Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Apparel exporters expect higher foreign buyers in the upcoming Batexpo, the biggest apparel show beginning in Dhaka on December 12 despite the recent campaign abroad highlighting the country’s apparel sector’s weaknesses.
“We know how to make a turnaround. We believe we can do that…we’ll repair the damage done addressing all the causes,” M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) told reporters at a press conference at its conference room on Saturday.
Over 40 foreign buyers from the USA, the UK, Canada, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, India and Pakistan had been here in the last Batexpo to have business, and a new opportunity emerges following the market expansion plan to Russia, according to the BGMEA chief.
The BGMEA president also hoped that the spot orders will be higher than the previous year (US$ 66.35 million).
Mohiuddin said they have cancelled the planned Batexpo Night this time paying tribute to the workers those lost their lives in Tazreen Fashions fire on November 24. 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (Batexpo) -2012 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital on December 12.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Textiles and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Labour and Employment Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Commerce Minister GM Quader and Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan will address the inaugural session as special guests. 
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will attend the closing session as the chief guest while former Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, former Education Minister Dr Osman Faruq, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and former Industries Minister MK Anwar will address as special guests. 
Meanwhile, there will be three seminars during the Batexpo, titled ‘Opportunbities and Challenges in the Changed Global Sourcing Scenario,’ ‘Protection against prosperity Insurance’ and ‘Environment friendly and Resource Efficient Production: The Context of Textiles and Clothing Industry in Bangladesh’.
 
BBN/SSR/AD-08Dec12-9:36 pm (BST)