BGMEA
BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of Bangladesh Bank (BB) in continuing the growth momentum of the RMG industry by facing current challenges, especially the impacts of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the request when he called on newly appointed Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder at the BB office in Dhaka on July 21.
BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Asif Ashraf, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hsone Ara were also present at the meeting.
Read BGMEA, Kuhu to take Bangladeshi culture, heritage to global arena with garments
The BGMEA leaders congratulated him on his appointment as Governor of Bangladesh Bank, expressing hope that his extensive experience and expertise in handling financial sector would help him to steer the central bank prudently and efficiently that would contribute to strengthening economy of Bangladesh.
They had discussion the on present situation of the apparel, especially problems being faced by the RMG industry and possible measures to address them.
They also apprised the BB Governor about the renewed vision of BGMEA that aims to drive the growth of the RMG industry forward in a sustainable manner that will positively impact the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples.
Read BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the support of Bangladesh Bank would be instrumental in realizing the vision which is aligned with the government vision of sustainable development.
He expressed thanks to the Bangladesh Bank for coming forward necessary with policy support for the garment industry at times when the sector needed them.
He hoped the central bank would continue its cooperation for the development of the apparel industry in the coming years.
Read BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor
Canadian Trade Union delegation calls on BGMEA President
A Canadian Trade Union delegation paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at the latter’s in Gulshan, Dhaka on July 21.
The delegation included Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer for the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC); Jocelyne Dubois, Director, International, Social and Economic Policy Department (CLC); Doug Olthuis, Department Leader, Global Affairs and Workplace Issues, United Steelworkers (USW); Michelle Ravary, USW Local Union; Caroline Lemay, USW Local Union; and Alexandra Lourenco, USW Local Union.
BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md. Imranur Rahman and Neela Hosna Ara were also present at the meeting.
They had discussions about issues, particularly about workplace safety, workers’ rights and well-being.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan appraised the delegation about the exemplary progress made by Bangladesh’s apparel industry in workplace safety and labour rights through collaboration of the global brands and retailers, manufacturers, government, ILO, development partners, and local and global unions.
He also briefed them about the remarkable progress in the RMG industry in recent years especially in improving trade union activities, skills development and labor welfare.
Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry is increasingly focusing on the skill development of workers to equip them with skills and knowledge required to cope up with changing trends in the global apparel industry, especially brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
BGMEA is collaborating with the government and development partners in carrying out different skill development programs.
The RMG industry is committed to continue its efforts for the betterment of garment workers, he added.
BGMEA wants faster, smoother security clearance services for RMG
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of the home ministry in getting quicker and smoother security clearance services, especially faster issuance of passports and work permits for the entrepreneurs, staff and foreign nationals working in the apparel sector.
The BGMEA also called for ensuring faster security clearance services and on-arrival visas for international buyers who wish to visit Bangladesh for business meetings.
Read: BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the calls during his meeting with Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury, secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, at the secretariat in Dhaka Thursday.
When international buyers get easy and smooth services for coming to Bangladesh for business meetings, they have a positive impression of the country, Faruque said.
BGMEA Vice-President Md Nasir Uddin and BGMEA Secretary General Md Faizur Rahman were also present at the meeting.
BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Deshifarmer have signed a memorandum of understating (MoU) to provide apparel workers with fresh produce at fair prices.
As per the deal, Deshifarmer, a tech-based supply chain for fresh produce, will deliver farmers' fresh produce to canteens, grocery shops and the workers of registered member factories of the BGMEA.
Read: BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision
The objective is to ensure that garment workers get the best food at the best price while farmers also get a fair price for their produce.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Deshifarmer Chairman Sumaiyah Mousinin inked the agreement, a media statement said Thursday.
Read BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market
BGMEA, Eswatini for investment in apparel, textile joint ventures
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have agreed to look into the possibility of investing in joint ventures in the apparel and textiles industries.
Manqoba Khumalo, minister of commerce, industry and trade, paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque in Dhaka Wednesday.
Read: BGMEA, Amfori to work together promote Bangladesh as safe, sustainable sourcing destination
Cebile Amanda Mhlabatsi, undersecretary, and Mluleki Sakhile Dlamini, director of MSME at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, and Khanyisile Dlamini, senior executive manager at Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority, accompanied the minister during the visit.
Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest for Bangladesh and Eswatini, particularly trade and investment.
BGMEA vice-presidents Miran Ali, Rakibul Alam Chowdhury; Director Asif Ashraf and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present at the meeting.
Read BGMEA, Kuhu to take Bangladeshi culture, heritage to global arena with garments
BGMEA, Amfori to work together promote Bangladesh as safe, sustainable sourcing destination
Brussels-based Amfori – which represents over 2,400 retailers, importers, brands and associations from more than 40 countries – and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have discussed working together to promote Bangladesh as a safe and sustainable apparel sourcing destination.
Saiful Millat, network representative of Amfori, met with BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Wednesday.
Read: BGMEA seeks support of IMF to realize strategic vision of RMG industry
They discussed how BGMEA and Amfori can team up to support the apparel industry of Bangladesh in its efforts to pursue the vision of sustainable growth in the coming years.
Also, Saiful Millat said Amfori President Linda Kromjong would attend the "Made in Bangladesh Week" scheduled to be held on 12-18 November 2022 as she was invited by the BGMEA earlier.
BGMEA seeks support of IMF to realize strategic vision of RMG industry
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has sought the support of International Monetary Fund (IMF) in realizing the vision of the RMG industry, which in turn would contribute to the development of Bangladesh.
A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by IMF Mission Chief for Bangladesh Rahul Anand paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA’s office in the city on Wednesday.
The IMF team included Resident Representative in Dhaka Jayendu De, and Seniors Economists Ritu Basu and Estelle Xue Liu.
Read:BGMEA, VUMI join hands to provide market-oriented skills to RMG executives
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Vice President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury and Directors Asif Ashraf and Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present at the meeting.
They discussed issues pertaining to the RMG industry of Bangladesh including its current situation, opportunities and strategies to meet future challenges and sustain growth.
The issue of possible impacts of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in terms of tariff changes and market access was talked about.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan apprised the IMF delegation about the renewed vision of BGMEA along with its new Nine Dot logo.
He said BGMEA has set its sustainable strategic vision-2030 with an aim to pursue the growth of the RMG industry in a manner that is sustainable and positively impacts the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples.
He said the industry has set a target of exporting apparels worth $100 billion by 2030 while creating employment for 6 million people in the apparel sector during the period by ensuring 100% gender equality, inclusiveness, and a decent workplace.
Huawei Technologies intends to support RMG industry in renewable energy
A delegation of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd met with BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at the latter’s office in Dhaka on Monday.
The Huawei delegation included Pan Junfeng (Peter), Chief Executive Officer; Li Zongsheng (Jason), Board Member; Liang Weixing, Managing Director for Digital Power Business Group; and Rumman Iqbal Rony, Account Manager, Bangladesh Digital Power Business and Md Nur Alam, Account Manager, Bangladesh Digital Power Business.
BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin and Vice President of BKMEA Fazlee Shamim Ehsan were also present at the meeting.
Read Huawei introduces versatile cloud solutions for telecom carriers
They had discussions on possible collaboration between Huawei Technologies and BGMEA to increase renewable energy usage in the RMG industry of Bangladesh, particularly by using solar panels in the garment factories.
The delegation gave an overview of their proposed OPEX and CAPEX model of implementing solar PV in the RMG industry especially for SMEs.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the apparel industry of Bangladesh places utmost importance to sustainable growth and has continued its efforts to minimize the environmental cost of production and decoupling resource consumption.
Read: Huawei Bangladesh to recruit 60 fresh graduates
As a result, Bangladesh’s RMG industry has secured the leading position with the highest number of green garment factories in the world, he added.
He called on Huawei Technologies to bring innovative and cost-effective solar panels to garment factories at affordable prices.
BGMEA, VUMI join hands to provide market-oriented skills to RMG executives
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and VUMI Bangladesh, an employment-oriented virtual education platform, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the skill level of the executives in various areas of the RMG sector through learning.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Director of VUMI Bangladesh Naimul Hassan inked the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
Khaled Mahmud, Associate Professor, IBA, University of Dhaka, Miran Ali. Vice President, BGMEA, Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA and Md. Khaled Shahriar, Head of Operations, VUMI were also present at the MoU signing ceremony held in the city recently.
Read: Walton digital campaign ends
As per the MoU, VUMI will offer customized training programs to BGMEA member factories for improving the capacity of their employees through professional skill development.
The training program will raise the skill levels of the workforce in professional communication, negotiation, presentation, grooming and many other areas.
Renowned academia including professors from IBA, Dhaka University and visionary business leaders of the country will conduct training program which will equip learners with in-demand job market skills.
Read PM urges the youth to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs
BGMEA briefs European Parliament's trade delegation about RMG industry
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has briefed the visiting European Parliament's delegation members about the current situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, including its strides in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights and welfare.
He also apprised them about the sustainable strategic vision of BGMEA unveiled recently with an aim to accelerate the growth of the RMG industry in a manner that is sustainable and positively impacts the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples.
Faruque Hassan apprised them that the apparel industry is aligned with the government in implementing the road map developed by the government in collaboration with ILO to further improve in labor rights and welfare issues.
Also read: BGMEA unveils new vision
He said Bangladesh and the European Union have long been sharing friendly relationship which has grown stronger over times.
Expressing thanks to the European Union for its support for the betterment of Bangladesh's apparel industry, Faruque Hassan hoped the EU will continue providing its support and cooperation to Bangladesh in the coming days, especially in the post-LDC era.
The delegation of European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) headed by Heidi Hautala, Chair, INTA delegation to Bangladesh, met with leaders of BGMEA in the city on Monday.
The delegation included Members of the European Parliament -- Jose Manuel GARCIA-MARGALLO, Sven SIMON, Agnes JONGERIUS, Jordi CANAS PEREZ, and Maximilian KRAH.
Martti KALAUS, Head of Unit, INTA Committee and Gabriel ALVAREZ RECARTE, Administrator, INTA Committee were also in the delegation.
Also read: Envoy urges BGMEA to consider setting up joint ventures in Egypt
Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh was also present at the meeting.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Haroon Ar Rashid, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Executive President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem, Vice President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Vice President Md. Akhter Hossain Apurbo and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO issue ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.