The 18th edition of the Bangladesh Denim Expo began on May 12, spotlighting the country’s rising global prominence in denim exports, with shipments to the United States and the European Union surging in early 2025.

The two-day event at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) featured 57 exhibitors from 13 countries, highlighting innovation and partnerships across the international denim supply chain.

Bangladesh’s denim exports to the US surged by 56.33 per cent year-on-year during the January–February period, earning $138.75 million compared to $88.75 million in the same period of 2024, according to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Denim exports to the EU also recorded a 32.43 per cent increase, rising to $285.52 million from $215.60 million a year earlier.

This performance has reinforced Bangladesh’s position as the top denim supplier to both major markets. In 2024, the country earned $675.65 million and $1.28 billion from denim exports to the US and EU respectively.

‘Denim business is growing, and we haven’t faced any impact from the new US tariff regime as we mostly ship to the EU,’ said Yeasin Al Faisal, Manager at Argon Denims Ltd, one of the 57 exhibitors from 13 countries participating in the two-day expo.

He said the expo provides a platform to explore innovations and showcase their own product lines.

Organisers said that the event aimed to strengthen industry capacity and innovation amid global uncertainties, including tariff hikes and trade tensions. Exhibitors from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, and the USA are presenting their latest denim products and solutions.

Sanaul Haque, Executive Director of Azlan Denim Ltd (a Sim Group concern), said that they were expanding monthly production capacity from 1.6 million to 2.5 million yards by July to meet growing global demand.

On the accessories side, Abdul Kader Khan, Managing Director of Khan Accessories and Packaging Company Ltd, said his firm joined the expo at the request of global denim buyers.

‘As denim exports are rising, we hope to secure new orders from this platform,’ he said.

International participants also acknowledged Bangladesh’s growing importance.

Chao Ji, Sales Manager of China’s Black Peony Textile Co Ltd, which has maintained a Dhaka office for six years, said, ‘Bangladesh is a potential market and business is slowly growing at good prices.’

Brant Tong of Vietnam-based XDD Textile said, ‘There is huge demand here due to the large number of denim factories and washing plants. We are here looking for more business opportunities.’

He added that uncertainty over US tariffs has slowed Vietnam’s exports, with some buyers delaying orders.

Pakistani suppliers also reported cautious optimism.

Md Amdadul Hoque of Diamond Denim confirmed a slowdown in business due to seasonal factors and a 10 per cent US tariff hike.

However, Nauman Ahmad of Azgard Nine Limited said that their primary market was the EU and they did not face significant disruption.

As the show continued, industry leaders remained hopeful that innovation, resilience and market diversification would help Bangladesh sustain its position as a global denim powerhouse despite external uncertainties.

Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo, said that two panel sessions had been scheduled for the two-day event, both focused on capacity building for industry professionals and the sector as a whole.

He added that this edition marked a shift from planning to action, aiming to prepare Bangladesh’s denim industry for 2029 and beyond.