They said while foreign buyers stressed that the apparel industries need to be more compliant, the ministry raises the issue of level playing field in terms of compliance for RMG factories across the world. A host of speakers from different backgrounds came up with the views at a session on “Bangladesh Apparel Industry: Transformation and Road Ahead” held on the sidelines of Dhaka Apparel Summit on Saturday. In his speech, Johan Frisell, Swedish ambassador to Bangladesh, pointed out security issues in RMG sector. He emphasised the importance of holding dialogue among stakeholders and freedom of association among workers in the sector. According to Jochen Weikert, head of promotion of German Development Cooperation, the apparel industry needs home grown solution to ensure its sustainability. “Lets the market decide the price in this age of free market,” said Tim Worstall, senior fellow at Adam Smith Institute of London. Mahmud Hasan Khan, BGMEA vice-president said: “We do not want anymore Rana Plaza incident. It was a nightmare for us. We took lesson from it and have to prevent further incidents and make sure safety.” The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Riaz Hamidullah, focused on the responsibility and mutual understanding among the stakeholders while Pierre Mayaudon, ambassador and head of delegation of EU, stressed the compliance of apparel industry which is prerequisite to ensure sustainability. While talking about the future of apparel industry in the country, Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon said achieving 50 billion dollars by 2021 is not a big deal. “The process we are in now is enough and we do not need extra effort.” “We are facing new parameters of compliance from the buyers every day and transforming every day accordingly,” said Mamoon. However, what is required is just a level playing field for all countries that manufacture garments, or else the export target set might be unachievable, he opined. Newage Group vice-chairman Asif Ibrahim moderated the session while ILO Country Director to Bangladesh Srinivas B Reddy, among others, spoke.
