Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bangladeshi apparel sector is likely to lose $5 billion revenue in 2019-20, says BGMEA president Rubina Huq. She revealed buyers have cancelled orders worth as much as $3.15 billion since the unfolding of the pandemic. This has led to factories running at only 55 per cent of their capacity with imported unused raw materials piling up in warehouses.

BGMEA estimates global consumption of clothes to fall by 65 per cent in future leading to 30 per cent slump in work orders. Due to this, factory owner may also have to lay off workers from th.is month.

However, the US’s move to cut its order from China by 52 per cent may make Bangladesh a good sourcing destination for apparel goods, views Huq, who heads the Mohammadi Group.

Therefore, to make the Bangladesh RMG industry and its supply chain sustainable, BGMEA urged manufacturers to focus on virtual marketplaces.