The 20th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo has officially commenced at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka, under the theme ‘Frontline to Future’. The two-day expo brings together global industry stakeholders to chart the course of Bangladesh’s denim and apparel sector amid rapidly evolving economic and trade dynamics.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Luthmela Farid, Director, Pacific Jeans; Mohiuddin Rubel, Managing Director, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and former Director, BGMEA; Javier Santonja Olcina, Regional Head, Bangladesh & Pakistan, Inditex; Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, President, BGMEA; Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; and Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO, Bangladesh Denim Expo.
At the inauguration, Ambassador Michael Miller underscored the European Union’s perspective on Bangladesh’s evolving economic journey.
“The way the European Union looks at Bangladesh is that we see it entering a new phase of its economic journey. The challenge now is to create decent jobs, skill the workforce, attract high-quality investments to move up value chains, help diversify the economy, ensure a clean energy transition, and prepare effectively for graduation from least developed country status.”
“We hope to see a bold, sustainability-driven vision in the budget — one that aligns with the European Union’s expectations for the creation of a level playing field for our operators and that takes decisive steps to improve the business environment.”
Ambassador Miller also announced a significant diplomatic development, noting that he had transmitted an invitation from the European Commission President to Prime Minister Rahman to attend the next Global Gateway Summit in Brussels. He further noted that the EU is currently assessing Bangladesh’s request for a free trade agreement, building on the recently initiated Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a reinforced economic partnership with Bangladesh.
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BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu highlighted Bangladesh’s remarkable position in global denim trade while sounding a clear note of caution regarding the country’s impending LDC graduation.
“Bangladesh is today the largest exporter of denim to both the EU and the United States — ahead of China. We must acknowledge that Bangladesh Denim Expo has played a meaningful role in this journey. It is not the only factor, but it is an important one.”
“We are approaching LDC graduation. This is being discussed in every boardroom and every policy meeting in Dhaka. Our position at BGMEA is clear: the preferences we currently enjoy will change after graduation. If we are not prepared, the industry will feel it. RMG is currently the biggest beneficiary of preferential access. In the post-LDC era, without the right trade arrangements in place, the apparel industry risks becoming the biggest loser.”
“We are going through a difficult time. But we have been through demanding periods before, and we have always moved forward. We will do so again. The challenges ahead — LDC graduation, value addition, sustainability, innovation — cannot be solved by one side of the table. They require brands and buyers to work with us, not merely audit us. They require development partners to invest with us, not merely advise us. They require government to stand with us, not merely regulate us.”
Panel Discussions on Trade and Just Transition
Two panel discussions were held on the first day of the expo. The first, titled ‘Negotiating the Future: Trade Agreements and Bangladesh Apparel in the Post-LDC Era’, featured panellists Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (East and West), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Head of Mission to the European Union (participating virtually);
Baiba Zarina, Deputy Head of Delegation for the European Union to Bangladesh; Sharif Zahir, Chairman, Ananta Group and United Commercial Bank; and Abdullah Hil Nakib, Deputy Managing Director, TEAM Group. The session was moderated by Dr. M Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO, Policy Exchange Bangladesh.
The second panel discussion, ‘Stitching the Future: Just Transition in Bangladesh’s Apparel Industry’, brought together Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank; Max Tuñón, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh; Amer Salim, Director, Aurum Sweater Limited; Dr. Michael Klode, Head of the Sustainability in the Textile Industries (STILE) II, GIZ; and Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, Executive Director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS). The session was moderated by Naureen Chowdhury, Head of Cross-Industry Programme, Laudes Foundation.
Dedicated Trend Zone
A dedicated Trend Zone has been set up at the expo to showcase the latest denim innovations and emerging trends shaping the future of the global denim industry.
The 20th Bangladesh Denim Expo continues on 11 June 2026 at ICCB, Dhaka.
