The 24th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition 2013 (BATEXPO) is all set to kick off in Dhaka on Thursday to showcase local apparel products to the international buyers.
The three-day mega event, organised by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGEMA) will take place at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the fair as the chief guest while opposition leader Khaleda Zia is expected to grace the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
“All the preparation has been done properly to run the fair smoothly,” BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune on saturday. “We expect more spot orders at the show this year compared to the last year.”
In BATEXPO-2012, around 159 apparel buyers and 2,846 representatives from foreign and local buyers visited the show, placing spot orders worth about US$62m.
Azim expected the number of international visitors to increase this year as they are willing to see the Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
He said representatives from readymade garment business of Thailand, India, China and Pakistan would participate in the show besides the buyers from USA, Japan, China and European Union. There will have 80 stalls in the show 20 for the foreign apparel makers and the rest 60 for local businessmen and 65 international buyers from 18 countries will participate, said Feroja Yesmin, senior executive of the fair. All the stalls have already been sold.
On the sidelines, BGMEA will arrange three seminars on skill development for garment workers, compliance issues and environment.
The apex trade body for the apparel sector arranges a press briefing today to inform the details of the show.