‘Bangladesh Stories’ Gives Inside Look at Country’s Garment Industry
Garment manufacturing is a big business in Bangladesh. One of the prominent players pushing the industry in a sustainable direction is Mostafiz Uddin, the owner and managing director of Denim Expert Ltd.
Mostafiz has often shared his perspective on Bangladesh’s apparel sector in the media—to the tune of over 300 articles over the years for publications including the Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune. Now, 100 of these pieces have been curated and compiled into a book, “Bangladesh Stories.” Through the tome, readers can discover a firsthand view on topics like sustainability, labor, competition, technology and more. Mostafiz also weighs in on “brand Bangladesh.”
“The conviction and voice which Mostafiz provides to the Bangladesh apparel industry is eye-opening,” said Tricia Carey, director of global business development denim and Americas at Lenzing. “As a factory owner himself, his personal experiences from Rana Plaza to today and into the future shed a new light on how Bangladesh textile and apparel community are part of the solution for the decade of action. While I have spoken with Mostafiz many times, his book certainly sets it clear that ethical business practices, environmental sustainability and circularity are the only way forward.”
We asked Mostafiz about his book, the role of garment production in Bangladesh’s economy and what he would like to see evolve about retailer-manufacturer relationships.
Carved in Blue: What makes Bangladesh unique in the global ready made garment industry?
Mostafiz: Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporting country to the world. It is the only country of the world in which export-oriented garment factories are inspected, and safety remediation made by local and international experts after the tragic Rana Plaza incident. The apparel industry is tremendously important for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh. Apparel exports account for more than 84 percent of the country’s total foreign export. About 4 million people are directly employed in Bangladesh apparel industry, whereas there are about 50 countries in the world in which the total population is less than 4 million.
Carved in Blue: You mentioned in the foreword that your views as well as the issues haven’t changed much over the years. What are three of the consistent beliefs or positions that you hold?
Mostafiz: Sustainability is not an option, it’s a must for the apparel and textile industry.
Collaboration and partnership among manufacturers and buyers are the keys in promoting sustainability in the industry.
Sustainability, transparency and innovation will be stairs for the progress of Bangladesh apparel industry.
Carved in Blue: How would you describe the industry’s progress in terms of buyer and supplier relationships? And what would you still like to see change?
Mostafiz: One of the secrets of the success of Bangladesh apparel industry is undoubtedly the suppliers’ and buyers’ relationships. But yes, it’s an area where still we would like to see improvements. Especially during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw some brands and retailers acted very responsibly, but unfortunately during the period we also saw a plethora of unethical purchasing practices by some brands and retailers. And here I believe that collaboration and partnership among manufacturers and buyers are the keys to avoid such repletion of the situation in the future and to promote sustainability in the industry.
Carved in Blue: What can readers expect from this book?
Mostafiz: The book could satiate the thirst of anybody having interest on Bangladesh apparel industry. The readers by reading the book could comprehend the strength of the Bangladesh apparel industry, the improvements it made in the recent years, as well as what are the challenges ahead and where the stakeholders need to work together for the sustainable future of Bangladesh apparel industry.