By Kristi Ellis
“Until yesterday, we were seeing a very positive trend with growth in Bangladesh,” said Julia Hughes, president at the U.S. Fashion Industry Association. “Even though there had been some concern from the most recent attack [in July], overall companies were very optimistic.”
Bangladesh was hit by a series of terrorist attacks last year, including an attack later claimed by ISIS on a restaurant and café in Dhaka that killed 20 foreign hostages and raised concerns among global brands and retailers.
Hughes said the latest warning from the State Department of a direct threat to fashion buyers in Bangladesh has not turned into a “full-blown crisis,” but companies are beginning to postpone trips.
“There probably are a lot of people who may have changed their trips to Bangladesh today,” she said. “We have to see how it plays out. I don’t think it will necessarily be a long-term problem, barring any actual attacks.”