The Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has demanded quality power supply and improvements in the existing transmission system to ensure high productivity. “Power generation has been upgraded in Bangladesh, compared to what there was earlier. But the transmission system is yet to be improved. This is hampering production,” pointed out BGMEA president Md Siddiqur Rahman. He was addressing a press meet on the eve of the ‘Second Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017’ at the city’s BGMEA Bhaban yesterday. United Commercial Bank Ltd chairman MA Sabur addressed the meet, among others. With the objective of initiating a dialogue on framing strategies to secure a more sustainable apparel supply chain from local and global perspectives, BGMEA is going to organise the second Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017 from February 25. “We are going to organise the summit to set the next course of action for achieving an exports target of USD 50 billion by 2021,” said BGMEA president Rahman. The event, named the ‘Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017’, will be held on 25 February 2017 at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. He said the summit will also showcase the progress of initiatives taken to improve the safety standards and conditions of the workers in the readymade garments (RMG) sector following the disaster at a factory in 2013. BGMEA president said the Dhaka Apparel Summit is a prime event in the textiles and apparel industry in Bangladesh, bringing together some of the world’s leading experts in their respective fields to share their experiences and visionary thoughts on issues pertaining to the apparel industry and ways in which the business can realise sustainable growth well into the 21st century. The primary focus will be on the apparel industry of Bangladesh, on its recent transformation, and will entail suggestions to chalk out sustainable development, as Bangladesh is a part of the global apparel supply chain. The globally important apparel issues will also be discussed at the summit, Rahman added. The summit will hold three panel discussion sessions, offering a more open and interactive environment, and allowing full audience participation and the opportunity for a valid exchange of ideas. The seminars will be attended by representatives of the government, international organisations, economists, brand representatives, development organisations, employers, workers’ representatives, civil society members, academics, and media-persons from home and abroad. The first session will discuss the business climate in the country and policies required to support its growth potential. The discussions will explore the priorities to move towards industry-led economic growth, particularly in the areas of a conducive business environment and predictable policies as well as for meeting growing infrastructure needs. The second session will discuss the importance of stakeholders’ collaboration and economics of sustainability for meaningful persuasion of the sustainability agenda within the apparel supply chain. The third session will share perspectives on transformation, challenges faced and the road ahead. The session will also highlight the importance of modernisation and resilience of the industry and moving up the ladder of responsible value chain for creating better opportunities for all. While talking about the implementation of the decisions taken at the previous summit, BGMEA’s president said the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway is the first achievement of the summit. He further said huge infrastructure is required for more investments.
