A decade ago, there were only 10-12 mills producing denim fabric in Bangladesh; Today this number has increased to approximately fifty.
Several entrepreneurs report that domestic mills now supply about 60 percent of the country’s denim fabric demand, while the remaining 40 percent is imported from countries like Turkey and Pakistan.
To strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity in denim apparel, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), founded by leading apparel industry entrepreneur Mustafiz Uddin, has organized an international exhibition named Bangladesh Denim Expo in Dhaka since 2014.
Renowned global denim mills, along with manufacturers of advanced machinery, equipment and chemicals, participate in the exhibition along with host Bangladesh. Senior executives or local representatives of international brands also participate.
Shin Shin Group operates 5 factories in Dhaka and Chattogram, four of which produce denim apparel.
In the last financial year, the group exported readymade garments worth US$57 million (57 crore), the majority of which comprised denim products.
When asked, Shin Shin Group Chairman Mohd Sadat Hussain told Prothom Alo, “The Denim Expo has played an important role in our marketing. Buyers have had the opportunity to see our capabilities first-hand, which has greatly helped us capture the denim apparel market.”