Participants at a trade show in Dhaka have stressed production of value-added readymade garment (RMG) products to woo further buyers with good price and sustainable business.

They came up with the observation at a day-long buyers\' and sellers\' meeting of retailers and manufactures hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers\' and Exporters\' Association (BGMEA) in the city on Monday.

"Export earnings from garment products are the lowest in last 15 years and there is no choice other than going for value-added products and adopting modern technologies for sustainable business," said Faruque Hassan, senior vice-president of BGMEA, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the show.

Organisers said some 28 local apparel makers-a pioneer group of companies offering items belonging to high-fashion segment in the EU market - displayed their diverse range of products and they have also been part of the CBI export coaching programme.

The CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports) is an initiative of the Dutch Foreign Ministry for improving imports from the developing countries.

It is extending support for the enhancement of the capacity of those selected 28 garment factories, they said.

Dutch ambassador in Dhaka Leoni Cuelenaere, among others, was also present at the show, which was attended by about 15 European clothing retailers like G-Star, Tricorp, Hema and Knits Only.

The apparel companies received training from the CBI on merchandising, design and sample development and the fashion trend, said the BGMEA leader, adding, the Dutch organisation is assisting the makers in networking with new EU-based buyers who at present don\'t source from Bangladesh.

"Although we are not getting good price for the locally-made apparel items, the trained 28 companies will get price advantage as they have knowledge about the latest fashion trend and are making high-end items," he added.

Moreover, the companies are part of a very select group that have passed the selection committee and will exhibit in Paris at a three-day Premiere Vision-- the premium event for Fashion Professionals--scheduled to start on September 19 next, he added.

Terming the EU market stable after polls in some of its member countries, Dhyana Van Der Pols, programme manager of the CBI, said Bangladesh needs to grow in value-added fashion products manufacturing to increase orders from the buyers.

While talking to the FE, Mohammed Sohel, managing director of Bangla Poshak Limited, a participant of the show, said their negotiation capacity has been enhanced as they have clear knowledge about the global merchandising, fashion trend and it would help them in price negotiation with their buyers.

Ahmed Anwarul Aziz, general manager of Jamuna Apparels, confirmed that they are in discussion with a number of new buyers who currently source from other competing countries.