The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh apparel-industry leaders Tuesday unveiled an ambitious export target of US $ 25 billion and additional 2 million jobs in next five years, keeping well in mind impacts of possible long-term recession following the recent global financial flu.

" We have proved ourselves as a strong player in the apparel sector so far and have been branded among the best competitive RMG producers," President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury told members of the Overseas Corespondents Association, Bangladesh (OCAB) at his office ahead of their mega-event Batexpo-2008.

He said the Ready Made Garment (RMG) exports rose to US$ 10.7 billion in the last fiscal year and the first month of present fiscal recorded a 71 percent growth, which he said not only impressive but also reflects the industry's strength and capability.

Chowdhury, however, did not rule out any adverse impact of a possible longer recession due to the global economic recession and urged government policymakers to evolve immediate action plans to face up to the future challenges.

The BGMEA president said Bangladesh's competitors like India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and even China already devalued their currencies. Without wasting time, policymakers and economic experts should work out effective measures to protect the industry, the "backbone" of the national economy.

He said the BGMEA is making relentless effort to promote the market of the garment industry and are actively involved in international trade negotiations multilaterally through WTO and bilaterally.

Saying that they are aware of challenges and weakness of the industry, Chowdhury noted that the apparel sector is currently suffering from shortage of workers up to 25 percent and mid-management staff.

Currently 2.5 million workers, mostly female, are employed in the sector.

Chowdhury said the BGMEA has focussed on developing skills of the workers at 7 Technical Training Centers (TTC) and signed an MOU with the government to use 23 more TTCs which will be operative by December 2008.

This program would produce 15,000 trained workers annually. So far, 7000 students have successfully completed their training and found their place in different factories.

Besides, he said, some 5,000 students came out from BGMEA Institute of Fashion and Technology and are working for this sector. They are now planning to set up a private university on fashion design. An agreement was recently signed with London College of fashion to promote and diversify the garment products.

BATEXPO 2008, the 19th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition, will be held November 6-8 at Sonargaon Hotel.

Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would inaugurate the exposition as chief guest while Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed attend the closing ceremony as chief guest.

BATEXPO, the largest clothing exposition in the Asia-Pacific region, will enable foreign buyers and their representatives to see Bangladeshi textiles, clothing and accessories.

In the past, buyers from the USA, Canada, the U.K, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and many other countries attended the exposition. Last year BATEXPO got spot orders worth US$ 55 million.

This year the organizers expect more buyers as 65 different organizations have already registered to display their products in 75 stalls.

During the 3-day exposition, four seminars and three BATEXPO cultural nights will be held on November 6-8.