RMG, textile millers launch annual expo

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will jointly organise an annual international exhibition in Dhaka, showcasing the latest technologies in the textile and apparel sector.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to that end yesterday at Gulshan Club in Dhaka.

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The planned event, termed the Bangladesh International Textile and Apparel Machinery Exhibition (BITMA), will be held in Dhaka every year under the joint management of the two industry bodies, with support from internationally reputed exhibition organisers.

“The textile and garment sectors are two sides of the same coin. This is not just an exhibition, but a permanent platform for technological transformation, attracting foreign investment and developing skills,” Showkat said.

“By bringing international top technology suppliers directly to Dhaka, we will give our local manufacturers a few steps ahead in the global competition,” he added.

Organisers also expect the initiative to support the country’s ambition of achieving $100 billion in exports.

Speaking on this, Mahmud said achieving $100 billion in apparel exports would require a stronger domestic textile industry.

“We do not want to reach $100 billion in exports with only a small amount of value addition.

To substantially increase value addition, we need a strong backward linkage industry, particularly spinning and textiles,” he said.

He acknowledged that there are differences of opinion between the two organisations, but said that they were committed to resolving disputes through dialogue.

The two associations said the initiative is intended to help modernise Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry by promoting advanced machinery, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, sustainable manufacturing technologies and innovation.

They said the exhibition would serve as a platform for global machinery manufacturers, technology providers, investors and fashion industry stakeholders to connect with Bangladeshi manufacturers, facilitating technology transfer, business networking, skills development and international trade partnerships.

According to the MoU, a 10-member joint organising committee, with five representatives each from BTMA and BGMEA, will oversee the planning and management of the exhibition to ensure joint decision-making and financial transparency.

The chairmanship will rotate annually between the two organisations. In the inaugural year, the committee will be chaired by a BTMA representative, with the co-chair nominated by BGMEA.