DHAKA: Indian textile businessmen are focusing on increasing market share in Bangladesh to offset the impact created by China in last few years.

"Bangladesh is a natural trading textile partner for India. But for last two years, China is increasingly consolidating its footsteps in the Bangladeshi markets," told Sanjay Murarka, partner of Kolkata-based FM Textile Private Limited, on the sidelines of the ongoing International Ethnic Week (IEW) Goa 2014.

“A proper and concentrated focus on Bangladesh markets can work wonders for the textile industry, which is amongst the top trading communities in India,” he added.

"From Surat itself, the trade of textiles to Bangladesh is to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore," Murarka said.

The ongoing IEW, which has 1,000 Indian and 400 international visitors joining hands, has provided Business to Business (B2B) platform for buyers and the sellers.

Surat Dreams, a Gujarat-based textile business initiative, which has organised the event, expects over Rs 1,000 crore business deals to be signed among participants.

The textile businessmen from the US, UK, Bangladesh, Dubai, Colombo joined the event to expand their horizons during the two-day-long event that began on Sunday (March 9).

Nihal Jain, an organiser and partner of Siddharth Feb Text Pvt Ltd, said India and Bangladesh are like one family but "Chinese manufacturers are reaping the benefits."

A strong contingent of 130 Bangladesh traders went for the IEW and holding across the table discussions with various traders, who have set up their stalls displaying the products on the sidelines of the event.

Source: TOI

BDST: 1910 HRS, MAR 10, 2014