The Japanese–Bangladeshi ethical fashion and sustainability venture REVIVAL Group Co Ltd, together with REVIVAL Projects Ltd, has announced it will lease and restart the long-closed BEXIMCO Textile Division, bringing hope to over 25,000 displaced workers.

US-based financing partner Ecomilli, founded by Non-Resident Bangladeshi professionals, is backing the initiative with an initial $20 million investment, according to a statement issued by the REVIVAL on November 16.

The move marked one of Bangladesh’s largest employment restoration efforts in recent years.

BEXIMCO Textile, once a cornerstone of the national economy, had been shuttered due to loan defaults after more than three decades of operations, leaving thousands of workers and surrounding communities facing financial hardship.

REVIVAL’s long-term lease aimed to reinstate the original workforce, strengthen management, and implement Japanese operational standards alongside international governance practices.

‘The reopening is about more than machinery — it restores dignity for thousands of families,’ said Huda Mohammed Faisal, CEO and Co-Founder of REVIVAL.

Farhan S Karim, President of Ecomilli, described it as ‘brain gain’ for Bangladesh, emphasising the project’s role in rebuilding livelihoods and supporting industrial resurgence.

REVIVAL plans to reconnect BEXIMCO Textile with global buyers and expand its footprint in premium, design-led fashion under the philosophy ‘Design locally, sell globally.’

The company will introduce advanced training programmes and establish a Design Institute with mentors from Japan, the US and Europe, preparing the next generation of designers and industry professionals.

A draft Tripartite Agreement among REVIVAL, BEXIMCO, and Janata Bank was submitted on October 8, with the board review scheduled for later this month.

Production is expected to resume by December, with the first phase supported by $20 million in back-to-back LC financing, potentially expanding to $100 million depending on performance.

Osman Kaiser Chowdhury, Managing Director of BEXIMCO Ltd, said that the company had maintained modern machinery ready for revival, underscoring the potential for rapid operational restart.

By 2027, REVIVAL anticipated annual profits of Tk500 crore, supporting loan repayments and long-term stability for Bangladesh’s largest textile brand.

With Japanese precision, US financial backing, and the resilience of Bangladeshi workers, the revival of BEXIMCO Textile signals a major chapter of economic renewal, offering renewed hope for thousands of families and the nation’s industrial future.