The Textile Sourcing Meet ’22 (TSM Dhaka), hosted by SOWTEX—a leading B2B marketplace for the fashion and textile industry—was successfully organized in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Garment Executives Association (BGEA), and the Indian Importers Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IICCI). The event took place on September 17th & 18th, 2022, at Radisson Blu, Dhaka Water Garden, marking a first-of-its-kind Buyer-Seller Meet that brought together top textile industry stakeholders from Bangladesh and India in a collaborative environment.
Grand Inauguration and Notable Dignitaries
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Tipu Munshi, Hon’ble Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour included:
Mr. Faruque Hassan – President, BGMEA
Mr. Shahidullah Azim – Vice President, BGMEA
Ms. Neela Hosna Ara – Director, BGMEA
Mr. Atul Saxena – President, IICCI
Mr. Masudur Rahman – President, BGEA
Mr. Shovon Islam – Chairman, Press & Publicity, BGMEA
Ms. Shwapna Bhowmick – Country Head, M&S
The event saw a remarkable footfall of over 900+ top fashion buyers, exporters, and manufacturers over two days, with several esteemed delegates and dignitaries from India and Bangladesh in attendance. Key figures included:
Mr. Emdad Miazi – General Secretary, BGEA
Ms. Jannatul Ferdous Nipa – Director RMG, IICCI
Mr. Kamal Uddin – Chairman, Standing Committee on Trade Fair, BGMEA
Mr. Mir Ripon – Chairman, Standing Committee of Market Development, BGMEA
Mr. Umesh Gaur – Asia Head, Tukatech
Ms. Ann Mary – Director, X Ray Jeans
Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee – Director, BGMEA & Envoy Design Ltd.
Mr. Manjit Singh Saini – CEO, Paramount Instruments
Mr. Mofazzel Hossain Povel – MD, Dongyi Sourcing Ltd.
Mr. Rana – Director, Union Group
Mr. Asiful Islam Arif – Sr. Sales Manager, Coats Digital
Mr. Manan Gondalia – Director, Yes Fashions Ltd.
Mr. Rajib K Islam – Head, Allure Sourcing
Mr. Vaibhav Arora – MD, Rasik Vatika
Mr. Amit K Biswas – Director, Chaity Group
Mr. Kamal Kulshreshtha – Head of International Business Development, Colorjet
Mr. Abrar Hossain – Director, Sayem Group
Ms. Kyaw Sein Thay – MD, Cloth “R” Us Ltd.
Mr. Swapan Kumar Saha – KGS Sourcing
Mr. Keshav Choudhary – Krishna Fashion
Mr. Amit Kansal – Acme Fashion
The event also welcomed members from BGMEA, BKGEA, BGEA, BGBA, BTMA, FBCCI, and BKMEA, strengthening regional textile industry ties.
Showcasing Textile Innovations and Sustainability
TSM Dhaka ’22 featured textile companies specializing in fabric, trims, and yarn from India and Bangladesh, highlighting their product development capabilities, unique selling points (USPs), and innovations in line with global trends. The event provided an opportunity for fashion buyers and manufacturers seeking high-quality, sustainable, and innovative materials for international markets.
A key highlight of the event was the vision shared by BGMEA President, Mr. Faruque Hassan, on working towards a $100 billion textile industry by 2030 through deeper engagement and an integrated textile value chain between India and Bangladesh. The event featured:
Panel interactions with top delegates
Networking and business growth sessions
Product development displays and trend forecasting
Key Panel Discussions and Insights
Day 1:
Panel discussions covered crucial topics such as:
“Bridging the Sourcing Gap between India & Bangladesh”
“Stitching the Value Chain with Sustainability & Traceability”
Speakers deliberated on:
Easing cross-border trade barriers
Enhancing raw material transportation between India and Bangladesh
Boosting exports and imports
India’s growing role as a major sourcing partner for raw materials
The urgent need for more B2B meets and improved infrastructure
Day 2:
The second day introduced the concept of Metaverse in the textile industry and Experiential Commerce, alongside:
A Digital Fashion Show
Panel discussions on Sustainable Product Development
How to Incorporate Trends in Sustainable Fashion
Key discussion points included:
Product diversification and sustainable sourcing alternatives
Traceability in textiles and its impact on sustainability
Event Partners and Conclusion
TSM Dhaka ’22 was supported by:
Tukatech – Technology Partner
Paramount Instruments – Event Partner
Radisson Blu – Hospitality Partner
The event proved to be an enriching experience for the textile industry, fostering collaboration between India and Bangladesh. With its success, TSM Dhaka ’22 is expected to set a strong precedent for future collaborations in the textile and fashion industry.
