Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
BGMEA requests home minister to end transport strike on urgent basis
Apparel exporters have expressed anxiety over a three-day strike called by the Bangladesh Covered Van- Truck- Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association and Bangladesh Truck Drivers, Workers Federation.
A delegation of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) led by its acting President SM Mannan (Kochi) met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at his residence on Monday night and requested that steps be taken to resolve the problem, taking the interests of the industry into consideration.
The BGMEA delegation included Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin and Director Md. Khosru Chowdhury.
The BGMEA leaders said retail sales are growing in the major RMG export markets as stores are opening following mass vaccination there, and Bangladesh is getting a lot of work orders as a result.
READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
The issue of lead time is very important for the export-oriented RMG industry where every hour counts since manufacturers have to make shipment of products within the lead time specified by buyers.
So any strike at this moment will severely affect the industry, they said.
The BGMEA leaders urged the Home Minister to take steps to keep the transportation of export-import goods by road smooth and normal.
The Home Minister assured the delegation of addressing the problem through discussion with the leaders of transport associations, said a media release on Tuesday.
The BGMEA delegation said many buyers are demanding air shipment of products to make the delivery quicker as demand is rising sharply in their stores. Increased demand for air shipment has led to cargo congestion at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
But lack of sufficient number of scanning machines at the airport causes delays in air shipment, they said.
Moreover, one of the two existing explosive detection systems (EDS) often remains out of service due to lack of proper maintenance, BGMEA said.
So, buyers ask to have exported cargoes scanned at Kolkata airport due to lack of sufficient number of scanning machines, which results in cost rise and is not good for Bangladesh’s image, they said.
The BGMEA leaders urged the Home Minister to take steps for increasing the number of EDS at the airport alongside regular maintenance.
The Home Minister assured them of addressing the issues.
NRBs' engagement can shape Bangladesh's development: BGMEA chief
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said engagement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can play a crucial role in shaping the financial, social and economic conditions of the country.
He made the remark during a meeting with Nayem Uddin Ahmed, consul general of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Toronto, recently, said the apparel industry's apex body Monday.
BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib was also present at the meeting.
READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
Faruque said many NRBs are well-established businessmen, having huge investments in their countries of residence, while many hold influential positions in governments as politicians and members of parliaments.
Also, a lot of Bangladeshis are renowned scientists, academicians, researchers, high government officials and holding other prestigious positions.
Avenues should be created in an effective way to allow them to contribute to the development of Bangladesh, he added.
He sought the cooperation of Nayem Uddin to help the NRBs living in Canada promote the interests of Bangladesh.
The BGMEA president expressed thanks to the Bangladesh government for setting up a state-of-the-art office of the consulate general in Toronto as it would be helpful to showcase "Made in Bangladesh" products, including apparel items and attract potential foreign investors.
READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
Also, he requested the consul general to consider providing one-stop services to foreign investors from the consulate general
BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has sought support from the Bangladesh envoy in Canada to increase the country's share of apparel exports in a potential market like Canada, especially in the area of high-end and diversified apparel products.
He met Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Dr Khalilur Rahman in Ottawa recently and discussed relevant issues.
BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib was also present at the meeting.
The BGMEA president also requested the envoy to project the positive stories of Bangladesh's apparel industry – namely, remarkable progress workplace safety, social and environmental sustainability and workers' wellbeing.
READ: BGMEA urges Canadian buyers to take more garments from Bangladesh
He emphasised the efforts and role of the high commission in Canada in securing the continuation of trade benefits for Bangladesh for 12 years after the country's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category in 2026.
Faruque also sought cooperation from Khalilur Rahman in finding ways to involve non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) living in Canada in the economic development of Bangladesh.
READ: BGMEA seeks Govt support for RMG sector to overcome pandemic challenges
He informed the envoy about the present situation of Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry, especially how the industry has been rebounding following the unprecedented disruption caused by the Covid-19.
Faruque also shared the future priorities of the apparel industry, including product diversification, especially increased focus on non-cotton and high-end product segments, market diversification and innovation in product development and process optimisation.
BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has invited Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh and benefit from the attractive and investment-friendly environment here.
Economic viability, the purchasing power of people, demographic dividend and ecosystem are in favour of investment in Bangladesh, he added. "The country has been able to secure a prestigious position as a role model of development in the world with its consistent and remarkable economic growth and development performance."
Faruque Hassan made the remark while addressing a reception accorded to him by the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Canada in Canada recently.
HM Iqbal, president of the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Canada, chaired the programme which was also attended by Nayem Uddin Ahmed, consul general of Bangladesh Consulate General in Toronto, and BGMEA director Abdullah Hil Rakib.
READ: BGMEA urges Canadian buyers to take more garments from Bangladesh
Faruque also encouraged non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), including those living in Canada, to promote the "Made in Bangladesh" brand in their countries of residence.
The NRBs living in Canada can play an important role to promote the interests of Bangladesh, especially those holding influential positions in their countries of residence, he added.
Also, the BGMEA president highlighted the prospect of investment in potential sectors, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles.
There are high potential areas for investment in man-made fibre-based yarns and fabrics, functional fabrics like polyester, viscose, spandex, and mélange, he said.
READ: BGMEA seeks Govt support for RMG sector to overcome pandemic challenges
Apart from textiles, there are huge investment opportunities in other sectors which can substitute imports and complement industries in Bangladesh like spare parts, textile machinery, even light engineering, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and shipbuilding. The ICT sector is also a high potential sector for investment in Bangladesh, Faruque added.
BGMEA urges Bernicat to promote Bangladesh in USA
Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have urged senior US official Marcia Bernicat to promote Bangladesh in the USA.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Vice President Miran Ali, now visiting the USA, met Bernicat in Washington D.C. recently.
Bernicat, who served as US Ambassador to Bangladesh, is now serving as Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and Acting Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
READ: BGMEA urges Canadian buyers to take more garments from Bangladesh
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam and Director of Giant Group Sharmeen Hassan Tithi were also present.
Terming Marcia Bernicat as a good friend and well-wisher of Bangladesh, Faruque Hassan sought her cooperation in changing the narrative of Bangladesh readymade garment industry in the USA as she was closely involved with the development and transformation of Bangladesh garment industry into a safe and sustainable one.
She was also requested to share the positive development and stories about the RMG industry she witnessed during her stay in Dhaka with key personnel in the US government and relevant stakeholders, said the BGMEA in a media release on Wednesday.
READ: BGMEA seeks Govt support for RMG sector to overcome pandemic challenges
The BGMEA President hoped that Bernicat would continue her support to promote Bangladesh and its interests in the US.
BGMEA seeks Govt support for RMG sector to overcome pandemic challenges
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought support of the government for the RMG industry to overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and turn around.
A delegation of BGMEA led by its acting President SM Mannan (Kochi) made the call during a meeting with Senior Secretary to the Finance Ministry Abdur Rouf Talukder at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Former BGMEA President Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), MP, BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam and Director M. Ahsanul Hoq were also present at the meeting.
The BGMEA leaders said the export-oriented apparel sector is still passing through tough times prolonged by the second wave of the Covid-19 in the country.
Read: BGMEA President calls for fair prices from US buyers
Moreover, they said major export markets of Bangladesh including Europe are yet to get back to fully normal state.
It was expected that the apparel sector could turn around with improvement in the pandemic situation but the surge of new variants and infections put the industry in challenges again, they added.
They requested the government to extend the payback period of the loans under the Covid response stimulus package from the existing 18 months to 36 months to help the sector to overcome the hurdles.
They urged the government to write off all debts, interest, and cost of fund charges for the 133 sick RMG factories, taking them into special consideration.
Read: BGMEA urges AAFA to promote Bangladesh’s business interests in US market
The BGMEA leaders also called for an exit policy for businesses who want to shut down their businesses safely, similar to Chapter 11 which exists in most of our competing countries.
They requested the government not to treat compliant units of a group of companies as loan defaulters for loan defaulting by any of its concerns, as other profitable and compliant enterprises of the group would be affected due to it.
US buyers urged to minimize multiple auditing of Bangladesh RMG factories
Emphasizing the need for a smoother and more sustainable supply chain and sourcing of apparels, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has urged the US buyers to minimize multiple auditing of the factories to reduce the cost on the owners and offer higher prices for apparels from Bangladesh.
The BGMEA President, now visiting the US to promote Bangladesh’s apparel export to the US market, came up with the call while speaking at a roundtable in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
The Bangladesh Embassy hosted the roundtable to brief the US government and relevant stakeholders on the ongoing efforts to improve factory safety and workers’ welfare in the readymade garment industry in Bangladesh and encourage more US import of Bangladeshi readymade garments.
Addressing the roundtable, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam said the government has long been undertaking various measures and initiatives to support the welfare of workers of the RMG industry.
The roundtable titled “Seven years after Rana Plaza: Who’s doing what?” was participated by senior US government officials, including Christopher Wilson, Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South Asia; William Jackson, Assistant USTR for Textiles; and Jennifer Larson, Director for South and Central Asia of the US Department of State; Maureen Haggard, Director for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour of the US Department of State; BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Ambassador Teresita Schaffer from the McLarty Associates, representatives of US-Bangladesh Business Council, American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), Walmart, Target, as well as senior officials of the Bangladesh Embassy.
READ: EPB, BUFT sign deal to develop skills of mid-level managers of RMG factories
The event was organized as BGMEA Faruque Hassan is now visiting the US to promote Bangladesh’s apparel export to the US market.
In his presentation, Faruque Hassan highlighted various initiatives taken both by the Bangladesh government and his association, including establishment of the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) and formation of Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) to sustain workplace safety and promote rights and welfare of the garment workers.
He briefed the participants about the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to Bangladesh garment industry and how his association supported the workers during this difficult time, urged the US buyers to minimize multiple auditing of the factories to reduce cost on the owners and emphasized the need for a smoother and more sustainable supply chain and sourcing of apparels.
The BGMEA president also acknowledged the government’s generous contributions through the stimulus package in this regard.
In view of the increased minimum worker’s wage and incremental operational and production cost in Bangladesh, the BGMEA president requested the US buyers to offer higher and fair prices for apparels from Bangladesh.
He also urged the US government to consider a tariff reduction for Bangladeshi RMG products.
During the interactive session, Assistant USTR Christopher Wilson described the current US administration’s emphasis on welfare of the workers both at home and abroad.
Mentioning tariff issue as the prerogative of the US Congress, he underscored the need for constant and closer engagements between the two governments on labor and related issues.
The participants in the roundtable also discussed a range of other relevant issues, including empowerment of women workers in the industry, Covid-19 and vaccine support for the garment workers.
The participants appreciated the roundtable as an effective and timely initiative to exchange information on the important issue of workers’ welfare that have both economic and human rights dimensions.
READ: RMG factories to remain open amid 'all-out' lockdown: BGMEA president
Ambassador Shahidul Islam concluded the roundtable by underlining the importance of taking comprehensive discussions and dialogues in all forums including TICFA to further promote trade and business between Bangladesh and the U.S.
BGMEA joins hands with Good Fashion Fund to finance SMEs in sustainability
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Good Fashion Fund (GFF) have joined hands to collaborate in taking the apparel and textile industry of Bangladesh a step ahead in the area of environmental sustainability by financing sustainable practices and technologies.
BGMEA and GFF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to support and strengthen the development and uptake of innovative sustainability solutions and particularly to improve environmental and social sustainability within factories in Bangladesh.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and GFF Fund Director Bob Assenberg signed the MoU at a virtual ceremony on behalf of their respective organizations.
BGMEA Directors Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee and Md. Mohiuddin Rubel were also present at the agreement signing ceremony.
As per agreement, Good Fashion Fund will provide long term loan in addition to technical and environmental and social expertise to the manufacturers to adopt sustainable production.
Good Fashion Fund (www.goodfashionfund.com) launched in 2019 is initiated by Laudes Foundation and Fashion for Good and managed by Fund Manger FOUNT.
READ: BGMEA extends financial aid for ailing photographer Chanchal Mahmood
Bangladesh-India: Better cooperation to ensure more trade benefits
Bangladesh and India can reap more mutual trade benefits through better collaboration – namely, in the apparel and textile industry – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said Thursday.
"There are great opportunities for Bangladesh and India to complement each other in boosting apparel and textile business in both countries," he said.
The BGMEA president made the remarks as Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami paid a courtesy call on the BGMEA leaders at the office of the apparel industry's apex body.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim; directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Tanvir Ahmed, and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Binoy George, and Commercial Representative of the High Commission Dr Pramyesh Basall were also present at the meeting.
They discussed existing problems in export-import – namely, in ready-made garments (RMG) and textile industry – possible ways to address them, and potential areas of further collaboration between Bangladesh and India to derive mutual trade benefits.
Read: After 56 yrs, Bangladesh-India rail link to reopen Sunday
BGMEA seeks Spanish investment in non-cotton, technical textiles
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan on Tuesday sought support from Spain regarding the potential of foreign investment in non-cotton and technical textiles and high-end apparel items.
He also sought support and cooperation of the government of Spain through extension of transition period for smoother graduation from LDC.
Read BGMEA urges Ctg Customs House to ease procedures for faster release of imported goods
Ambassador of Spain to Bangladesh, Francisco de Asís Benítez Salas, met the BGMEA chief at the latter’s office and discussed areas of cooperation.
The Ambassador of Spain lauded the progress of the apparel industry of Bangladesh.
Also read: BGMEA wants import consignments to be released from Ctg Port
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim also attended the meeting.
They had discussions about issues related to the readymade garment industry in Bangladesh, including its progress in the areas of workplace safety, social and environmental sustainability.
Read BGMEA calls for raising social awareness to prevent Dengue