Bangladesh’s apparel exports will hit US$50 billion in the foreseeable future, the head of apex trade body said. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, president of the Federation of Bangladesh chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the country has established itself as a model for development in the world. “Bangladesh continues to grow and the women engaged in the readymade garment sector are playing a pivotal role in this regard. It is the main driving force of our economy,” he said. His comments came at the foundation laying of Sultan Habiba Fabrics Mills Ltd, a unit of Saad Musa Industrial Park at Anwara upazila Tuesday afternoon. The country has achieved its independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and “we are going to achieve our economic emancipation under the bold leadership of Sheikh Hasina,” he said. Chaired by managing director of Saad Musa Industrial Park Mohammed Mohsin, the function was attended as special guests as BGMEA first vice president Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president AM Mahbub Chowdhury, industrialist Md Ayub, BGMEA director Abdul Wahab and Anjan Shekhar Das. The meeting was attended by Saad Musa Industrial Park’s DMD Moinuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, director Mahmud Shah and Quamrul Hasan, executive director Golam Jamal Uddin, director (finance) Jahangir Alam and manager Nandan Kumar Datta. Akram said industries are now growing in the rural areas and the mufassil towns are being urbanised. Items of famous brands are being produced in those factories. “We will be competing with London and Singapore if the prevailing situation continues for another 15 years,” he said. Mohsin said at least 50,000 people will get job if the industrial park is implemented fully. He laid foundation of the plant by releasing balloons. Eight mills are already in operation in the industrial park including Rokeya Textile Mills Ltd, Saima Samira Textile Mills Ltd, Emdad Etima Spinning, Mahmud Sajid Cotton Mills and Rokeya Spinning Mills. About 10,000 workers have been employed in those industries, he said.
