The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has directed its members to suspend business dealings with four Indian firms after one buyer allegedly failed to settle payment for goods already shipped.
In a notification issued on Saturday, the apparel body named the companies as Indian Garage, Styleverse Lifestyle, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and Grasim Industries Limited. The advisory follows reports that Styleverse Lifestyle failed to clear export dues to Bangladeshi supplier Ducati Apparels, despite receiving garment shipments.
“Styleverse Lifestyle Private Limited, a sister concern of the Aditya Birla Group, has failed to settle outstanding export payment amounting to US$426,830.66 despite completion of the export shipment,” the notification said.
The association further cautioned members not to issue any UD or UP certificates to the company without obtaining prior approval from the association.
BGMEA sources said Styleverse Lifestyle is affiliated with the Aditya Birla Group, which reportedly holds a 51% stake in the company. According to The Business Standard, Ducati Apparel stated that the Indian buyer had been sourcing products from the firm for more than two years.
In December 2024, Styleverse placed a major order, and the items were shipped to India through the Benapole–Petrapole land port.
The company later failed to settle approximately $0.42 million in dues, prompting Ducati Apparels to file complaints with BGMEA, the Indian High Commission, and the relevant ministries in both countries.
In its notification, BGMEA stated that the firm’s absence from the arbitration process has heightened financial risks and created commercial uncertainty for member factories.
The association noted that continued dealings with the listed Indian buyers could expose exporters to similar risks, urging members to suspend new transactions with the four firms.
BGMEA also cautioned that any party proceeding with transactions despite the advisory would bear full responsibility for any resulting complications.
Additionally, the association instructed members to seek prior approval before issuing utilization declarations (UD) in favor of the listed companies.
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