Bangladesh government plans to ease the rules on use of duty-free imported fabrics in making high-end apparels to boost export earnings as manufacturers end up wasting more fabrics while producing high-fashioned apparel. In 1998, the commerce ministry had set the waste ratio for garments between 7 to 9 per cent. Even at that time, local manufacturers and exporters had protested against this waste limit as being too little considering the amount of material used for a finished product. Both manufacturers and exporters have urged the government to increase the limit to 30 per cent or more.
Even experts have agreed with exporters demand. Md Abdul Kashem, Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh University of Textile opines, the demand made by local garment manufacturers is not invalid as waste levels have increased over the years due to complexities in production. The percentage of waste generated varies from factory to factory because of the use of modern technologies, skilled workforce, efficient use of raw materials and better quality control, he added.
Hence, the permitted waste ratio for fabrics should be updated in view of the practical situation as buyers seek products of various designs, says Md Shawkat Hossain, Commissioner, CBC. A Matin Chowdhury, Former President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, adds 40 per cent waste is found in a test involving some factories with the best production practices. According to him, the percentage of waste increased because local garment manufacturers have been shifting to high-end garment items so that they can get better prices from retailers and brands.
