Due to COVID-19 pandemic, big catering functional products (including PPE, mask, medical gown, etc.) orders are coming in Bangladesh which is an opportunity for the country's textile and apparel industry.

How are you utilizing this opportunity to boost your export? What types of difficulties are you facing here?

Zarin Rashid, Director and Head of R& D, TRZ Garments Industry Ltd

There is an opportunity for the ones who are clever enough to act on what needs to be done and market themselves as needed. The whole world is aware of the need for PPE but it’s tougher for most as they have not ever dealt with a situation as such.





We are currently trying to get the whole R& D team research on what needs to be prepped to have the factory ready to work for international level medical gowns and masks. I think most of the factories are trying to get approval at this point and I am working on it too.

The biggest challenge would have to be the motivational levels staying low. The urge to work and most being afraid of their health is putting a big impact on the workplace. Not getting raw materials on time and delayed responses from buyers along with canceled orders are major parts of the overall issue that most are in.

Hasin Arman, Director, MB Knit Fashion Limited

Every situation that affects the global scenery creates new opportunities for businesses.





So far our export growth has been reduced by a significant number for our regular products, but as I have said we can grab a new segment for the sector which is the medical clothing sector.

On this occasion, we are also looking for upcoming opportunities in new product ranges like PPEs, masks, etc. Having said that, we have recently started to get inquiries of medical clothing and started to export to the new markets.

The main difficulties we are facing at the moment are sourcing of raw materials locally, getting the certificates, the advanced machinery setups and certain technical difficulties.

Abdul Hakim Director, Marketing (Textile Division), Unifill Composite Dyeing Mills Ltd

It is a great opportunity but we are not ready yet to cater to this business as for the unavailability of raw materials and chemicals.





With limited resources as co-creation Unifill Composite Dyeing Mills Ltd innovated Antimicrobial, Antibacterial Treated Fabrics for PPE, masks as to support our readymade garments makers, we are offering same treatment for casual wears also as it is going to be a normal demand by ultimate consumers as to same themselves from virus and bacteria.

Right now we are offering the treatment as to last up to 20 wash but very soon you will find another innovation which is lifetime lasting treatment.

Hope concerned authorities related to textile, garments and Govt. will take necessary steps to secure the business, otherwise, we will miss it.

S M Nishat Bin Zia Rumman, Director (Marketing), Amazing Fashions Ltd

When we first noticed that individuals were being infected with COVID 19 due to using faulty PPE, we came up with the initiative to produce global standard medical PPE for civil and health care professionals.





The company started investing a lot of time and effort into research and development to design the PPEs based on user risk exposure. Several models of Isolation coveralls and gowns made by SHIELD 20 have passed till level 3 from SGS, received NOC by DGDA and had their products enlisted in FDA.

We are working with local and international health organizations to develop biodegradable PPEs as a part of a sustainable supply chain. Amazing is currently working towards the roll-out of Level 4 PPEs soon after we have complied with all the global requirements.

The challenges are raw material dependency on China, lack of accredited testing facility, high dependency on China for technical and machinery support.

Ranjan Sarker Damin, General Manager, Generation Next fashions Ltd

We already received 0.50 million pcs functional items' orders from the USA and Germany buyers. The company has already applied for FDA & CE certificate. We are looking for buyers through online marketing in the USA, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Lacking the required raw material is a big challenge for us. SMS fabrics are not available in Bangladesh to make functional items.