DHAKA: Pakistani label Maria B, which opened its first branch in Dhaka this week, has become the first international women’s clothing brand to establish a presence in Bangladesh, a country that produces many of the world’s garments but lacks foreign retailers.

The second-largest apparel exporter in the world — after China — Bangladesh specializes in ready-made garments for many global brands, including H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo.

While their products are available in the market — mostly as factory leftovers — they do not have their official stores in the country.

The opening of a Maria B outlet in Dhaka marks its entry as the first international women’s fashion house in the Bangladeshi market. The other foreign brand that has its store in Bangladesh is J., a family-oriented clothing label started by the late Junaid Jamshed, an iconic Pakistani singer turned entrepreneur.

“It’s appreciable that a brand like Maria B recognized the growing market and consumer base in Bangladesh. The presence of international brands like this will also enhance the image of our local fashion market,” Shahrukh Amin, fashion designer and Bangladeshi clothing brand owner, told Arab News.

“Fashion has become something global. We can see trends from all over the world with a mobile phone in hand.”

Amin said that the Pakistani designer’s outlet had already created a “buzz” among Bangladeshi fashionistas.

“She has an individual style that is not found in the works of many other designers,” he said.

“Until her launching in Dhaka, Bangladeshi fashion lovers would purchase her dresses from Dubai, London, the US, or online preorders.”

The presence of the Pakistani brand, a globally recognized fashion house, is welcome not only because of its popularity but also because it marks the entry of the first high-end foreign designer label.

“We are living in a global city and want a global environment here,” said Maheen Khan, president of the Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh. “A famous Pakistani brand launching its operations in Dhaka is a positive development.”

It is also seen as a signal that the apparel sector, which in Bangladesh is dominated by cheap production of fast-fashion European brands, may grow and become more competitive.

“It’s a big thing because in most cases international brands don’t show much interest in coming here to Bangladesh. Even the international food chains are also not very interested in coming,” Azra Mahmood, a model and celebrated figure in Bangladesh’s fashion, told Arab News.

“The fashion industry is also a business. From that point of view, I consider it very positive that an international brand like Maria B launched its outlet in Dhaka. The more international brands come here, the better for our fashion industry.”