Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal has said effective partnership with the Dutch as well as other European buyers will facilitate Bangladesh’s apparel sector to cope with the challenges in a smarter way, reports UNB. He thanked the Dutch buyers and fashion houses for their continued support for flourishment of apparel sector and sought their continued cooperation for its further improvement. The Ambassador was addressing a discussion titled ‘Sustainability, Transparency and Transformation of Apparel Industry of Bangladesh’ organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh, The Hague recently. More than 40 participants from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBI (the Centre for the promotion of imports from Developing Countries), MODINT (Dutch business network of manufacturers, importers, agents and wholesalers in clothing and fashion accessories), International Apparel Federation, fashion houses and apparel industry were present, said the Embassy on Wednesday. The objective of organising the session was to promote progress achieved in the apparel industry of Bangladesh and how this sector is bringing qualitative changes in the lives and living of 4.4 million workers of RMG sector of Bangladesh. EU market is the largest market for the apparel industry of Bangladesh. In this ever changing fashion world, to remain engaged with and strengthen Bangladesh’s footprints in European market, apparel sector of Bangladesh is facing different challenges like technological advancements, compliance protocols, international competitions, knowledge & innovations, etc Bangladesh needs due support and assistance for the sustainability of the apparel sector, said the speakers at the discussion. Referring to the Rana Plaza incident, Ambassador Belal recalled the contribution of former Dutch Minister Lilianne Ploumen to make the Dutch buyers supportive to resolve the issue and continue their business with Bangladesh. He appreciated the constructive and innovative role of MODINT and hoped that they would help BGMEA for capacity building through academic collaboration with Dutch universities and institutions and for technology transfer and introducing future-oriented new concepts like-blockchain, automation etc. The government of Bangladesh has given much impetus for sustained development of this industry. Managing Director of Denim Expert Limited of Bangladesh Mostafiz Uddin made a key note presentation on ‘Sustainability, Transparency and Transformation of Apparel Industry of Bangladesh’. Mostafiz updated the progresses made in the apparel sector and how this sector has been transformed over the years. He observed that in perspective of worker’s safety, sustainability, working environment and transparency Bangladesh is the country of safest apparel industry in the world. Mostafiz informed the participants about what he called ‘price paradox’ where Bangladesh has increased wages by 263 percent over the last 9 years while the RMG industries in Bangladesh has received lower price to the extent of 6.63 percent and 7.33 percent from the USA and Europe respectively. He also said this ‘price paradox’ will sustainability be at stake without any meaningful reform.
