Recent activities of iART: As global competition in RMG sector is heating up, Bangladesh cannot afford to be sidelined. Presently, three-quarters of Bangladesh’s export earnings come from export of RMG products of which 96 % are destined for the US and the EU markets. In order remain as a notable player in the apparel market, BKMEA has devised a strategy to improve its competitiveness through vigorous promotion and aggressive marketing. With this attempt, BKMEA delegation led by President Md. Fazlul Hoque made visits to some of the potential markets like Japan, Honk Kong, South Africa, Botswana in the current year.

First Visit to Japan: A high level BKMEA team comprising of 20 members led by Md. Fazlul Haque, President of BKMEA, took a visit to Japan from 20-23 July, 2009. The objective of the mission was to gather information about Japanese apparel market and to establish network with Japanese consumers to widen Bangladesh knitwear’s uptake in Japan.

During the visit, several meetings were held with two Fashion Newspaper Paper Authorities, Japan Textile Importers Association (JTIA), Japan Chemical Fiber’s Association (JCFA) and UNIQLO- the biggest retailing chain in Japan. The team added visits to different showrooms at shopping areas along with inspecting the International Fashion Fair (IFF) which was taking place during the tour of the team.

Bangladesh can fetch US $1 billion by exporting knitwear to Japan within next five years, if proper steps are taken. 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. UNIQLO, JCFA showed interest to invest in the knitwear sector of Bangladesh.

Second Visit to Japan:BKMEA within a span of 50 days made a second visit to Japan from September 08 to 12, 2009 in order make further examinations of Japanese apparel market and learn more about the nature and taste of Japanese consumers.

The respected personals headed by Md. Fazlul Hoque, President of BKMEA had successful meetings with the Textile Newspaper Authority, China-Asia Group of Apparel Importers under Japan Textile Importers Associations (JTIA) along with two companies- Itocho Textile Division and Nomura Group at Osaka, President of The Daily Textile News, UNIDO Tokyo, attended a dinner hosted by President & International Business Development, EMU Group, Tokyo and others. BKMEA also organized a press conference with journalists of prominent Textile Newspapers of Tokyo and a tour to the only Fashion University of Japan.

The two largest Textile Newspapers and Fashion Houses published news based on the press conference and meetings. Besides, four daily Japanese newspapers provided full coverage of BKMEA’s tour to Japan. Instantly during the visit, one of the largest wool & wool mix sweater yarn unit and the largest socks manufacturing unit have showed keen interest to set up their own production units in Bangladesh.

Global recession has affected trade and business in Japan and they are now looking for options to shift their base to more competitive markets. Japan’s initiative under ‘China plus One Policy’ is the new lookout for Japanese importers to look for an additional partner. At present, China’s share is about 85% in Japanese market. Bangladesh is on their radar for the good option of prices and as it can be an ideal place to make man-made fabric and ultimately garment. Fast fashion design, planning power, on-time delivery, cost competitiveness and quality are the major factors to be addressed and considered to export into the Japanese market.

Hong Kong Visit :A fresh initiative by the knitwear exporters to increase the country's export earnings has opened up a new avenue, offering more business opportunities in Hong Kong. The chances have been opened after a meeting between the leaders of Bangladesh exporters led by President Md. Fazlul Hoque and Hong Kong, the major Asian business hub on Friday July 17, 2009.Honk Kong-based three top apparel associations present in the meeting were Hong Kong Knitwear Exporters and Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Knitwear Innovation and Design Society, Hong Kong Apparel Society. The meeting discussed the possibility of exporting Bangladeshi goods to China through Hong Kong. They also assured Bangladeshi knitwear exporters of buying more knitwear products.

Visit to South Africa & Botswana:A delegation of the country's knitwear manufacturers made a week-long visit to South Africa and Botswana from October 04 to 10, 2009 in search of new buyers as the local companies are now exploring potential markets from abroad for their products. During the visit, they held 39 meetings including with the leaders of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Minara Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and Cape Town Regional Chamber. The team also met with the leaders of Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industries and Manpower, Export Manufacturers Association, and Export Development and Investment. Furthermore, Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers Association (BKMEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU as a joint effort to promote trade between Bangladesh and Botswana.

South Africa can become a major export destination for Bangladesh as South African manufacturers have been switching over to various heavy industries due to rising labor cost, following an economic boom. In 2006 quota system was introduced for certain Chinese clothing & textile imports, thus replacing Chinese imports by imports from other low cost producers such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Currently, China is the major apparel supplier to the South African markets with a share of 70.8%. Bangladesh apparels accounts for only 4.3 % of the South African $1.2 billion annual imports, while it is 5.5 % from Mauritius and 4.7 % from India.