RMG
Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US rises 51% during January-September
Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US, the country's single largest export destination, rose 50.98 percent year-on-year to $7.55 billion during January-September this year, the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) said.
With an 8.54 percent export share, the country remained the third largest apparel import source for the US.
In the first nine months of this year, the US imported apparel worth $69.27 billion from around the world, reporting a 34.61 percent rise year-on-year, according to OTEXA.
Read: Bangladesh RMG industry emphasizes technologies to enhance competitiveness, transparency: BGMEA chief
During January-September of 2022, US imports from China, the largest supplier of apparel to the North American country, grew 22.48 percent to hit $17.72 billion.
At the same time, imports from Vietnam stood at $14.59 billion, posting an 18.51 percent year-on-year growth, OTEXA said.
"While China and Vietnam had the larger share of the US' total apparel import, Bangladesh saw better export growth than these countries," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said.
Read More: Bangladesh seeks zero tariff on apparel exports to US at 6th TICFA meeting
"This positive trend is a result of our management of the Covid situation and the post-Covid measures that we took. Also, we did well in the area of compliance. That is why the US sourced more from us. Also, the country shifted its sourcing focus from China to different countries, including Bangladesh," he added.
Among the top 10 apparel suppliers to the US, imports from India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, and South Korea grew 53.39 percent, 54.66 percent, 46.58 percent, 40.11 percent, and 39.61 percent per cent year-on-year, respectively.
Read: Bangladesh’s exports crossed $5 billion in November raising hope of easing forex crisis, say official figures
BGMEA urges BEZA to speed up garment village construction at Mirsarai
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to speed up construction of the garment village at Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar in Mirsarai, Chattogram to make it operational for industries in the shortest possible time.
If the industrial plots get ready, apparel factories would be able to go into operation and create employment opportunities for a huge number of people while bringing foreign exchange as export earnings, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said during a meeting with BEZA at its office in Dhaka Monday (November 28, 2022).
Read more: BGMEA wants increased police vigilance to stop RMG goods theft during transportation
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman were present as chief guest at the meeting chaired by BEZA Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun.
Former BGMEA president Md Siddiqur Rahman; BGMEA vice-presidents Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Md Nasir Uddin, and Director Md M Mohiuddin Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.
Faruque said completion of the industrial site would help RMG exporters to set up factories and thus contribute to propelling the industrial growth in Bangladesh.
Read More: BGMEA for ensuring workers' health, well-being for improving productivity
Bangladesh preferred apparel sourcing destination globally for world-class safety: BGMEA
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.
Read: BGMEA for ensuring workers' health, well-being for improving productivity
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."
Read: BGMEA chief stresses nutritious diet for workers’ health, productivity
"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.
Netherlands, BGMEA discuss more collaboration in RMG
The Netherlands and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have discussed further collaboration for the development of Bangladesh's apparel industry.
Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Anne van Leeuwen paid a courtesy visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan Sunday.
Read: Two new RMG factories under BGMEA now green certified
They also discussed different issues facing the readymade garments (RMG) industry, including major challenges in the current context of the global market and economy which is badly impacted by the ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Faruque informed the envoy about the future priorities of Bangladesh's RMG industry, including an increased emphasis on moving up the value chain with high-value products, productivity and efficiency improvement.
Read: Harmonious relations between workers, employers key to Bangladesh's RMG success: BGMEA
Anne van Leeuwen praised the progress made by Bangladesh's apparel industry and expressed interest in cooperation and collaboration for the development of the industry.
The envoy planted a sapling at the BGMEA premises as a token of his appreciation of BGMEA's endeavours to promote sustainability in the RMG industry of Bangladesh.
Two new RMG factories under BGMEA now green certified
Two new readymade garment (RMG) factories, operating under Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA), have received LEED certification (certificate for green factories) from United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
The green-certified factories are Barnali Collections Limited from Narayanganj, with 64 points out of 110, and Bangladesh Export Import Company Limited (Beximco) from Gazipur, with 85 points out of 110.
The information was made public on Saturday (November 19, 2022) by Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Director of BGMEA.
Read: Can’t control global economy, but want to boost exports: BGMEA president
“With two new factories getting LEED certification, the total number of green factories in the country now stands at 178. This achievement will help us in developing our brand image to the international buyers,” said Rubel, adding that 13 factories out of a total of 58 have already achieved platinum certifications this year.
Rubel added that green factories increase the confidence of the buyers to procure more RMG products from Bangladesh.
“At a time when our orders have decreased by 20-30 percent due to the ongoing global economic slowdown, the fact that we’ve been considered once again for the safest factories will boost our business. Besides, green factories consume less energy than the traditional factories, which is a must as the country struggles with energy supply to factories,” added Rubel.
Read More: BGMEA, Tonello to partner in promoting green technologies
Rubel further said the LEED certification will help Bangladesh’s RMG producers to compete in the global market and get the best prices.
RMG workers block road for dues in Chattogram
Workers of a readymade garment factory put barricade on a road on Thursday morning demanding payment of their dues, disrupting vehicular movement in Bakolia area of Chattogram port city.
Quoting witnesses, Selim Newaz, assistant superintendent of Chattogram Industrial Police said the workers of Dips Apparels found their factory closed in the morning. A closure notice was found hanging on the main gate of the factory.
Then they gathered at Shah Amanat Bridge of Bakolia area around 9 am and staged demonstrations demanding payment of dues.
They said the he factory authorities failed to pay their wages in the last five months.
Read: RMG workers stage demo in Dhaka protesting sexual abuse
Vehicular movement stretching from Shaha Amanat Bridge to Marine Drive Road and New Chaktai Road remained halted since morning, causing suffering to commuters.
The factory owner said there is no work order at the factory now and owner is struggling to pay the wages of 600 workers of his factory, said ASP Newaz.
The owner also decided to stop production of the factory.
Police are trying to bring the situation under control, he said.
In the era of RMG, showcasing the Majestic Silks of Bangladesh
Highlighting the glorious and rich history of Bangladesh's fantabulous silk industry, eminent fashion designer Maheen Khan, in partnership with HSBC, organised an exclusive fashion show titled ‘Majestic Silks of Bangladesh’ at Gulshan Lake Park in the capital on Saturday.
In cooperation with Gulshan Society, the event showcased trendy fashionwear based on Bangladeshi silk, presented by 50 top models in the country.
The event was joined by cultural personalities and diplomats from various countries including Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan, Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Heru Subolo, and more.
Read more: Bangladesh participates in Fashion World Tokyo
Harmonious relations between workers, employers key to Bangladesh's RMG success: BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said harmonious industrial relations between workers and employers is one of the key factors behind the success of the country's apparel industry.
"The relations built over many years of working together have taken a solid foundation which is very important to drive the industry forward. Also, the Industrial Police has been playing a pivotal role in maintaining a peaceful and cooperative relationship between workers and employers in the apparel sector," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Thursday.
He was speaking at the founding anniversary ceremony of the Industrial Police in Dhaka.
Read: BGMEA president briefs Moody's team on sector's outlook
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan attended the programme as chief guest while Prime Minister's Adviser on Private Industry and Investment Salman Fazlur Rahman, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries and BGMEA Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and Public Security Division Secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan were also present at the programme.
Additional Inspector General of Industrial Police Md Mahabubor Rahman presided over the ceremony. Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Executive President Mohammad Hatem was also present.
BGMEA Cup 2022 final on November 11
The final of the 7th BGMEA Cup Inter-Garments Football will be held Friday at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Dhaka.
At 4pm, Bando Design will lock horns with Snowtex, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan told the media in Dhaka on Wednesday.
BGMEA Director Md. Imranur Rahman was also present.
BGMEA Cup 2022 began on September 29 where mid- and upper-level management officials of 16 garment factories competed in the football tournament.
BGMEA Cup is supported by Turag Active, Sheltech, the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, Fariha Group, Club11, Twelve Clothing, SARA Lifestyle, Porcelanosa Bangladesh, Sparrow, Nipa Group, and Antrix Solutions.
T-Sports is the broadcast partner of the tournament.
Read more: Epyllion clinch BGMEA Cup
RMG exports rise in Oct despite overall decline
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data show that, despite an overall drop in export earnings, Bangladesh's apparel sector recorded a 3.27 percent increase in revenue in October compared to the same month of the previous year.
In October of the current fiscal year, total export revenues fell 7.85 percent to $4.35 billion from $4.72 billion in the corresponding month of the fiscal year (FY) 2021–22.
However, earnings from apparel exports increased to $3.67 billion from the $3.65 billion reported in October of FY22.
Read more: Falling exports-remittances: Double blow to Bangladesh economy
According to EPB, Bangladesh's apparel exports during July-October of FY23 rose 10.55 percent year-on-year to $13.95 billion. During the same period last year, readymde garments (RMG) exports brought in $12.62 billion for the country.
"Although readymade garment shipments were expected to drop in October, this encouraging development is welcome," Mohiuddin Rubel, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said.
"However, as global retail markets are struggling and buyers are taking cautious steps in placing new orders and managing inventory, as an entrepreneur in the apparel sector I am not optimistic about the trend of work orders and the sector's growth in the coming months."
Read more: RMG factories bearing power outages of 4 to 10 hours a day: BGMEA President