Making a positive note about the future of Bangladesh garment industry, John Hoerner, chief executive officer of Tesco Clothing & International Sourcing, said prices of Bangladeshi products are excellent and this country is driving to be an ethical sourcing for the buyers.

"There are huge opportunities for us to grow in this country and that's why we have expanded our office in Dhaka," said Hoerner, who is on a visit to Bangladesh for the first time and accompanied by other top executives of Tesco.

He was speaking at the reception organised in honour of him by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in Dhaka yesterday. Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury was present at the function as chief guest.

Hoerner said 10 years back Tesco's turnover was nine billion pound sterling and it recorded a tremendous growth in sales during this time.

"Today Tesco's sales went up to 33.5 billion pounds which is equivalent to US$58.6 billion. We have 2,380 stores in 14 countries of which 1909 are in the UK."

Only low labour cost is not enough, the Tesco CEO said noting that enlightened management and investment in hi-tech are equally important factors for the growth of a company.

Laurent Madelaine , country manager of Tesco, said Tesco started sourcing from Bangladesh two years back. "And our experience here is good."

Responding to the observations of Hoerner, BGMEA President Annisul Huq said garment exporters are trying their best to make this country an ethical sourcing for the buyers.

Around 39 BGMEA well-trained officials are working in its complaint cell and 17 in the safety cell. They are working together to strengthen the capacity of the association so that these complaints are well addressed, Huq added.

Expanding of Tesco operation in Bangladesh is a positive indication for the garment exporters, the BGMEA president observed.

Speaking at the reception, Altaf said: "We have to do more to be competitive in stiff competition of present age of globalisation."

"The country's economy dependents to a great extent on retaining the success of garment exports whose prospects are apprehended to be bleak in the post MFA era."

"But the initial symptoms in terms of export orders received so far indicate that future might be better than expected," Altaf added.

Customs procedures have been simplified to a great extend and one stop service has been introduced in the Chittagong Port for clearing import and export consignment in an hour, the commerce minister told the reception.