The global top retailers are now eying to source garments from Bangladesh as EU's 'Tally Weijl' is planning to set its liaison office in Dhaka for direct sourcing, officials said.

The leading international fashion label shifted its liaison office to Dhaka from China to get cost effective but quality products, garment manufacturers said.

Prices of garments in China, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam have gone up due to higher production cost. Bangladesh has also diversified its product range and marketing over the last few years.

Tally Weijl has appointed its representatives in Dhaka ahead of opening its office in two or three months, vice president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md Hatem told the FE Tuesday.

President of the company expressed interest to open office in the capital when he visited a local factory on April 16, he added.

Mr Beat Gruring, president and Chief Executive Officer of Germany-France-Switzerland based Europe prominent chain store "Tally Weijl gmbh" visited M B Knit Fashion at Fatullah, Narayanganj.

Managing Director Ivo Gasulla, Director Sourcing Bernadette Kokas and their Bangladesh agent Monoj Barua CEO of Unitex Fashion International and France agent Amselleme Maxime also visited the factory while their Dhaka in-charge Mareme Diban was also present.

The company plans to raise its import by 50 percent this year and wants to make direct sourcing from Bangladesh, Mr Hatem said adding Tally imported both knit and woven items worth $80 million from Bangladesh last year.

"They are happy to see our factory and want to increase manifold their import from us," Mr Hatem said. The company is shutting down its office in China and is eager to shift to Dhaka.

"Tally Weijl" is a leading international fashion label which designs, produces and sells fashion for young women and girls in its own stores.

The company now represents in 31 countries with over 760 stores and employs more than 2800 staff.