About 45,000 rural women have achieved self-reliance in the northern districts through mini garments, embroidering, spangling saree and ornamental stitching on female clothes in recent years.The prospective ventures have been expanding fast attracting more unemployed, poor and distressed rural women in earning through working at home or smaller enterprises locally to attain self-reliance for better life.As result of growing success, the mini garments, embroidery and needlework have been getting a shape of growing cottage industry attracting local entrepreneurs to change the rural macro-economy in the northern districts.Many of the rural women, who initiated the venture few years back, have launched smaller enterprises now after getting necessary training and assistance from different government and non-government organisations and local traders.According to the sources in different NGOs, 45,000 unemployed rural housewives, divorcees, young girls, adolescents, students and widows of some 10,000 households are now engaged with the profession to achieve self-reliance.With the assistance of RDRS Bangladesh, 2,400 unemployed and distressed women, victims of repression and violence, divorcees, widows and physically challenged women have so far achieved self-reliance through mini garments and needlework at homes.Entrepreneur of spangling industry Chand Mia said he has expanded the venture generating employment for 400 poor families in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur through creating expert embroidery and ornamental stitching artisans.He supplies simple saree, various spangles, anti- pipe, dhania puthi, tire puthi, pet-pipe, phooljori, laljori, sadajori, dhole spangle, stitching inputs, yarns and threads to women to make those more attractive through ornamental stitching, embroidery etc”After finishing needlework, each of the saree is being sold in Dhaka markets at Taka 8,000 to Taka 25,000 while the saree made by more skillful hand is sold at higher price of up to Taka 40,000 in the aristocrat markets in the capital,” he said.Similarly, over 900 women of all ages have changed their fortune through embroidery, ‘jari’, ‘puthi’ and spangling works on saree, three-pieces, scarf and other female clothes in seven villages under Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon in recent years.Widow Sufi Begum, students Chompa Begum and Sadeka of Shibganj village there narrated as how they won poverty through earning conducting needlework on saree and other female clothes at leisure periods.Local entrepreneur Mamuni Begum said she supplies inputs to 480 women of all ages of these villages and they earn excellent wages every week through ornamental stitching, embroidery and spangling on saree those are being at Dhaka.

Bangladesh is today considered a power house in the apparel sector. The overall performance of apparel exports in the last year compared to the previous years has not been that different. The growth rate has been around 9.0 per cent over the previous year, which is slightly lower than the past five years’ average of around 12 per cent. This drop can be attributed to several factors, including for Rana Plaza tragedy, political instability, energy crisis and discriminatory treatment by some major global buyers. In April 2012, the world’s leading strategy consulting firm McKinsey & Co released a study titled Bangladesh’s Ready Made Garments Landscape: The Challenge of Growth. McKinsey forecast that the Bangladesh apparel sector could reach $30 billion by 2015 and $50 billion by 2021. It noted: “While China is starting to lose its attractiveness in this realm, the sourcing caravan is moving on to the next hotspot.” In the latest report of Apparel CPO Survey 2013, McKinsey repeated that in the aftermath of Rana Plaza, the RMG sector still held a competitive position. Thus, the reports suggest that Bangladesh is likely to be the best destination that has the ability to grab the lion share of the global RMG market presently held by China. There is much evidence to demonstrate that Bangladesh’s garment exports can continue to grow. The garment industry grew at an annual average rate of 16.9 per cent since the MFA (Multi-Fibre Agreement) was abolished in 2005. This period includes the opening up of world garments trade to full competition, as well as the global economic crisis of 2008. There is more room to grow. Japan is now actively seeking to diversify its garments import base away from a focus on China to “China plus.” Chinese investors themselves are seeking to source from Bangladesh, given rising wages in China. Growing diversification away from garments of large countries like India and China gives Bangladesh an opportunity to not only increase world market share in garments, but also to find markets in these countries. And despite recent increases, wages in Bangladesh remain very competitive. There is a lot of room for the garment sector in Bangladesh to grow and capture an increasing share of the world market. Bangladesh’s share of world garments trade has risen gradually to 5.0 per cent. Vietnam has been catching up and is now close to Bangladesh, with a market share of almost 5.0 per cent. If Bangladesh can address the key constraints hindering exports, it could take some of the market being gradually vacated by China: capturing 20 per cent of China’s garment export markets would more than double Bangladesh’s total exports and absorb almost all the new entrants into the labour force over the next decade. If Bangladesh fails to act in time, other competitors could march ahead and take the markets China is vacating. China is currently either vacating some price competitive product segments or investing abroad in more competitive locations, offering great opportunities for Bangladesh. Bangladesh could potentially become an important player in manufacturing based on a strong comparative advantage in labour-intensive industries, with wages half those in India and less than one third of those in China or Indonesia. This comparative advantage, matched with a large population, has translated into very strong price competitiveness in the garment sector and possibly could, with the right policies, translate into competitive positions in other manufacturing industries. China losing ground in RMG: Opportunity for Bangladesh Future export growth will likely rely, first, on capturing new markets and increasing market share in existing markets, with existing products. Bangladesh’s exports have grown strongly and doubled in world market share between 1995 and 2012, owing to the success in garments, catering largely to the EU and USA. Garments can continue to grow, in existing and newer markets. Newer products will emerge more slowly. Thus, more rapid export growth will initially rely on capturing higher market shares in Bangladesh’s existing strength, i.e., basic garments – both in current markets, and penetrating newer and dynamic markets such as Japan, China, ASEAN and India. Bangladesh is lagging behind in some areas, but is capable of making substantial improvement. However, India has a superior advantage of grabbing a share from China, while Myanmar is strategically poised having unchartered waters for China to make a move and shift. In addition, countries like Cambodia and Vietnam are also ready and capable of taking a portion of the cake. Last but not least, starting from some of the African nations to even some developed nations with slow economic growth are in the race to grab a portion of the large chunk that China controls. Thus, the next question is: Can Bangladesh be number one RMG exporter in the world beating China?

Let us assess the capabilities to become world no 1:

Bangladesh has a strategic advantage in terms of wages. But India and Myanmar are breathing over its shoulder. One must clearly understand that price is the deciding factor for selecting a sourcing destination. This is truer when one observes that the purchasing intent for consumer goods is falling in major destinations and commodities, such as apparel, are considered highly price elastic. Lest we get overshadowed by price alone, we should be reminded that fashion still dominates the brand purse and supersedes generics. India, Myanmar and Cambodia have enough capacity to build their industries even further. Bangladesh should consider concentrating on productivity and capacity utilisation to start with. A 10 per cent hike in productivity in the next 6-7 years will result in a net increase of $5.5 billion on top of the predicted $48 billion. In addition, enhancing capacity at the lower-tier manufacturing units will add another $1.5 billion. Thus, concentrating on these should be able to push exports to $55 billion. The above scenario can also help to increase workers’ wages by at least 20 per cent by 2021. Bangladesh should start working on value addition with fabric designs, which takes away a substantial portion of its competitive advantage. Centres focusing on collection of fashion apparel and fabric from various destinations must be set up to participate in setting fashion trends. This can easily enhance returns by 5-10 per cent in the immediate future. Bangladesh can further take advantage by setting up of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones in selected countries. One may think of Myanmar as a starting point because of its geographic proximity and strategic alliance with China. However, major production hubs should be near the major markets with a view to further cutting costs in the form of freight and time. This is a multidimensional strategy and requires elaborate discussion. Bangladesh must continue to work on improving infrastructure, ensuring power and eco-compliance, and maintaining a world class working environment by creating eco-friendly RMG factory according to United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The ‘Made in Bangladesh’ tag has made inroads at the highest rank of global society. The above analysis shows that we should be able to achieve the status of no.1 exporter if we work on areas such as productivity, capacity utilisation, and categorisation of manufacturing units, creating new markets, and creation and placement of home-grown talents as skilled workforce through introducing need-based education and skill training at the decision-making level.

The new edition of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has published a cartoon on Bangladesh, depicting some garment workers sewing t-shirts with the slogan “Je suis Charlie.”  In the cartoon, some garment workers, wearing ripped dresses, are seen sewing t-shirts containing the slogan Je suis Charlie.” “Je suis Charlie-I am Charlie” emerged as a message of support for the magazine following the attack on 7 January, which left eight journalists, including its editor, dead in addition to four others. The caption of the cartoon on Bangladesh read: “Pendant ce temps, au Bangladesh,” which means “See, what is happening in Bangladesh, on the other hand.” The cartoon probably contained the message that the selling of those t-shirts with the slogan “Je suis Charlie” has widely been increased as the slogan emerged as a message of support and the Bangladesh factories are making a good business over it. A worker, busy in sewing a t-shirt, has been seen saying: “De tout coeur avec vous,” which means “We are with you.” The new edition of the magazine has gone on sale, with a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad on its cover. Long queues have formed at newsstands in France for the latest edition of the satirical magazine on Wednesday. Five million copies are being printed – a week after Islamist gunmen murdered 12 people at its offices and five others in subsequent attacks in Paris. It is believed earlier cartoons of the Prophet provoked the attack on the magazine. The cartoon shows the Prophet weeping while holding a sign saying “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”) Referring to last week’s shocking events, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said his country was at war with extremism and terrorism – but not with Muslims. He was speaking on Tuesday after funeral ceremonies were held for seven of the victims in France and Israel. France has deployed 10,000 troops at various sites across the country – including synagogues, mosques and airports – in response to the attacks.

The new edition of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has published a cartoon on Bangladesh, depicting some sewing t-shirts with the slogan “Je suis Charlie”, said a report published in BBC Bangla. In the cartoon, some garment workers, wearing ripped dresses, are seen sewing t-shirts containing the slogan Je suis Charlie.  “Je suis Charlie-I am Charlie” emerged as a message of support for the magazine following the attack on 7 January, which left eight journalists, including its editor, dead in addition to four others. The caption of the cartoon on Bangladesh read: “Pendant ce temps, au Bangladesh,” which means “See, what is happening in Bangladesh, on the other hand.” The cartoon probably contained the message that the selling of those t-shirts with the slogan “Je suis Charlie” has widely been increased as the slogan emerged as a message of support and the Bangladesh factories are making a good business over it. A worker, busy in sewing a t-shirt, has been seen saying: “De tout coeur avec vous,” which means “We are with you.” The new edition of the magazine has gone on sale, with a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad on its cover. Long queues have formed at newsstands in France for the latest edition of the satirical magazine on Wednesday. Five million copies are being printed – a week after Islamist gunmen murdered 12 people at its offices and five others in subsequent attacks in Paris. It is believed earlier cartoons of the Prophet provoked the attack on the magazine. The cartoon shows the Prophet weeping while holding a sign saying “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”) Referring to last week’s shocking events, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said his country was at war with extremism and terrorism – but not with Muslims. Meanwhile, Muslims marched in Middle East cities yesterday to protest the publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed by French magazine Charlie Hebdo, as Qatar warned the image would “fuel hatred”. The largest rally was in Jordan, where around 2,500 protesters took to the streets of the capital Amman amid tightened security, while demonstrations also took place in east Jerusalem and Khartoum.

Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging    Manufacturers and Exporters Association has sought land and green banking facilities from government for making the sector compliant and environment-friendly.  “A special palli is needed to make the accessories industry compliant. If the government provides us lands for relocation of factories from the capital, it will help to grab a global market share,” said the Association’s president Rafez Alam Chowdhury. He was addressing the inauguration of a four-day exposition of garment accessories and packaging yesterday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). The event titled GAP EXPO-2015 will, among other things, include showcasing of latest developments in machinery and technology in the accessories sector. The Expo will continue till Saturday. Rafez Alam also called for green financing as there is no such facility offered for the sector. Minister for Textiles and Jute Mohammad Emaz Uddin Pramanik, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan, Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor SK Sur Chowdhury and industry leaders were also present at the function. Addressing the inaugural ceremony as chief gust, Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu said: “We are working towards developing expansion of various industries reducing dependency only on garment industry.” He said the government had given a special importance on sectors like shipbuilding, recycling, pharmaceutical, leather industry, ceramics and information technology.  Responding to the demand of land for setting up a garment accessories palli (village), industries minister said the government could provide 5-10 bighas of land at the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) area. “We will urge the BGMEA (garment makers and exporters’ association) to give some plots for accessories in Bausdia Garment Palli as it can help the RMG owners reduce transportation cost.” BGMEA vice president Shahidullah Azim said when the RMG industry was launched first in this country, there was no backward linkage sector. But now it is available and 15-20 such items are met locally, he said. Azim, however, put emphasis on stable situations inside the industry and in politics to develop a sustainable sector. He said buyers were avoiding visit to Bangladesh due to political unrest and asking exporters to go to Hong Kong or Indonesia for holding negotiations on placing orders.   According to him, if the negotiation is held in abroad, the exporters are likely to lose the volume. “In that case, for example, the orders could reduce to 40%.” In his speech, the garment accessories association president Rafez demanded cash incentive for the sectors like RMG. He said the $50bn RMG export could not be achieved unless a full backward linkage support is available for the industry. According to accessories association, Bangladesh earned $4.75bn through “deemed” export of RMG accessories products last fiscal year.   The sector has set annual targets of “deemed” export at $12bn by 2018 and $18bn by 2025. Currently, the garment accessories manufacturers provide 35 items to the apparel sector and also packaging materials to frozen foods and pharmaceutical sectors.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu called upon accessories manufacturing companies to establish green industry to reach the $ 20 billion export goal by the year 2020. ‘The government will extend due policy support to backward linkage industries so that the sector can be flourished with robust growth. Entrepreneurs should pay heed to green industrial expansion of the sector,’ Amu said. The minister was addressing at the four-day sixth International Garment Accessories and Packaging Exposition (GAPEXPO) 2015 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital on Wednesday. Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), ASK Trade International Pvt Ltd, India and Zakaria Trade and Fair International arranged the exposition. Amu said the accessories and packaging sector, where two lakh workers work, has enjoyed 13 percent growth in export. As a result, the sector should get utmost priority, Amu said informing that the sector has more than 40 percent value addition. Jute and Textile Minister Md Emaz Uddin Ahmad, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank SK Sur, Vice-President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Shahidulla Azim, Director of ASK Trade International Pvt Ltd Nanda Gopal spoke at the programme. President of BGAPMEA Rafez Alam Chowdhury chaired the function. In his speech, Rafez Alam said accessories and packaging sector has undertaken a target of earning foreign exchanges of $12 billion by the year 2018 and $25 billion by the year 2020 while it needs policy support from the government. Explaining the situation of the sector, Rafez said though readymade garment sector enjoys cash incentives on export, but as a supporting sector of the garment industry, the accessories and packaging sector has no such facilities. He also sketched the high bank interest rate and said that it is hampering in fetching fresh investment. Addressing the programme, MA Mannan said the government will provide all necessary and logical policy support to the sector.

The export earnings from the country’s garment accessories and packaging industries would be as much as $12 billion by 2018 should the sector gets effective support to grow, industry people said. Participating in a discussion at the inaugural programme of the Garment Accessories and Packaging Expo 2015 (GAPEXPO) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital yesterday, leading stakeholders of this sector also demanded that this sector should be developed as a separate industry, reports BSS. Bangladesh Garment Accessories Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) organised the expo, providing a marketing platform for its members to display their latest products and latest collection to the apparels exporters and buyers. Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu inaugurated the expo when he assured that the government would provide all support to help develop the sector so it could expedite the export prospect. The minister said the government already fast-tracked export diversification initiatives so many other sectors including the garment accessories and packaging, shipbuilding and recycling, pharmaceuticals, leather, ceramic, plastic and ICT would grow besides the major export earning readymade garment sector. He said the government would also consider on a priority basis if the entrepreneurs of the garment accessories and packaging sectors want spaces at the BSCIC industrial estate or Garment Palli. Textiles and Jute Minister Emaj Uddin Pramanik, State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Deputy Governor SK Sur Chowdhury and BGAPMEA President Rafez Alam Chowdhury also addressed the programme. Some 300 entrepreneurs from 30 countries are participating in the 4-day expo, ending on Saturday.Later, it had increased only the price of compressed natural gas by 66.67 per cent, from Tk. 18 to Tk. 30 a cubic metre, in two phases in 2011, to rationalise the gas price with the increased price of fuels such as diesel, petrol and octane.

Industries minister Amir Hossain Amu said Wednesday apparel accessories and packaging makers will get plots at BSCIC estates or the planned garment park on a priority basis. He also pledged to extend necessary policy support to help boost the accessories and packaging segment. The minister’s promise came in response to a demand from the Bangladesh Garment Accessories Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day fair being held in the city. President of BGAPMEA urged the government to provide land for setting up an institute and testing laboratory for capacity build-up and cash incentive and stimulus package to help the garment accessories and packaging sector thrive.   He also demanded resolution of the problem of Utilisation Permission (UP) issue and provide Export Development Fund (EDF) at low interest rate for the development of the sector. He expressed the hope that the local apparel accessories and packaging makers will able to export worth US$ 12 billion by 2018 if they get government policy support. The garment accessories and packaging sector earned US$ 4.75 billion during 2014 financial year. The average growth rate of the sector is around 13 per cent and it employs around 200,000 workers. In response to the trade group’s demand, state minister for finance and planning MA Mannan said that he will talk with the NBR chairman to resolve the UP issue and take initiative so that the garment accessories and packaging makers get cash incentive and stimulus. BGMEA vice president Md Shahidullah Azim said: “We’re facing political turmoil when the RMG sector starts to bounce back. The business people are the victim of political volatility.” He said politicians will run the country, but no country can move ahead destroying its economy.      He said foreign buyers have started to come to the country after taking initiative of ensuring compliance after the incident of Rana Plaza. But now they are feeling insecure to visit due to political unrest. If this situation continues, the buyers will stop visiting the country and the RMG sector will be in deep trouble. Textile and jute minister Md Emaj Uddin Pramanik, state minister for Finance and Planning MA Hannan, deputy governor of the central bank SK Sur and BGMEA vice president Md Shahidullah Azim attended the inaugural ceremony as special guests. International GAP Expo 2015, Garmentech and yarn and fabric sourcing fair Bangladesh Garment Accessories Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) in association with ASK Trade and Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Zakaria Trade and Fair International are organising the fairs. The fairs are displaying different garment accessories and packaging products and its related machinery. It will create a platform for sourcing machinery and new technologies from different parts of the globe, which will help explore the business opportunity. The backward linkage industry makes around 35 items including button, carton, package, elastic, drawstring, embroidery, interlining, label, padding, poly bag, sewing thread, zipper, plastic items, back board, neck board, gum tap, and bar code. Around 30 countries including India, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Australia, Germany and Dubai will take part in the fair. There are 632 stalls in the fair, which will remain open from 11 am to 8 pm everyday. The visitors will enjoy these fair through registered their names at the venue.

An international fair of garment accessories and packaging industries began in Dhaka yesterday to bring into focus the country’s strength in backward linkages that have helped build a strong local apparel sector.Over 300 companies from 30 countries are showcasing their products at the four-day GAP EXPO 2015 in over 600 stalls at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.Bangladesh Garment Accessories Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association or BGAPMEA organised the fair.The expo provides an international platform for the members of the association to display their latest products and latest collections to garment exporters and buying houses, said Rafez Alam Chowdhury, president of BGAPMEA, in the opening ceremony.It also provides wider access for sourcing machinery and latest technology from all over the world, he said.  Companies making corrugated cartons, back board, neck board, sticker, hang tag, barcode, size tag, price tag, collar insert, collar bone, sewing thread, tape, elastic, printed and woven labels, zippers, hangers, buttons, and quilting and embroidery are displaying wares at the four-day fair.  The sector that boasts 1,200 suppliers is an important component of backward linkages and is strong enough to meet the demand of the garment industry.The export-oriented garment accessories and packaging sector earned $4.75 billion in the last fiscal year, and is likely to grow to $12 billion by the end of 2018.The sector is growing at an annual rate of 13 percent, with its value addition standing at over 40 percent, according to Chowdhury.Speakers at the opening ceremony urged the government to put more emphasis on the backward linkage industries including garment accessories and packaging, to help the country achieve its $50 billion garment export target by 2021.They also urged the government to grant cash incentives to the sector and make it a thrust sector in the Industrial Policy of 2015.Two other fairs — Garmentech Bangladesh and International Yard and Fabric Sourcing — are also being held at the same venue simultaneously. The events are being co-organised by Zakaria Trade and Fair International, AKS Trade and Exhibitions and BGAPMEA.At the pavilion of Garmentech fair, Udit Kumar of Sewing Solutions, has on display an automated pocket making machine that can save time and increase productivity.The presence of the visitors was thin in the afternoon, but participating companies hope for a big rush on Friday and Saturday.JUKU, a global sewing machine producer of Japan, is showcasing apparel and non-apparel sewing machine, said Nazmul Hossain, a senior sales executive of its Bangladesh subsidiary.He said the company is showcasing eco-friendly machines, as buyers around the world are increasingly demanding more and more environment-friendly products and production processes.  Naf Group is showcasing automated embroidery machine from Japan’s Tajima company.At the International Yard and Fabric Sourcing fair, Alam Industries has brought woven and knit tapes, which can be used in making inner wears and belts, said Nur Alam, one of the owners of the Gazipur-based company.In the same pavilion, A Arun, executive director of Vijay Velavan Spinning Mills Ltd in India, is displaying export quality yarn and fabrics.Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu inaugurated the fair, where MA Mannan, state minister for finance, and Shitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, also spoke.