Representatives of Messe Frankfurt on Sunday said Bangladesh can learn a lot about latest technology in the textile and apparel sectors by participating in the Techtextil and Texprocess expos to be held in May at Frankfurt, Germany.
They made the comment while speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, adding that, by taking part in both expos, the country can enter the technical textile market and establish a network with potential buyers.
Messe Frankfurt—the world’s largest trade fair and event organizer—will hold the four-day long mega expositions on textile technology between May 14–17, said a press release.
Speaking about the expos, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh Omer Salahuddin, said: “Texprocess will exhibit the complete range of textile-garment machineries available including design, layout, cutting, making, trimming, digital textile printing, conditioning, finishing, textile logistics, and textile recycling machines.”
Omar furthered that Techtextil covers “technical textile” which includes geotextiles, medical textiles, safety and security wear, protective garments, and sports clothing.
"So, by taking part in this exposition, Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers can benefit by sharing knowledge and networking with potential buyers," he added.
Technical textiles account for 27% of global textile production. By 2020, the market is expected to grow to $175 billion. With annual sales worth 13 billion euros, Germany is the global market leader for technical textiles.
Günter Veit, chairman of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies said that since the apparel sector is becoming more automated and artificial intelligence (AI) is being introduced into the manufacturing process, Bangladesh can be benefit from learning about the new technology.
"Buyers prefer automation and Bangladesh can explore new opportunities in this area," Veit opined, adding that factories will need to introduce new technology if they want to remain competitive in the global market.
"Production will shift not just based on cost but also on quality, lead times and innovations," he added.
Veit lauded Bangladesh for its sustainability in manufacturing apparel goods, which he said enhanced its "brand image" in the eyes of global buyers.
