Zaber & Zubair’s sustainable fabric export jumps 50% in three years

The pandemic has brought many positive changes in people’s buying patterns. People around the world are realizing the sensitive nature of this dear planet’s ecosystem. The rising demand for eco-friendly clothing is one such hopeful change that came out of the pandemic. The export figures eco-friendly apparels show how far have people come to care for the planet.

For instance, Zaber and Zubair Fabrics Ltd — the largest fabrics weaver in Bangladesh — saw its export of eco-friendly green cloths grow by 40 to 50 percent in just three years, the company’s Deputy Manager of Business Development Md Mosla Uddin Tipu, told the Business Insider Bangladesh on Thursday.

“Besides, US-China cold relationship has become a blessing for the country. Due to trade fractures between two mighty countries, a large number of work orders have been segregated among the textile manufacturers in the world,” he said.

As Bangladesh is the second-largest and dependable source country, the majority of the orders are now diverted to Dhaka, Tipu informed.

Although local exporters prioritise old buyers, the number of new buyers engaging with Bangladesh has grown by 30 percent in the last seven months, he added.

For the continuous development of fabrics, Zaber and Zubair (ZnZ) started talent hunt programmes in reputed universities of the country, Tipu informed adding that some 15 students are currently receiving training on innovative cloth technology through this initiative.

“Day by day, these students will replace foreigners working in Bangladesh with local talents,” he assured.

Regarding the company’s vision for the future, Tipu said ZnZ is expanding its business to new markets.

“Russia and Africa are two such potential big markets like the USA, however, these markets remain untapped by Bangladeshi exporters,” he regretted.

“ZnZ is now in correspondence with two Russian companies — MIR Textile and Outlaw Moscow — who are demanding soft comfortable woven fabrics from Bangladesh, which we have plenty of,” the ZnZ DM revealed.

Meanwhile, ZnZ on Wednesday kicked off a ‘Fabric Week’ to showcase its own eco-friendly and innovative fabrics.

While visiting the fair on Thursday, a buyer, Md Jahidur Rahman, Manager, Marketing and Merchandising of Promoda Textile Ltd, told the Business Insider Bangladesh that the demand for innovative green clothing has increased so much that export orders often have to be turned down.

ZnZ was established in March 2000, with an investment of over $600 million.

The company’s daily production capacity is over 4,00,000mtr fabrics and 1,00,000 finished products. Its yearly turnover is $180 million.

The company received the highest exporter award from the Prime Minister in FY 2017-18.