For Bangladeshi garment maker Viyellatex Group, the spiralling trade tensions between China and the United States that have roiled global markets have instead been a boon for business.
US tariffs have pushed up the cost of Chinese-made products so buyers have turned to the company, a leading producer in Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments.
“Until recently much of our exports were to the European market, but since the US-China trade war began, we are getting more and more bulk orders from US buyers,” Viyellatex Group chairman David Hasanat said.
“Immediately after [US President Donald] Trump started the trade war last year, three American buyers who had folded their
business in Bangladesh two years ago came and placed bulk orders with us.”
Three out of every 10 clients Hasanat now serves are from the US, up from two in 10 last year – including top American brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. The company’s turnover was close to US$200 million last year.
