apparel Group, Century Textile Industries (Centex), CMP, Dayani Garment Indonesia (DGI), Ever Shine Tex, Indonesia Synthetic Textile Mills (ISTEM), Indonesia Toray Synthetics (ITS), Indorama Synthetics, Mayer Indah Indonesia, Pan Brothers, Polyfin Canggih, Primatexco Indonesia, Sinar Group, Texmaco Group, Triloka Indoprima and Unitex.

Philippine-made garment exports to enter the US duty-free as long as these used American textiles.

THE PHILIPPINES has to accept the fact that its benefits under a proposed trade scheme favoring its garment exports to the US will have to be cut if the measure is to have a better chance of getting approved by the new Congress there, government and private sector officials yesterday said.

But in the meantime, garment giant Luen Thai Holdings, Inc. said it has shelved plans to put up a $5-million jean factory in the country, after the previous US Congress failed to pass the preferential program before its term ended last month.

The proposed "Save our Industries Act," first filed in Washington in 2009, would have allowed Philippine-made garment exports to enter the US duty-free as long as these used American textiles.

There were also provisions that would have reduced import duties on Philippine garments that use textiles woven from US yarns.

Competitive

This scheme was supposed to result in competitively priced apparel that are a tenth cheaper than those produced by China-based manufacturers using Chinese textiles, Rick Helfenbein, president of the Luen Thai’s American unit TellaS Ltd., told reporters in a press conference yesterday.

Backers of pending bills in the 111th US Congress, however, will have to start from scratch after the legislature’s term ended last December.

Ready for another round

"We will definitely refile [sic] the bill. The position of the government is we will certainly provide the necessary support," Trade Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio said in the same briefing, noting that the state agency still has some P450 million to spend from the fund of the now-defunct Garment and Textiles Export Board.

The bill is expected to add $1.1 billion to annual export sales which have currently stagnated at $2 billion-$2.5 billion since 2006, according to estimates from the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines (CONGEP).

The trade incentive granted to the Philippines should also lure $480 million worth of investments for factories in the first two years of the law’s implementation, CONGEP had said.

‘More palatable’ proposal

"But there are some technical things in the bill [that will be changed] to make it more palatable," said Mr. Helfenbein.

"We will probably delete three to four items," he said, referring to provisions that would reduce tariffs for Philippine garment exports even if these do not use American textiles but at least those cloth woven from US yarn.

This should pacify American textile groups that had raised objections, Mr. Helfenbein said.

A new provision could also be added that will allow Philippine garment makers to source textiles outside the US in case there is a shortage of these raw materials, Mr. Helfenbein said.

Trade high on the agenda

"It is very clear that trade is on the agenda of the 112th Congress," he said.

"We believe the opportunity is ripe."

Luen Thai, which is backing the lobbying effort, has facilities here that make garments and bags for high-end brands like Ralph Lauren, Dillards, Coach and Adidas.

Source:bworldonline.com

Target Corporation is making its first foray outside the US after agreeing a CAD1.825bn (US$1.83bn) deal

The purchase will allow Target to begin opening its first stores in Canada beginning in 2013, the retailer said , with up to 150 Target stores set to operate by 2014.

"This transaction provides an outstanding opportunity for us to extend our Target brand, Target stores and superior shopping experience beyond the United States for the first time in our company's history," explains Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and CEO of Target Corporation.

"We believe our investment in these leases will strengthen the surrounding communities as well as create strategic and financial value for Target stakeholders."

Under the terms of the deal, Target will pay Zellers two equal tranches of C$912.5m in May and September this year. Zellers will sub-lease these sites from Target and continue to operate them under the Zellers banner for a period of time.

The retailer's move into the Canadian market will be overseen by chief marketing officer Michael Francis.

Target, which currently operates 1,752 stores, also said it is trying to sell its credit card receivables portfolio, which totalled $6.7bn as of 30 October.

RMG industry crisis: How to solve it?

The garment industry is a rising one in the country. About 3.5 million workers are engaged in this sector. Most of them are women. The importance of this sector in the national economy is immense. Since this sector is conducted by Global Supply Chain, any incident in this sector becomes a much-talked-about topic nationally and internationally.Conscious people firmly believe that if effective and meaningful steps are taken, the production and marketing in this sector will be double and 3.0 million more workers can be engaged in this sector. The sector has got 25 per cent more orders in the last three months within the existing market.

Besides, there has arisen a possibility of exporting ready-made garments to Japan, India, China, South Africa, Brazil and some other countries of the world.

Different organisations working for the protection of human rights and labour rights of the world always intensively observe this sector due to the volume of our exported goods and the ability of remaining in the competition in the world. It is not possible to conceal anything in this world of the free flow of information. So any incident in the export-oriented garment industry becomes the lead news of the national and international media. It is the demand of time to maintain and enhance the image of the industry in the global market. The announcement of the minimum wages for the RMG employees within the shortest possible time and the rescue operations taken up by the government after the fire incident in Ha-Meem Group are undoubtedly praiseworthy.

There has been a gap between the expectations and gains of the workers since the inception of the industry in the world. Dialogue and compromise are the way of maintaining stability and a healthy industrial relation is the only way to remove the gap.

We firmly believe in a constructive, responsible, creative, uncompromising workers’ movement not in violence and anarchy. We are uncompromising in the question of realising the demands of the workers. We are committed to play the role of a sleepless guard to protect the national industries. The globally recognized systematic and legal way of creating the environment of the dialogue and compromise is to ensure right to organize and right to bargain collectively ie to implement effectively and meaningfully the articles 87 and 98 of ILO convention and the existing labour laws of the country.

Some recent incidents have damaged the image of this sector nationally and internationally. The killing of 21 workers in the fire incident in Garib & Garib factory, killing of 4 workers by shooting during the worker unrest in Chittagong EPZ and killing of 28 workers in the fire incident in Ha-Meem Group garment factory in Ashulia of Savar were undesirable, painful and heart-rending. Some organizations around the world expressed mixed reaction over these incidents.

On behalf of the garment workers’ federation, we would like to clearly give a strong message to the government and owners that we want safe workplace not any death trap. We demand judicial inquiry of the fire incident in Ha-Meem Group. We strongly demand to publish the list of how many workers died and were injured. There is no workers’ representative in the inquiry committee formed by the government. So there is a scope for the inquiry not being unbiased and neutral. We also demand revelation of the report of the inquiry of Garib & Garib incident.

According to the information received from various sources, the factory of Ha-Meem Group is of international standard from architectural point of view and the fire-extinguishing equipment and infrastructure is modern. What the fire fighters did during the incident is also a matter of concern. The matter of the main gate being locked during the incident needs to be investigated.

The demands are:

1. The right of forming trade union by workers in accordance with the existing labour laws and in line with ILO convention has to be ensured.

2. Constructing factories according to the Building Code and Factory Act must be made mandatory.

3. All tin-shed roofs of the factories must be removed.

4. The stairs of the factories must be widened and heaping goods on the stairs must be banned.

5. Tk 0.5 million (5.0 lakh) is to be paid to a dead worker’s family and proper treatment should be arranged for the injured workers. Full salaries of the injured workers must be paid until they join after recovery.

6. Effective fire-extinguishing measures need to be arranged in every factory and the gates of the factories must be kept open during the working hours.

7. The newly-announced wage structure must be implemented and corrected in case of any inconsistency.

Urges to the buyers:

The federation urges the buyers, brands and retailers that they would provide financial assistance to the dead and injured workers in accordance with the rules of Loss of Earnings showing due respect to CSR. In this case, the example of Voluntary Relief Fund of Spectrum Sweater Factory can be followed.

Urges to the international trade union and human rights organizations:

Paying respect to the concerns of international trade unions, human rights organizations and labour rights organizations we would like to say that they should press the buyers and retailers to raise the purchase price so that the owners of the industries of our county can get the increased price and be able to give the workers due wages. Our earnest request to them is to conduct campaign for the duty-free access of our goods to the USA. Thus it will be possible to conduct the activities jointly. If the campaign is conducted unilaterally and based on biased information, the development of the industry will be hampered and the working class, especially female workers, will be greatly affected which is not desirable and expected from a conscious human rights activist.


Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

Tea Cup Wedding Cake!

I know I've spoken of my love of tea cups, specifically China tea cups on this blog before - you all know, or at least those of you who read regularly that I am a big advocate of only drinking tea from a China tea cup... see my own [amongst the office mess] below.

So you can all imagine my utter excitement and delight when I happened upon these latest treasures this evening!

If only I had thought of having a Tea Cup Wedding Cake for my own wedding day! My poor mother might have had an even bigger challenge then trying to create my dream castle wedding cake!

There is always my 10 Year Vowel Renewal?

 


Images: Kitchen of Carla & Elaine

Your wedding night, as a cake!

I just love this cake... quirky, fun and totally original!

Check our Cannaboe Confectionery for more fab cakes!

RMG sector earning may reach $30-35b in 4-5 yrs

The earning from garment sector may be taken up to US$ 30-35 billion in the next 4-5 years by ensuring power, infrastructure and port facilities, and maintaining law and order situation, said FBCCI President A K Azad.The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) chief said the local RMG industry’s growth was 40 per cent last year, and it will start increasing significantly within a short time. For this the government has to ensure logistic supports for the sector.

He said these at the inaugural ceremony of International Apparel Machinery, Fabrics and Accessories Tradeshow of Bangladesh at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city Wednesday.

The three-day fair was jointly organised by Zakaria Trade and Fair International and ASK Trade and Exhibitions Pvt Ltd. It will continue from January 12 to 15, and as many as 150 companies from 24 countries will display their products at the 10th edition of Garmentech Bangladesh and IFA Sourcing Fair.

Industries Minister Dilip Barua was present as the chief guest of the programme.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

Happy 2011!

The Bridal Boutique is starting 2011 with a very busy schedule that will include bridal shows, a huge sample sale, three upcoming trunk shows, new gowns arriving daily, and a lot of new brides. Without a doubt, this year will be our best yet.

We are very excited about two new lines we are now carrying; WTOO by Waters and Pronovias. Their gowns are truly amazing.  Gowns from Essense of Australia, Allure Bridals, Casablanca Bridal and Maggie Sottero are arriving each week. You won't be disappointed - they are wonderful.

In January, we will be attending the OK Bride bridal show on Sunday, January 23, 2011.  We love being a part of the OK Bride shows, they are professional and offer new brides the largest number of wedding vendors in one location.  It is well worth your time and effort.

Beginning January 26-31, 2011 (10:00 to 6:00 daily), The Bridal Boutique is holding the biggest Sample Sale to date!!!!!  Our sale is so big; we have moved the event to a separate location in Brookhaven Village Shopping Center (the Appello location).  We will have a large selection of bridal, bridesmaid, mother-of -bride/groom, flower girl, veils, shoes, prom, formalwear, etc.  No appointments are necessary!

One of the best opportunities for brides to see entire collections is to attend trunk shows. We have three events upcoming:

Pronovias -  February 25-26, 2011

Essense of Australia - March 25-25, 2011

WTOO by Waters - April 29-30, 2011

The trunk shows are by appointment.

During 2010 we began Day-of-Services where our staff will come to your wedding, steam your gown on-site and assist the bride with her bridal gown.  If you are interested, we can give you additional information and pricing.

Best wishes to all.

...be timeless,

Jenny

Sunman Group sets up largest home textile plant in Bangladesh

Sunman Group said Saturday it is setting up the country's largest home textile plant to grab new-found opportunities in the European Union's four billion dollars bed-sheet and curtain market.

The clothing-to-beverage maker is investing more than eight billion taka in a state-of-the-art plant at Iswardi export processing zone, which will go into operation mid-2012, its CEO said.

"We have bought 57 plots covering a third of the Ishwardi EPZ. Some 70 per cent of the civil work has been completed," said Shafiqur Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer of the group.

The plant will have a capacity to produce 100,000 yards of bed sheet and curtains a day, making it the country's largest home textile manufacturers.

The investment has been fast-tracked after the EU last month relaxed its import rules, allowing products with 30 per cent value addition to get duty-free access in the world's second largest clothing market.

Earlier a manufacturer had to add at least 60 per cent value in Bangladesh to get free market access to the highly-lucrative market.

Rahman said the $4 billion EU market is their prime target but products of the new facility will also be shipped to the US, Japan and Australia.

The factory will manufacture all kinds of home textile under one roof. It will make yarn from imported raw cotton and then weave it into fabrics such as bed sheet, cushion cover, decorative pillow and curtain.

Sunman's CEO said the nearly $200 million group went ahead with the investment despite acute shortages of gas and energy in the country.

"The EPZ authority has assured us of supplying power and gas once we go into production in mid-2012," he said.

General Manager of the EPZ, situated 220 kilometre north-west from Dhaka, said the massive Sunman plant has changed the once-staid atmosphere at the industrial park.

Launched in 2000-1, the country's eighth EPZ had to wait five years to see its first investment. Since then it has wooed a few top names including Rahmafrooz's 25 million dollars automotive battery plant.

Experts said the latest investment in home textile would make Bangladesh one of the top players in global bed sheets and cover markets.

Presently, Pakistan is the largest home textile exporter, both in the key US and the EU. Islamabad exported 685 million euro worth of home textile in EU in 2009, followed by Turkey worth 600 million euro.

Bangladesh with an annual shipment of 185 million dollar is also a top-five exporter in the EU. "We shall be in the race for top position once our plant goes into production," said Rahman.

Textile millers said political and security problems in Pakistan have forced many buyers to search new import destinations with Bangladesh drawing most attention because of its low-cost labour.

"We've abundant cheap labour and our workers also learn quickly -- the ideal conditions for home textile growth," former Bangladesh Textile Mills Association president Abdul Hye Sircar said.

Mr Hye said: "This is an area where profit is guaranteed as China is becoming costly and Pakistan has been in troubles for some time."

Sunman's project, named Sunman Industrial Corporation, is being funded by a consortium of local financial institutions led by One Bank.

The banks are financing 60 per cent of project outlay while the company is investing the rest from its own coffer.

Zillul Hye Razi, trade adviser of European Commission's trade delegation in Dhaka, said the EU's relaxed import rules would boost Dhaka's home textile export to the 27-nation economic block.

According to new EU rules of origin (ROO), Bangladeshi companies can be able to export homes textiles by sourcing fabrics from a third country.

"All an exporter needs is to dye and complete the products here under the new ROO, which became effective from first day of the new-year," Razi said.

"I think this is the right time for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to invest in the sector," he added. "There is also huge export potentials in the US market."

Nurul Islam, chairman of Noman Group -- the country's largest home textile maker -- said arrival of a new player will enhance competitiveness and raise Dhaka's global market share.

"It will create new challenges and opportunities for us," Islam said, adding in the short-term the country may face shortage of skilled labour.

At present, Bangladesh has only eight export-oriented home textile mills: seven in the greater Dhaka district and one in the port city of Chittagong.

Noman Group exports around 20 million US dollars worth of home textile each month. Other producers include Alltex, ACS Textile, Sad Musa, Regent, JK Group and Classical Home.

Source: The Financial Express, Bangladesh

A 50's look wedding dress for Kate Middleton?

I've contemplated on many wedding dress options for the future Queen Katherine and when I stumbled upon this cute ensemble I thought to myself, even if Kate herself did favour such a style would she actually wear it? Even though Kate is known for her fashion coups I don't think, even she, will use her wedding day to display such a daring choice for her wedding dress... I also think the this A line 50's skirt and abundance of lace are perhaps not the most flattering of outfits for her... its cute all the same!

Images from Wedding Dresses

Bridal Hair; Flowering it up!

Thinking of putting a flower in your hair for your wedding day? Here are some ideas on ways to wear your hair and where to put your flowers!

Images: Esty, Wedding Flowers, Fashion Fame, Squidoo

Dressy Dale is looking to expand its doors with a new outlet in Gulshan.

After bringing us twelve years of high-end fashion, Dressy Dale is looking to expand its doors with a new outlet in Gulshan. This swanky 4000 sq ft boutique will open its doors to the public on November 20. Why is this news particularly exciting at this time of the year? Because, along with the new store, Dressy Dale will be launching its brand new bridal fashion line, to cater to every bride and groom’s clothing needs for their special events.

Design coordinator Maya Rahman explained the reason behind this new direction. “You see most people heading to India or Bangkok to shop for the wedding trousseau and the clothes. We wanted to give our clients the option of something that combined local flavours with international quality.

Dressy Dale’s first Bridal collection for Winter 2009 consists of saris and lahengas in georgette, muslin and net, with heavy patchwork, appliqués, ribbon-work, and zardosi. This season, the wedding clothes have a strong floral theme, with an abundance of flower and petal motifs over fields of white, gold, tan, and the traditional red. Matching bags, shoes, and headdresses are also on offer.

The holud apparel also include silk, organza and kota as their base fabric, in bright shades of yellow, marigold, green, and red. These come with matching botuas, shoes, and holud ornaments. The women’s line also has a limited collection of jamdani in tri-colored zari, but otherwise unembellished. There is also a men’s line, featuring panjabi, complete with uttorios, waistcoats and other accessories. While the collection has a distinct look of its own, the new outlet will allow for clients to ask for variations on a design, and even provide custom-made children’s outfits on demand.

The clothes, bags and shoe uppers are all locally made, although some of the materials are imported. They do not come cheap, with price tags ranging between Tk 60,000 to Tk 1.5 lakhs. In addition to the Bridal collection, there will be the regular collection of saris, shalwar sets, and panjabis for party wear and special occasions. With Eid around the corner, colours like burgundy, red, and peacock blue are running strong. The new outlet will also be showcasing Dressy Dale’s new home furnishing section, which has on offer bedcovers, pillowcases, cushion covers, and bed runners with bright art déco motifs, bright colours and intricate appliqué work.

With so many offerings right ahead of the party month, Dressy Dale’s new venture should be worth looking forward to, so keep your peepers peeled for more updates!

Would you wear a Wedding Dress made from toilet paper?

I would if it looked like this!

A door knob bridal bouquet!

Continuing on with our January alternative bridal bouquets....

Even I'm amazed at the alternative bridal bouquet options that there are out there! And how stunning they look... this door knob bridal bouquet has totally blown me away!

What do you think?

Image from Plan It Now Events

Bangladesh:Apparel tech show starts Jan 12

The tenth edition of Garmentech Bangladesh show will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka from January 12-15, showcasing the latest machinery and technology in the garment sector.Zakaria Trade and Fair International and ASK Trade and Exhibitions Ltd will organise the event, said a statement yesterday.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

January's healthy kick; The Fruit & Veg Dessert Table

If you're like me you put on weight over the holidays! I'm being good... [I am!] and with this in mind I've been looking into ways that [like minded] brides can do the same, for them and their guests.

The idea of celery and carrot sticks are not appealing, we know we probably should... but really could anything be less interesting to eat? This is what I thought... that was until I found this...

 

 

 

Now all I want is fruit and veg!

Yummy!

Images from Austin Wedding

Which Disney Bridal Gown would you choose for Kate Middleton?

Every girl dreams of finding her Prince Charming, of her fairy tale wedding day and a happily ever after. For one girl, the lucky Kate Middleton, she gets a bona fide Prince and I expect that their wedding day will be straight out of a fairy tale, and the happily ever after? Well lets keep our fingers and toes crossed for them.

So with the Prince bagged, the fairy tale day pretty much a definite is it any wonder that this Wedding Planner is thinking that perhaps Disney should be dressing 'soon to be' Queen Kate, or should I say Catherine [will that ever stick?]?

So I've critiqued the available choices and while my favourite Disney story is Beauty and the Beast, if I was to choose a Disney Bridal Gown for Kate I would definitely choose the 'Cinderella'.

Which one would you choose? For all the available styles check out Disney Bridal

Cake Pop Bouquet

Yes my January posts definitely have a trend! So far, they've all be about alternative bridal bouquets and when I found this I had to share! I think its so pretty! Not that such a bouquet would last long in my possession... or I expect in many bride's possession but its too cute not to feature!

An ideal gift or maybe [cheeky] bouquet for flower girls?

If you love it, and fancy a bash at your own you can find step by step directions here

Image from Bubble and Sweet

Why Corporate Identity is a Very Powerful Communication Branding Tools

Corporate identity is very much achieved by the brand building and marketing strategies of the company. So how actually is a brand built? It is done through the help of branding tools like logo designs, business cards and brochures. Brochures and advertisements are the most powerful communication branding tools as you get to distribute them to anyone around your locality. you can make brochures describing your company, it's specialties and services to the public, thus making them aware of your presence! Once more people get to know about your services and facilities, more people come to you to try them out, thus making your company a better success!

It should be made sure that all marketing communication material has the corporate logo on it, thus enhancing your credibility as a professional enterprise. The reason for the need of all marketing communication having a corporate logo is that this is the thing that will be handed over to the public as an advertisement. You hand out business cards for potential clients for them to remember you and your company, there will be incidents wherein you have to send letters to different companies. If you send these letters through letters using letterheads with your company logo, the recipient company will remember you better for future correspondence and dealings. Therefore, it can be seen that to enhance the corporate identity, the brand has to be enhanced or built. We do this through marketing strategies, thus incorporating that corporate identity is a very powerful communication-branding tool.

Knitwear exports growth to Japan 300pc

Japan is turning out to be a lucrative market for exports of knitwear and terry towels from Bangladesh. The demand for terry towels is mainly coming from service sectors of Japan like hotels, restaurants and hospitals and those for knitwear from retailers and apparel importers.China is the biggest exporter of textiles and clothing to Japan, with an insurmountable market share of almost 80 percent. In the last few months in a bid to cut reliance on their Chinese suppliers, the Japanese have started looking towards Bangladeshi textile and apparel suppliers.

Knitwear producers have been in for bounties in the first four months of the current fiscal year beginning from July and according to Fazlul Hoque, Former President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturer Exporters Association (BKMEA), shipments from the sector grew by 40 percent in

the first four months of current fiscal and those to Japan shot up exponentially by 300 percent in the last one year.

Speaking about the export potential to Japan, Hoque, told fibre2fashion, “Japan is lucrative not only for towels but for all sorts of knitwear and woven garments as well. Japan is a very big and potential market for Bangladesh.

“Until 2009 Japan has been sourcing almost 80 percent of their textile and apparel imports from China. But since last year they started to feel that, China is becoming more expensive and full dependency on one country is becoming somehow dangerous for them, so they started to move towards other countries, a policy which they termed as ‘China Plus One’.

“Incidentally at the same time BKMEA brought a big delegation to Japan in July 2009 and met with apparel business leaders and all big apparel buyers during the visit. BKMEA sent another delegation in September 2009 to invite Japanese businessmen to attend Knit Expo-2009 which was scheduled to be held at in Dhaka in November 2009 under the auspices of BKMEA.

“Almost 60 apparel buyers from Japan took part in the show and they were amazed to see the quality of our products which in fact gave a big boost to overall export performance of apparel to Japan. Afterwards Japanese companies continued to visit Bangladesh and even in the last week, one big Japanese buyer visited Bangladesh to source knitwear & towels from Bangladesh.

“Knitwear recorded 300% growth in Japan market in last one year and I think this trend will not only continue, rather it can be increased in coming months as Japanese are now quite aware and satisfied with our products in all respects, which was missing before”, he concluded by saying.

Informing about the current situation in Bangladesh, he said, “Despite having some odds like shortage of gas/electricity and recent sharp rise in cotton yarn prices, Bangladesh knitwear sector performed very well and in the last four months, knitwear exports have grown by more than 40 percent, which is simply fantastic. Although some of the smaller units are facing problems due to record-high yarn prices, but overall export growth and future export trends are also very bright and prospective”.

A Christmas Poem [to finish off the festive season]

'Twas the bride' 

'Twas the night before New Years 

And all through the house, 

The girlfriend was angry

She wasn't a spouse! 

She hoped for the joy

That Christmas would bring. 

But Christmas had passed, 

And she still had no ring! 

They'd been together 

For over two years. 

Long-term commitment-

That must be his fear. 

She thought, "That's the reason

That I'm still single. 

I'm breaking it off!"

Then the phone gave a jingle. 

"Come outside," said the voice,

And then went away. 

She opened the door, 

And there was a sleigh! 

He whisked her away

Grinned like a fox

Got down on one knee 

And opened the box. 

'Twas the first day of New Year

Her eyes opened wide.

"Yesterday, I'm a girlfriend. 

Today, I'm a bride!" 

She started to panic

"There's so much to do! 

To plan a whole wedding. 

What do I do?"

"How do I afford

Everything that I need

To end up with the wedding 

of which I have dreamed?"

Then she remembered seeing

That B Magazine page, 

All about WOLfest 

Before she was engaged!

Reception Venue, Caterer! 

Florist and tux! 

I'll save money, I'll save time 

And have no acid reflux! 

Video! DJ! Photo!

Limousine & Gown

I wont have to be running

All over town! 

Logging on to wolfest.ie she booked tickets on the spot

and even got free parking too!

She began counting down the days until March 5th & 6th

excited about the live bands, talks, demos and DIY section too!

And I heard her exclaim

As she walked down the aisle 

" Going to WOLfest at Punchestown

is definitely worthwhile!"

Ps A shameless plug for the event I'm organising I know... but its going to be great! 

PPs I can't take full credit for the adaptation of this poem, while I have reworked it a little it came to me through an email forward.

The Bridal Bouquet that lasts forever!

And that's non-allergenic!

This one is for Deirdre in Clane who is desperate for a floral wedding bouquet but allergic to pollen. 

If pollen isn't your friend, you aren't barmy for buttons and would be too tempted by a cake pop wedding bouquet or you would just really like to have a floral bouquet this exquisite bridal brooch bouquet is the one for you! Made entirely from brooches; this stunningly unique bouquet could be your something old, new, borrowed and blue all in one neat bouquet! Not only that, it will also last a lifetime!

Image from Kate Arends

Christmas inspired Wedding Bouquet

Christmas is over and the shop shelves are littered with mismatched Christmas bubbles. You've already stored yours safely away for next year but the 'buy one, get three free' offer is too good to pass up.... but what could you do with all those extra bubbles?

Why not make a wedding bouquet?

Image from Lafete

Happy New Year!

Yes I know, I've been abysmal with the posts in December! Can I blame sickness and an insane work load and get away with it? Please say  I can? I promise to do better with January! Although it seems that despite my serious lack of December posts over 3000 of you came and read my previous posts and some of you where so kind as to leave me little comments; thank you.

I hope you had a lovely festive season?! I enjoyed a wonderful white Christmas at my family home and even fitted in a family wedding or two! Santa was very good with loads of lovely blue swarovski boxes and although those lovely Manolo's he promised me got snowed in, I'm assured they will arrive shortly!

Just wanted to wish all my past, present and future readers every luck and happiness for 2011!

Glen Raven set to open Asian headquarters

Glen Raven Inc. will hold a grand opening for its Asian headquarters in Suzhou, China, on Thursday.Burlington-based Glen Raven said the 190,000-square-foot facility near Shanghai will include product development, marketing, sourcing and manufacturing for Glen Raven's activities in China and throughout Asia.


The facility, which will employ more than 300 people, includes a manufacturing operation that will allow the company to manufacture and distribute its Sunbrella brand fabrics to furniture makers in China.The facility will also support Glen Raven Technical Fabrics, a subsidiary of the company that markets textiles to the automotive, military and other markets.

"China and the Asia-Pacific Rim are vitally important markets for Glen Raven and for our customers," Allen E. Gant Jr., president of Glen Raven, said in a news release. "With this base of operations in China, we will be well positioned to assist our clients with their global sourcing needs, while we also develop, manufacture, market and distribute our own brands throughout Asia."

Hua Li will be general manager of Glen Raven Asia.

Export of RMG products expanding to more overseas destinations

Exports of Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) products are gradually expanding to China, Japan and Latin American countries in recent days. So far, the US and the EU were the main buyers of local apparel items. RMG manufacturers tried hard to explore more export destinations with diversification of their products and were able to find some prospective markets in Asia and Latin America.

China, the world’s largest apparel supplier, has become a major export destination for Bangladesh as Chinese manufacturers are now reluctant to produce basic RMG items. The Chinese manufacturers have recently shifted from basic readymade garment (RMG) items to high-end apparels. A significant number of garment factories that made basic RMG products earlier faced closure in China recently. As such, Bangladesh and other competing countries are now exporting RMG products to China.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported knitwear products to China worth $3.071 million in fiscal 2007-08 against $0.76 million in the previous fiscal year, posting a staggering 400 percent growth. In fiscal 2007-08 the country exported woven garments to China worth $6.691 million against $6.323 million in fiscal 2006-07. The total export to China from Bangladesh amounted to $106.946 million against the import of around $3.0 billion in fiscal 2007-08.

In 2007, Bangladesh exported cotton T-shirts, singlets and other vests worth $0.79 million against $0.57 million in 2006. China imported such kind of apparel items worth $976.890 million in 2007 and $926.330 million in 2006 from the rest of the world. It clearly shows that China itself imports apparel items of a significant amount. Aggressive marketing drive by Bangladesh can grab a chunk of such import of China, experts say.

Currently Bangladesh enjoys duty concession on exports of 757 products to Chinese market under Asia Pacific Trade Agreement. Of the 757 products, 22 knitwear items and almost the same amount of woven items are included in the concession category. As a result, the export of knitwear and woven products is getting a steady rise to China.

Bangladeshi exporters are also looking to the Japanese market as the hottest new export destination. Apparel exports to Japan started to pick up after the Japanese government announced the China+1 strategy in 2008. Japan is eager to reduce its dependence on China, the largest supplier of apparel items globally. The China+1 policy promote shifting production from China to other nations, such as Bangladesh. Being a member of the least developed countries’ group, Bangladesh has duty-free access to Japan for woven product (under the generalised system of preferences, or GSP). Knitwear faces a duty of 17 percent, as Japan clings to its aging knitwear industry.

The Japanese government has recently invited the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) leaders to discuss about duty-free access for knitwear. Earlier, the association leaders had asked Japan to relax rules-of-origin for knitwear items. If Japan allows duty-free knitwear, it will be a great opportunity for Bangladesh. In fact, Dhaka’s decision last year inspired exporters with a cash incentive of 5.0 percent of each apparel shipped to Japan. Manufacturers need separate production lines for the Japanese customers, as they never compromise on quality. On the other hand, Japanese buyers can afford to pay for high quality.

Garment exports to Japan maintained roughly a 175 percent growth rate in between 2008-10, according to the EPB. Even with the duty, Bangladesh registered a 231 percent rise in knitwear exports to $60 million in the first 10 months of the past fiscal year; and earned $90 million from woven garment exports — 121 percent growth over the same period a year earlier.

The Japanese textile and clothing investors are also coming to Bangladesh. Big entrepreneurs like Maruhisa, Yokohama Tape TM Textiles etc. have decided to invest a significant amount of money here. Three related companies — NI Teijin, CHORI and FVG — have opened liaison offices in Dhaka, and two companies opened quality-control inspection centres (PQC and K2) to meet Japanese national standards.

Meanwhile, a Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) delegation visited some Latin American countries to assess, explore and prepare for current and future potential of Bangladesh’s garment exports. During the visit, tremendous responses were received from importers and buyers of those countries. Rough reckoning says Bangladesh can fetch US$400 million from apparel exports to three Latin American countries in the next three years. These countries are Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

The main obstacle to raising garment exports to Latin America is the absence of Bangladesh missions in those countries. If government missions are opened in the countries, then it would be convenient for Bangladesh exporters to catch market there,textile experts say.

Brazil’s readymade garment import amounted to $ 767.072 million last year, of which $303.631 million knitwear and $463.441 million woven, while Bangladesh’s export to that country was $50.287 million ($ 33.599 million knitwear and $16.688 million woven).

Mexico’s import totalled to $1,947.85 million last year, ($982.58 million knitwear and $965.27 million woven), of which Bangladesh shared $114.01 million ($61.76 million knitwear and $52.25 million). Out of Chile’s total RMG import to the tune of $ 1,074.83 million last year ($517.39 million knitwear and $557.44 million woven) Bangladesh took a part of $7.47 million ($ 5.26 million knitwear and $2.21 million). The Mexican government has agreed to allow any Bangladesh businessman holding a US visa to visit that country. Besides these countries, Bangladesh is eyeing opening new market for RMG export to Russia, Turkey and Colombia.

RMG buying houses, both local and foreign, are now growing rapidly in Bangladesh, as the country has become a lucrative place for RMG outsourcing on the appreciation of Chinese currency against the greenback. As part of their business expansion, foreign buying houses are eying to set up more liaison offices here. The buying houses including M&S, Adidas and Tesco have already published advertisements in newspapers to recruit experienced merchandisers for such liaison offices to collect RMG products at a competitive price from local garment units.

There is no denying that the country’s export witnessed a significant growth during the last two decades due to growing competitive strength of the local exporters, mainly the RMG exporters, against their rivals from countries like India, China, Vietnam and Pakistan. Among other factors, efforts of the private entrepreneurs and the provision of cash incentive played a significant role in export growth. Cash incentives offered by the government also helped to build up many backward linkage industries and generated employment.

The garment industry has now emerged as a prime industrial sector in the country. More than five million people are directly and indirectly employed in the sector. Also, the local apparel industry is facing stiff competition in the world market. There is a need for developing forward linkage industries for sustaining in the competitive markets. Overall situation in the garment sector is much better now. But still, there should be more improvements in the social sector where workers’ living conditions are conspicuously tagged.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

Apparel exports have grown to South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.

Opportunities are widening as globally renowned apparel brands look to source more garments from Bangladesh amid the widening recovery from financial crisis.Some buyers have already shifted to Bangladesh from competing countries, while others are increasing order quantities.

Prices of garments in China, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam have gone up due to higher production costs. Bangladesh has also diversified its product range and marketing over the last few years.Apparel exports grew by more than 30 percent in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year, riding on high demand for competitively priced items.

Export Promotion Bureau data shows knit products worth $2.18 billion and woven worth $1.79 billion were exported during the time — 32 percent and 30 percent more than a year earlier.Top German brands Hugo Boss and Adidas are in talks with local apparel-maker Viyellatex Group to buy direct for the first time, in 2011.Michael Otto, chairman of Otto Gmbh and Co KG, said in an interview that the German retail chain is investing 20 million euros (Tk 197 crore) in Dhaka to run a social business that produces garments.

German lifestyle brand s.Oliver moved to a new, bigger Dhaka office last month to strengthen sourcing.Retail giants including Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Zara, Tesco, IKEA, Marks and Spencer, H and M, G-Star Raw, Uniqlo and Li & Fung have also increased quantities purchased from Bangladesh.Spanish retail chain Inditex Group, which manages eight brands (Zara, Pull and Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Uterqüe), also plans to expand sourcing.

Apparel exports to Japan, a newer market, started picking up after 2008, when Tokyo announced the China+1 strategyto shift sourcing focussed on China to other nations, such as Bangladesh.Fast Retailing Company Ltd, which owns Japan’s casual-clothing chain Uniqlo, signed a $100,000 deal with Grameen Bank Group on July 13 to produce garments at the group’s factories. Uniqlo opened a liaison office in Dhaka in 2008.

Other Japanese companies, including Maruhisa, Yokohama Tape, TM Textiles, NI Teijin, CHORI, FVG and Onward Holdings Co, also began doing business in Bangladesh.Apparel exports have grown to South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.

“It’ll not be difficult to double export earnings from apparels as international buyers are coming at such a higher rate,” said Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.But success hinges on a smooth supply of gas and power to the factories and relieving congestion at the Chittagong Port, he said.

Mohammad Hatem, vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said apparel-makers have the capacity to cater to additional orders, but the power crisis, and high cotton prices hold them back.Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said the sector has shown resilience in the face of global recession.

“While some effect of the recession was felt belatedly in early 2010, the industry seems to have emerged from it even stronger and more competitive in the global market,” he said.“In fact, the main reason why Bangladesh’s garment export has been able to withstand the recession is its ability to capture higher shares of the US and European Union markets at a time when the total volume of garment trade has contracted.”

“The future looks even more promising, as China may increasingly lose its competitive edge in garment export due to its rising wage costs and a possible revaluation of its currency,” said Mahmud, a former caretaker government adviser.

“Among our garment entrepreneurs, those who are smart enough may now be able to exercise some bargaining power in price negotiations as well,” he added. “True, Bangladesh is known as a low-cost supplier of garments. But the low average unit price of exported garment is mainly due to the kind of basic apparel items that we export. For similar kinds of items, our exports fetch similar or sometimes even higher prices compared to those from, say, Vietnam or Pakistan.

“Yet our garment industry faces formidable challenges. Its competitiveness is mainly derived from low wages, which also remains a potential source of labour unrest, even with newly announced minimum wage rates. There are large variations across the garment factories in productivity and managerial efficiency. Improved productivity needs to be translated into better labour conditions. To stay competitive while maintaining sound labour relations will require a restructuring of the industry. That process will not be painless,” the economist said.

If the country wants to move up the value chain in global trade, a skilled labour force and better management are required. “That will also make it possible to raise wage rates as labour productivity increases,” he said.

The more immediate challenges are improving the efficiency of Chittagong Port and ensuring energy supplies, he added.

BD 3rd largest exporter of apparel, clothing accessories to USA

Bangladesh's export of apparel and clothing accessories to the US market has overtaken that of its competitors Indonesia and Mexico in the recent months.

Until August 2010, Bangladesh was the 5th largest apparel exporter to the USA after China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico. But in the month of September 2010, Bangladesh with its monthly exports of $358 million overtook Mexico, which exported $325 million to US market. On October, 2010 Bangladesh overtook another competitor Indonesia - $374 million from Bangladesh compared to $365 million form Indonesia.

Now only China and Vietnam lie ahead of Bangladesh as far as RMG export to USA is concerned, said a message received here.

According to the analysis of the Commerce Wing of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, Bangladesh exported about $1.44 billion worth of RMG products to USA during July-October, 2010 period, registering growth of 20.37 percent compared to the same period of previous year. Comparable growth rate of China was 21.15 percent, Vietnam was 17.26 percent, Indonesia was 16.17 percent and Mexico was 3.495 percent and India was 13.25 percent.

If the same trend of export is continued, Bangladesh can hopefully overtake Vietnam in future. But in doing so, concerted efforts from all stakeholders and avoiding labour related problems in the RMG sector would be needed.