Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers are taking part in the October edition of Fashion World Tokyo-2018, the largest comprehensive fashion event of Japan, with hopes of further gains and penetration into the country’s high-end garments market.
A total of 8 apparel and leather enterprises are showcasing their modern and new design products in the fair taking place in Tokyo Big Sight, Japan from October 22-24. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Tokyo Rabab Fatima inaugurated the stalls at the exposition.
Organised by Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., the show provides a comprehensive fashion marketplace where items are unveiled by exhibitors from around the world. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion Bureau are leading the coordination and management of the Bangladeshi companies.
After the opening ceremony, a seminar was held at the venue highlighting on the prospects of Bangladesh’s apparel industry. Participants in the discussion highlighted Bangladesh’s apparel business prospect and elaborated on the favourable investment climate in the country. They reiterated Bangladesh government’s invitation to invest in Bangladesh.
Speaking at the seminar, Ambassador Rabab Fatima said: “Bangladesh’s knit manufacturers are producing quality products for Japan. In overall, Bangladesh occupies 5.9 per cent of Japan’s apparel import market. Up until August, the growth in Bangladesh’s apparel export to Japan’s market was over 128 per cent – an all-time high.”
Ambassador Fatima expressed hopes that Fashion World Tokyo 2018 would further deepen the business ties between Bangladesh and Japan and have a significant role in expanding business between the two countries.
Among those who were present in the seminar’s discussion were Zetro’s Research Affairs Manager Tamofumi Nishizawa, Unido’s Industrial Development Officer Ekuye Toshinaga, Japan Textile Importers Association’s Senior Researcher Yoshiaki Kamiama, and Cat Apparel Bangladesh’s Senior Managing Director Atsuki Sano.
Japan is one of the most promising emerging apparel markets for Bangladesh. Last fiscal, Bangladesh exported over US $845 million worth of apparel – what was a 13.7 per cent gain from the previous fiscal. The most upbeat prospect is, Japan offers a big break to the apparel manufacturers with its demand for high-end apparel items.
Industry insiders told Apparel Resources that Bangladesh pins high hope on Japan as it holds a market demands and at the same time can afford high-quality apparel. Since the first Fashion World Tokyo 2018 exposition back in April, Bangladesh witnessed significant growth in apparel export to Japan.
