 The country can fetch US $ one billion by exporting knitwear to Japan within next five years, if proper steps are taken.
This was told by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Fazlul Haque on Friday after his return home from Japan.
A 20-member BKMEA delegation led by its President visited Japan from July 20-23, a press release said today.
Fazlul Haque said regular contacts with the Japanese importers, participation in trade fairs, diversification of products and reforms in rules of origin to avail duty-free facilities are essentially needed to achieve this goal.
During the visit, the BKMEA delegation exchanged views with the leaders of Japan Textiles Importers Association (JTIA), Japan Chemical Fibers Association (JCFA) and UNIQLO, the largest retail chain and garment importers organization. They also exchanged views with the Japanese journalists.
During the discussion, the BKMEA delegation gave presentations on Bangladeshi knitwear products showing its strong position in the international market, its competitive price and the country's ability to export within the shortest possible time.
UNIQLO Vice-President Hiroshi Nagai expressed his eagerness to double its import of knitwear products from Bangladesh and emphasised on improving quality of products and its diversification.
Japan, the fourth largest garment importer in the world, imports garment of worth US$ 23 billion annually, of which US $11 billion is knitwear.
The JCFA leaders showed interest to invest in backward linkage industries of garment sector in Bangladesh. |