Bangladesh’s average garment prices in the European Union (EU) market fell 8.47 per cent per kg between January and July 2026, while Vietnam’s average garment prices rose 11.76 per cent in the same period, according to Eurostat data presented at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday.
Industry stakeholders said the country cannot rely on low-cost labour and mass production alone, and urged greater emphasis on product value addition, technology use and productivity.
The press conference was held ahead of Textile Innovation Expo 2026. Speakers said that with production costs rising and international market prices under pressure, there is no alternative to improving product quality and value to retain the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s garment industry.
ITET Bangladesh President Md Enayet Hossain; BKMEA Director Imran Kader Turjo; BGBA President Md Abdul Hamid; ITET Senior Vice President Sumayel Muhammad Mallik; ITET Bangladesh Secretary General and TIE Steering Board Member A S M Hafizur Rahman Nixon; and TIE Chairman and TTIH Executive Chairman Ehsanul Karim Kaisar attended the press conference.
The expo is organised by Textile Innovation Exchange, co-organised by Textile Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists, with BKMEA and BGBA as partners. It is being implemented by Textile Today Innovation Hub. The goal is to establish Bangladesh as an innovation-driven manufacturing destination.
The expo will be held from 12 to 14 November at International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital. Garment and textile factories, technology suppliers, brands, buyers, researchers and industry stakeholders will attend. Innovation-driven products, production processes and technology will be showcased.
The expo will have four thematic zones: Dyeing and Printing, Textile Materials, Automation Technology in Garment Production, and Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Technology. A Factory Innovation Pavilion will allow local factories to present innovative products and productivity initiatives.
An Open Innovation Area will give researchers, universities, start-ups and factory engineers the opportunity to present innovative solutions.
Organisers expect around 50 textile, garment and accessories factories and 200 technology and solution providers to participate. Around 5,000 visitors, 100 brands and buyers, and more than 200 international delegates from more than 30 countries are expected.
