BGMEA
Technology can accelerate gender equality: BGMEA President
Innovation and technology hold immense potential for accelerating gender equality and women’s empowerment, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development in Bangladesh, said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA.
“Digital technologies can offer solutions that can be used to meet women's needs and promote their empowerment. For example, digital literacy and skills help women move to superior and more complex positions in their workplaces,” he said.
He also said digital transformation has paved the way for women to develop their skills. It’s encouraging to note that the participation of women at the management level in the RMG industry is increasing.
He made the comments while speaking a dialogue on “innovation & technology for gender equality and minority rights” as a special guest.
Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Shehela Pervin PPM, Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, Gordon Shannon, Head of Programme Development and Funding Global, Christian Aid in Bangladesh, and Sara Hossain, Honorary Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) also spoke at the dialogue organized by Christian Aid and its partners in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on March 13.
In his address, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garment industry had huge contributions to women empowerment in Bangladesh by creating their employment in the formal sector.“Their financial ability has earned them dignity in families, given them a voice in decision making and freedom to take their decision,” he said.
“The RMG industry is a bright example of how digital technologies can make a difference to women’s empowerment and rights. Garment factories are now paying their workers in mobile financial services (MFS) accounts, enabling them to have full control of their money which they can now send to their families and save for the future,” Faruque Hassan said.
In the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution, the manufacturing landscape is being hugely dominated by technologies with many automatic machines and software being integrated into production processes to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly, he said.
It’s important to create opportunities for women to adapt to the changing trends through skilling and reskilling so that they can have equal space in the workplace, he added.
“As the government has envisioned for a developed Bangladesh, this vision cannot be achieved without leaving women behind and playing their active roles,” Faruque Hassan said.
BGMEA adds digital x-ray machine to its hospital
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has introduced a modern digital x-ray machine to BGMEA Hospital in Chattogram.
The initiative aims to provide better medical services to garment workers free of cost. Underprivileged people will also have access to the facilities at a subsidised rate.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan inaugurated the machine service at the hospital. BGMEA First Vice-President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice-President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury; directors Shafiul Karim (Khokon), M Ahsanul Hoq, and Director-in-Charge of the hospital Mohammed Meraj-E-Mostafa (Kaisar) and former directors were present on the occasion Monday.
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The digital x-ray machine has advanced features that will enable healthcare professionals at the BGMEA hospital to accurately diagnose the health conditions of the patients.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said: "It's a high priority of the BGMEA to improve the health and well-being of garment workers who are the main driving force behind the RMG industry."
BGMEA runs 10 health centres that provide healthcare facilities and medicines to garment workers free of cost while a full-fledged hospital is operational for workers in Chattogram, he said.
BGMEA stands beside Turkey earthquake victims with humanitarian aid
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has stood beside Turkey with humanitarian aid to express solidarity with those affected by the recent devastating earthquakes and alleviate their sufferings.
BGMEA donated warm clothing including blankets and sweaters for the earthquake victims of Turkey who are going through immense misery in harsh winter conditions after losing their homes and belongings in the disaster.
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BGMEA President Faruque Hassan handed over the donation to Turkish Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Ramis Şen at the embassy in Dhaka on February 20.
Former Vice President of BGMEA Moshiul Azam Shajal, Director of BGMEA Mohiuddin Rubel and Commercial Counsellor of the embassy Kenan Kalayci were also present on the occasion.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “We are saddened and shocked at the loss of valuable lives in Turkey and Syria in a series of massive earthquakes. We would like express our deepest condolences for the dead and sincere sympathy for those who lost their loved ones in the disaster as well as for the injured.”
“We cannot bring back those whom we have lost in the earthquakes, but we can join hands and work together with what we have to alleviate the immense sufferings of the earthquake victims.”
The BGMEA President assured the Turkish Ambassador that BGMEA would stand beside the people of Turkey and provide more support in their hour of need.
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UL Solutions delegation meets BGMEA President
A delegation of UL Solutions, a leading safety science company, has met with BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and discussed possible collaboration in providing safety solutions and services to garment factories in Bangladesh.
The delegation from UL Solutions, led by Charan Singh, Senior Director, Regional Operations, also included Golam Sarwar, Country Manager, UL Bangladesh, Sharif Mollah, Business Development Manager, Emerging Markets, and Rashed Ahmed, Head of Business, UL Bangladesh.
BGMEA Director Neela Hosna Ara was also present at the meeting held at BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka on February 20.
They discussed how UL Solutions support Bangladeshi garment factories in remaining up to the mark in terms of industry safety requirements.
The discussion also focused on how UL Solutions could support the factories in maintaining compliance with regulations and standards and reducing environmental impacts of their operations.
UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings that support customers’ product innovation and business growth.
BGMEA urges Proparco to provide SMEs with the low-cost fund, grant
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the French Development Agency the financial wing Proparco to provide the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the country with the low-cost fund and grant as they often cannot avail of regular financing schemes due to stringent due diligence.
"Bangladeshi garment factories are making huge investments to make their production process cleaner and more energy efficient. However, the SMEs need low-cost funding to integrate environmental sustainability practices," said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan.
A delegation of Proparco met with Faruque in Paris Saturday to discuss possible collaboration in supporting the sustainable development of Bangladesh's RMG industry.
The Proparco delegation led by Reza Hassam Daya, deputy head of manufacturing, also included Nahema Lemarchand, Jean-Emile Loubet and Théodore Planes.
The two sides discussed the present status of Bangladesh's apparel industry, its vision, challenges and potential.
Faruque informed the Proparco team about the progress made by Bangladesh's RMG industry in the areas of workplace safety, social and environmental sustainability and workers' wellbeing.
Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Press, Publication and Publicity Shovon Islam was also present at the meeting.
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Apparel, textile sector development: Bangladesh, Taiwan can thrive together, says BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said Bangladesh and Taiwan have great potential to complement each other for the development of the apparel and textile industries of the countries.
The organisation made the observation when a delegation of the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) led by its President Justin Huang called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Thursday.
They discussed various issues of mutual interest regarding the apparel and textile industries.
The two sides talked about how both associations could work together to build interactive connections between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan to facilitate meaningful business interactions.
Faruque said Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of readymade garments (RMG) in the world whereas Taiwan has a strong textile industry, particularly with considerable strengths in the non-cotton segment.
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Since Bangladesh is strongly focusing on shifting from cotton to non-cotton products and value-added products, Taiwan with its big textile industry producing man-made fibres, polyester filament, nylon fibre and other fabrics can meet the demand of Bangladesh's RMG sector, he added.
Also, the BGMEA and TTF expressed interest in organising trade exhibitions to develop ties between RMG and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan so that both sides can work together to create a win-win situation.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim, directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Timothy WD Tso, director at TTF and Emily Chen of the Promotion Section at TTF were also present at the meeting.
BGMEA organises Art Camp to promote Bangladesh's culture, heritage
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has organised an art camp as part of its Brand Bangladesh initiative, in addition to its core focus to promote the apparel industry.
Sixty-two renowned artists, including Monirul Islam, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Hashem Khan, Abul Barq Alvi, Abdus Shakoor Shah, Abdul Mannan, Mohammad Eunus, Jamal Ahmed, Shishir Bhattacharjee, Farida Zaman, Hamiduzzaman Khan, Naima Haque, Rokeya Sultana, Dhali Al Mamoon, Shahid Kabir, Ahmed Shamsuddoha, Hossain Sheikh Afzal, Mohammad Iqbal, Mostafizul Haque, Mostafa Zaman Mithu, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, and Sohana Shahreen joined the "Made in Bangladesh with Pride Art Camp 2023" in Dhaka Sunday.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan inaugurated the camp which was organised by the organisation in collaboration with Arcadia Arts Gallery.
BGMEA calls on Sedex to promote encouraging stories of Bangladesh's RMG industry
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged audit organisation Sedex to portray a positive picture of Bangladesh's apparel industry internationally.
Sedex saw the impressive journey of Bangladesh's transformation, both socially and environmentally, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said.
Anupam Prasad, head of office at Sedex India, and Naveen Ganapathy, business development and support executive, paid a courtesy visit to Faruque in Dhaka Tuesday.
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The two sides discussed possible cooperation and future engagement between BGMEA and Sedex to better facilitate Sedex certification for garment factories in Bangladesh.
They also talked about collaboration to enhance the reputation of Bangladesh as a safe, sustainable and compliant hub of apparel sourcing in the world.
BGMEA President calls on Primark to step up partnership with Bangladeshi suppliers in product diversification, sustainability
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has called on Primark to increase sourcing apparel, especially more diversified value-added products from Bangladesh.
He also urged the globally renowned clothing brand to strengthen partnership with their suppliers in Bangladesh to produce more innovative high-end products.
He requested Primark to build long-term partnership with their suppliers to support them in scaling up capacity in the area of sustainability in products and processes.
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The call was made when a delegation of Primark and Associated British Foods (ABF) met with BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka Monday, according to a press release.
The delegation included Paul Marchant, CEO, Primark, Paul Lister, Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, ABF, Katharine Stewart, Group Corporate Responsibility Director, ABF, Steve Lawton, Primark Group Product Director, Jon Rolls, Group Director of Planning and Space, Emma Ormond, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Primark, Matthew Rhodes, Head Of Sourcing Primark, and Filippo Poggi, Country Controller Bangladesh , Primark.
BGMEA eyes expanding RMG exports to Japan
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said the country's apparel industry has continued its efforts to explore new and promising markets like Japan and seize every available opportunity.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said: "We have been carrying out apparel diplomacy and trade missions to find new opportunities for Bangladesh's RMG industry and realise untapped potential."
Faruque made the observations while exchanging views with Hajime Suzuki, chief director of International Sales and Marketing at RX Japan, in Dhaka Monday (January 23, 2023). Kurena Watabe of RX Japan was also present.
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RX Japan is a leading exhibition organiser in Japan.
The two sides discussed possible collaboration between BGMEA and RX Japan to initiate trade communication between businessmen in Bangladesh and Japan, particularly those involved in the fashion industry.
Bangladeshi businessmen would be able to showcase strengths and capabilities by participating in apparel exhibitions in Japan while Japanese buyers and investors would get the opportunity to explore their trade potential in Bangladesh, they said.
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