Bangladesh is a preferred destination of apparel sourcing among global buyers for its world-class workplace safety and environmental sustainability, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said.

The exemplary strides made by the RMG industry of Bangladesh in workplace safety, sustainability and ensuring workers' well-being have boosted the confidence of brands and buyers, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 8th International Fire, Safety and Security Expo 2022 organised by the Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) at Bashundhara International Convention Center in Dhaka Thursday.

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Planning Minister MA Mannan attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest.

Faruque said: "To create awareness and culture of safety among the workers and employees, several training programmes on occupational safety and health and social dialogue and industrial relations were taken by the government of Bangladesh, the International Labour Organization, associations, brands and factories."

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"As a result of all these initiatives and efforts, Bangladesh is today globally recognised as one of the safest apparel manufacturing countries. Also, to carry forward the progress made by the unilateral safety regimes and to establish national self-monitoring, the RMG Sustainability Council has been established."

Md Jasim Uddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Brigadier General Md Main Uddin, director general of Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Zahir Uddin Babar, president of ESSAB, also spoke at the event.