Leading exporters of readymade garments in Bangladesh are now eying the domestic market as local consumption of global-class wear holds a great potential. According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) more than 60 local exporters are now making dresses to cater to domestic market. Data available with the apex trade body in the clothing sector show the domestic market size for apparel products stands at around Tk 200 billion and local brands have less than 10 per cent share. Locally manufactured apparels with no brand value now occupy the most part of the domestic market.

Local makes of clothing are gaining popularity in the domestic fashion industry as the youth is now attracted largely to homespun global-quality products. According to Md Atiqul Islam, President, BGMEA, the domestic market has huge opportunity as there are more than 160 million people living in the country. He further stressed that for local customers’ interest entrepreneurs are expanding their business on the local market.

Local customers used to demand foreign brand clothes some years ago but now they are turning to local brands as the stuffs is better than foreign ones.