The US envoy came up with the remarks at an inaugural ceremony of Remi Holdings Limited, a LEED Platinum Certified garment factory located at Adamjee EPZ. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed inaugurated the factory as the chief guest at Adamjee EPZ in Narayanganj. “Remi Holdings Limited is going on in a perfect way,” said Bernicat. Observing the overall activities of this factory, especially workplace safety, workers facilities, medical services, day care center and international standard green initiative, she added that EPZ enterprises are the role model to others. She hoped that Bangladesh will certainly turn into a developed country very soon if all factories of the country are run like this one. In his address as the chief guest, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said: “The working environment of EPZ factories is very good while the workers are getting higher salary and other facilities than non-EPZ workers. Workers at EPZs are getting the opportunities to bargain with the owners through Workers Welfare Association (WWA) and they are satisfied with their wages, facilities, working environment and security. Compliance issues are ensured in the EPZ factories and there is no violation of workers rights, he added. Urging the U.S. to give duty-free access of garment products, Tofail said the export of clothing products to American market has increased despite withdrawal of GSP facilities. “Remi Holdings Limited has achieved LEED Platinum Certificate with the highest score,” said Remi Holdings Chairman Miran Ali. He said they are eager to build more factories in EPZs, but the scarcity of land prevents them from doing so. The company has another factory named Baridhi Garments in Comilla EPZ, which employs about 1,700 workers. Pointing out the vision of BEPZA which is to become a significant contributor to economic development of Bangladesh, he said over the last couple of years BEPZA has been contributing around 20% to both total national export and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of the country, said BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan. Over the last seven years, BEPZA achieved 147.76% growth in investment, 187.47% in export earnings and 123.29% in employment generation compared to those of previous seven years, added Habibur. BEPZA always tries to sustain a congenial working atmosphere giving the highest priority on workers’ rights, welfare and safety including medical and other compliance issues, he added. In Adamjee EPZ, a total of 47 industries are operating and 18 others under implementation stage. Investors from different countries have invested US$ 376.86 million and 48,000 Bangladeshis are working in this EPZ.
