Speakers at a virtual programme stressed increasing workers’ efficiency, use of technology and innovation to help reduce the long lead time the country at present takes to ship readymade garment (RMG) products.
Changing economic reality with the country’s graduation from least developed country will also gradually change the terms of agreement with importing countries, they opined.
They also suggested for exploring the ways how to reduce the cost and offer competitive price along with lessening the lead time duration.
The observations and suggestions came at a virtual session held on Sunday night organised by Bangladesh Apparel Young Leaders Association (BAYLA), according to a statement.
BAYLA as parts of its ongoing study ‘Road to Recovery’ organised the virtual event titled ‘Leading with Lead Times’.
Panelists discussed how lead time reduction can help apparel sector and how to reduce lead time, it added.
Director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Team Group Managing Director Abdullah Hil Rakib, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Director and Bay Creations Chief Executive Director MI Siddique Selim Mahbub, Director of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association and Managing Director of Outpace and RA Spinning Mills Razeeb Haider, among others, spoke at the session.
BAYLA Director Ehsan Haq moderated the event.
Speakers said Bangladesh has much room to improve its lead time. The apparel exporters need 90-120 days to deliver the orders.
Vietnam has already outshined Bangladesh and became the second largest apparel exporter in the world, they opined.
They suggested identifying each and every phases including goods handling at off-docks, customs automation, fumigation of cotton imported from USA that make the lead time longer and take necessary measures to reduce the shipment times.
