RMG
It's high time to focus more on value-added, high-end apparels: BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on the country's apparel exporters to focus more on value-added, high-end apparel items as their demand is high in the global market.
"The demand for man-made fibre (MMF)-based garment items is on the rise in the global market. So it is high time we shifted our focus to non-cotton-based textile and apparel to realign our product mix in line with global sourcing trends," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Thursday.
"Globally the share of cotton textile and clothing consumption is 25 percent only, whereas 75 percent of Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) product is concentrated within cotton items," he added.
Read: Vulnerability in trading system needs to be addressed pragmatically: BGMEA President
"The growing eco-consciousness and care for sustainability are driving consumers towards non-cotton, especially manmade fibres. So we have to keep ourselves aligned with the market demand."
"It is good to see that our garment factories are increasingly opting for high-end and value-added products. More and more factories should move in this direction to seize the opportunities in the global market," the BGMEA chief said.
He made the observations while visiting 4A Yarn Dyeing in Savar.
Abdullah Hil Rakib, managing director of 4A Yarn Dyeing and also a director of the BGMEA, was present.
Read: Bangladesh’s next development phase to depend hugely on industrialisation: BGMEA
High-end apparel items like padded jacket, quilted jacket, seam-sealed jacket, down jacket, bomber jacket, ski-wear, jogging suit, rainwear, gilet, leather jacket, workwear, technical apparels are produced and exported by 4A Yarn Dyeing.
The factory is equipped with modern and sophisticated automatic machinery and has a design studio for product innovation and development.
Engage all stakeholders in formulating RMG code of conduct: TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Tuesday welcomed the initiative to frame a unified code of conduct for the readymade garment sector, jointly by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
But the TIB suggested engagement of all stakeholders including RMG workers and labour bodies, researchers and social organisations in the process to formulate an effective code of conduct, said a press release.
READ: Keep civil society, media people in DSA amendment process: TIB
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the country’s apparel sector has largely been able to overcome the image crisis created following the Rana Plaza tragedy by ensuring a safe work environment through joint ventures of local and foreign bodies.
But still it needs to go far to accomplish the desired progress in this sector, he said.
“In this context, the joint initiative of BGMEA and BKMEA, the two apex organisations in the sector, for formulation of a unified code of conduct is a timely step,” he said.
READ: Formulate guideline to end anarchy in foreign workers’ recruitment: TIB
The TIB chief said if an integrated code of conduct can be framed and implemented with the participation of all stakeholders, it will play a significant role in ensuring a decent work environment in this sector and simultaneously it will set an example in the world arena.
Monthly RMG production capacity to reach $7/8bn soon: BGMEA
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan on Wednesday said Bangladesh is working to develop the production capacity of its factories along with high-end value addition, enabling them to handle USD $7 or $8 billion apparel supply orders in a month in near future.
The President of BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) came up with the disclosure while addressing a dialogue organised by Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in its office in the capital.
“We’re getting huge orders from our regular buyers and a large number of new buyers rush here with apparel supply orders as production strength of Bangladesh has gained a trust among global buyers to supply products in all weather,” he told UNB replying to a query.
He said Bangladesh earned $4 billion exporting apparels in December 2021 alone, the highest-ever record in one month, as a result of keeping factories in operation and following health guidelines during the pandemic.
READ: BGMEA delegation meets army chief
Bangladesh will soon achieve the ability of handling monthly order worth $7 or $ 8 billion for apparel supply, as all the sectors related to apparel production have been working to improve on this line, Faruque said.
He said there are a good number of world-class apparel factories in Bangladesh of which 153 are green ones. The year 2022 will be an important year for investment in backward linkage areas. “The country will see many improvements this year in the whole apparel industry.”
The BGMEA chief emphasised the need for maintaining good relations with all foreign friends and buyers for expanding the apparel sector to top level and diversification in productions.
BGMEA works with different ministries and Bangladesh Bank for infrastructure development, simplifying payment and tax collection in line with the challenges of LDC graduation, Faruque said.
He hoped that US sanctions on some people or forces would not affect the apparel business as Bangladesh is trying to resolve the issues. “We’re maintaining zero tolerance when it comes to factory compliance and labour rights issues. So, the factories of BGMEA members are running smoothly. BGMEA is also working to digitise the member factory list, along with a transparent system of working manpower numbers of each factory.”
Replying to another query, Faruque said all the political parties of Bangladesh are aware about the country’s economy and there is no need to involve in politics for doing business here.
He focused on signing PTA and FTA to face the situation after the country’s graduation from the LDC group along with applying GSP plus facilities for a better preparation of the sector.
Regarding repayment stimulus loans, the BGMEA president said the businesses want the duration of loan repayment to be extended so that they can run factory expenditure as well.
He acknowledged and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her prudential steps of announcing stimulus packages and keeping the factories open amid the risk of pandemic, which keeps Bangladesh in apparel business with a strong footing.
BGMEA is working with a number of programmes, including an innovation centre, labour training institute to enhance the skills of local labour forces.
READ: RMG sector’s prestigious position built upon hard works of workers, entrepreneurs: BGMEA president
Despite the initiatives of skilled development, many foreign skilled workers have been working here at a very efficient tech-no-how level, but the number is gradually decreasing along with developing local skills, Faruque added.
RMG sector’s prestigious position built upon hard works of workers, entrepreneurs: BGMEA president
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has said the prestigious position attainted by the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh is built upon the years of hard works and dedication of both workers and entrepreneurs.
The industry has immense contributions to rebuilding the war-ravaged country which is now a ‘development surprise’ to many in the world due to its impressive performance in socio-economic development over the last 50 years, he said.
The BGMEA chief made the observations while delivering his speech as guest of honor at a program organized by Bangladesh Textile & Garment Workers League (BTGWL) in Dhaka on Friday, marking 50 years of BTGWL.
Awami League Presidium Member Shajahan Khan MP and General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan were present as special guests.
Read: BGMEA urges BBCCI to promote more trade between Bangladesh, UK
BTGWL President Z M Kamrul Anam presided over the program.
In his address Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of safety and sustainability, especially workers’ well-being and industrial relations.
He further said starting from the elimination of child Labour in mid-nineties, and the emerging compliances issues including timely payment of wages, ensuring the minimum wage, overtime, hygiene at workplace, the industry has responded well.
“The Labour Law was amended twice in 2013 and in 2018, and Labor Rules was promulgated in 2015 to ensure workers well-being and safety at workplace. A central fund has been created under the supervision of the government where garment factories are contributing more than $15 million of their export receipts to be used for the workers’ welfare purposes,” he added.
Apparel industry carrying 'Made in Bangladesh' mark across the world: BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan Thursday said the readymade garments (RMG) industry is not only making a contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh but also bringing glory to the nation.
"The apparel industry is carrying the 'Made in Bangladesh' trademark across the world and we are all proud of it. The industry belongs to all people of this country. The development of the sector means the development of Bangladesh and betterment of its people," he said.
The BGMEA chief said the next phase of Bangladesh's economic growth will largely depend on the industrial sector where the apparel industry will play a pivotal role. "So it is everyone's responsibility to protect the industry."
Read:BGMEA for branding 'Made in Bangladesh'
Faruque was speaking at the event "Sustainability of the Apparel Industry of Bangladesh: Policies, Scopes and Constraints" organised by Solidaridad Network Asia and ESTex Foundation at a city hotel.
The programme aimed to provide a platform to policymakers and sectoral stakeholders to highlight the policy gaps and needs and constraints and to explore new opportunities and initiate pathways for implementing solutions to the environmental, social, and economic issues to achieve sustainability of the apparel industry of Bangladesh.
Faruque called on brands and retailers to be rational in terms of pricing to make the supply chain resilient and sustainable.
Also read: BGMEA shares RMG success stories at IAF meeting
There is a sharp disconnect between sustainability and pricing mechanisms, and the factories are investing more in safety and sustainability, he said.
"Also, prices of yarn, chemicals and other raw materials in the global supply chain have pushed up production costs in garment manufacturing. But prices are not being offered in line with that. The gap needs to be closed," said the BGMEA chief.
Mohammad Hasan Arif, general manager of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, Selim Reza Hasan, country manager of Solidaridad Network Asia, Syed Naved Husain, group director of Beximco, and Dr Mohidus Samad Khan also attended the programme.
BGMEA seeks support of all to protect interests of RMG sector
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President has sought support from all the stakeholders to protect the interests of the RMG industry, especially at the present situation when the sector is passing a critical period.
“Support and cooperation of all including the government, entrepreneurs and workers are needed to protect the interests of RMG industry,” he said.
While the apparel sector is yet to fully recover from the impacts of the Covid-19, the hike in prices of yarn, cotton, dyes, chemicals and other raw materials has pushed the production cost up, said the BGMEA chief.
He made the remarks during a meeting with State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian and Labour and Employment Secretary Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi held on Wednesday, said the BGMEA on Thursday.
Read:BGMEA for branding 'Made in Bangladesh'
He said the prices are not offered in accordance with the increased production costs. “Besides, the recent surge in Covid infection in some European countries has raised concerns among the exporters.”
“In such critical context, we all have to work together so that our apparel industry can face all the challenges and remain competitive in the global market,” said the BGMEA chief.
Former BGMEA Presidents Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) MP, Abdus Salam Murshedy MP and Md. Siddiqur Rahman, incumbent BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Directors Abdullah Hil Rakib, Haroon Ar Rashid, Rajiv Chowdhury and former Director ANM Saifuddin were present at the meeting held at the residence of the State Minister.
Also read: BGMEA shares RMG success stories at IAF meeting
They had discussion on the overall situation of the ready-made garment industry, including its challenges and opportunities.
The BGMEA leaders thanked the government for providing support to the RMG industry during its difficult times.
ILO offers to work with FBCCI in further improving industrial safety
The International Labour Organisation(ILO) has expressed its keenness to work with the country's top business body, the FBCCI, to make positive changes in Bangladesh’s industries like RMG sector that has become one of the safest industries in the world through reforms.
The issue was discussed when ILO Bangladesh country director Tuomo Poutiainen called on FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin at his office.
READ: FBCCI seeks enhanced trade, investment ties with UK
According to a press release issued from the FBCCI, said the ILO, a specialised UN agency, wants to bring about such positive changes in the rest of the industry.
“That goal requires the involvement of the private sector. That's why the United Nations is keen to work with the country's top business body, the FBCCI,” the press release stated.
ILO director also lauded the major reforms in the garment sector after Rana Plaza disaster and the recent initiative by FBCCI and BIDA to inspect factories producing for the domestic market.
He thanked the FBCCI president for setting up the FBCCI Safety Council on the initiative of the present committee.
Tuomo Poutiainen said it would be easier to improve the labour sector in Bangladesh for them if they have FBCCI, the Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF), and the related organisations.
BEF president Ardashir Kabir proposed to form two working groups in the two respective trade bodies. These groups will jointly review and finalised the draft work plan prepared by the ILO.
The FBCCI president 108 committees have already been formed under the initiative of FBCCI and BIDA who will initially inspect 500 factories.
The FBCCI president said that the FBCCI experts would give their views on the matter after reviewing the draft work plan prepared by the ILO.
READ: FBCCI keen to sign MoU with top Spanish trade body
FBCCI Vice President M A Momen, Md Amin Helaly, Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque and FBCCI Safety Council Adviser Brig. General (Retd.) Abu Naeem Md. Shahidullah were present in the meeting.
S Korean envoy Lee for diversifying collaboration with Bangladesh
Speakers at a virtual dialogue, hosted by Cosmos Foundation, have laid emphasis on having a broader collaboration between Bangladesh and South Korea focusing on a number of new areas from technology transfer to virtual marketplace, fashion, startups and innovation as Korea eyes more success stories with Bangladesh going beyond RMG.
“We need to move beyond RMG and diversify collaboration between the two countries,” said South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun while delivering his keynote address at the dialogue that premiered on Thursday.
Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, hosted the dialogue titled “Bangladesh South Korea Relations: Prognosis for the Future” as part of its ongoing Ambassadors' Lecture Series.
BGMEA to collaborate with Primark on sustainability ambition
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders have met with Primark and its Associated British Foods (ABF) parent’s leaders to discuss Primark’s new wide-reaching sustainability strategy.BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib met with Paul Lister, Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary ABF, Paul Marchant, CEO Primark, Lynne Walker, Director Primark Cares and Juan Chaparro, Group Director Supply Chain, Sourcing and Quality in London to discuss Primark’s new sustainability strategy Primark Cares, and BGMEA’s support for its sustainability ambitions.
Also read: BGMEA sees the future in value-added, high-end apparel items
BGMEA expressed its support for the objectives Primark has set out to change the ways its clothes are made, halve its carbon emissions across its wider supply chain and improve the lives of the workers in the supply chain, BGMEA said on Saturday.Bangladesh is Primark’s second largest sourcing market and home to many of Primark’s strategic suppliers and their factories.The BGMEA’s support, as one of the country’s largest trade associations for the garment industry, can play a valuable role in helping engage its members in Primark’s sustainability goals.Both parties discussed the new commitments which Primark will work towards over the next decade in greater detail: Primark has been deliberately ambitious in its goals, stretching targets across its use of recycled materials, environmental footprint and how it will take a leadership role in improving the lives and wellbeing of workers in its supply chain.This means that delivering many of the new commitments will rely on driving change throughout Primark’s wider supply chain, so gaining the support of external stakeholders, such as the BGMEA, is important.
Also read: BGMEA seeks Laudes Foundation's support for its new centreBoth Primark and the BGMEA have shared goals around sustainability, in particular around workers’ wellbeing and skills development, and look forward to sharing experiences and best practices with each other into the future.
BGMEA showcases RMG industry’s strides in sustainability in COP26
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has showcased RMG industry’s strides in sustainability in COP26.
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) began in Glasgow, Scotland on October 31.
A pavilion of Bangladesh was inaugurated in the official venue of COP26 on November 1.
BGMEA’s official delegation to the COP26 headed by its President Faruque Hassan attended the inaugural ceremony.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, MP was present at the inaugural ceremony, said BGMEA on Tuesday.
The BGMEA delegation also included Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib, and Shams Mahmud, Managing Director of Shasha Denims Ltd.
One of the objectives of BGMEA was to showcase all the good works of the RMG sector on sustainability and highlight green revolutions and commitments.
Read: BGMEA sees the future in value-added, high-end apparel items