Experts and industry insiders laid emphasis on production of value-added readymade garment items for long-term competitiveness and responsible supply chain management.
To achieve this, they called for聽bridging the gap between business, creativity, academia and sustainability, providing actionable insights for a responsible and resilient fashion ecosystem.
They were speaking at the opening episode of a virtual talk show series Inside Fashion on Thursday evening, titled 鈥榁alue Over Volume 鈥� A New Vision for Bangladesh RMG鈥� organised by Fashion Business Journal in association with the BGMEA University of Fashion, Technology and Green Stitch and Textile and Garments Merchandising Blog.
In his speech, Ayub Nabi Khan, vice chancellor (acting) of BUFT, said that聽Bangladesh鈥檚 RMG sector primarily focused on basic items.
鈥業t is essential to diversify into high-value products like medical textiles, military textiles, aeronautical textiles, and other technical textiles,鈥� he added.
He said that to address this, they were gradually revising their curriculum to include these, along with short courses on 3D fashion design and AI-based courses, to avoid bureaucratic delays of including a new full course.聽
Robert Antoshak, vice-president of Grey Matter Concepts, said that shifting from volume to value was not just a strategy; it was essential for long-term competitiveness and responsible supply chain management.
Bangladesh should strengthen its domestic supply chain by producing more of its own yarns, fabrics and synthetic fibres, he said.
Sadat Sayem, lead of Digital Fashion Innovation Research Project of Manchester Fashion Institute, said that digital innovation and technology could empower local producers to optimise efficiency and create a more sustainable industry globally.
He emphasised the importance of adopting digital technologies in Bangladesh鈥檚 fashion industry, including 3D design, digital prototyping and AI-based systems.
Sheikh HM Mustafiz, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that sustainability could align with profitability in the apparel industry through investing in solar energy, water recycling, and waste reduction.
He emphasised shifting the focus from solely on production costs to understanding the value of production, including product quality, reliability, compliance and brand reputation.
Sharif As-Saber, editor-in-chief of Fashion Business Journal and international adviser of BGMEA, moderated the discussion.