Any conversation about apparel production sooner or later includes Bangladesh.
From a turbulent period when the nation’s industry was plagued by factory fires, building collapses and high levels of industrial pollution, Bangladesh has faced gruelling pressure to meet international standards.
Over the past 7 years it has painstakingly worked to clean up and green up the industry.
Today, Bangladesh is home to some of the world’s best apparel manufacturing facilities and has the greatest number of eco-friendly factories.
Still, Bangladesh’s image is more of a reflection of its past than a vision of its future.
Recently a growing number of industry experts are starting to shine a new light on what they believe could an overlooked opportunity for buyers.
Today we’re talking with Deepika Diwan.
Deepika has spent three decades managing buying, sourcing and manufacturing for some of world’s biggest retailers.
From heading up clothing sourcing in South Asia for Sainsbury’s, working with Marks & Spencer in Bangladesh and tripling its business there in less then 5 years, to working as Global Procurement Director for Kiabi, and helping Pepkor establish their South Asian sourcing offices, Deepika knows Bangladesh. She also understands the growing need to manage lead times, as well as the ongoing pressure on price.
Today Deepika is managing director of Carrots, consulting company that designs and executes bespoke solutions for international footwear, apparel and accessories retailers.
Years of up close and personal experience living and working Bangladesh has enabled her to see Bangladesh for what it is becoming rather than what it was.
She’s the perfect person to speak with in order to find out what are the big opportunities in Bangladesh, opportunities that others might be missing.
