Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine June Issue 2018 | Page 10

MIND TREE Q-and-A Bangladesh’s apparel exports to India increased by 111 per cent (on a point-to-point basis) in the last nine months (July-March 2018 period), ushering new hopes and possibilities of export to the neighbouring country. What are your views on India as a potential export destination from Bangladesh’s perspective? Please share your views… Wanigabaduga Sujeewa Indika, Chief Operating Officer, Utah Fashions Ltd. From the point of view of being a manufacturer and an industrial-based country, Bangladesh can take many advantages from this situation, like advantage in lead time, growth in export revenue, advantage of easily identifying the customers’ needs as India is a neighbouring country and with a huge base of available customers. Also Bangladesh will automatically be ahead in the current competition of apparel industry with India if they can increase their export revenues within the Indian local market. Nipun Kundu, Sourcing Manager, Shanghai OODJI Trading Co. Ltd. There are many Indian brands and retailers who are already sourcing from Bangladesh, like Big Bazaar and many other online entities. I think India as an export destination from Bangladesh’s perspective is very promising. Also, those who want to source or/are sourcing from Bangladesh, can procure apparel items at a very cheap rate and sell at decent price points in India, thereby making good profits. Debasis Daspal, CEO, KDS Accessories Bangladesh stands in a very promisingly position in increasing overall export to its neighbour India, considering its vast potential in the apparel industry. Bangladesh not only has the support of its vast garment factories, but also has the advantage of their cost-competitiveness, besides having increasing share in India’s domestic apparel market. Bangladesh has already established itself as the most potent apparel supplier in the global market with its primary knit-based products which have very good demand amongst India’s young generation.  To further prop up export to India, Bangladesh garment sector needs to tailor its supply chain including overall design of the garments to fit the demand of Indian diaspora. Once the basics are done, there will be no reason as to why exports to India would not skyrocket in the near future. Exporters in the country should also be encouraged to consider India as the next potential growth market with regard to its geographical proximity, the possibility of outcompeting India’s domestic apparel players, and currently favouring Bangladesh due to its weaker currency.  POST YOUR COMMENTS www.apparelresources.com [email protected] NEXT MINDTREE QUESTION Riyaz Uddin Khan, Country Manager, SOUTHPOLE As per my understanding, India could be a very promising export destination for Bangladesh. It is also to be considered that Bangladesh exporters have already started exporting to many Indian retailers and brands like Reliance, Big Bazaar, Arvind, etc. If we can hit the Indian market, which has a huge population, it could open up very good opportunities for the Bangladeshi garment manufacturers. 10 Apparel Online Bangladesh | JUNE 2018 | www.apparelresources.com Bangladesh has reportedly decided to ease regulations for the formation of trade unions at garment factories. Do you think this move would help to improve the country’s not-so-satisfactory image in the global forum and boost exports? Please share your views…