The Bangladeshi exporters expects that ready made garment (RMG) exports to Canada will double in 2004 after seeing the huge response to the recently held apparel fair.

President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA), Quazi Moniruzzaman said that the fair received huge response from buyers and we expect exports will reach $250-300 million next year which was $144 million in 2002-03.

Quazi Moniruzzaman who led a 100-member business delegation to the apparel fair in Canada organised by BGMEA returned home yesterday.

BGMEA arranged the fair in cooperation with SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) of the World Bank Group aiming at deriving maximum trade benefits from duty and quota free access to Canada.

Some 40 leading RMG companies took part in the fair, split into two parts -- October 27-28 in Toronto and October 30-31 in Montreal, to exhibit a wide range of products representing full spectrum of Bangladesh apparel industry.

Riding on duty and quota free access, RMG exports to Canada jumped to $102 million during January-June of 2003 which was $49 million in the corresponding period of last year, the BGMEA president said.

"This proves that Bangladesh has good prospect to further expand Canada market by utilising the trade facilities," he said.