Bangladeshi businesspeople in Thailand believe that the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, can explore new avenues for trade and cooperation, unlocking the potential for manpower exports to the Southeast Asian nation through intensified diplomatic efforts. Despite being one of the world's largest exporters of textiles and garments, they said Bangladesh currently exports only about $60 million worth of ready-made apparels annually to Thailand, a country with a clothing demand exceeding $40 billion each year. Countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia export significant quantities of garments to Thailand, supported by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In contrast, Bangladesh has yet to secure a similar deal that would enhance its RMG product exports to Thailand. Talking to UNB, Bangladeshi businesspeople also noted that Thailand attracts over 30 million visitors each year and has a substantial labour market for foreign low-skilled workers in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and fish processing.  However, Bangladesh has so far been unable to access this market in its next-door neighbour due to lack of agreements and genuine efforts. They also said the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand has existed for 52 years, with a flight time of nearly two hours between the two countries. Yet, only around 4,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Thailand, most of whom are engaged in business, as access to the growing labour market remains limited. Bangladesh has consistently experienced a large trade deficit with Thailand, which exported over $1.18 billion worth of products to Bangladesh in 2023. Conversely, Bangladesh's exports to Thailand amounted to only $90 million As Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is set to visit Thailand for the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in November, the businesspeople said he can focus on signing the FTA and some other agreements to create scope for exporting manpower in the wealthy country of the Southeast Asia. “Although Thailand is geographically close to Bangladesh, we have been unable to tap into its thriving business, commerce, and labour market due to a lack of proper diplomatic efforts,” said Kamrul Hasan Rimu, a Bangladeshi engaged in the import and export business in Thailand. Dr Yunus praises Russian cooperation in power, energy sectors Rimu, who has been living in Thailand for nearly 40 years since completing his studies at Dhaka University in 1985, said Bangladeshis mostly come to Thailand for personal visits and medical tourism while a very small portion is doing business in the country. He said five documents—including a Letter of Intent to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as well as Memoranda of Understanding on Energy Cooperation and Tourism Cooperation--between Bangladesh and Thailand were signed during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit on April 26 this year to enhance cooperation between the two nations. Rimu urged the interim government to prioritise signing the FTAs by intensifying diplomatic efforts, especially given that China and India secured FTAs with ASEAN countries long ago, opening significant opportunities for exporting goods to Thailand with lower tariffs. “When we import apparels from China and India, we face a 5 percent tax and a 7 percent VAT. But tariffs on Bangladeshi products are 32 percent (25 percent tax and 7 percent VAT), making it challenging to promote many Bangladeshi products in Thailand,” he explained. Rimu argued that the exports of Bangladeshi products, particularly apparels, could soar if the taxes are reduced from 25 percent to 5 percent through the FTAs. “There is a considerable demand for T-shirts in Thailand, mostly now imported from China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Currently, we cannot import T-shirts directly from Bangladesh due to excessive taxes. So, some traders are importing Bangladeshi-made T-shirts via India, using its label,” he said. He said the prices of T-shirts in Bangladesh are lower than in any other country. “Therefore, Bangladesh has significant potential to capture the T-shirt market in Thailand if the taxes are reduced to 5%.” Rimu stressed that Bangladesh has an opportunity to tap into Thailand's labour market if an agreement can be reached. “There is scope for Bangladeshis to work in hotels, restaurants, bars, agriculture and fish processing, areas currently dominated by Burmese workers. The minimum wage for these low-skilled jobs exceeds Tk 50,000, which is significantly higher than in Malaysia and many other countries.” Abdul Quayum, another Bangladeshi businessman residing in Thailand for over three decades, echoed Rimu, noting that the Thai fish processing industry has a demand for foreign low-skilled workers. “With over 30 million visitors annually, foreign workers are involved in various services related to the tourism sector. Thus, Bangladesh should strive to enter the Thai labour market,” he said. He highlighted Thailand’s goal to increase foreign visitors to 40 million by 2025, which will likely create more job opportunities for foreign workers. “Bangladesh can capitalise on this by signing agreements with Thailand. Quayum stressed that the visa process for Bangladeshis must be simplified through mutual understanding and agreements, suggesting that the visa-on-arrival facility available in the 1980s could be reinstated. Mahbub Talukder, known as Don in Pattaya City, shared his experiences as a successful businessman running gift and tailor-made shops. He pointed out the vast opportunities for Bangladeshis in hotels, restaurants, gift shops and garment stores. “There are also numerous job opportunities in the tourism sector, but the government needs to secure agreements with Thailand to facilitate this,” he said. Mahbub underscored the importance of branding Bangladesh in Thailand. “Many Thais lack proper knowledge about Bangladesh and its products, often mistaking Bangladeshis for Indians. Effective branding is crucial to enhance bilateral cooperation, trade, and business.” He suggested that the government could leverage Thailand's experience to develop Bangladesh into another holiday destination for foreigners by improving tourist spots and ensuring necessary facilities. Read more: RMG workers’ protests disrupt traffic in Dhaka’s Mirpur

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.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with noted fashion designer Kuhu Plamondon to explore the opportunity of exporting garments linking rich culture and heritage of Bangladesh with fashion. On behalf of the BGMEA, its President Faruque Hassan inked the agreement which aims to collaborate on developing high-end fashionable garments blending local culture and heritage and taking them to global customers, said the BGMEA on Saturday. BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md. Imranur Rahman and Neela Hosa Ara were also present at the MoU signing ceremony. Also read: BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market As per the understanding, BGMEA and Kuhu Plamondon will collaborate to inspire the embedding of Bangladesh’s culture and sourcing materials to produce high-end products. The collaboration aims to build capacity building of the local weavers so that they can use their craftsmanship to design international standard apparel maintaining the quality. It will explore the usage of indigenous materials for manufacturing export-oriented apparels. Also read: BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor The art and culture, symbol, motif, color etc. of Bangladesh will be embodied into the apparel so that it can be used to explore the untapped business opportunities. The usage of sustainable and natural materials in the design and manufacturing will be promoted so that it can fulfill the increasing demand of eco-consciousness among the western buyers. BGMEA and Kuhu Plamondon will jointly work to develop an iconic brand image of Bangladesh to aid the export of Bangladeshi culture. Read Economy faces challeges of revenue shortfall and defaulting bank loans: Document BGMEA and Kuhu Plamondon will jointly organize workshop for garment factories and local artisans to impart training on developing designs where local textiles and motifs will be used to create a line of fashionable clothing to fit the new generation. The collections will be promoted, particularly through fashion show and exhibitions, buyers’ presentation and digital marketing to create brand awareness. Read Farmers Bank loan scam: Regent Group's Shahed lands in jail

PUMA, one of the leading sports brands in the world, is willing to increase apparel sourcing from Bangladesh, especially value-added sustainable products.  Anne-Laure Descours, Chief Sourcing Officer of PUMA, expressed the interest during a meeting with Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA on Thursday. BGMEA Director Asif Ashraf and Branch Manager at Puma Bangladesh Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury were also present at the meeting. Read BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision During their discussions, Faruque Hassan highlighted the potential of Bangladesh as a sourcing country for value-added sportswear, activewear, outerwear, swimwear, and workwear.  He apprised the CSO of PUMA about the RMG industry’s increased focus on diversification of products, especially non-cotton and high-end segment. He said Bangladesh’s apparel sector is giving priority to taking a turn from quantity to quality and volume to value.  Read BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel The BGMEA President requested PUMA to support and collaborate with their suppliers in Bangladesh to build their capacities in manufacturing value-added apparel products having higher market demand. He assured PUMA of all-out support from BGMEA to expand its suppliers’ base and sourcing volume in Bangladesh. Currently Bangladesh is the largest apparel sourcing hub for PUMA in terms of volume of garments.  Read BGMEA to participate in Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 in Bengaluru

Customs officials at the Chattogram port have seized Tk 6.62-crore worth goods meant for export to the Philippines on the ground of "wrong declaration" intended to evade tax. The goods, belonging to a private firm, were confiscated by the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) division during checking at the Chattogram port on January 11, officials said on Wednesday. Read:Fire breaks out at Ctg garments factory ‘RM Sourcing Bangladesh’, based in the Uttara area of the capital, the officials said, opened a letter of credit against Tk 29 lakh. But during the audit, the Customs officials found garments worth Tk 6,62 crore. Deputy commissioner of Customs (AIR) Sharfuddin Mia said, “There should have been 24,344 pieces of garment items but we found nearly 5.70 lakh pieces." Legal action will be taken against the firm for violation of the Customs Act, he said.

A fire that broke out in an apparel factory near Lal Masjid at Shyampur of Postogola in the city was doused early Sunday. The fire started on the third floor of  the seven-storey building of Alam Garments at 11:45pm on Saturday, said Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters. READ:  Fire at apparel factory in Postogola; 8 Fire Service units fighting flames "Firefighters rushed to the spot within 13 minutes. Eight firefighting units brought the flames under control," he added. The fire was brought under control around 2.20 am and doused at 5.15 on Sunday. READ: N'ganj godown fire under control Duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defense headquarters control room Nazma Begum said that a short circuit caused the fire.

The government formed a high-powered task force to rehabilitate sick industries in the categories of garments, textiles and non-textiles and settle their liabilities. The committee was formed as per Awami League-led government’s election manifesto in 2009. Read: Is Bangladesh's dry food industry climate resilient? Sylhet scientists are finding that out Subsequently, as per the decision of the task force, the government had issued circulars settling the liabilities of 279 garment factories and 100 textile factories. But no non-textile factory has yet got this facility. Even though all these industries are sick, the banks have filed cases in the Money Loan Court (Orthya Rhin Adalat) showing that they are defaulters. As a result, they are unable to take on new business ventures. There were several meetings held at various times with Bangladesh Bank and the ministry of finance for issuance of the circular for non-textile factories, but a solution has yet to be found in this regard. Now, the sick industry owners are seeking the prime minister’s help to resolve the problem. The owners of the sick industry came with remarks at the first meeting of the FBCCI standing committee on rehabilitation of the sick industry on Sunday. The meeting was held at FBCCI office presided over by the committee chairman Sadeque U Chowdhury. FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu was present as the chief guest. They said a separate desk would be set up at the FBCCI to assist and rehabilitate the sick industry. At the same time, a letter will be sent to each chamber and association to make a list of sick factories. After receiving the list, the FBCCI will take steps to rehabilitate the newly ailing industry through discussions with the concerned ministries and departments of the government including the ministry of finance and Bangladesh Bank. Read: Labour orgs, BGMEA to work for greater interests of RMG industry They claimed the munsef committee was formed in 1998 to rehabilitate the sick industry. The then Awami League government had set up a fund of Tk100 crore for the rehabilitation of sick industries. They also assured the FBCCI will provide its utmost support to save the ailing industry. The meeting was also attended by the co-chairmen Nasir Uddin A. Ferdous, M. Nazrul Islam, Sarkar Md. Salauddin, A.K.M. Khorshed Alam Khan and other members of the committee. Secretary General of FBCCI Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque was also present in the meeting.

Dhaka, Apr 24 (UNB) - The 8th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, the worst-ever tragedy in the country’s multi-billion-dollar ready-made garment (RMG) industry, is being observed on Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic. This year, there will be no outdoor programmes to recall the victims due to the outbreak of coronavirus. Read Why Rana Plaza owner’s bail shouldn’t be stayed, asks HC Different right bodies, worker organisations and left-leaning political parties, including Rana Plaza Survivors’ Association, usually arrange various programmes every year, remembering the tragedy. On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza, an illegally-constructed building in Savar which housed five garment factories, came down crashing, killing 1,138 people and injuring over 2,000 others. According to the survey conducted by ActionAid Bangladesh, the physical health condition of 14 percent of survivors is getting worse. Also read: 57pc Rana Plaza survivors remain unemployed: Survey Among them, 58.5 percent are more or less stable, and 27.5 percent are completely stable. Most of the 14 percent survivors reported that they are still bearing a headache, pain in hand and leg and back pain. In terms of psychosocial health, 12.5 percent are still in trauma in comparison to 10.5 percent survivors last year. Currently, 62 percent reported that they are more or less stable, and 25.5 percent have recovered fully compared to 21 percent last year. A total of 4.5 percent more survivors have improved their mental health than last year. Also read: HC issues rule on why Rana Plaza owner should not get bail These findings were disclosed in a virtual dialogue titled ‘COVID-19: Challenges for the Rana Plaza Tragedy Survivors’ on April 22 organised by ActionAid Bangladesh in memory of the 8th year of Rana Plaza tragedy. The survey was conducted among 200 survivors of the Rana Plaza collapse.

More than 100 garment factories remained open in Savar and Ashulia ignoring safety of the workers and calls to shut down amid concerns over a coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The 11th Garment Accessories and Packaging Exposition (GAPEXPO) will begin here on January 15 to showcase the latest accessories and packing products.