‘Bring fashion industry under a policy’

What is the present condition of Bangladesh’s fashion industry?It has expanded significantly. The annual turnover from this sector is currently Tk6,000 crore. There are at least 4,500 fashion houses in the country, employing nearly five million people, 70% of whom are women. Moreover, three million people are dependenton the industry’s backward linkage. Ourlocal fashion industry was started with individual efforts. In 1973, Nipun was the first fashion house to introduce exclusively designed fashion products in our country. The industry finally started to grow after 2000. However, our business is still festival-centric.What are the challenges and prospects of our fashion industry?There are many challenges in this sector, like the overwhelming influence of Indian and Pakistani fashion trends, lack of government policy support, and also the lack of specialised loan schemes from the banks. Many fashion businesses have gone under in the last few years due to political instability and other obstacles. There is also a shortage of skilled workforce in this industry. But there are also huge opportunities for fashion business in Bangladesh. Local fashion trends are gaining popularity. Our goal is to fight back the foreign influence on our fashion and promote local culture and tradition.

Local fashion houses use modern and, at most times, western patterns,but all the products are made keeping our social perspective, culture and heritage in mind

What about the government support to the fashion industry?The government has no concern about this industry. The FEAB has been trying to reach the government for a dialogue, but with little response. The government has cut only 1% VAT on domestic fashion products, bringing it down to 4%, while the rate has increased from 2% to 4% on foreign fashion products, after we consistently asked for it for three years. We have not gotten any other support from the government.What kind of facility can the government provide for the fashion industry?The government must formulate a policy framework to prevent foreign aggression in the country’s fashion industry. Ourlocal fashion has the capacity to lead the industry if the government brings this industry under a specific ministry and relaxesthe Value Added Tax (VAT) and loan interest rates. For growth and expansion of the local fashion industry, the government has to provide support for the development of linkage industries, including handloom and raw materials, to compete with Indian and Pakistani fabrics.People claim that local fashion attires are costlier than others. What do you have to say about that?It is not true. The price of our products is not higher than others. It is a misconception of our consumers. It is all about quality. Products made here are cheaper than foreign products of the same quality.Do the current fashion trends represent our culture and tradition?Yes, of course. The local fashion houses use modern and, at most times, western patterns,but all the products are made keeping our social perspective, culture and heritage in mind.What type of products do consumers prefer for fashion?Most of the customers tend to purchase traditional clothing like sari and panjabi. However, t-shirts, jerkin (short jackets) and shimmies (women’s clothing) are also in vogue.Who are the target market of our fashion industry?We make products for everyone, but our customers mostly comprise middle- or lower-middle-income people. However, high-end products for upper-class customers are also available.How can the fashion industry reach the rural people?Our fashion industry has already reached the rural areas. Rural people arealready seen wearing locally-made t-shirts. The big fashion houses are opening outlets in the districts and towns area too.Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest festival in the country in terms of sales. What is the next big festival?Pohela Boishakh is the second largest festival for our industry in terms of sales. People from all religious backgrounds and classes buy clothes during this festival. Traditional clothes are popular during this festival. Tell us about the growth of Boishakhi sales. This year, we have set a sales target of Tk1,7500 croreahead ofthe biggest cultural festival of Bangalis. Last year, the sales amounted to Tk1,500 crore.Do you think bonus for government officials on the occasion of Bangla New Year will boost sales?I don’t think so, because most government employees use the festival allowances for other purposes.