Speakers at a discussion Tuesday put emphasis on production of high-end ready-made garments (RMG) and building of a positive brand image both in local and global markets. They said businessmen involved in the sector should build brand image through collective efforts. “As a business entity alone cannot push brand alone, former presidents and top leaders of BGMEA and BKMEA should sit together and think how to create brands in the sector for both local and global markets,” said ex-secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Suhail Ahmed Chowdhury. Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute organised the discussion meeting styled “Market Access and Brand Creation Potentials of Ready-made Garments of Bangladesh” in the city. Director General of WTO Cell under the Ministry of Commerce Shubhashish Bose said apparel makers should have brand outlets across the globe to attract retail customers. The industry has long been producing ready-made garments designed by others, he said, adding that they should now have their own designers, set up fashion houses and promote own branding. Director General of the Ministry of Finance Riaz Hamidullah said it is not possible to go for individual branding. “We should make collective efforts to use technology and knowledge available in the sector,” he added. Research Associate of BFTI Md Shoaib Akhtar presented a paper on “brand and non-brand product price gap: opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh.” He said the country saw some emerging local brands with high quality products in last decade. These brands have successfully introduced fashion, style as well as fads in the domestic market. “At present, RMG factories in Bangladesh can produce brand products. It indicates that Bangladesh can go for such products without additional infrastructure/installation,” he added. Senior Vice President of CIS-BCCIB Lokman Hossain Akash presented a paper on “Brand Creation Potentiality of Ready-made Garments of Bangladesh.” He said the sector should draw up a long-term plan to stay in the apparel market. They also have to compete with global brands and prices. Md Sanowar Hossain, Registrar (Joint Secretary) of Department of Patent, Design and Trademark, said the RMG sector should create an appropriate mark depending on the nature of business and taking potential customers into consideration. Ali Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of BFTI, Mohammad Hatem, Ex-1st Vice-President of BKMEA, Munir Hossain, Director, of BGMEA, and Fakir Feroz Ahmed, Coordinator of Business Promotion Council, also spoke at the event.
