Japan looks to Bangladesh for footwear
Footwear demand has sharply increased in Japan and Bangladeshi exporters are keen to get a firm footing in the market. Officials have said that the value of shoe exports from Bangladesh to Japan could reach $150 million by 2012.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported footwear worth $37 million to Japan from January to July 2010, a 20% growth compared to last year.
A high official of the commerce ministry said: “Exports are increasing and the possibility of enhancing exports to Japan has become bright following continual labour unrest and the rise in production cost in China and many other leather exporting countries. These have forced many Japanese buyers to eye other markets like Bangladesh. The president of the Bangladesh Leather and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters' Association, Saiful Islam, said the organisation is expecting 50% growth by June 2011.
“We should take this opportunity as we have a favourable atmosphere in the leather sector and our footwear’s quality is undoubtedly world-class. But we have to work hard to maintain a firm footing in the $5 billion Japanese footwear market.”
"Usually some chain superstores or brands like Takashima, ABC Mart, Logic and other Japanese retailers buy footwear from us, but many new importers have shown interest in buying Bangladeshi footwear in the last year and a half,” said Mr Islam.
He said that very soon they would be able to link with giant Japanese chains such as Uniqlo and Muji, which could boost the value of exports to above $150 million by the beginning of 2012.
