Faizah Mehmood, the Deputy Managing Director of Anwar Group of Industries, stands as a leading force in driving dynamic leadership within Bangladesh’s textile manufacturing sector. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto and her Master of Science (MS) from Johns Hopkins University.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Faizah is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and computer literacy.
Through her active engagement in various initiatives, she strives to break barriers, inspire transformative change, and bridge inequality gaps.
Recently, Textile Focus had a conversation with her regarding the Bangladesh textile industry – its prospects and challenges. She shares her thoughts, achievements, and future plans.
Textile Focus: How do you see the current scenario of the Bangladesh Textile Sector?
Faizah Mehmood: The current scenario in the Bangladesh Textile Sector is undoubtedly challenging. We are confronted with a multitude of external disruptions simultaneously, presenting a significant hurdle to overcome. The foremost challenges facing the textile sector include electricity and gas shortages, price fluctuations, currency
crises, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. These factors collectively exert immense pressure on manufacturers, making it increasingly difficult for factories to maintain competitiveness in the global market.
Despite these obstacles, the textile and RMG sector remains a crucial pillar of the Bangladeshi economy, contributing substantially to employment generation, foreign earnings, and overall GDP growth. Bangladesh’s RMG exports recently
achieved a noteworthy milestone, surpassing $47 billion with a growth rate of 10.27% year-on-year, amidst global trade contractions. Given the gravity of the situation, the industry must collaborate closely with all stakeholders, including policymakers and government bodies. Only through concerted efforts and strategic initiatives can we navigate through these turbulent times in the hopes of future resilience and prosperity of the Bangladesh Textile Sector.
Textile Focus: Could you please share with us the current status of Anwar Textile and what sets it apart from others?
Faizah Mehmood: From modest origins, starting with 36 loom machines in 1968, our textile unit has since expanded into the entire textile vertical. Our operations now encompass spinning, yarn dyeing, sewing thread production, sweater yarn manufacturing, weaving, fabric dyeing, multiple printing divisions, and a home textiles division. Over the years, we have pursued a path of vertical integration within our production process, continually expanding our facilities and diversifying our product range in response to evolving market demands.
One of our most significant strengths lies in the wealth of knowledge we have accumulated through practical experience. This expertise has enabled us to excel in research and development, honed through years of experimentation and innovation. Our commitment to continuous improvement is evident in our robust R&D processes, enabling us to consistently deliver quality and innovation within the textile industry.
Textile Focus: As a newly appointed DMD of Anwar Group and our industry now takes the lead by the young- er generation, how do you evaluate this?
Faizah Mehmood: The influx of young leaders into our industry is an inevitable and positive phenomenon. With each new generation comes fresh perspectives, allowing us to assess business situations with a fresh set of eyes and propose innovative ideas to enhance and develop the sector. I’ve observed several ways in which our generation brings a positive impact.
Firstly, there’s a strong emphasis on the adoption of technology. As the world rapidly evolves, embracing technological advancements becomes essential for improving efficiency. As young leaders, we are keenly aware of this shift and are eager to leverage technology to drive progress within our organisations. In fact, my first project has been on the implementation of SAP in the organization, aiming to transition from an intuition-based operation to a data-centric organisation. This initiative underscores our commitment to embracing digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency.
Secondly, there’s a notable shift in our approach towards cooperation. We recognize the importance of collaboration, even with competitors, for the collective benefit of the industry. This cooperative mindset fosters a more dynamic and inclusive environment, driving growth and innovation.
In my role as the newly appointed Deputy Managing Director, I see myself playing a pivotal role beyond my operational responsibilities – leading the transformation of our company. The textile division specifically holds significant historical importance within Anwar Group. My focus is on ensuring the sustainability of our organization while preserving the traditional values that define us as Anwar
Group. This entails an emphasis on policy development and corporate structuring, aligning our operations with contemporary best practices while honouring our legacy.
Textile Focus: What is your future plan?
Faizah Mehmood: Our future plan revolves around strategic business development and penetrating untapped markets. Currently, Bangladesh’s textile and RMG sector faces intense competition and price pressure due to concentration in a few products. To mitigate this, we aim to diversify our market reach and product offerings. Consumer mindsets have evolved significantly since the inception of the garment industry in Bangladesh. Today, consumers expect more from brands, driving the need for continuous technological upgrades and skills development in design and marketing.
Our reliance on a few key markets such as the US and Europe poses risks. To mitigate these risks and tap into new opportunities, we plan to explore untapped markets globally. This entails comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to each market’s unique demands and preferences.
In essence, our future endeavours are focused on fostering innovation, diversifying our market presence, and meeting the evolving needs of consumers worldwide through strategic expansion and continuous improvement initiatives. However, overcoming present challenges remains our utmost task.
Anwar Textile recently organized “Anwar Textile Mill Week” in which innovative products across the vertical were showcased. Faizah Mehmood, Deputy Managing Director of Anwar Group of Industries is in the exhibition.
