Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
BGMEA calls for urgently fixing inoperative scanners at airport
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to take immediate steps to fix the inoperative explosive detection systems (EDS) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The association also called for increasing the number of scanners to speed up the process of scanning export cargoes.
A BGMEA delegation, led by the president of the apparel sector's apex body Faruque Hassan, made the request to Md Mokammel Hossain, secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, during a meeting at the secretariat Sunday.
BGMEA vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Md Nasir Uddin and Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, were also present at the meeting.
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RMG exports are being hampered as two EDS machines have remained out of service while another two newly installed EDS machines at the airport could be made operational as they are yet to get validated.
So, the BGMEA leaders stressed regularly carrying out maintenance of the EDS to keep them operational as the scanning process is hampered very often due to technical glitches.
They also requested the authorities to ensure enough space at the scanning area so that export cargoes could be scanned in an orderly manner and shipped timely.
Besides, a spacious parking lot is needed to keep the export freight after scanning for air shipment.
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The delegation called on bringing RMG goods inside the cargo village or canopy immediately after unloading them from aircraft so that they are not damaged due to rain.
The BGMEA leaders requested for steps to properly stack RMG goods in the cargo shed so that cargoes can be found out easily and released quickly.
Source more from Bangladesh: BGMEA President to US buyers
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has called upon brands and buyers in the USA to source more garments, including non-cotton and high-end apparel products from Bangladesh.
He made the call when Richard Rosenthal, CEO of Tailor Vintage, paid a courtesy visit to him at BGMEA’s office in Gulshan on Thursday.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali and Mohammed Yusuf Ali Khan, Tailor Vintage’s Country Manager in Bangladesh, were also present on the occasion.
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Tailor Vintage is a renowned apparel brand in the USA.
Faruque Hassan said unprecedented strides in safety, sustainability and social compliance in the RMG industry have earned Bangladesh global recognitions and made the country a preferable sourcing destination among buyers.
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He also highlighted the future priorities of the apparel industry especially increased focus on non-cotton and high-end product segment.
The BGMEA President requested Richard Rosenthal to share the positive developments and stories about Bangladesh’s RMG industry in the USA.
BGMEA seeks duty-free access to Brazil for RMG products
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has requested the government of Brazil to provide duty-free access to Bangladeshi apparel products.
The BGMEA chief made the request when Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh Joao Tabajara de Oliveira Junior met him on Thursday at its office.
They discussed how Brazil and Bangladesh can reap mutual trade benefits through collaboration in the apparel and textile industry.
READ: BGMEA seeks Germany’s support to continue duty benefits in EU
Faruque apprised the envoy of the future priorities of Bangladesh RMG industry, with special focus on diversification in products, market and innovation in product development.
He said Bangladesh is willing to import more cotton from Brazil for its ready-made garment industry and requested for cooperation from the Ambassador in this regard.
“While Brazil has a huge pool of designers and experts, we have huge manufacturing capacity. Brazil and Bangladesh can work together in developing our capability in designing and manufacturing value-added products which can be exported to South American countries. It will benefit both Brazil and Bangladesh,” he added.
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They talked about scope of collaboration and support from Brazil especially in building capacity of Bangladesh’s RMG sector in design development for value-added apparel products.
BGMEA underscores need for NRBs' engagement in Bangladesh's development
Many non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) still have very strong emotional ties with Bangladesh and are willing to be a part of the country's progress through transferring skills and experience or investment, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) chief said Tuesday.
Faruque Hassan paid a courtesy call on Sadia Faizunnesa, consul general of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York, Tuesday.
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He requested the consul general to extend more support, services and information to potential investors to encourage them to invest in Bangladesh.
Faruque sought the cooperation of the consul general in paving the way for Bangladeshis living in the US so that they can promote the interests of Bangladesh, including branding the country positively.
READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
They discussed different issues, especially possible areas of engagement for NRBs in national development and how more foreign investment could be brought to Bangladesh.
BGMEA discusses collaboration in industry innovation with Amerex
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and US-based apparel importer Amerex Group have discussed a partnership to upscale Bangladesh's apparel industry's capabilities, including in the area of innovation.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan met Ira Ganger, president and CEO of Amerex Group, in New York recently.
Former BGMEA president Md Shafiul Islam, BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib and Brian McElwain, executive vice-president of sourcing purchasing and production of Amerex, were also present.
READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
The BGMEA delegation shared the present situation of Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry and its strategic priorities – especially in the areas of industry innovation, efficiency and capacity optimisation.
They also highlighted the industry's increased focus on product diversification – namely, non-cotton and high-end segments.
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A new centre of innovation, efficiency and occupational safety and health is being established at the BGMEA headquarters in Uttara to enhance the competitiveness of the RMG industry of Bangladesh.
Sourcing from Bangladesh: BGMEA proposes collaboration with Disney
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has proposed collaboration with The Walt Disney Company to start unconditional sourcing from Bangladesh.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan had a meeting with David Grazi, president of Disney's major sourcing partner Dreamwave, and Albert Daniel, global vice-president of sourcing at Dreamwave, in New York recently.
The apex body of the country's apparel industry proposed a partnership with Disney to start unconditional sourcing from Bangladesh and build capacity together, focusing on their specific need in technical issues, social compliance and sustainability.
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BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib and its former president Md Shafiul Islam were also present at the meeting with the US-based apparel brand.
They had discussions on other issues, including the potential of Bangladesh as a sourcing country for activewear, outerwear, swimwear, and workwear.
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The BGMEA president requested Dreamwave to increase its sourcing from Bangladesh – namely, garments produced from man-made fibre.
They also discussed how BGMEA and Dreamwave could work together to showcase the good stories of Bangladesh's apparel industry.
BGMEA chief urges expats to contribute more to Bangladesh's development
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged expatriates living in the US to contribute more to Bangladesh's development.
"Your support and contribution will help Bangladesh realise its untapped potential – namely, draw foreign investment, project a positive image and protect interests of the country internationally," he said.
READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
The BGMEA chief made the call while addressing the conference "New World New Hope: United Nations and Bangladesh" organised by the Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshis in New York recently on the sidelines of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations, the apex body of the country's apparel industry said Saturday.
Bangladeshis living abroad, especially the NRBs holding influential positions in their countries of residence, including the US, can play an important role in promoting the interests of Bangladesh at policy-making levels, Faruque said.
READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
He also urged the Bangladeshi community in the US to give preference to "Made in Bangladesh" garments during their shopping and also present them as gifts to their foreign friends.
"It will not only pave the way for Bangladesh to increase its apparel export to the US market but also help promote 'Made in Bangladesh' brand among the US citizens," he added.
BGMEA donates PCR lab to Diabetic Association
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has donated a PCR lab, set up in Gazipur to conduct Covid-19 tests of garment workers, to the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS).
The BGMEA handed over the PCR lab to the BADAS at a programme held in the capital Saturday.
Dr AK Azad Khan, president of the BADAS and national professor, was present at the ceremony as the chief guest; BGMEA senior vice-president SM Mannan chaired it.
Mannan and Azad signed an agreement for the handover of the PCR lab.
Expressing thanks to BGMEA for setting up the PCR lab, the BADAS president hoped that the Diabetic Association and the BGMEA would take more joint initiatives for providing health services to garment workers.
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The BGMEA Senior Vice-President said it had been possible for the BGMEA to give services to apparel workers by setting up the PCR lab with the support of a renowned health service provider like the BADAS.
BGMEA urges US businesses, NRBs to invest in Bangladesh
Terming Bangladesh a land of opportunities, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged US businessmen and also the non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) living in the US to invest in the country which offers an attractive and investment-friendly environment.
The BGMEA chief made the call while addressing a business roundtable held in New York recently, said a media release Thursday.
The US-Bangladesh Business Council of the US Chamber of Commerce hosted the roundtable with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and over 30 senior executives from the US and Bangladesh business communities on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
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The event was presided over by Jay R Pryor, vice-president of business development at Chevron and the council's chair of the board of directors, and Nisha Biswal, president of US-Bangladesh Business Council and senior vice-president – South Asia, international strategy and global initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce.
Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, ICT Affairs Adviser to the prime minister, M Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh ambassador to the US, and Md Jashim Uddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, also attended the roundtable.
The virtual roundtable engaged high-level Bangladesh government officials as well as major US and Bangladeshi companies across sectors and supply chains as well as major Bangladeshi business associations, including the BGMEA.
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"With our ever-increasing economy, political stability and all-out effort made by our government to build infrastructures, we are now one of the most favoured countries in South Asia for trade and investment. We have favourable fiscal and non-fiscal policies for the foreign investors," Faruque said.
The BGMEA president highlighted the prospects of investment in different potential sectors, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles along with others.
Also, there are huge investment opportunities in other sectors that can substitute imports and complement industries in Bangladesh like spare parts, textile machinery, light engineering, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and shipbuilding, he added.
BGMEA wants better cargo handling services at Dhaka airport
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to improve cargo handling services at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to facilitate ready-made garments (RMG) exports.
A BGMEA delegation led by Acting President SM Mannan made the request to State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali during a meeting held at the secretariat Thursday.
BGMEA Vice-President Md Nasir Uddin; directors Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Md Khosru Chowdhury and Rajiv Chowdhury also attended the meeting.
READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
The BGMEA leaders called for increasing the number of explosive detection scanners (EDS) at the airport to speed up the process of export cargo scanning.
They also focused on regularly carrying out maintenance of the existing two EDS as one of them often remains out of service due to the lack of proper maintenance.
READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
The BGMEA delegation called on bringing RMG goods inside the cargo village or canopy immediately after unloading from aircraft so that they are not damaged due to rain.
They also called for taking steps to make loading and unloading of RMG cargoes faster and properly stacking them in the cargo shed so that goods can easily be found and released quickly.