Apparel exporters can now breathe easy as 14 global fashion brands have assured them of taking delivery of products – worth over $1 billion – they ordered earlier.
But the buyers did not mention any specific time when they will take the goods as the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the whole supply chain.
Bangladeshi apparel makers have termed the move as positive for the industry.
"We are hopeful that our partners for a long time won't abandon us at these troubled times" said Rubana Huq, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
According to the BGMEA and individual apparel makers, the brands and retailers that have agreed to take deliveries of their previous orders include H&M, INDITEX, PVH Corp, TARGET, KIABI, KappAhl, Benetton, Decathlon, M&S, C&A, Puma, Kontoor, Primark and Tesco.
These brands are from the European Union, North America and the United Kingdom.
Of them, Swedish fashion brand H&M, which sources the highest quantity of garments among all buyers from Bangladesh, has assured exporters of taking delivery of goods it has already ordered.
The brand also said they will pay as per their earlier payment terms and conditions, and will not ask for any discount.