Over 300 delegates attend 37th IAF World Fashion Convention in Dhaka

International Apparel Federation’s recently concluded 37th World Fashion Convention in Dhaka brought together close to 300 delegates from 15 countries. United by the convention’s theme of ‘Transforming the Industry Together’, speakers discussed methods of supply chain collaboration, climate action and financing, EU sustainability legislation, education and technology and raw material trends.

The IAF Convention that took place from November 12 to16, was organised together with the Bangladeshi apparel industry associations BGMEA and BKMEA. It was held intertwined with the BGMEA’s Made in Bangladesh Week allowing garment industry delegates to attend a week full of event.

In his opening speech, IAF president Cem Altan explained the convention’s theme and said, “The major challenges of our industry today can only realistically be met when there is true collaboration between buyers and the manufacturers.” However, he continued to say that this collaboration is still far from being the norm. “Instead of collaboration, we often see that necessary investments are pushed up into the supply chain and that flexibility is created by letting supply chains act as crumbling zones, catching the blows of uncertain demand.”

The IAF World Fashion Convention started with the traditional golf tournament sponsored by IAF’s partner American & Efird. The conference was sponsored by IAF’s partners Veit, Dubai Global Connect and The Industry We Want. The conference was followed by a gala dinner, which saw a major group of Bangladeshi manufacturers and international guests network against a unique Dhaka garden setting. BGMEA and BKMEA presented IAF with a spectacular laser show to celebrate IAF’s 50th birthday, the organisers said in a media release.

Alongside BGMEA president Faruque Hassan, Altan spoke at the inauguration of the Made in Bangladesh Week by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In his speech addressing the Prime Minister, Altan highlighted the collaboration of IAF and its Bangladesh members, and stated, “The strong and eloquent voice of BGMEA and BKMEA combined with the worldwide reach of IAF has in the past two years created a strong global apparel manufacturing voice.”

Delegates to the IAF Convention then were able to attend the Made in Bangladesh Week activities.

“All in all, it was a knowledge and networking packed week worthy of the 2nd largest apparel exporting nation in the world,” the release added.