RMG
Sammilito Parishad accords warm reception to RMG entrepreneurs who elected MPs in 12th National elections
The Sammilito Parishad accorded a grand reception to the garment entrepreneurs who have been elected the Members of Parliament during the 12th national elections, acknowledging their significant contributions to the country’s garment sector.
The special event was hosted in the Grand Ballroom of Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka on January 26.
Sammilita Parishad starts election activities for BGMEA elections
The Sammilito Parishad extended hearty congratulations to the elected MPs, recognizing their role in the growth and prosperity of the garment industry.
The current state of the garment industry was discussed at the reception program, said a media release.
Cooperation of the elected MPs was sought in building a sustainable garment industry in Bangladesh.
BGMEA partners with Manabik Shahajya Sangstha to provide eye care services to garment workers
The 18 entrepreneurs of the garment sector who have been elected Members of Parliament in the 12th National Elections of Bangladesh are -- Salman Fazlur Rahman MP, Vice Chairman, Beximco Group, Tipu Munshi MP, Managing Director of Sepal Group; A K M Salim Osman MP, Chairman, Wisdom Attires Ltd; Abdus Salam Murshedy MP, Managing Director, Envoy Group; Md Tazul Islam MP, Founder, Fabian Group; Nasrul Hamid MP, Managing Director, Hamid Group; Md. Shahriar Alam MP, Founder, Renaissance Group; Morshed Alam MP, Chairman, Bengal Group; AK Azad MP, Managing Director, Ha-Meem Group; Abdus Salam MP, Founder Chairman, Well Group; Anisul Islam Mahmud MP, Chairman, Shasha Denims; Chayan Islam MP, Chairman, Sparrow Group; Abdul Momin Mondol MP, Managing Director, Mondol Group; Fayzur Rahman (Badal) MP, Managing Director, Tusuka Group; Md. Khosru Chowdhury MP, Chairman, Nipa Group; Dewan Zahid Ahmed MP of Axis Knitwear Ltd; Md. Mojibor Rahman MP of Smart Group; and Md Abdul Wadud MP of A&A Fashion Sweaters Ltd.
Tipu Munshi MP, President of Sammilito Parishad, chaired the event which attended by Md. Atiqul Islam, General Secretary of Sammilito Parishad and Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md. Siddiqur Rahman, former President of BGMEA and also the Chief Election Coordinator of the Sammilito Parishad for the BGMEA Election 2024-2026.
BGMEA, Helen Keller International to collaborate on providing eye health services to garment workers
Former Presidents of BGMEA Redwan Ahmed, Mostafa Golam Quddus, Engineer Kutubuddin Ahmed, Quazi Moniruzzaman, S.M. Fazlul Hoque, Md. Shafiul islam Mohiuddin, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, Senior Vice President of BGEMA and Panel Leader of Sammilito Parishad S. M. Mannan (Kochi) were also present at the event.
A good number of RMG entrepreneurs also attended the event.
Sammilita Parishad starts election activities for BGMEA elections
The election to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the 2024-2026 term will be held on March 9.
The Sammilita Parishad has commenced its election activities for the upcoming BGMEA elections.
As part of its activities, Sammilita Parishad organized a meeting titled 'Sammilita Parishad for Building Sustainable Garment Industry' at the Uttara Club in Dhaka on January 14.
Md. Siddiqur Rahman, the Chief Election Coordinator of the Sammilita Parishad for the BGMEA Election 2024-2026, presided over the discussion.
Md. Atiqul Islam, General Secretary of Sammilita Parishad and Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC); Abdus Salam Murshedy, MP, former President of BGMEA; Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, former President of BGMEA; Md. Khosru Chowdhury, MP, Director, BGMEA; Abdul Momin Mondol, MP; Dewan Zahid Ahmed Tulu, MP; Syed Nazrul Islam, First Vice President, BGMEA; S. M. Mannan (Kochi), Senior Vice President, BGMEA, and Panel Leader of Sammilita Parishad, spoke at the meeting.
In the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on the present situation of the garment industry and the preparation of the Sammilita Parishad election manifesto with emphasis on building a sustainable garment industry.
A number of apparel entrepreneurs attended the meeting.
BGMEA partners with Manabik Shahajya Sangstha to provide eye care services to garment workers
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has joined forces with Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS) to provide comprehensive eye care services to the workers and staff of garment factories.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by BGMEA Secretary General, Md. Faizur Rahman, and MSS Adviser, Tarikul Ghani, in the presence of BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA Complex on January 14.
This partnership seeks to bring these essential eye care services directly to the garment factory workers and employees.
MSS established its Eye Care Program to identify and treat preventable blindness and provide affordable, comprehensive eye care services to the underserved populations.
Under the MoU, MSS will organize temporary eye care camps within the premises of BGMEA to provide a range of services such as eye examinations, vision testing, and the provision of eyewear.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “BGMEA is committed to improving the well-being of the garment workers. The association has taken various initiatives for ensuring welfare of garment workers and will continue its endeavors in the coming days.”
BGMEA, Helen Keller International to collaborate on providing eye health services to garment workers
Acknowledging the importance of workers’ well-being for the growth, reputation, and long-term sustainability of the RMG industry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been making committed efforts to improve the well-being of the garment workers in Bangladesh.
As part of the ongoing efforts, BGMEA has partnered with Helen Keller, a global organization dedicated to preventing blindness and promoting eye health, to provide comprehensive eye care services to garment workers.
In an inception workshop held at BGMEA Complex on January 13, the representatives of BGMEA and Helen Keller expressed their commitment to implement the eye care initiative, said a press release.
The focus of this partnership is on providing primary eye care services, including basic eye examinations, prescription glasses, and referrals for more complex eye disorders.
In his speech, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan lauded the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance the eye health of garment workers.
RMG workers in Gazipur demonstrate for wages set by govt, gridlock on Dhaka-Tangail highway
Gridlock was formed as vehicular movement on Dhaka-Tangail highway remained suspended for over an hour due to workers of garment factories demonstrating in Gazipur’s Konabari area, demanding payment of salaries as per the wages set by the government.
Mohammad Ziaul Islam, officer-in-charge of Konabari Police Station, said workers of garment factories in the Konabari area took to the street around 8 am to press home their six-point demand including payment of salary as per the government-announced wage structure.
Read: Focus on value addition in RMG industry needed more to enhance global competitiveness: BGMEA President
The other demands include an eight-hour workday instead of ten hours.
A long tailback has been created on both sides of the Dhaka-Tangail highway following the demonstration.
However, vehicular movement normalised as police drove the demonstrating workers away from the highway after assuring them of taking steps regarding their demands.
Read: Despite anticipated challenges in 2024, int’l market demand for RMG products could rise: BGMEA Director
Focus on value addition in RMG industry needed more to enhance global competitiveness: BGMEA President
The ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh needs to focus more on value addition in order to sustain and further enhance its global competitiveness, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan.
“In the garment industry, the accessories and packaging industry is one of the major means for value addition. Accessories and packaging materials play a vital role in enhancing the overall appeal and perceived value of garments,” he said
Faruque was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 13th edition of the Garment Accessories and Packaging Exposition (GAPEXPO) 2024 in Dhaka on Thursday.
The event, organised by the Bangladesh Garments Accessories & Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), aims to showcase advancements in technology and innovations in garment accessories and packaging within the apparel industry.
AHM Ahsan, vice chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and Mohammad Hatem, executive president, BKMEA, also spoke at the opening ceremony.
In his speech, Faruque said the accessories and packaging industry in Bangladesh has the potential to carve out a niche for itself by producing high-quality, innovative, and sustainable materials.
He stressed the importance of investment in research and development to create unique and aesthetically pleasing accessories, which can significantly contribute to the overall value of the final products.
By doing so, the accessories industry can help Bangladesh’s garment sector establish itself as a hub for not just manufacturing but also for creative and value-added design, he added.
Bangladesh top garment exporter in UK market in Jan-Oct: BGMEA
Bangladesh has retained the status of the top exporter of garment items in the UK market in consideration of quantity in the period of January–October 2023.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) revealing the UK’s import data showed Bangladesh exported 178.39 million kilogrammes (kgs) of garment items to the UK while China shipped 159.25 million kg.
In this regard, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan told UNB that considering the performance of the UK sourcing countries, China is at the top. It is followed by Bangladesh, Turkey, India, and Pakistan.
Bangladesh had secured its position as the top garment supplier in Europe in terms of volume (quantity) in 2022.
Milestone for RMG as Bangladesh becomes top source of Knitwear into EU market
“Our position in the UK market remains the same because, in 2022, the UK's imports from Bangladesh exceeded imports from China, and this trend continues in the first 10 months of 2023,” he said.
However, Bangladesh's share of the UK's total apparel imports is 23 percent in terms of value and 28 percent in terms of volume, said Faruque.
“So far, we have been able to secure our position through potential cost savings, timely product delivery, and maintaining quality, which has kept us ahead of the competition in the fashion world,” said BGMEA President.
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He said that the UK market still has opportunities as they approach the saturation point, and the global trade policy and competitive landscape will change over the coming decades. The key to capturing more global market share and sustaining growth will be to shift to higher-value products and higher-value markets by acquiring capabilities in backward and forward linkage industries.
Bangladesh can add higher value by moving into the mid-high price segment of the market, where a T-shirt or a polo shirt can fetch higher FOB revenue only because of the complex process (e.g., advanced fabrication, embroidery, printing, even functionality), he said.
Incidentally, it would also like to mention that, considering the average price of UK apparel imports, Bangladesh offers the lowest price compared to other competitors.
“Our average price is 21.39 percent lower than China, 32 percent lower than Turkey, and even 26.75 percent lower than India. This not only proves that we are not competitive in the global market, but at the same time, our absence in the mid-high price segment of the market is starkly evident. At this point, we need to strategise to capture the mid-high price segment to take the industry forward,” said BGMEA President.
Despite anticipated challenges in 2024, int’l market demand for RMG products could rise: BGMEA Director
END/UNB/AI/MB/JA
Guardian article on female garment workers in Bangladesh not only offensive but also a gross overgeneralization: BGMEA Chief
A recent article published by The Guardian, framing the lives of female garment workers in Bangladesh between factory and brothel, is not only offensive but also a gross overgeneralization, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has said.
It risks overshadowing the remarkable transformation of women's empowerment propelled by the nation's RMG industry, he said in a statement, condemning the article that he said “defames women at work.”
"It’s true that individual hardships exist, but framing women workers within a single struggle is potentially harming them by provoking radicalism, causing social stigma and mental illness," Faruque said.
Such a narrative is a disservice to their lives and dreams they cherish, he said.
“The report itself appears to be incorrect to us as it says that the mentioned female worker works for a large factory, it didn’t mention the name; and there is hardly any export-oriented garment factory located at the place as the report mentions, except for a few tailoring facilities catering to the local market only,” he said.
“The report does not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes against women at work, but also defames an industry that employs millions of women and contributes significantly to national economy," said the BGMEA chief.
Rest of the BGMEA chief's statement
Consider this: in a moderate Muslim country, Bangladesh has emerged as a model in the region in women’s empowerment and gender parity, he said.
“The World Economic Forum's recent Gender Gap Report places Bangladesh at the top in South Asia for gender equality for the 9th consecutive year, ranking the country 59th globally.
“The labor force participation rate of women has soared from a mere 8% in 1983 to a remarkable 38% today.
Read: Despite anticipated challenges in 2024, int’l market demand for RMG products could rise: BGMEA Director
“Women’s contribution to Bangladesh's GDP growth is estimated at a staggering 34% and it continues to rise.
“For millions of less privileged women having less literacy and skills, the RMG industry is the first formal sector of employment.
“Through this industry, women have emerged as the critical support for their families, achieving economic independence and social empowerment.
“Early marriage and motherhood are declining, primarily education enrolment is on the rise and as per many experts, the industry has led to increase in girls’ schooling.
“Maternal and child health, too, have gained momentum, nourished by improved nutrition and a heightened awareness of healthcare.
“The ascent isn't confined to the shop floor. Women are scaling the ranks, their talents are gracing technical departments in the industry like industrial engineering, product designing and merchandising, as well as taking on leadership positions.
“When they leave the factories, they leave footprints of entrepreneurial spirit, transforming into owners of their own businesses.
Read: Sustainable fashion: Bangladesh's RMG sector leads with 24 new LEED green factories in 2023
“This industry has become a launchpad for leadership.
“While writing a report remotely, without having proper understanding of the background and reality, to deliberately portray the bleak picture, one must acknowledge the broader narrative – millions of women rising from poverty, gaining skills, and forging a path towards brighter futures for themselves and their families.
“Beyond all these, the industry has taken an unprecedented stance to support aspiring women workers to pursue their dream for higher education.
“Currently around 90 young female RMG workers are pursuing higher studies in the Asian University for Women under the Pathways for Promise program.
“While the girls pursue their bachelor studies with full scholarship from the university, the employer factories continue to pay the full wages to them throughout the entire tenure of their study.
“The ‘promise’ is to make them fearless and think big. Not only that, through this industry women have got the opportunity to emerge as the critical support to the family.
“There are numerous instances that the sons and daughters of workers are pursuing higher education in engineering, medical science and many more disciplines through the humble support of the factories.
“This is our story, one of transformation, of empowerment, of women rising like threads on a loom, weaving a new Bangladesh. Let us move beyond sensationalized headlines and acknowledge the multifaceted reality of women at work.
Read more: Milestone for RMG as Bangladesh becomes top source of Knitwear into EU market
“Let us celebrate their achievements, address their challenges, and work towards a future where all Bangladeshi women can thrive, in factories and beyond.
“Our garment workers are the heartbeat of our industry, and I, for one, find my strength in their courage, their resilience, and their unwavering spirit. They are the threads that bind our nation together, the driving force propelling us towards a future where gender is not a barrier, but a bridge – a future where Bangladeshi women stand tall, not just as workers, but as architects of their own destinies.”
Despite anticipated challenges in 2024, int’l market demand for RMG products could rise: BGMEA Director
Despite the anticipated challenges in 2024, there are indications that international market demand for RMG products will rise, a director at BGMEA said today (January 01, 2024).
"If we can uphold internal supply chains, increase investments in new products and markets, we will be able to sustain the desired growth," said BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel in a statement.
He said it is difficult to predict the trajectory for 2024, given the uncertainties in the international economic and geopolitical landscape.
BGMEA chief emphasizes innovation, tech upgrade, skills training to retain global competitiveness
Factors such as supply chain disruptions and inflation play a crucial role here.
Additionally, there are pressures on the internal economy, including a decline in foreign exchange reserves and the significant challenge of keeping inflation in check, Rubel said.
Furthermore, he said, the protection of industries is very important to attract investments and maintain competitiveness.
The global scenario for the apparel sector in 2023 was not as good as 2022.
According to the WTO, global apparel exports reached $576 billion in 2022.
Rubel said, clothing imports from Europe and America have already decreased.
Refrain from programmes which hamper country, economy: BGMEA President
He said the two main markets for Bangladesh when assessed collectively were not able to put any remarkable impact to "our growth".
On the other hand, Rubel said, RMG exports to non-traditional markets saw a substantial increase.
In summary, he said, growth in non-traditional markets has contributed to the overall growth in Bangladesh’s RMG exports.
Sustainable fashion: Bangladesh's RMG sector leads with 24 new LEED green factories in 2023
BGMEA chief emphasizes innovation, tech upgrade, skills training to retain global competitiveness
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has stressed the imperative for innovation, technological upgradation, design and skill development to ensure the continued competitiveness of Bangladesh’s apparel industry in the global market.
He also emphasized the pivotal role of diversification in product, fiber, and market as key priorities for the industry.
He came up with the observations while addressing a seminar organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka on Sunday (December 31).
Dr. Mashiur Rahman, former Economic Affairs Adviser to the Honorable Prime Minister, attended the seminar as chief guest.
Faruque Hassan highlighted the strategic vision of BGMEA to transform the industry from labor-intensive manufacturing to a paradigm of innovation, high-value production, and modern manufacturing processes.
“We have taken a vision to remodel our industry - from labor-intensive manufacturing to innovation, high-value and modern manufacturing processes to make it competitive in the longer run,” he added.
Looking ahead to 2024 and the next decade, the BGMEA chief underscored the need for planned and concerted efforts to address challenges associated with Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation and changing market demands, prioritizing non-cotton and high-value-added markets.
He expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s RMG industry would be able to navigate the upcoming challenges and continue its growth momentum with the support of all stakeholders including the government, buyers and development partners.
Among others, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Md Ehsan-E-Elahi, secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Kamran T. Rahman, senior vice president, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Md. Akhter Hossain Apurbo, Vice President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), were also present.