BGMEA
Australia to continue duty-free market access for Bangladesh
Australia will continue to provide Bangladesh with duty-free access in its market after the country’s graduation from the LDC category.
High Commissioner of Australia to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer informed BGMEA President Faruque Hassan about the Australian government’s decision when he paid a courtesy call on the envoy at the High Commission in Dhaka recently.
BGMEA First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Asif Ashraf, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud accompanied the President during the visit.
Read Bangladesh Missions in Australia, Denmark & Switzerland get new envoys
Duncan McCullough, Second Secretary (Commercial and Economic Diplomacy) at the Australian High Commission in Dhaka was also present on the occasion.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan hailed the Australian government’s decision of continuing duty-free market access for Bangladesh, saying that it would support Bangladesh in maintaining the momentum of its economic growth after the LDC graduation.
He hoped that the friendly support of Australian for the development of Bangladesh would continue in the coming years.
Also read: Envoy urges BGMEA to consider setting up joint ventures in Egypt
Different issues, especially potential areas of expanding trade and investment between Australia and Bangladesh were discussed at the meeting.
They opined that huge opportunities lie ahead of both countries in reaping mutual trade benefits by further deepening collaboration and cooperation.
The BGMEA leaders expressed Bangladesh’s interest in importing more cotton and wool from Australia to meet the growing demand of the RMG and textile industry.
Also read: BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision
They sought cooperation of Australia in developing knowledge and skills of the students of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) in textile, apparel, fashion, design and business through collaboration with leading Australian universities and fashion institutes.
Abe to be remembered with great respect, admiration: BGMEA
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said assassination of Shinzo Abe is a tragedy not only for Japan but also for Bangladesh and the whole world as well.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe," said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in a message on Saturday.
Shinzo Abe, a great statesman, had immense contributions to strengthening relation between Bangladesh and Japan and taking it to a new height.
Also read: Abe's body arrives in Tokyo as country mourns ex-PM's death
"He will be remembered with great respect and admiration for the role he had played and the contribution he had made," said the BGMEA President.
He said with Abe's death they have lost a true friend and great ally to Bangladesh.
On behalf of the BGMEA and the RMG industry of Bangladesh, the BGMEA chief expressed their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family and people of Japan.
Japan has been a long-standing friend of Bangladesh in its journey towards development and the time-tested friendship has grown stronger and warmer over the years, he said.
The BGMEA President said 2022 is a milestone year for the partnership as Japan and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations.
As a major development partner for Bangladesh, he said Japan is extending support to the efforts of Bangladesh for its economic and social development.
Also read: Bangladesh observing state mourning paying respect to Abe
The Matarbari deep-sea port and power plant, the metro rail in Dhaka city and the building of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are some of the game-changing projects of Bangladesh that are supported by Japan and bear testimony to a trusted partnership.
BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of the government in implementing the apparel industry's vision of sustainable development and growth.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the call during his meeting with State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam Thursday.
Faruque informed the state minister about the renewed vision of the BGMEA along with its new nine dot logo.
The BGMEA recently unveiled its sustainable strategic vision to accelerate the growth of the readymade garments (RMG) industry in a way that is sustainable and positively impacts the economy, the environment and the lives of people.
According to the Sustainable Strategic Vision 2030, the industry has set a target of exporting apparel worth $100 billion by 2030 while creating employment for 6 million people in the apparel sector during the period by ensuring 100 percent gender equality, inclusiveness, and a decent workplace.
In line with sustainable development goals (SDGs), the industry aims to reduce carbon emissions, energy and groundwater usage, and increase the use of sustainable raw materials, use of ZDHC chemicals and renewable energy.
Read: BGMEA unveils new vision
Faruque said the renewed vision is aligned with the government's vision of sustainable development.
He sought the government's support for the industry, especially in the areas of skill development, innovation and technology upgradation.
Shamsul Alam congratulated the BGMEA on devising the strategic vision for sustainable development and assured of all-out support of the government for its implementation.
PUMA keen to increase sourcing high-end garments from Bangladesh
PUMA, one of the leading sports brands in the world, is willing to increase apparel sourcing from Bangladesh, especially value-added sustainable products.
Anne-Laure Descours, Chief Sourcing Officer of PUMA, expressed the interest during a meeting with Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA on Thursday.
BGMEA Director Asif Ashraf and Branch Manager at Puma Bangladesh Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.
Read BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision
During their discussions, Faruque Hassan highlighted the potential of Bangladesh as a sourcing country for value-added sportswear, activewear, outerwear, swimwear, and workwear.
He apprised the CSO of PUMA about the RMG industry’s increased focus on diversification of products, especially non-cotton and high-end segment.
He said Bangladesh’s apparel sector is giving priority to taking a turn from quantity to quality and volume to value.
Read BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel
The BGMEA President requested PUMA to support and collaborate with their suppliers in Bangladesh to build their capacities in manufacturing value-added apparel products having higher market demand.
He assured PUMA of all-out support from BGMEA to expand its suppliers’ base and sourcing volume in Bangladesh.
Currently Bangladesh is the largest apparel sourcing hub for PUMA in terms of volume of garments.
Read BGMEA to participate in Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 in Bengaluru
BGMEA unveils new vision
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) unveiled a new vision at a city hotel on Tuesday.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was present at the programme as the chief guest, said a media release.
BGMEA president Faruque Hassan presided over the event while its former president Abdus Salam Murshedy, vice-president Shahidullah Azim, Miran Ali, directors Sherin Salam, Asif Ashraf, Mohiuddin Rubel, Harun-ur-Rashid, Navidul Haque, Vidiya Amrit Khan, Inamul Haque Khan, Imranur Rahman, Hosne Ara Nila, and Giant Group director Sharmin Hasan Tithi, among others, were present.
Also Read: BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel
BGMEA seeks faster delivery of raw materials through green channel
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to provide green channel facility to RMG exporters to ensure faster delivery of imported garment raw materials through coordination between the Customs and port authorities.
He also called on the NBR to issue a self-clearance licence to RMG exporters to allow them to take quick delivery of imported raw materials from the ports.
The BGMEA chief made the request during a meeting with NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem held at NBR office in the city on Monday.
Also read: Workers' well-being: BGMEA encourages dialogue
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Director Asif Ashraf and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present at the meeting.
The BGMEA leaders stressed on the importance of simplifying business procedures for the export-oriented apparel industry in order to retain its competitiveness in the global market.
They requested the NBR to remove customs and bond related hindrances from the business proceedings to accelerate the growth of the RMG industry.
Faruque Hassan said simplified business procedures will reduce lead time, thus will make the apparel industry of Bangladesh more competitive.
It will pave the way of seizing new opportunities that are lying ahead of the RMG industry, he added.
Also read: BGMEA chief appraises US govt officials about the significant strides made by RMG industry
NBR Chairman Muneem congratulated the RMG sector on making outstanding contributions to the total export earnings of Bangladesh that reached USD 52.08 billion in 2021-2022 financial years where the apparel industry alone fetched USD 42.61 billion.
This is a great achievement and milestone for Bangladesh in the year after the country celebrated its 50th anniversary, he said.
Workers' well-being: BGMEA encourages dialogue
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has highlighted the apparel industry’s committed efforts in the area of workers’ rights, well-being and freedom of association.
“We believe in dialogue and discussion, and the ILO-SDIR project has significantly contributed to creating a congenial environment for dialogues,” he said.
Director of Training, ITCILO Andreas Klemmer met Faruque Hassan at his office on Saturday and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Read: Bangladesh to stay safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA
The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) is the training arm of the ILO.
The BGMEA President thanked the ITC-ILO for their continuous support to Bangladesh’s RMG industry over the last few years, which has helped the industry to develop a harmonious industrial relation.
Neeran Ramjuthan, Programme Manager, Labour Administration and Working Conditions Cluster, ILO Bangladesh, and S M Borhan Uddin, Programme Officer, Governance, Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations (SDIR) Project ILO Country Office for Bangladesh were also present on the occasion.
Read BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
Miran Ali, Vice President of BGMEA, and ANM Saifuddin, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO also attended the meeting.
They discussed various issues including the role of IRI (Industrial Relations Institute) as per BLA (Bangladesh Labour Law) and BLR (Bangladesh Labour Rules), in support of the capacity building of employers and workers’ representatives on issues related to industrial relations, the existing training package offered by IRI and its effectiveness, BGMEA said on Sunday.
ANM Saifuddin, Labour Affairs and ILO, briefed them about the effectiveness of the IRI and praised the initiative, also recommended making it more functional through tripartite collaboration between employers, workers, and government organizations.
Read BGMEA wants faster, smoother security clearance services for RMG
BGMEA chief appraises US govt officials about the significant strides made by RMG industry
Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has appraised the US government officials about the significant strides made by Bangladesh’s RMG industry over the last few years that has earned the sector global accolades as one of the safest industries in the world.
He also highlighted the apparel industry’s committed efforts in the area of environmental sustainability, saying Bangladesh has the highest number of green garment factories across the globe.
Read:BGMEA to participate in Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 in Bengaluru
The BGMEA chief also briefed them about of the remarkable progress in Bangladesh’s RMG industry in recent years especially in improving trade union activities, workplace safety, wages, skills development and labor welfare.
Margaret Scotti, Area Advisor for South Asia and Europe and Leena Z Khan, International Relations Officer at the U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday met Faruque Hassan at the latter’s office and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Scott A. Brandon, Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs and Md. Saifuzzaman Mehrab, Labor Assistant at the Embassy of the U.S.A. to Bangladesh were also present on the occasion.
BGMEA Directors Asif Ashraf, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud also attended the meeting.
Read: Export earnings cross $50 billion riding on RMG
They had discussions about various issues pertaining to the RMG industry of Bangladesh including workplace safety, environmental sustainability, workers’ rights and well-being.
Faruque Hassan said the RMG 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.
BGMEA to participate in Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 in Bengaluru
A delegation of BGMEA comprising leading garment manufacturers and exporters will participate in the Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 in Bengaluru, India.
The two-day exhibition will begin on July 1, 2022 at Sheraton Grand Whitefield in Bengaluru.
Read: BGMEA, PwC sign deal to conduct study on Bangladesh’s RMG sector roadmap to recovery
The trade fair will serve as an effective platform to open up new trade opportunities by facilitating business interactions between apparel and textile exporters of Bangladesh and India.
The second edition of the event will bring over 100 participants including manufacturers of garments, fabrics and accessories from around the globe including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, under one roof where they will explore business opportunities.
Representatives of Indian retailers and brands, international retailers and brands working in Indian market and buyers from traditional markets like USA and Europe, as also the non-traditional markets like China, Japan and Australia are expected to visit the show.
The BGMEA delegation comprising RMG exporters from Bangladesh will conduct business meetings with different clients, including textile, apparel, and footwear industry leaders.
Various activities – seminars, panel discussions, vendor workshops and open house will be held during the expo.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh and India has immense scope to derive mutual benefits by complementing each other for the development of apparel and textile industries of both neighboring countries.
“India is a promising export market for Bangladeshi garments. Our RMG exports have increased by 51.13 percent from 368.09 million US dollars in 2020 to 556.29 in 2021. On the other hand Bangladesh imports yarns, fabrics, dyes, chemicals and other raw materials,” he said.
Read:Aligning with changing business trends must to remain competitive: BGMEA
The Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 will play an important role in enhancing trade between Bangladesh and India by bringing manufacturers and exporters of both countries closer, he added.
The RMG exporters from Bangladesh which will participate in the Apparel Sourcing Week 2022 include Pacific Jeans Limited, Universal Jeans Limited, Bando Design Ltd, Laila Styles Ltd, Utah Knitting & Dyeing Ltd, Utah Fashions Ltd, Pakiza Knit Composite Ltd, KDS Fashion Ltd, KDS Textile Mills Ltd, Mahmud Jeans Ltd, KDS Garments Industries Ltd, Standard Stitches Ltd, Standard Group Ltd, Denimach Ltd, Misami Garments Ltd, Tarasima Apparels Ltd, Posh Garments, Mohammadi Group Ltd, Progress Apparels, Root Apparels Ltd, Giant Textile Ltd, Louietex Manufacturing Ltd, Green Smart Shirt Limited, KhanTex Fashions Limited, Abanti Colour Tex Ltd, Threadmill Clothing Ltd, Welstand Apparel Ltd, Arabi Fashion Ltd, and Intimate Apparels Ltd.
Aligning with changing business trends must to remain competitive: BGMEA
Aligning business strategies with changing trends in the fashion industry and building capabilities accordingly are a must to sustain in the global competitive market, said Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA.
Globally the apparel industry is undergoing rapid and notable changes mostly driven by evolving technologies, and requiring businesses to cope up with new business landscape, he said.
Bangladesh’s RMG industry is focusing on remodeling business, product diversification, and technology upgradation to remain sustainable and cost competitive, he added.
Faruque made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 9th edition of Intex South Asia as a special guest.
Minister of Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi (Birpratik), MP attended the programme as chief guest, which was organized Worldex India in Dhaka on Thursday.
Also Read: Bangladesh, Brazil can bring more mutual trade benefits: BGMEA chief
Executive President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem, Managing Director of Worldex India Rajesh Bhagat, and Director of Worldex India Arti Bhagat also spoke at the event.
The BGMEA president said Bangladesh’s apparel industry is laying emphasis on non-cotton products as the man-made fiber has
been dominating the global market for a long time, and would be continued in the coming days as well.
Manufacturing landscape would be influenced by 3Cs - Cost, Competitiveness and Closeness while industry 4.0 would be the key for achieving manufacturing and supply chain excellence, he said.
Faruque also stressed on the exchange of knowledge, expertise and technologies within the South Asian region, saying the cooperation and collaboration is very important for sustainable and inclusive growth and development.