As the election of the board of director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association is approaching, Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu), the panel leader of Forum, a contesting panel of BGMEA election for 2025-27 tenure, said his vision to expand market destination for the country鈥檚 readymade garment items.
In an interview with 抖阴精品, Babu, also the managing director of Rising Group, said that their goal is to increase stake in the nontraditional or new markets.
鈥業n the past ten years, the market for country鈥檚 RMG items expanded to Asian, African and Latin American markets significantly.聽 Currently, about 20 per cent of the export earnings come from the new markets,鈥� he added.
Overreliance on few destinations is not ideal always, he added saying that they would work more for Japan, Australia, Brazil and other new destinations.聽
He also said that if they can be elected, they would closely work with the government to sign free trade agreement or preferential trading agreement as the Western countries frequently changes their tariff policies.
鈥楾o fulfill our 14-point election manifesto, we have selected candidates鈥� entrepreneurial experience, professional competence, industry expertise, and technological 聽proficiency, as well as their visionary leadership,鈥� he added.
He said that for the mentioned reason, the members would vote them, and if they can be elected, they will contribute to building a modern, transparent, and accountable BGMEA and in this regard.
He said that the Ministry of Commerce handles a wide range of domestic trade matters, often resulting in delays. So, they will work with the government establish a dedicated 鈥楳inistry of Apparel鈥� to faster decision-making, policy formulation and implementation.
He also said that small and medium entrepreneurs in the apparel sector have long faced numerous challenges.
鈥業t is crucial to ensure access to low-interest loans for SME entrepreneurs. We would work for a special fund to provide 聽them with technology support and enhanced market access.
Regarding the industrial safety and labour rights, he said that it would introduce forced-savings among the RMG manufacturers as a solution to wage issues ahead of Eid and other festivals.
鈥楤angladesh鈥檚 apparel industry is now 45 years old. Yet, it has not become truly sustainable. To build a resilient industry, we must prioritize key areas like industrial safety, labour rights, and environmental protection鈥�, he added.
He also said that they would work for a practical and comprehensive exit policy for the factories which become unviable due to uncontrollable reasons.
Babu Said that they have a plan to establish zone-based crisis management cells to enable faster and more effective responses to any issues that arise locally.
鈥楾he harassment faced during customs audits continues to be a major issue for us. We do not want to remain trapped in this cycle,鈥� he added.
He said that they work to implement a fully digitized clearance system to reduce both the time and cost of export-import operations.
He also said that they want a competent, transparent, and accountable BGMEA for the sake of a stronger national economy.
