Political stability key to reviving apparel business: Experts

Local and international apparel traders and industry experts have said that ongoing global uncertainty and Bangladesh's volatile political situation have slowed the country's apparel business. However, they expressed optimism that political stability following the upcoming national elections would help the sector regain momentum.

They also pointed out several persistent barriers for investors, including the ongoing gas crisis and other infrastructural challenges.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 19th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo 2025 today (5 November), organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange in the capital's Purbachal area, participants shared their views on the current state of the industry.

The two-day expo, which began today, brought together over 40 companies from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Spain, Australia, Vietnam, and Germany. The event concludes today (6 November).

Sekip Hayit, of Resas Chemie, a Turkey-based manufacturer and exporter of textile and industrial chemicals, said business expansion has slowed globally due to factors such as the recent US reciprocal tariff, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Bangladesh's current political situation.

"Business is now in a constraint mode all over the world. In addition, the political uncertainty in Bangladesh is also a major concern for investors," he said.

He added that participation at this year's expo was visibly lower, reflecting uncertainty among buyers and suppliers.

"We are waiting to see what happens next. The upcoming election is very crucial for restoring confidence in business and the economy," he said.

Resas Chemie, which currently produces chemicals in Turkey, is setting up a joint-venture factory in Jamalpur, expected to begin operations next year. Hayit also noted that uninterrupted gas supply remains one of the major challenges for industries in Bangladesh.

B Hande Yildirim, sales chief of Bossa, one of Turkey's largest integrated textile companies based in Adana, said both global and domestic political instability have affected buyer confidence and slowed orders.

Meanwhile, Mostafiz Uddin, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo, said Bangladesh's apparel sector is already well-recognised by international brands and consumers for its high-quality products.

"However, we are currently facing a challenging period due to the combined impact of the global economic crisis and local political instability," he said.

"We are optimistic that, with political stability, the industry will recover and regain momentum by the first quarter of next year," he added.