BGMEA
RMG industry continues strides in environmental sustainability
The RMG industry of Bangladesh is committed to continue its strides in the area of environmental sustainability in order to retain its fame as sustainable sourcing destination in the world, said BGMEA president Faruque Hassan. “We are now entering into such a regime where only economic value of a product will be not enough, the non-economic intrinsic value of product will also play a vital role,” he said. “Our industry is going green in aligned with the changing business landscape not only to remain competitive but also to contribute to minimizing the adverse impacts of production on the environment we live in,” he added. Also read: BGMEA claiming 100 percent salaries, bonuses paid to RMG workforce
He was speaking at an Iftar Mahfil organized by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) at Hotel Amari in Dhaka on Saturday. Around 75 LEED projects, which got certified after May 2019, were accorded appreciation while a special acknowledgment provided to around 30 LEED Platinum-certified projects in the event. BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Inamul Haq Khan (Bablu), Md. Imranur Rahman and Neela Hosna Ara were present at the event. Also read:Speakers call for ensuring functional safety committees in RMG factories
Santanu Dutta Gupta, USGBC Faculty, Regional Head - Market Development GBCI – Eastern India, Bangladesh & Vietnam Markets attended the program.
LEEED consultants, LEED faculties, Green architects, and other stakeholders of USGBC were present also present. Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh is proud to have the highest number of green garment factories in the world with 160 LEED certified by USGBC, of which 48 are platinum, 98 are gold. The number of green garment factories in Bangladesh is on the rise. Being green makes it easier for the factories to comply many the strategic priorities of brands which mainly aim to reduce negative impacts of manufacturing on the environment, he said. Besides a green factory provides a good working environment with desired thermal comfort for workers, hygiene, mental peace, and well-being, he remarked. "We believe that sustainability is a continuous stride and we have to continue the marathon to take the industry to the level of excellence,” the BGMEA President said.
BGMEA claiming 100 percent salaries, bonuses paid to RMG workforce
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has claimed 100 percent salary and Eid bonus of the country’s readymade garment industries have been paid.
BGMEA president Faruque Hassan in a statement on Saturday thanked workers and all concerned including law enforcers for cooperation to do the job smoothly.
He said that the garment workers are going to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr with their families with the dedicated cooperation of all.
BGMEA president said 100 percent factories have been paid festival allowances and advance pay in April as per the decision of the government. Eid holiday has also been announced to 100 percent of the factories.
Read: RMG workers block road for Eid bonus, 20 hurt in clash with cops in Savar
At the same time, the leader of the garment factory entrepreneurs also thanked the workers for paying their dues in spite of limitations by maintaining the continuity of the previous year.
Faruque further said that according to the information received, the traffic pressure on the highways has come down as compared to other previous years due to the holidays being given on different dates and at different times this year.
He thanked the government for taking various steps to reduce traffic congestion on the highways and to make the Eid journey of homebound people easier and safer.
Bangladesh to retain fame as safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA
The country's readymade garment (RMG) industry is committed to sustaining its achievements in workplace safety and environmental sustainability that have earned the sector global accolades, said the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
A tangible transformation has taken place in Bangladesh's apparel industry following massive safety initiatives along with extensive training of workers jointly undertaken by the government, brands, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and development partners, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Thursday.
"And we are determined to retain the fame of Bangladesh as a safe and sustainable apparel sourcing destination in the world," he added.
Read OECD delegation calls on BGMEA president
Faruque made the observations while speaking at a programme organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, marking National Occupational Health and Safety Day 2022 in Dhaka.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi attended the programme as the chief guest while State Minister for Labor and Employment Begum Munnujan Sufian was present as a special guest.
The BGMEA president said while Bangladeshi garment factories have become safer, a concrete change has also taken place in the mindset of both workers and owners who now view workplace safety as an integral part of the industry.
Read BGMEA chief for working harder to safeguard progress, prospects
Safety initiatives along with training programmes supported by TC-ILO on worker-management relations, occupational safety and health, and labour laws for both factory management and workers have contributed to the change, he added.
The RMG Sustainability Council has been formed to sustain workplace safety in Bangladesh, Faruque said.
ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments Inspector General of Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Employers Federation President Ardashir Kabir, and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Executive President Mohammad Hatem were also present at the programme.
Read Huawei Technologies willing to support RMG sector in renewable energy: BGMEA
BGMEA calls for more train services to ease garment workers’ Eid travel
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged the government to operate special train services and add more coaches to ease travel of passengers, especially garment workers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Added capacity of trains especially on north Bengal routes will help to carry more garment workers to their villages where they will enjoy their Eid holidays with their near and dear ones, he said.
The request was made when a delegation of BGMEA led by President Faruque Hassan met with Honorable Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, MP at the Railway Bhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday.
BGMEA Directors Asif Ashraf and Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan were present at the meeting.
During the meeting Faruque Hassan reiterated the call for completing the ongoing railway development projects in the shortest possible time to meet the growing demand for transportation of passenger and freight.
READ: BGMEA seeks cooperation of BRT to make garment workers’ Eid journey easy
He said the projects of building new railway tracks, upgrading single line to double track, and conversion of the existing rail lines into dual gauge will significantly increase connectivity across the country and with neighboring India, thus will contribute to boosting regional trade.
Once completed, the projects will yield immense trade benefits by facilitating increased trade as train is a safer, affordable and time-saving mode of transportation for goods transportation, he said.
He also said railway development projects taken by the government to boost connectivity between Bangladesh and India will facilitate transportation of raw materials of RMG and essential commodities from India.
BGMEA seeks cooperation of BRT to make garment workers’ Eid journey easy
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has requested the Dhaka Rapid Bus Transit (BRT) authority to manage the construction works of the dedicated bus corridor between Dhaka airport to Gazipur to reduce traffic congestion on the highway and ensure easy and safe travel of garment workers during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
He also sought support and cooperation of the government bodies, law enforcement agencies and BRT to keep the highway free from construction materials and makeshift shops and markets as such occupation narrows down the existing road and causes traffic congestion.
The BGMEA chief made the call during a meeting with BRT Managing Director Safiqul Islam in Dhaka on Monday.
High officials of BRT authority were also present at the meeting.
READ: BGMEA wants illegal gas connections to be snapped
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan urged the BRT authority to complete the Bus Rapid Transit project as quickly as possible to ease traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Gazipur highway and ensure that commuters can avail the full benefits of fast, efficient and comfortable mode of transport.
He said a huge number of garment workers will travel from Gazipur and surrounding areas to their villages to enjoy their Eid holidays with their near and dear ones.
"It’s very important to ensure hassle-free and safe journeys for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr."
The BGMEA President assured the BRT authority of cooperation in raising awareness among garment workers so that they move in an orderly manner during Eid journey to keep transportation easy for all.
BGMEA wants illegal gas connections to be snapped
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to disconnect all illegal gas connections in the country.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the call as he met with Md Mahbub Hossain, senior secretary at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, in the capital Sunday.
They discussed the present situation of the apparel industry, especially the current demand and supply of natural gas in the garment and textile industries and future scenarios.
Faruque said illegal gas connections deprive the government of a big revenue opportunity and also pose the risk of fire.
These connections take a large amount of gas, putting pressure on the mainline, and ultimately cause problems for the legal users, including the industrial sector, he added.
Inadequate gas supply and low pressure disrupt industrial production, hurting the export-oriented industries, including garment and textile sectors which have to maintain lead time in shipping goods, Faruque said.
He assured the senior secretary of all-out cooperation from the BGMEA to the government in its drive to snap unauthorised gas connections, especially in the industrial zones.
BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim and Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Managing Director Haronur Rashid Mullah were also present at the meeting.
Increased business can open up trade opportunities for Bangladesh, India: BGMEA
Increased business interactions and collaboration between apparel and textile exporters of Bangladesh and India can open up new trade opportunities.
It is important to provide more avenues and platforms to bring manufacturers and exporters of both countries closer so that they can reap mutual trade benefits.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan came up with the observations while exchanging views with Renu Mohindra, managing director of Apparel Resources, in Dhaka Sunday.
Issues of mutual interests were discussed during the meeting, especially possible collaboration between the BGMEA and Apparel Resources in promoting Bangladesh's garment industry globally through its trade exhibitions and online news portal.
They also talked about the participation of Bangladeshi garment manufacturers in the upcoming Apparel Sourcing Week scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, India on 1-2 July.
Nitish Varshney, assistant editor of Apparel Online, was also present at the meeting.
RMG industry's development means betterment of Bangladesh's people: BGMEA
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said the apparel industry belongs to the people of the country.
The development of the industry means the development of Bangladesh and the betterment of its people, it added.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garment (RMG) industry has attained today's glorious position with the collective contribution of all stakeholders.
He sought the support and cooperation of all for the development of the industry in the coming days.
READ: Speakers for replicating RMG success model to boost plastic sector
Faruque was addressing an iftar party organised for BGMEA members and other dignitaries at a Chattogram hotel Sunday.
Former BGMEA president SM Fazlul Hoque, incumbent First Vice-President Syed Nazrul Islam; vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Md Nasir Uddin, Rakibul Alam Chowdhury; directors, former vice-presidents and directors were present at the iftar party.
S Korea, BGMEA for seizing opportunities through better trade, investment cooperation
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called for intensifying cooperation and collaboration between Dhaka and Seoul to realise the full potential of bilateral trade.
Many opportunities lie ahead for Bangladesh and South Korea that could be seized through better cooperation in trade and investment, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said while exchanging views with South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun in the capital Sunday.
Faruque recalled South Korea's contribution to Bangladesh's apparel industry, especially in the early stage of its development.
He also thanked the east Asian nation for allowing duty-free access to Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) products in its market.
The BGMEA president requested Ambassador Lee to encourage Korean businessmen to invest in the backward linkage industry of Bangladesh – namely, in non-cotton textile.
READ: Shringla, BGMEA chief discuss ways to boost bilateral trade
Lee and Faruque expressed willingness to work together to deepen and strengthen the bilateral business ties based on the successful collaboration in the RMG sector.
They agreed on increasing interchanges between the embassy and the BGMEA – especially in jointly commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.
Chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on Scheduled Bank Md Israfil Atique and Chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on Trade Fair Mohammed Kamal Uddin were also present.
Shringla, BGMEA chief discuss ways to boost bilateral trade
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has met Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla at his official residence in New Delhi on Saturday. BGMEA Director Tanvir Ahmed was also present at the meeting.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi will soon be connected through 6 rail links: Shringla
They discussed potential areas of cooperation and collaboration to enhance trade between Bangladesh and India. Their talks also focused on existing problems in export-import trade and non-tariff barriers, especially in textiles products trading and possible ways to address them. Faruque Hasaan pointed to the huge opportunities that lie ahead for Bangladesh and India. Both neighbouring countries can gain mutual trade benefits by complementing each other, particularly in boosting apparel and textile businesses, he said He said, “India is one of the major markets for importing raw materials for our RMG industry. We import man-made fiber, yarn, fabric, chemicals, machinery, dyes etc. Bangladesh is giving emphasis on high-end MMF-based apparel items. India, as a major supplier of textiles including MMF fabrics can meet the growing demand of Bangladesh.” On the other hand, India is a promising export market for Bangladeshi readymade garments due to geographical proximity, competitive price and quality, he said.
Also read: India to remain resolute in dealing with security challenges in region: Shringla So, both countries have scope to tap into the reciprocal trade benefits, he added. The BGMEA President requested the Indian Foreign Secretary for steps to expedite and facilitate trade, especially removing non-tariff barriers and simplification of export-import procedures through the land ports in order to reduce time and cost.