Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
Cleaner, greener production cannot come at free of cost: BGMEA chief
Cleaner and greener production cannot come at free of cost, Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said Sunday.
"There is a sharp disconnect between sustainability and pricing mechanisms. Supplying countries like Bangladesh have their challenges and constraints. So we need more strategic collaboration in this regard," he added.
Faruque was addressing the programme "Securing Green Transition of the Textile and Readymade Garments Sector in Bangladesh" organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in the city.
Also read: BGMEA urges LGRD Ministry to repair roads in industrial areas
"Environment sits at the top of our agenda at the BGMEA and the sector at large. Bangladesh has the highest number of LEED Green factories in the world, with 157 certified by the USGBC – 47 platinum rated, 96 gold rated," the BGMEA president said.
"These green factories are equipped with all the eco-friendly features and emit around 40 percent less carbon than a conventional factory. However, we need technical assistance with regard to access to technologies, and building capacity of our human resources to embrace the green technologies and processes."
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, member of parliament and chairman of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the programme as chief guest.
Christine Johansson, deputy head of mission and head of development co-operation at the Embassy of Sweden, also spoke while the programme was moderated by CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun.
Also read: BGMEA seeks govt support in addressing RMG sector’s challenges
Mohammad Hatem, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Shams Mahmud, former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and managing director of Shasha Denims, Md Fazlul Hoque, managing director of Plummy Fashions and former president of the Bangladesh Employers' Federation, also spoke.
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.
Reduce fuel prices to facilitate economic recovery: BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruk Hasan has urged the government to reconsider the decision of fuel price hike for creating a stable business atmosphere.
He said that the production and transportation costs of the RMG sector have increased by 5 per cent after the recent hike in diesel price, the BGMEA president said at a press conference in a city hotel on Saturday.
READ: Fuel prices hiked in line with global market: PM
“We haven't had much employment in the last two years because of Coronavirus. In order to increase investment and employment, it is necessary to facilitate business and continue existing policy,” Faruk Hasan said.
BGMEA wins 'WITSA Global ICT Excellence Award' for workers' biometric database
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been awarded the "WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards" in "sustainable growth or circular economy" category for using "biometric identity and worker information management system"
The award was given at the 25th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2021) in Dhaka Saturday. BGMEA Director Rajiv Chowdhury received the award on behalf of the association.
Shahid-Ul-Munir, vice chairman of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) for Asia-Pacific, handed over the award.
WITSA is the leading recognised voice of the global digital technology industry, whose members from over 80 countries and economies represent more than 90 per cent of the world's ICT market.
Read: BGMEA chief urges UK buyers to raise prices
The WITSA Awards recognise the entities that made the most significant contributions to mankind in 2021.
The BGMEA started preparing a biometric database of garment workers in 2013.
The "biometric identity and worker information management system" stores workers' records, including information related to their employment and identities in the local and cloud server databases.
Now the database is being used by about 2,500 member factories of the BGMEA for more than 4 million workers every day.
Also, the BGMEA and Brac University (BracU) is collaborating to develop a digital repository of the workers of the export-oriented apparel industry.
Read: BGMEA stresses ethical sourcing for sustainable supply chain
The repository can be used to design significant interventions and formulate policies for the workers' well-being.
The BGMEA and BracU also inked an agreement in 2016 to support the collection of credible and comprehensive data about the apparel industry and prepare a publicly accessible interactive online map of the industry under the project "Mapped in Bangladesh."
Post-LDC era: BGMEA seeks British lawmakers' support to retain market access
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has sought the British lawmakers' support for the continuation of duty-benefit for the country after it graduates from the least developed countries (LDCs) category.
He met with UK lawmakers Rushanara Ali and Rupa Huq in London Saturday.
They discussed various issues, including cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh on LDC graduation, possible changes in the tariff regime and how Bangladesh can retain its access to the UK market in the post-LDC era.
Read: BGMEA chief urges UK buyers to raise prices
During the meeting, Faruque stressed the need for engagement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in the development of the country.
He said NRBs have the immense potential to contribute more to Bangladesh's development with their skills, technical expertise, knowledge and investment.
Many UK-based NRBs are well-established businessmen, academicians, researchers, and several of them also hold influential positions in governments as politicians and members of parliaments.
They can play a significant role in shaping the financial, social and economic conditions of the country, the BGMEA chief said.
Read: BGMEA stresses ethical sourcing for sustainable supply chain
He sought the cooperation of the two British MPs in encouraging Bangladeshis living in the UK to invest in different potential sectors of Bangladesh, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles.
Faruque also informed the British MPs about the strides made by Bangladesh's apparel industry over the years in safety, sustainability and social compliance.
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
BGMEA seeks UN support for smooth, sustainable LDC graduation
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought all-out cooperation and support of the United Nations for a smooth and sustainable graduation of Bangladesh from LDC to a developing country.
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo on Tuesday met BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA office and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
They had discussions on various issues including challenges of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation and the areas where the country needs to focus on for smooth graduation and sustainable development.
Read: BGMEA urges govt to speed up airport dev projects
They also discussed the importance of policy reforms and research to explore strategies to keep the RMG industry competitive in the post-LDC era.
Their talks covered how the RMG sector could make more contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh.
Women's role crucial for further dev of Bangladesh: BGMEA chief
Women have made a significant contribution to the socio-economic transformation of the country in the last 50 years, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said Saturday.
"Bangladesh has emerged as a role model of development in the world. The country has qualified to graduate into a developing nation from a least developed country (LDC)," he said.
"All people of Bangladesh – both men and women – are behind the achievements of the country," Faruque added.
Read: BGMEA requests EU to continue duty benefit for 12 years after LDC graduation
He was addressing a programme organised by Women and e-Commerce (WE) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's Independence and the 4th anniversary of the organisation.
Faruque said, "Defying various odds, women are making their marks in different fields, including politics, government, business, and service. "Bangladesh has an immense opportunity to grow further where women have a great role to play."
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen attended the programme as the chief guest.
Read: BGMEA urges govt to speed up airport dev projects
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for information and communication technology, and Meher Afroze Chumki, former state minister for women and children affairs, were present.
Director of Giant Group Sharmeen Hassan Tithi also attended the event.
Bangladesh a shining example of communal harmony: BGMEA
Bangladesh is a shining example of communal harmony where people of all faiths practice their religions freely and peacefully, said the country's apex trade body of apparel manufacturers Friday.
"It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh," Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said.
Read: BGMEA requests EU to continue duty benefit for 12 years after LDC graduation
People of all faiths fought together in 1971 to liberate Bangladesh and are still making efforts for the development of the country, he added.
He made the remark following a visit to Sarbojanin Kendrio Kalibari in Gopalganj Friday.
Read: BGMEA urges govt to speed up airport dev projects
BGMEA Senior Vice-President SM Mannan (Kochi); vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim, Md Nasir Uddin and Khandoker Rafiqul Islam were also present.
The BGMEA president handed over a cheque of Tk3 lakh to Sarbojanin Kendrio Kalibari.
BGMEA requests EU to continue duty benefit for 12 years after LDC graduation
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the European Union (EU) to continue its trade benefits for Bangladesh for 12 years after the country's graduation from LDCs in 2026.
The extension will help Bangladesh in making smooth transition from LDC and preparing to face post-graduation challenges, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said during a meeting with Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali was also present at the meeting.
Read: BGMEA seeks Germany's support to continue duty benefits in EU
Faruque apprised the newly appointed EU Ambassado of the present situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, its challenges, opportunities and future priorities.
He also shared the impressive achievements of the industry in workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ wellbeing.
The BGMEA chief thanked the European Union for its move to remove 7.4-percent import-share threshold from the GSP-plus vulnerability criteria, as the step will pave the way for Bangladesh to apply for GSP-plus benefit after its LDC graduation.
He also hoped the friendly support and cooperation of the European Union to Bangladesh, especially for the RMG industry will continue in the coming days.
The BGMEA president sought cooperation of the EU in developing capacity of the students of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) in textile, apparel, fashion and business through collaboration with leading EU universities.