After 12-year hiatus, BGMEA set to hold Batexpo on 18-19 Nov

Highlights

• Hong Kong roadshow will target new buyers, brands and institutional investors
• BGMEA is focusing on Japan, MMF, synthetics and high-value apparel
• Factory digital profiles will be created to improve compliance transparency
• BGMEA seeks stronger long-term energy security and reforms to the customs-bond system
• The association wants worker hospitals and withdrawal of 5% tax at source on cash incentives

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced that the 25th edition of the Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exhibition (Batexpo) 2026 will be held in November in Dhaka, ending a break of more than a decade.

The event will be held on 18 and 19 November at the capital's Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said at a press conference at the BGMEA conference room today (17 September).

He said the event would mark the silver jubilee edition of Batexpo and would be held under the overall guidance and supervision of the current BGMEA board.

Mahmud said the exhibition, which was last held in October 2013, was part of the board's efforts to strengthen Bangladesh's country branding on the global stage.

The event will showcase the transformation of Bangladesh's apparel sector in line with changing global conditions, including improved workplace safety and environmentally friendly production systems, he said.

It will also highlight the branding of a modern apparel industry driven by high-value technology and artificial intelligence, he added.

The BGMEA president said the event will feature a Global Apparel Expo, Global Apparel Summit, AI and Innovation Hub, Sustainability and Circularity Exposition, GIZ presents Sustainability Leadership Award, and a Fashion Runway.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the opening ceremony on 18 November as chief guest, while President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to attend the closing ceremony on 19 November.

Senior representatives of buyers from around the world and fashion influencers are also expected to participate in the apex trade body's flagship event.

Global apparel sourcing company PDS will be the title sponsor of Batexpo 2026, Mahmud said.

He added that BGMEA would hold another press conference later to share further details about the event and invited journalists to attend Batexpo 2026.

Hong Kong roadshow targets new buyers

Alongside Batexpo, BGMEA and HSBC Bangladesh will organise the "Bangladesh Apparel Roadshow, Hong Kong 2026" on 28 and 29 October as part of efforts to develop new markets.

Mahmud said the event in Hong Kong, one of Asia's major financial hubs and a strategic centre of the global supply chain, would help establish direct connections between Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers, international buyers and institutional investors.

The roadshow will showcase the vertical capabilities, innovation and sustainability of Bangladesh's apparel sector, alongside live showcases and the country's capabilities in synthetics and technical apparel.

Mahmud said international brands and buyers that do not usually source apparel from Bangladesh have been particularly invited to the roadshow.

Special focus on Japanese market

BGMEA is also focusing on new markets and exports of higher-value products to reduce dependence on traditional markets.

"Bangladesh currently exports apparel to 167 countries around the world. Japan is considered one of the most promising markets among them," Mahmud said.

The Japan Market Strategy Committee is working to increase Bangladesh's share of the Japanese market.

BGMEA has also launched a "BGMEA-Japan Desk" at its office to establish direct connections between Bangladeshi apparel manufacturers and Japanese brands.

Mahmud said the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh would formally inaugurate the desk on 23 September.

Focus on high-value apparel beyond cotton

Mahmud said the current BGMEA board has taken various initiatives to position the apparel sector as a modern, innovation-driven industry rather than merely a producer of low-cost products.

He said BGMEA has signed a strategic agreement with Bangladesh Brand Forum to strengthen the global branding of the country's apparel sector.

At the same time, the industry is placing greater emphasis on polyester, nylon, man-made fibre (MMF), sportswear and high-value fashion products alongside cotton garments.

Activities on innovative design and future trends have also begun under the BGMEA Centre of Excellence, he said.

Initiative to create digital profiles of factories

The BGMEA president said initiatives have also been taken to address the European Union's new and stricter requirements on sustainable production and supply chains.

He said memorandums of understanding have been signed with Open Supply Hub and GIZ to address global sustainability requirements, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

Under the initiative, digital profiles of individual factories will be created to make the compliance and transparency of Bangladesh's apparel industry more visible to international buyers.

Exports rise in July-August

Mahmud Hasan Khan said the country's overall exports increased by 5.12% in the first two months of the current 2026-27 fiscal year.

"Basically, exports rose by 13.14% in August, which drove the growth in the first two months. As exports were comparatively low in August last year, the growth rate appears higher this year," the BGMEA president said.

"Compared with the past three years, our business has not grown much. On the other hand, production costs have increased significantly," he added.

Gas supply improves, long-term energy security sought

Mahmud identified the gas shortage as one of the major problems facing the apparel sector.

"Due to low gas pressure, dyeing, washing and backward-linkage industries were severely affected. However, following a recent meeting between the government and the business community, it was announced that gas supply to industries would be restored to its previous level, and that has been implemented," he said.

Expressing relief over the development, he said the industry was pleased with and grateful for the government's business-friendly measure, but added that further steps were needed to ensure long-term energy security.

BGMEA's demands include the rapid installation of two more floating LNG terminals, or FSRUs; construction of a land-based LNG storage terminal for long-term energy security; priority for SME factories in gas connections and rationing; and priority gas connections for factories operating boilers of 100 to 500 PSI.

The association also called for low-interest "green loans" to promote renewable energy and solar power, as well as faster gas exploration in coastal areas.

BGMEA welcomes letter seeking LDC graduation deferment

BGMEA thanked the government for writing to the United Nations seeking a three-year deferment of Bangladesh's graduation from least developed country status.

Mahmud said, "The government has taken this initiative in line with the expectations of the private sector. We are hopeful that the matter will be approved at the United Nations General Assembly this month."

He also called for at least five years of special policy support for the export sector after LDC graduation, along with continuity in the tariff and tax structure.

He stressed the need to modernise the Companies Act and Customs Act to improve the ease of doing business and called for the swift signing of free trade agreements (FTAs) and economic partnership agreements (EPAs).

Entrepreneurs seek professional firms for bond audits

BGMEA also called for reforms to the customs-bond system, expressing concern over the sharp rise in business costs and lead times.

Mahmud said there were allegations of delays in the bond audit process, dependence on manual procedures, flaws in the CBMS software and harassment in the name of "cutting supervision".

He called for a permanent policy allowing annual bond audits to be conducted through the country's leading professional audit firms.

BGMEA seeks permanent cargo shed at airport

BGMEA also called for the construction of a permanent and modern import cargo shed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to ensure the safety and faster clearance of imported goods.

The association also called for the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) to be updated and implemented gradually, taking into account the country's economic realities, backward-linkage industries and factory capacities.

Hospitals for garment workers in

Mahmud said BGMEA has requested the allocation of government land to build specialised hospitals in the Gazipur and Ashulia industrial areas to ensure better healthcare for garment workers.

He said the government had given assurances regarding the proposal.

Work is also underway to make the nearly 100-bed Mirpur hospital fully operational early next year, he added.

BGMEA seeks withdrawal of 5% tax at source on cash incentives

BGMEA has demanded the withdrawal of the 5% advance income tax (AIT) imposed at source on cash incentives to boost exports and ease entrepreneurs' liquidity constraints.

Mahmud said that if the tax could not be withdrawn, it should be treated as the final tax liability.

"In the current situation, entrepreneurs are facing liquidity constraints. Such policy support is necessary to increase exports," he said.

Towards the end of the press conference, Mahmud said, "Bangladesh's apparel industry has reached its current position by overcoming the global downturn and various crises. The courage of entrepreneurs and the labour of millions of workers are the main strengths of this industry."

He expressed hope that continued government policy support, alongside Batexpo 2026 and the Hong Kong roadshow, would help Bangladesh's apparel exports expand further and become more sustainable in the global market.

The Batexpo 2026 logo was unveiled at the end of the press conference.