BGMEA
Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology starts journey
The demand for graduates with market-oriented knowledge and adequate skills were rising in Bangladesh as the country is preparing for its next phase of development which would be knowledge based and hugely hinge upon industrial growth, said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, as he inaugurated a specialised university for the RMG industry.
“It’s a great opportunity for us that we are living in the era of demographic dividend and we have a huge vibrant population. If we can turn our young people into skilled and knowledgeable human resources, we will be able to seize the huge opportunities that lie ahead. It will help to make our industries more competitive and facilitate sustainable economic growth,” he also said.
Faruque Hassan came up with observations while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (CBUFT) at Navy Convention Center in Chattogram on January 21.
The university has created higher education opportunities for students especially in textile engineering, clothing and fashion technologies and designs.Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP attended the inaugural ceremony of CBUFT as chief guest.
Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, MP, and University Grants Commission Member Professor Biswajit Chanda were present at the program as special guests, which was chaired by Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, chairman of the Board of Trustees of CBUFT.
BGMEA First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, UGC Director Md. Omar Faruque and faculties and staff of the university were also present.In his address as the guest of honor, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry was increasingly moving towards high-end products while upgrading technologies and machinery.
“The fourth industrial revolution is posing challenges as the industry is getting more and more automated and tech-dependent. If we can impart the market-oriented knowledge and skills to our graduates considering the needs of the industry, these challenges will be opportunities for us,” he remarked.He further said Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (CBUFT) would play a crucial role in preparing qualified graduates with practical knowledge and skills relevant to the industry.
The university would help students to turn themselves into a technical asset to the industry and reduce dependency on foreign experts in the sector, he added.
BGMEA, AUW join hands to create higher education opportunities for female garment workers
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Asian University for Women (AUW) have entered into a new partnership to pave the way for female garment workers in Bangladesh to fulfill their dreams of higher studies.
BGMEA and AWU will collaborate to expand, enhance and promote the education, leadership and empowerment of female garment workers in Bangladesh.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Vice Chancellor of AUW Dr Rubana Huq inked the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on behalf of their respective sides at a hotel in Chattogram on Sunday (January 22, 2023).
Also Read: 2022 was a year of turning around: BGMEA
From BGMEA, first Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Asif Ashraf, Md. Mohiuddin Rubel and M Ahsanul Hoq, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on UD-Woven & Knit Md Nurul Islam while from AUW its Founder Kamal Ahmad, Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr Beena Khurana, Board of Trustee Member Catherine Watters-Sasanuma, Board Member of AUW Support Foundation Kathy Matsui, and acting Dean of Students Suman Chatterjee were present at the MoU signing ceremony.
The collaboration aims to create an opportunity for more female workers from Bangladesh’s garment factories to study higher education at AUW free of cost with support from their respective employers.
Under the new partnership, BGMEA will cooperate with AUW to facilitate enrolment of 500 qualified females working in RMG factories in Bangladesh in AUW’s five-year university education “Pathways for Promise” program.
Read More: Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology starts journey
Pathways for Promise, an initiative within the AUW and BGMEA, provides free education to talented women from among Bangladeshi garment factory workers.
Already over 90 girls, who are RMG workers, are studying at AUW. During the years of studying, the factory authorities pay regular monthly salary to the workers enrolled in AUW so that their families do not face any hardship, according to BGMEA.
AUW provides each Pathways scholar a financial aid package that fully covers all costs of room, board, tuition, books and supplies, primary health care and other basic needs throughout the entire duration of her participation in the Pathways for Promise Program.
Read More: Safe Digital Space: AUW, UNDP to promote intercommunal, religious harmony
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry is not only the biggest of export earnings but also a means for millions of people to fulfill their dreams.
“The Pathways for Promise is a glowing example of how the RMG industry contributes to women realizing their dreams, earning dignity in family and society with education and employment,” he said.
“I believe, through today’s MoU signing ceremony, we will take the partnership between AUW and BGMEA to another level and we will be able to contribute more,” he added.
Read More: HSBC, AUW launch one-year master of science in apparel, retail management programme
Only women who have completed high school are eligible to apply and have to take selection exams. Those who passed are interviewed and successful get admission to the university for higher studies.
BGMEA urges the wealthy to help cold-stricken low-income people
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on the wealthy to help the cold-stricken low-income people.
"It's our moral and social responsibility to help those people who are leading miserable lives in this severe cold without winter essentials," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Wednesday during a winter clothes distribution programme in Dhaka.
Read more: BGMEA for Bangladesh mission's support for explore more trade opportunities in Canada
"We should not forget that winter is an extremely tough time for many vulnerable men, women, children and families across the country, especially in the northern part. This is where you can step in and lend your support," he added.
Bangladesh, Vietnam can thrive together in RMG, says Pham Viet Chien
Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien has said Bangladesh and his country can complement each other for the development of the apparel industry and reap mutual trade benefits.
Pham called on Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Monday (January 16, 2023).
Read more: Bangladesh, Vietnam eye $2 billion trade in 2023
They discussed the present market situation in readymade garments (RMG), global trends and opportunities while sharing how both countries were addressing their challenges.
Pham and Faruque also talked about possible avenues of working together to unlock mutual trade potential through meaningful collaboration.
They emphasised the exchange of experience and expertise in the apparel industries of Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Read more: Vietnam honours three Bangladeshis for promoting people-to-people ties
Pham and Faruque showed interest in facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise in the apparel and textile industries through collaboration between the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and Vietnamese apparel trade associations and fashion institutes.
Nigerian delegation discusses Dhaka-Abuja trade potential with BGMEA
A delegation comprising high officials of different ministries of the Nigerian government paid a visit to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Monday (January 16, 2023).
The delegation included Abubakar Aliyu Aziz, director general of the National Identity Management Commission, MaskaUbale Ahmed Shehi, executive commissioner of the Communications Commission, Alhassan Haru, director of Communications Commission, and Roberts Moses Achanya, president of the Nigeria-Bangladesh Trade and Technology Forum.
BGMEA Director Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Vice-President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and Fakir Fashion Managing Director Fakir Kamruzzaman Nahid were also present.
Read more: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA
They had discussions about possible areas of collaboration between Bangladesh and Nigeria for bilateral trade benefits, particularly in the apparel and textile industry.
Faruque said there is potential to import more cotton from Nigeria which is a cotton-producing nation. "Nigeria is also a potential market for Bangladesh's apparel export."
He called upon the Nigerian government to reduce import duty on readymade garments (RMG) from Bangladesh and requested cooperation from the delegation in this regard.
Read More: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA
BGMEA, SOWTEX to help connect more Bangladeshi RMG exporters with Indian textile suppliers
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and SOWTEX have signed another memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase the collaboration between Indian fabrics and value-added material suppliers and Bangladesh's apparel manufacturers.
Namely, they aim to boost collaboration in man-made fibers and cotton-based materials using SOWTEX Phygital (physical and digital bridge) sourcing platform.
The platform offers connection and facilitation support to the large textile supply chain from India and other countries. It will also create opportunities to increase Bangladesh's readymade (RMG) exports to India, the BGMEA said Thursday (January 12, 2023).
Read more: BGMEA, IICCI, Sowtex team up to make textile sourcing easier for Bangladesh
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Sowtex Network CEO Sonil Jain inked the MoU in Dhaka on Wednesday. BGMEA Standing Committee on Press, Publication and Publicity Chair Shovon Islam was also present.
SOWTEX and BGMEA are in the process of arranging collaborative roadshows in Indian textile clusters along with other textile associations with BGMEA's top manufacturing members and large Indian raw materials manufacturers in several cities in India.
Expos have also been planned in Bangladesh to build up the momentum for this second round of collaboration.
Read More: BGMEA signs deal to improve health status of RMG workers
The exhibitions will play an important role in facilitating business interactions between Bangladeshi RMG exporters and Indian RMG, textile and raw materials suppliers and reaping mutual trade benefits, the BGMEA said.
BGMEA for Bangladesh mission's support for explore more trade opportunities in Canada
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada to explore more trade opportunities, including apparel exports, in the North American country.
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman paid a visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Wednesday.
Read more: BGMEA, GarmentTechBD to collaborate in improving supply chain management skills
BGMEA Vice-President Shahiduallah Azim, Director Abdullah Hil Rakib and BGMEA Standing Committee on UD-Woven and Knit Chair Md Nurul Islam were also present at the meeting.
They talked about the current state of affairs in the readymade garments (RMG) industry, especially how the sector had been navigating through a rough patch in recent times amid a depressed global economy and rising inflation.
Their talks also focused on trade opportunities in Canada and ways to seize them.
Faruque requested the high commissioner to step up diplomatic efforts to boost the ties between the two countries and ensure trade benefits for Bangladesh in the Canadian market after it graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category.
The BGMEA president also sought cooperation from Dr Khalilur Rahman in promoting Bangladesh and its RMG industry in Canada.
Read more: Bangladesh's RMG bracing for next phase of growth: BGMEA
PDS keen to increase apparel sourcing from Bangladesh
PDS Limited, an India-based apparel buyer, has reiterated its interest in increasing sourcing garments from Bangladesh in coming years.
Vice Chairman of PDS Limited Pallak Seth along with Group CEO Sanjay Jain called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka on Tuesday and expressed the willingness of PDS in expanding business in Bangladesh said a press release.
Read more: BGMEA signs deal to improve health status of RMG workers
Shahed Mahmud, Country Director – Bangladesh, PDS Limited, was also present on the occasion.
Earlier at the press conference of the Made in Bangladesh Week held in November 2022, the apparel buyer announced its plan of doubling sourcing from Bangladesh.
PDS Limited was a valued sponsor of the Made in Bangladesh Week as “In Association With”.
PDS Vice Chairman Pallak Seth praised the outstanding achievements of Bangladesh’s RMG industry in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and other social compliance that has brightened Bangladesh image internationally and strengthened its position as the safest and greenest apparel manufacturing hub in the global market.
He also lauded the way Bangladesh’s RMG industry has made headway in terms of product diversification, manufacturing capacity building, productivity and efficiency enhancement, and technology upgradation.
With such remarkable strides Bangladesh had been able to boost the confidence of global apparel buyers, he opined.
Read more: Apparel shipments rose by 16% to $23bn during July-December: BGMEA
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh was committed to pursuing the growth of the RMG industry in a sustainable way so that it had a positive impact on the economy, people and the planet.
Building on the achievements had made so far, the industry had continued its efforts to pursue excellence in order to retain its fame as a safe and sustainable apparel exporter in the world, he added.
BGMEA signs deal to improve health status of RMG workers
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Switzerland-based international organisation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to provide better nutrition to the apparel sector workers.
The two sides intended to improve the health status of the country’s RMG workers, which will have a positive impact on the lives of the workers in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, and Dr. Rudaba Khondker, Country Director of GAIN, signed the MoU at the BGMEA office on behalf of their respective sides, it said.
Read more: BGMEA, GarmentTechBD to collaborate in improving supply chain management skills
Mohammad Monower Hossain, joint secretary of BGMEA, Moniruzzaman Bipul, Portfolio Lead, Drivers of Food Systems Change, GAIN, G.M. Reza Sumon, Project Manager, GAIN, and others were present on the occasion.
Under the MoU, there will be collaboration to create an enabling environment for ensuring the proper nutrition of the RMG workers in the future, it said.
The two sides will provide technical guidance to strengthen the institutional capacity of the National WFN Alliance for scaling up nutrition activities for workers’ well-being.
Read more: BGMEA, GarmentTechBD to collaborate in improving supply chain management skills
Also, they will make collective approaches and mechanisms to improve workers' access to affordable, nutritious and safe food by establishing a Fair Price Shop (FPS) at factory premises, the press release added.
BGMEA Director Imranur Rahman appointed DG of Asian Federation of Corporate Football
Renowned corporate footballer and corporate football organiser from Bangladesh Imranur Rahman, Managing Director of Laila Group and Director of BGMEA, has been appointed as the Director General of the Asian Federation of Corporate Football (FAFCO).
“This is a very proud moment for me and my country. The new appointment has surely added to my pride and pleasure, it also inspires me to continue to work for further development and promotion of football in Bangladesh,” said Imranur Rahman, former Vice-President for Strategy at FIFCO.
Read more: 2022 was a year of turning around: BGMEA
“Asia represents the fastest growth region in the world for football and for corporate football in particular, I am delighted to accept this challenge,” said Imranur Rahman who is also the captain of football team ‘BANDO DESIGN’.
FAFCO is the Asian department of the International Federation of Corporate Football (FIFCO), the world governing body of corporate football and headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Read more: BGMEA for effective industry-academia partnership for tackling future challenges
With over 2.5 million players working for more than 150,000 companies located in over 65 countries, FIFCO is the only voice of World Corporate Football and official organizer of the World Corporate Champions Cup.