Bangladesh is the second largest denim apparel manufacturing country in the world after China. To flex the muscle of the clothing sub-sector and attract global buyer a two day Denim and Jeans Expo began yesterday in the city. A total of 24 companies from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Germany, China and Brazil are part in the show.

The Denim and Jeans Expo was inaugurated by Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran at a city hotel . President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association ( BGMEA) Md Atiqul Islam was also present in the opening function.

The Indian envoy lauded the growth of the country's readymade garment (RMG) sector, and said that the future of Bangladesh's garment and textile industry is very bright."

Bangladesh is a "very serious player" in the global clothing market, given its expertise and quality and can't be ignored. This showcase is a shining example of Bangladesh's emergence as global apparel manufacturer and exporter.

This is a sign of Bangladesh's maturity of industrial processes and competence apart from expertise of workers and manufacturers.

The BGMEA president, citing the Rana Plaza building collapse, said that this is a unique example of how the sector can re-emerge as vibrant after experiencing a disaster that had badly dented the image of the country.

Sandeep Agarwal, the founder of the Denimsandjeans.com Bangladesh show said that such an event was a must for Bangladesh as the country got introduced worldwide as Denim and jeans producing country. The event is an extension of the last event and it has brought all who are involved in the area under the same roof.

According to Denimsandjeans.com, Bangladesh exported about 74 million pieces of denim apparel to the US market and around 140 million pieces of jeans to Europe in 2013. Bangladesh was also the largest exporter of men's jeans to Europe in 2013 with 89 million pieces compared to 65 million from China.

Denim apparel exports from Bangladesh surged 11.48 percent to the US in 2013, compared to that of 2012 and to the EU by 19.65 per cent during the same period.