Accessory and packaging is an integral part of the apparel industry , providing the muchneeded backward linkage . And for the Bangladesh garment sector – aiming to achieve US $ 50 billion in exports by 2021 – it attains even more significance . The accessory industry has not only risen to the challenge , but has been responsive in investing in new areas to keep pace with the expansion plans of the garmenting sector . The most recent being the number of investments made for manufacturing narrow fabrics , an important accessory for the fast-emerging lingerie segment . The responsive synergy between the accessory players and the garmenting sector is an edge that few other manufacturing destinations enjoy . Led by very proactive groups , the accessory manufacturers keeping with the growth of the apparel sector have been registering impressive growth over the years – the sector ’ s export earnings rose from a mere US $ 3.07 billion in FY 2012 to US $ 4.10 billion in 2013 to US $ 4.75 billion in 2014 and touched US $ 6.1 billion in fiscal year 2015-16 – and is now aiming to achieve US $ 18 billion by 2021 . Recent analysis indicates that out of the total earning of US $ 6.1 billion in FY 2015-16 , 15-20 per cent ( amounting to around US $ 1.22 billion ) came from direct exports while it earned another US $ 4.88 billion from indirect exports ( being used in RMG , leather , pharmaceuticals , and other exportoriented sectors ), in which RMG sector alone , accounted for 80 per cent .
According to Md . Abdul Kader Khan , President of Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers ’ and Exporters ’
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Chaminda Jayaweera – Manager CSR & Sustainability , Hop Yick Bangladesh Ltd .
Association ( BGAPMEA ), there is a US $ 24 billion market for garment accessories only in Asia , and China holds the lion ’ s share of it , underlining that given the quality and pricecompetitiveness of its products , Bangladesh holds the potential to grab this huge market . Khan points out that the sector growing at an annual rate of 13 per cent , with value addition standing at over 40 per cent , today has around 1,560 members registered with BGAPMEA and growing by the year .
Apart from seeking Government ’ s support and financial incentive , the sector has undertaken several initiatives including development of workers ’ skills , ensuring factory compliance according to the buyers ’ requirement and searching for new markets to keep the growth going . “ Currently , there are around 200 factories which are fully compliant . Since 2016 , buyers and our Commerce & Industries Ministries have made compliance a must for accessories factories . But it is very difficult to become compliant overnight as remediation requires big investments … It would take some time before the sector becomes fully compliant ,” underlined Khan speaking
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Zakirul Alam – MD , Zas Apparels Ltd .
ESSENTIALS
Keeping the export target of US $ 18 billion in perspective , BGAPMEA in association with and help of EU and the Industry Ministry , has set up a testing lab in December last year … The lab would provide internationally acceptable testing facilities for various types of RMG accessories and products to ensure quality as per the requirement of the global buyers .
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Md . Abdul Kader Khan – President , BGAPMEA
to Apparel Online , and adding , “ We produce almost 30-40 items locally including zippers , buttons , hooks , hangers , elastic bands , laces , threads , backboards , butterfly pins , clips , collar stays , collar-bones , ply gates , etc . Besides , we also print labels and price tags , all of which have very good prospects for the future .”
Keeping the export target of US $ 18 billion in perspective , BGAPMEA in association with the help of EU and the Industry Ministry has also set up a testing lab in December last year with the objective to improve product quality and attract the global buyers . Built under the Integrated Support to Poverty and Inequality Reduction through Enterprise Development ( INSPIRED ) project funded by the European Union ( EU ) and the Ministry of Industry Bangladesh , the BGAPMEA lab would provide internationally acceptable testing facilities for various types of RMG accessories and products to ensure quality as per the requirement of the global buyers .
The much-needed support from the Government as sought by the accessory manufacturers also seems close to materialising soon
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