The seven-day Aaron Denim Show 2020 started in Dhaka's Savar, on Saturday, with a special showcase of over 50 textile varieties, considering the winter-spring fashion of the upcoming 2021-22 season.

The exhibition will run till 27 November, in compliance with health rules; buyers can visit it in person or see the new innovations in denim fabric virtually.

Organiser Aaron Denim hopes buyers from different countries will come to the exhibition, adding that buyers can also take part in it via Aaron Denim's Facebook page.

It also hopes exceptional denim fabrics and clothing – including local tie dye, ice dye, eco hypo, and stone wash – from among over 50 varieties will attract buyers.

Moshiul Azam Shajal, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), inaugurated the show on the Aaron Denim Mill premises in Savar.

He said, during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, such an exceptional event is timely and commendable, which will inspire others.

Due to the pandemic, it is now almost impossible to go directly to buyers and have a direct presentation of a fabric. In this context, Aaron Denim opened the door to this new possibility, Shajal remarked.

"Bangladesh has surpassed China, the world's largest exporter of ready-made garments, in denim exports to Europe and America. Denim textile mills in our country continue to make a significant contribution to this unprecedented success. Aaron denim is undoubtedly one of them," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mazakat Harun, managing director of Aaron Denim, said his company currently exports 30 million yards of denim fabric every year.

"During these critical hours, we need to work on increasing our capabilities. It is not possible to keep the economy afloat without various innovations. This exhibition will hopefully encourage other denim mill owners in this regard," he added.

He added the company now has more orders than its capacity and has work orders for the next three months.

Sayed Ibn Mazakat, chief executive officer of Aaron Denim, said Bangladesh's garment industry has faced many crises. Therefore, Aaron Denim has tried to open the door to possibilities.

"With the crisis in mind, we have been trying to make a variety of denim fabrics. We have increased communication with buyers. We have ensured that workers can work in a healthy environment," he continued.

Sayed also said many buyers have already contacted them and many have said they will come to the show on Tuesday.

Organisers said lead time is an important issue in the export of ready-made garments. Export growth largely depends on how fast a product can be exported after a purchase order is received.

The supply of fabric is important for exporting garments with the fastest lead time. Although Bangladesh is self-sufficient in fabric production in terms of net garment exports, it still has to import about 60% of fabrics needed for woven garments.

In the case of denim, 31 domestic textile mills have accelerated Bangladesh's success in exporting denim by producing modern and innovative fabrics.