The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has stressed the need for effective collaboration between universities and industries for developing mid and high-level managers equipped with the knowledge and skills required to meet the market and industry demand.

The industry needs more qualified and competent workers and professionals to meet the future challenges of the readymade garments (RMG) industry, especially in the context of fast fashion and disruptive technologies, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Saturday.

He was speaking at a consultation workshop on postgraduate diploma in garment business (PGD-GB) programme organised by SEIP and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of the University of Dhaka.

The apparel industry will need more skilled workers and professionals to cope with changing trends in the global apparel industry, especially brought about by the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), the BGMEA president said.

He also called upon the government to continue its support to the RMG industry in addressing the skilled workforce issue to remain competitive in the coming years, especially in the post-LDC era.

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Fatima Yasmin, senior secretary, finance division, and national project director, SEIP, attended the workshop as chief guest. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Dhaka Professor ASM Maksud Kamal was also present.

IBA Director Professor Mohammad A Momen chaired the programme. Fatema Rahim Veena, additional secretary, and EPD, SEIP, and Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice-president, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, were also present.

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