Sustainable growth and value addition can be achieved if the textile and garment sector of Bangladesh  expands towards the production of Technical Textiles (TT) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), says a study.  Throughout the years, Bangladesh confirmed its pioneer position as one of the leading global suppliers in the textile and garment sector, it said.  The challenge of the hour is to maintain the country’s position despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These are the observations of the ‘Feasibility Study on Scaling up the Production of Technical Textiles (TT) including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Bangladesh’, commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH with support of BGMEA.  Read: BGMEA urges govt to speed up airport dev projects The study findings were shared on Tuesday.  Werner Lange, Textile Cluster Coordinator of GIZ Bangladesh said they are proud to share the results, particularly critical gaps, key actions and an overall strategy to support Bangladesh in entering into this new market and – most importantly – in succeeding there in a sustainable and compliant way. Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, Achim Tröster, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President Miran Ali, Werner Lange, Textile Cluster Coordinator of GIZ Bangladesh and Angelika Fleddermann, Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh, panelists Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director, BGMEA; Tariqul Islam, Assistant Director, Snowtex; Thomas Hübner, Business Scout, GIZ; and the author of the study, Charles Dagher, Consultant, GFA, supported by his study team colleague Dr. Rajesh Bheda; discussed the challenges and opportunities that come with the proposed shift towards the sub-sector.  Faruque Hassan said at this juncture they need investment and technical knowhow from the developed part of the world.  Read:BGMEA calls for urgently fixing inoperative scanners at airport "Our industry is ready to cater the growing market of the TT and PPE and demand is also on the rise. We encourage joint venture in technical textile and PPE and also need support from the brands, testing services companies and technology suppliers to join hands and take the potential to a reality.” The study advocates for Bangladesh to capitalise on the country’s reputation as a compliant and certified trading partner to EU and US markets.  Once Bangladesh has built its confidence and reliability in the new product sector of TT and PPE, advanced technologies can be introduced. 

In a landmark , Bangladesh joined the select group of countries that manufacture world-class, large-scale Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by shipping 6.5 million PPE gowns to US brand Hanes, for ultimate delivery to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) provided 11,000 units of high-quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), to help the nation in its fight against COVID–19.

The High Court on Monday directed the Directorate General of Health Services to provide adequate number of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand gloves and surgical masks to the doctors and nurses of private hospitals and clinics.

The United Nations in Bangladesh has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other emergency medical and humanitarian aid supplies to the government of Bangladesh and the humanitarian operation in Cox’s Bazar to support the country’s COVID-19 response. 

Grameen Telecom has provided personal protective equipment (PPE), disposable medical masks and K N95 masks to police, Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Altogether 1,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were given for the safety of the staff of Dhaka Central Jail amid the coronavirus outbreak.   Azam J Chowdhury handed over the PPEs to IG of Prisons Directorate, AKM Mustafa Kamal Pasha on Wednesday, said a press release.   The PPEs were donated on behalf of Omera Gas One Ltd and Omera Petroleum Ltd, it said.   Omera Gas One Limited and Omera Petroleum Limited have been working to ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG to residential, industrial and auto gas stations.   Besides, these companies have also been ensuring safe use of LPG as well as maintaining the necessary precautions against coronavirus.

Although the government is trying to gradually ramp up the country’s testing capacity to contain the coronavirus outbreak, health experts said the shortage of medical technologists and logistics are hampering efforts leading to testing backlog.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has provided protective gears to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to ensure the personal safety of police personnel while on duty.

Care Bangladesh as part of their Health Access and Linkage Opportunities for Workers Plus (HALOW+) project distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other sanitising materials to Gazipur City Corporation (GCC), Health and Family Planning Department in Gazipur and uapzila health complexes in Savar and Bhaluka on Thursday.