Buying houses in the garment and textile sector of Bangladesh have to get themselves registered with the Department of Textiles (DoT). Buying houses would have to file an application with the DoT with documents of an updated trade license, income tax certificate, a certificate of incorporation as a limited company, the estimated yearly turnover and a bank solvency certificate. The registration fee has to be paid through bank draft or pay order. The registrar will give the registration within 60 days of submitting the application and the validity of the registration certificate would be for three years. All buying houses with local and foreign investment and liaison offices of buyers and brands come under the rule.

The DoT is the sponsoring authority of all textile and clothing industries in Bangladesh. Many buying houses in Bangladesh run their business unregulated and there is no clear estimate of how many companies are working in the sector. There are some foreign buyers who work with the country’s readymade garment factories through their liaison offices and if they use any unfair means no action can be taken against them as they remain outside the purview of regulations. The idea is that bringing buying houses under registration would ensure accountability.