Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice President Shahidullah Azim on Saturday said the world-class workplace safety along with remarkable achievements of the RMG industry in the area of sustainability made Bangladesh a preferred choice of global buyers for sourcing garments. “With unprecedented initiatives involving the government, ILO, brands, buyers, and efforts and invest by entrepreneurs, the RMG industry of Bangladesh has made exemplary achievements in ensuring workplace safety in the RMG industry covering fire, electrical and structural integrity in a transparent manner, earning global praise and recognition,” he said. The BGMEA Vice President said this while speaking as a special guest at the launching ceremony of the 8th International Fire and Safety and Security Expo 2022 organized by the Electronic Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) in the city. Also read: BGMEA wants industry-academia collaboration to tackle future challenges Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Md. Main Uddin attended the programme as the chief guest. Vice President of FBCCI Md. Amin Helaly was also present at the program which was chaired by President of ESSAB Zahir Uddin Babar. Shahidullah Azim said the apparel industry has gone through extraordinary challenges and successfully overcome them, even bounce back even stronger every time. “Alongside workplace safety, Bangladesh has the highest number of green garment factories with 167 factories LEED certified by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). While we are proud of our outstanding achievements in the area of workplace safety and environmental sustainability, we are also committed to making efforts to sustain the accomplishments,” he said. Also read: RMG export growth to be affected by fuel price hike: BGMEA President Shahidullah Azim laid emphasis on the production of safety equipment in Bangladesh maintaining international standards. He thanked ESSAB for consistently organizing the international Fire Safety and Security Expo as it brings safety equipment suppliers, professionals and users under one roof for fruitful interactions. It plays a significant role in showcasing the latest fire safety equipment and knowledge to the industries, thus raising awareness among the industries, he further said. The 8th Fire Safety and Security Expo will be held from November 24 to 26 at Bangabandhu International Convention Center (BICC) where world-famous safety equipment brands will participate.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested global apparel buyers to nominate more shipping liners and off-docks to help suppliers make timely shipments of export containers. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the request at a meeting with stakeholders – including the main-line operator (MLO) and buyers' representatives – Thursday to discuss container stockpiling and vessel shortage problem, which has been impacting apparel exports. Read: BGMEA requests India to expedite trade through Bangaon-Benapole land port Export containers loaded with RMG products are facing a delay of extra 10-15 days at Chattogram port due to buyers' choice of selective shipping lines and off-docks, Faruque Hassan said. He requested apparel buyers, including H&M and M&S, to allow more shipping liners and off-docks, as it would reduce pressure on selective shipping lines in shipments of exported goods. Read: BGMEA urges buyers not to penalise suppliers for lockdown-caused delays BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali; directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former director Ashikur Rahman Tuhin, Chairman of Standing Committee on Port and Shipping Hasan Abdullah, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Director Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, H&M Regional Country Manager for Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman, Marks and Spencer Country Head Shwapna Bhowmick and Maersk Country Manager of Angshuman Mitra Mustafi attended the meeting held at BGMEA office in the capital. Earlier, the BGMEA in a letter requested global apparel buyers through the Buyers' Forum, a group of the representatives of major apparel buyers, to nominate as many forwarders as possible to deliver shipments on time.