ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd. is a proud symbol of British investment and world-class manufacturing excellence in Bangladesh. As a 100% export-oriented composite home textile facility, we are committed to delivering premium-quality products that meet the highest international standards across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, the Middle East, and other global markets,said Sasheen Masood Hasan, Deputy Managing Director, ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd. in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Post.
She said Bangladesh has certainly achieved global leadership in garments and apparel manufacturing, however, our presence in the home textile sector remains significantly lower compared to key competitors such as India, Pakistan, and China, despite having highly skilled and hardworking workers. The potential of Bangladesh’s home textile industry is immense, but the sector is still struggling to grow at the desired pace due to multiple challenges, especially cost disadvantages.
Talking to Bangladesh Post Shaheen Masood Hasan briefed in detail about the prospects and challenges of the country’s home textile sector, also recommended how to catch up the world market and survive in the global competition.
The excerpts of her interview is as bellows:
Bangladesh Post: How would you describe ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd. and its position in the global market?
Shaheen Hasan: ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd. is a proud symbol of British investment and world-class manufacturing excellence in Bangladesh. As a 100% export-oriented composite home textile facility, we are committed to delivering premium-quality products that meet the highest international standards across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, the Middle East, and other global markets.
Over the years, ACS has earned a strong reputation for trust, quality, and reliability. Our success is built on skilled manpower, modern technology, strict compliance, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Today, we are proud that ACS is successfully competing with globally renowned soft furnishings producers from Portugal, Turkey, and Italy, who are widely recognized for their premium craftsmanship and excellence.
Bangladesh Post: Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Shaheen Hasan: Thank you. I am Shaheen Masood Hasan, Deputy Managing Director of ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd., a 100% export-oriented composite home textile manufacturing facility and a proud symbol of British investment in Bangladesh. I represent the next generation of leadership in Bangladesh’s home textile industry and am honored to carry forward the legacy of my father, Masood Dawood Akbani, one of the pioneers of the home textile sector in Bangladesh, with over 40 years of experience in building and shaping this industry.
Bangladesh Post: Bangladesh is known as a global leader in garments. How do you view the country’s home textile industry today?
Shaheen Hasan: Bangladesh has certainly achieved global leadership in garments and apparel manufacturing. However, our presence in the home textile sector remains significantly lower compared to key competitors such as India, Pakistan, and China, despite having highly skilled and hardworking workers.
The potential of Bangladesh’s home textile industry is immense, but the sector is still struggling to grow at the desired pace due to multiple challenges, especially cost disadvantages.
Bangladesh Post: What are the main challenges holding the home textile industry back?
Shaheen Hasan: One of the biggest barriers is the cost disadvantage. Gas prices in Bangladesh are significantly higher compared to competitor countries. Borrowing costs are extremely high, and bank interest rates often reach around 15 percent. Additionally, as fully compliant manufacturers, maintaining international compliance requires significant additional investment.
At the same time, countries like India and Pakistan continue to provide strong incentives and policy support, allowing them to remain highly competitive. Bangladesh previously had incentive support, but in recent times it has reduced significantly, making survival and competitiveness more challenging for export-oriented manufacturers.
Bangladesh Post: What type of government policy support do you believe is necessary?
Shaheen Hasan: To ensure long-term sustainability and survival of Bangladesh’s home textile industry, strong policy support is essential. Competitiveness today depends not only on manufacturing quality but also on strategic national support systems that help industries remain export-ready and overcome cost pressure.
Many leading textile-producing nations provide support through export subsidies and cash incentives, stimulus packages during market instability, easier access to financing and export credit facilities, reduced borrowing costs, and supportive regulatory environments.
Bangladesh must adopt similar strategic measures. It is important that concerned government departments conduct comparative studies on competitor countries and implement practical solutions that make doing business easier. Without this support, Bangladesh risks losing market share in an increasingly competitive global industry.
Bangladesh Post: How does raw material dependency affect the industry?
Shaheen Hasan: Raw material dependency is another major challenge. Most manufacturers in Bangladesh must import yarn, chemicals, dyes, and packaging materials. Competitor countries such as India have strong backward linkage industries, including their own yarn production, which reduces cost and improves supply chain stability.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh remains capable of producing superior-quality products due to its skilled workforce and commitment to compliance. However, unless cost disadvantages are addressed through policy support, growth will remain limited compared to regional competitors.
Bangladesh Post: How important are innovation and design development in today’s market?
Shaheen Hasan: Innovation and design are extremely important. Buyer preferences evolve constantly, and variation and newness in design are essential to remain competitive. At ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd., innovation is one of our strongest pillars.
We believe design development is no longer an optional advantage—it is a necessity. That is why we have invested in global design support through three dedicated international design studios, each bringing unique market insight and creative direction.
Bangladesh Post: Could you tell us about ACS’s international design studios?
Shaheen Hasan: Certainly. We have three international design houses that support our product innovation and development. Sleepinn – Manchester, United Kingdom focuses on trend forecasting, seasonal color stories, and lifestyle-driven collections aligned with UK and Western market preferences. COS – Scandinavian & European Designers supports us with modern luxury-inspired collections, based on Scandinavian design principles such as minimalism, elegance, and refined aesthetics. MOSS – Melbourne, Australia focuses on contemporary design, bold pattern development, and innovative styling concepts aligned with global consumer trends.
Together, these design houses ensure ACS continues to deliver innovation and trend-driven product development in line with global buyer expectations.
Bangladesh Post: What are ACS’s key strengths in manufacturing and production capacity?
Shaheen Hasan: ACS operates as a modern composite manufacturing facility with weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, and packaging under one roof. Our infrastructure supports large-scale production while maintaining premium quality standards.
Our factory employs over 6,000 people and produces approximately 30,000 pieces of superior-quality textile products per day. We operate with over 550 Airjet looms, supported by advanced design facilities and digital printing capabilities. We also maintain multiple quality assurance labs throughout production to ensure strict quality control and consistency.
Bangladesh Post: Sustainability is becoming a major global concern. How is ACS addressing environmental responsibility?
Shaheen Hasan: Sustainability is a key focus for ACS. We believe responsible and sustainable industrial practices are essential for a future-ready textile industry. Our environmental responsibility is supported through in-house power generation, a fully functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and a sludge management process aligned with national and international environmental policies. Sustainability is not only important for compliance, but also for long-term industry growth and responsibility.
Bangladesh Post: Is there potential for growth in Bangladesh’s local home textile market?
Shaheen Hasan: Yes, there is strong potential. Currently, large volumes of home textile products are imported from India and China. Bangladesh has the capability to produce high-quality products for the local market as well.
However, as an export-oriented bonded warehouse facility, we face restrictions in selling domestically. With supportive policies and proper facilitation, Bangladesh could reduce dependency on imports and strengthen local home textile development, benefiting consumers and the national economy.
Bangladesh Post: How important are international exhibitions like Heimtextil for your business?
Shaheen Hasan: International exhibitions are extremely important. Building strong relationships with global buyers is essential in the home textile industry, and platforms like Heimtextil in Frankfurt provide major opportunities to expand business, strengthen buyer confidence, and understand global market direction.
Heimtextil, under the theme “Lead the Change,” highlights evolving market dynamics, progressive design approaches, and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in the textile industry. Such exhibitions play a vital role in connecting global buyers with reliable manufacturers and showcasing innovation.
Bangladesh Post: Finally, what is your vision for the future of Bangladesh’s home textile industry and ACS?
Shaheen Hasan: Bangladesh has the workforce, production capability, and talent to become a much stronger global leader in home textiles, just as it has achieved in garments and apparel.
With the right government policy support, incentives, financing accessibility, and business-friendly reforms, the home textile industry can significantly increase its competitiveness in the international market.
At ACS Textiles and Towel Ltd., we remain committed to continuous improvement, innovation, sustainability, and long-term partnerships. We will continue to represent Bangladesh’s excellence in home textiles globally by delivering products that reflect trust, craftsmanship, superior quality, and world-class design.
