Textile entrepreneurs should expand their export product base in order to survive competition from India and China in a tough global market, urged Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, after inaugurating largest annual textile fair of Bangladesh.

"Sewing clothes is not enough for our garment industry to survive in international competition," Zia told participants of the three-day
Bangladesh apparel and textile exposition (Batexpo). "Necessary fabrics and other materials for the industry must be
produced at home," she said.

The 14th annual fair is organised by the Bangladesh garment manufacturers and exporters association and attracts scores of foreign textile buyers and importers as well as hundreds of representatives of private ready-made garment entrepreneurs and exporters, organisers said.

It allows manufacturers representing Bangladesh''s 3,700 garment factories to display their latest products to foreign buyers and importers.