NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh have been aggressively trying to increase their market share in the textile market in the USA.
While India share in the US market is up by 26%, Bangladesh has posted a growth of 8.35% in 2004-05.
Having been worried over this development, Bangladesh has appointed high powered lobbyists to improve its image.
Its image has been tarnished by recurring reports on human rights violations, corruption and Islamists militancy.
Two lobbyists--Washington Group and Ketchum Washington will arrange high level interactions with US administration and build a positive image of the industry as well as the country among the US policy makers.
Both will get a monthly retainership of $45,000 in addition to certain pocket expenses.
It has appointed lobbyists to improve its image, tarnished by reports on human rights violations, corruption and Islamists militancy
Besides, the lobbyists will help the country to gain concession for textile exports to US. This may pose serious challenge to India textile industry, which has been catching up fast, and moved up from $13.5 billion in 2004-05 to $17 billion in August to February period.
The major export earnings came from handicrafts sector followed by wool industry, at Rs 15,256 crore and Rs 4,523 crore respectively.
Bangladesh exports reached $6,624.2 million for the same period from $5,618.12 million in the previous year, according to data from Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh.
Of this, woven garment sector was a major revenue earner at $2615.48 million. Knitwear items earned $2,369 million against $1,819.67 million during the same period.
