Participants at the three-day Batexpo that kicked off in the city Wednesday are hopeful about enhanced business opportunities for apparel items through greater buyers-sellers interaction.

More than 80 participants- 20 foreign and 60 local - are displaying their products at a total of 138 stalls in the 23rd Batexpo (Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been organising the international apparel exposition since 1989 in a bid to attract more foreign buyers to give a boost to apparel exports.

The organisers are expecting a large number of foreign buyers including Russia during the show that showcases the full range of apparel, textiles and other related products, technologies and service providing organisations under the same roof despite the recent overseas negative campaign.

 "This is a unique opportunity for apparel and other buyers to come under the same roof and choose their valuable business partners during their visit to the fair.

Foreign companies including China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Bangkok showcasing their products are also expecting a greater interaction among each others.

 "Made in Bangladesh" is now a symbol of quality and trust among the people across the globe and we are committed to striving for upholding the supremacy we achieved, BGMEA president Shafiul Islam said.

Over 40 foreign buyers from the USA, the UK, Canada, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, India and Pakistan had been here in the last Batexpo to have business, and a new opportunity emerges following the plan of market expansion to Russia, he added.