Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Textile Innovation Exchange jointly organized a seminar on building innovation competitiveness for Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry, highlighting the urgent need for structured innovation to reduce costs and increase value creation amid mounting global pressures.
Held at the BKMEA News Center, the seminar titled “Building Innovation Competitiveness for Reducing Cost & Increasing Value” brought together industry leaders, factory owners, and apparel professionals to discuss how factory-level innovation and technology adoption can help strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global sourcing market.
The session was chaired by Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA. At the same time, the seminar was conducted by Tareq Amin, Founder and CEO of Textile Today Innovation Hub and Member Secretary of Textile Innovation Exchange.
Among the attendees were BKMEA Vice-President (Finance) Md. Morshed Sarwar (Sohel), along with directors Md. Abdul Hannan, Khandakar Shaiful Islam, Minhaz Hoque, Md. Shahriar Syeed, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, and Md. Moniruzzaman. Representatives from factories and other stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain also participated in the event.
In his opening remarks, Mohammad Hatem highlighted the importance of stronger industry collaboration to address the structural and economic challenges facing Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector. He acknowledged the role of knowledge-sharing and industry-focused platforms in supporting long-term sectoral development.
He noted that Bangladesh has built significant manufacturing capacity over the years, but the country continues to experience pricing disparities in international sourcing markets. According to him, similar apparel products manufactured in Bangladesh are often priced lower than those sourced from competing countries, placing pressure on manufacturers already dealing with rising operational expenses.
He shared that greater adoption of technology, particularly AI-enabled industrial systems and process optimization at the factory level, could improve operational efficiency and strengthen the industry’s pricing leverage in global markets.
He also mentioned that many of the industry’s current concerns have already been communicated to policymakers, and that there have been assurances regarding policy-level support where needed. Hatem further stressed that collaborative initiatives between BKMEA and Textile Innovation Exchange could play a key role in supporting the sustainable transformation of the sector.
Also Read: BKMEA & Textile Innovation Exchange Sign MoU To Boost Innovation In Knitwear Sector
During the seminar, Tareq Amin presented the framework and strategic direction of Textile Innovation Exchange, outlining how structured and practical innovation systems embedded within factories can improve competitiveness through measurable gains in productivity, resource efficiency, and product diversification.
Using sector data and market analysis presented during the session, Amin stated that Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry is likely to face increasing cost pressures in the coming years. These pressures are expected to stem from wage adjustments, energy instability, sustainability compliance requirements, logistics expenses, and challenges linked to Bangladesh’s post-LDC transition.
He shared that isolated improvement initiatives would no longer be sufficient to remain competitive in the global market. Instead, Amin highlighted the need for systematic implementation of innovation across factory operations to ensure long-term resilience and profitability.
The presentation introduced Textile Innovation Exchange’s implementation model, which focuses on structured innovation circles, capability development programs, applied research initiatives, and measurable factory-level interventions.
The approach is designed to help factories reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, strengthen operational discipline, and create higher-value products for international buyers.
The discussion also explored opportunities for Bangladesh to diversify into higher-value textile and apparel segments, including man-made fibers, technical textiles, performance apparel, textile recycling, and digital product passport-ready manufacturing systems.
Industry stakeholders at the seminar noted that these segments could open new growth opportunities for Bangladesh as global buyers increasingly prioritize sustainability, traceability, and innovation.
Participants also discussed how the industry’s future competitiveness would depend not only on large-scale production capacity but also on the ability to improve technical capability, efficiency, and value addition through disciplined implementation of modern systems and technologies.
The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Minhaz Hoque, Director of Fatullah Group, who emphasized the importance of translating strategic discussions into practical execution within factory operations.
The event reflected a growing recognition within Bangladesh’s knitwear and textile industry that innovation-driven manufacturing will be essential to navigating rising costs, evolving compliance requirements, and changing global sourcing dynamics.
Industry leaders at the seminar agreed that strengthening innovation competitiveness could help Bangladesh maintain its position as a leading global apparel sourcing destination while creating greater long-term value for manufacturers and stakeholders alike.
